Do you do what you love for work?

[Madman31]

I was thinking about all the answers in that retire early/rich thread and some people said why retire when you love your work? Look at Warren Buffet. That makes a lot of sense. It reminded me of this speech by Jobs http://news.stanford.edu/news/2005/june15/jobs-061505.html

That made me google how to find what you love to do and this came up first
http://briankim.net/blog/2006/07/how-to-find-what-you-love-to-do/

I can definitely see some ideas I can pursue that I feel I would love doing but financial security is always bringing me back. Anybody here manage to make good money doing what you love to do? How long did it take? What's it like?

[icehog3]

25+ years in and I stll like my job. Unfrotunately, I will never get rich doing it, but it provides a secure living and good retirement benefits.

[Volusianator]

I currently work at Time Warner Cable, do I need to say more.

[CigarNut]

I have been doing work in an IT-related field for about 35 years. I first started out doing application development (which I loved and did well at), then design, then expanded to networks and servers, architecture, program management and now I am back to development.

I really love what I am doing now. No people to manage anymore, decent work environment, decent employer, decent benefits. The salary is about half of what I could make in management but I have much less stress in my life now.

After many years I am finally happy with what I am doing and who I work for.

[croatan]

There are certain things I enjoy more, but until I can convince someone to pay me a ridiculous sum to fly around the world, eat, drink, and smoke cigars, I'm extremely happy doing what I do.

[E.J.]

I like my job.... I get up in the morning and come to work with a smile on my face. I enjoy my colleagues, so much so, some of us hang out socially outside of work as well.

That said, I do not love my work. I would not do what I do for free or anywhere close to free. That retirement thread had me thinking and I am firmly in the camp that I work to live, I do not live to work.

If I hit the lottery, I would not be coming to work every day. I may get a part time job at a golf course, fly shop ect....but probably not. I am pretty sure I could keep myself plenty busy without "work."

[Steve]

I like my job.... I get up in the morning and come to work with a smile on my face. I enjoy my colleagues, so much so, some of us hang out socially outside of work as well.

That said, I do not love my work. I would not do what I do for free or anywhere close to free. That retirement thread had me thinking and I am firmly in the camp that I work to live, I do not live to work.

If I hit the lottery, I would not be coming to work every day. I may get a part time job at a golf course, fly shop ect....but probably not. I am pretty sure I could keep myself plenty busy without "work."

What he said, except I probably would get a "fun" job at a flyshop, etc.

[Ogre]

Been doing it for 20+ years. I love being a Firefighter/Paramedic

[markem]

I charge other people obscene amounts of money to read old books and scholarly journals. I like my work.

[ninjavanish]

I work in a building that contains 20-30 Million cigars...

[68TriShield]

I do not love my work,even as an owner.What I do like is the fact that we support many nice people and their families.

[DMK]

Not only do I not love what I do for work, I hate it most days.
In the past few years it has gotten worse.
I truly look forward to retirement, but I'll have to put in a few more years in Hell.
Oh, by the way, I'm a millwright at a steel mill here in little Pittsburgh.

[Apoco]

I like my job well enough - but I am sick of sitting behind a desk. Already. Only been in an office job (rotated through a few of them) for 2 and a half years now. Long way to go >.<

[G G]

25+ years in and I stll like my job. Unfrotunately, I will never get rich doing it, but it provides a secure living and good retirement benefits.
What he said, except down here in florida they are trying to seriously screw up my retirement. And only 9 years service.

[Hooligan]

Been working on and off for my grandfathers flooring company since I was 16 (29 now) and now have been working 3 years straight for him. It has it's ups and downs but as long as I'm making enough for my wife to be a stay at home mommy for our daughter I'll always have a smile on my face for what I do.

[SvilleKid]

I work in a building that contains 20-30 Million cigars...

It's a good thing you like cigars! should be enough to last you a couple months or so!

[MajorCaptSilly]

I work in a building that contains 20-30 Million cigars...

I envy you the most! Total Willy Wonka for the cigar lover.

MCS

[SvilleKid]

I used to love what I did. Before the economy crashed, and the job has almost gone away!

[MajorCaptSilly]

Being in sales/consulting is incredibly rewarding for me as I get to meet people I really like. I've learned a lot about personality, relationships, and all kinds of psychological stuff. There are quite a few things I don't like about my job but at the end of the day, I love what I do.


MCS

[forgop]

I used to hate my previous career, but nearly 3 years removed from that, I'm just 5 days away from taking my last nursing final and can go home thinking I helped make someone's day somewhat better than before they came to the ER. :tu

[qwerty1500]

Guess I'm one of the lucky ones ... totally love my job ... look forward to it every day.

