I've been noticing how some people are very focused on getting more money. They are usually so focused that they will work way more than 40 hours a week to get that extra money. I think that's fine if you are really dedicated to your job or you are extremely poor and have to work that much to make ends meet. But I think there is a point at which more time spent with those you love or doing the things you love outweighs working overtime for a little extra cash.
I've had jobs where I was required to work overtime, and I will say there were many times I wanted to quit because I didn't need the extra money as much as I needed time with my family and friends.
I feel like people who already have a lot of money who work long hours, are missing the point of life. The goal in life should not be how much money you have and how many things you bought. It should be about your relationships and time spent doing things that make you happy.
Many people think buying things will make them happy, and I agree to a certain extent. If you want to work overtime so you can buy that one thing you have really been wanting, then go ahead. But if you make a habit of it, you run into a vicious cycle of always wanting more and needing more money to maintain what you already have. I would argue that you can be just as happy with your life with buying less things.
I know my words won't mean much to those who are already working themselves to death to maintain a lifestyle. But maybe I can make them think a little more about what they truly "need" and what is important in life.
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Getting Risky
I really wish I was blogging more, but this full-time-job-business is just like it sounds. It takes most of your time. I do enjoy the paycheck, but sometimes I still wish for the days where I had oodles of free time. On the other hand, this is probably the best full-time job I have ever had. It isn't too hard or stressful and the pay is decent. So I really can't complain.
Last night I was reading Thinking Fast and Slow, (Yes I am STILL reading it. Work takes away from more than just blogging.) and I learned that most people weigh losses much more than gains. In other words, people will try much harder to avoid risk than to gain something. You may think this is a good thing because who wants to risk their health, life, or regret on something that could have been avoided? But the author suggests that it is more beneficial to balance risks with playing it safe. Yes, there is the chance you will regret your choice, but if the odds are in your favor, you should probably go for it. Otherwise, nothing will ever be gained.
The author calls avoiding risks the precautionary principle and he says,"when interpreted strictly, it can be paralyzing." He then goes on to list some things that would have never been invented if the precautionary principle was followed - airplanes, air conditioning, antibiotics, automobiles, chlorine, the measles vaccine, open-heart surgery, radio, refrigeration, smallpox vaccine, and X-rays. I think we can all agree these are some pretty great things that we wouldn't have if people had been "too careful".
The author says that being loss adverse is embedded in our subconscious. But I think there is hope for more people taking calculated risks because of all the wonderful inventions I just listed. You can overcome your avoidance of risk by remembering there is risk in every decision, and there will be always be some losses and some wins. It is how you look at these consequences that makes it easier to take risks. When you feel regret about a bad decision, just remember - without some risky behavior, little is accomplished.
I am probably the worst person to be giving advice about taking risks. I am as afraid of making a wrong choice as anyone. But if I can work on taking more risks, so can you. So get out there and get risky!
Last night I was reading Thinking Fast and Slow, (Yes I am STILL reading it. Work takes away from more than just blogging.) and I learned that most people weigh losses much more than gains. In other words, people will try much harder to avoid risk than to gain something. You may think this is a good thing because who wants to risk their health, life, or regret on something that could have been avoided? But the author suggests that it is more beneficial to balance risks with playing it safe. Yes, there is the chance you will regret your choice, but if the odds are in your favor, you should probably go for it. Otherwise, nothing will ever be gained.
The author calls avoiding risks the precautionary principle and he says,"when interpreted strictly, it can be paralyzing." He then goes on to list some things that would have never been invented if the precautionary principle was followed - airplanes, air conditioning, antibiotics, automobiles, chlorine, the measles vaccine, open-heart surgery, radio, refrigeration, smallpox vaccine, and X-rays. I think we can all agree these are some pretty great things that we wouldn't have if people had been "too careful".
The author says that being loss adverse is embedded in our subconscious. But I think there is hope for more people taking calculated risks because of all the wonderful inventions I just listed. You can overcome your avoidance of risk by remembering there is risk in every decision, and there will be always be some losses and some wins. It is how you look at these consequences that makes it easier to take risks. When you feel regret about a bad decision, just remember - without some risky behavior, little is accomplished.
I am probably the worst person to be giving advice about taking risks. I am as afraid of making a wrong choice as anyone. But if I can work on taking more risks, so can you. So get out there and get risky!
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