I've made it to the top of my profession after 32 years. Sure, the pay is nice and everyone treats me like I know what I'm doing. However, the best part is that I'm at that point in my career where I can pick and choose what I want to do and delegate the rest to someone else. Love the hard stuff, the challenging stuff, the kind of stuff that totally absorbs you. The job is pretty stressful but I seem to thrive on it. I'd hate to have one of those jobs where you watched the clock. If anything, I don't seem to have enough hours in my day.

The one danger of my job is that it can consume you 24/7 if you let it. I really try to leave everything at work but I know better. It's always there. I'm always thinking about some problem or idea. I usually don't talk about it at home, but after a long weekend, I chomping at the bit to get back to work.

I'm probably in no danger of retiring early. First, I need the health insurance because I'm falling apart. But, the real reason is that I really don't know what I'd do with myself if I retired. I always tell folks that when I leave, it will be feet first.

As much as I love my job, it's kind of scary how much it defines who I am. It's also a little sad to think about some of the other things in my life that have been short-changed because of it.

[icehog3]

What he said, except down here in florida they are trying to seriously screw up my retirement. And only 9 years service.

Illinois keeps trying to do the same, Greg, but looks like current employees would get Grandfathered in to their current pension plan. If it looked like negative changes were coming, I would likely pull the plug and get another job in the field. I have seen too many in private industry get screwed after a lifetime on their job.

[emopunker2004]

What he said, except down here in florida they are trying to seriously screw up my retirement. And only 9 years service.

What G said except 3.5 yrs of service. Hopefully there will still be a pension when I'm eligible to retire. But I do enjoy my work, mostly due to the co-workers I currently have.

[emopunker2004]

Illinois keeps trying to do the same, Greg, but looks like current employees would get Grandfathered in to their current pension plan. If it looked like negative changes were coming, I would likely pull the plug and get another job in the field. I have seen too many in private industry get screwed after a lifetime on their job.

Same here Tom, but I just keep wondering how long until they decide that they want to go after the Grandfathered as well.

[icehog3]

Same here Tom, but I just keep wondering how long until they decide that they want to go after the Grandfathered as well.

That is why I will pull the plug if that is going to happen, Justin, too many years in to get jammed up this late in the game. :)

[emopunker2004]

That is why I will pull the plug if that is going to happen, Justin, too many years in to get jammed up this late in the game. :)

Definately. So far they're just talking minor pension changes for new hires. but we did just take a paycut which sucks. But at least I have job security, people in this country aren't getting any smarter. :r

[kaisersozei]

Guess I'm one of the lucky ones ... totally love my job ... look forward to it every day.

I've made it to the top of my profession after 32 years. Sure, the pay is nice and everyone treats me like I know what I'm doing. However, the best part is that I'm at that point in my career where I can pick and choose what I want to do and delegate the rest to someone else. Love the hard stuff, the challenging stuff, the kind of stuff that totally absorbs you. The job is pretty stressful but I seem to thrive on it. I'd hate to have one of those jobs where you watched the clock. If anything, I don't seem to have enough hours in my day.

The one danger of my job is that it can consume you 24/7 if you let it. I really try to leave everything at work but I know better. It's always there. I'm always thinking about some problem or idea. I usually don't talk about it at home, but after a long weekend, I chomping at the bit to get back to work.


This is probably pretty close for me, too, been in healthcare administration since 1987. I love the challenge, the innovation, and the knowledge that the work I do is making a difference not only in the business side of the industry, but also at the bedside.

On the other hand, is it really my passion & calling? Probably not. If I could be doing the one thing in the world that I feel passionate about, I would be running my own craft brewery and producing my own recipes commercially on a mass scale. But I figure I still have time for that.

[chachee52]

I'm a Physical Therapist. I've always said, as someone else in this thread did, if I won the lottery I'd still do Physical Therapy (just would take a lot more days off!!!!!
Will I be rich doing this? No
But every day is completely different, and every hour is completely different. Yes, there are some crazy people out there, but I take that as somewhat of a challenge to try to get them better. And the reward to see someone that couldn't walk at first walk out of the clinic is a great experience.
I love what i do and wouldn't change it for the world.

[Blak Smyth]

I hate my job. It's my fault, bad life choices have led me here. The pay is okay, but I do not enjoy it and I have no more room for growth. I was scheduled to start school last year for graphic design, something that pays less but I would really enjoy the work. I was commited to leaving for work at 6am, heading straight to school after work and finally returning home at 10pm Monday-Thursday and then just work on Friday. Two weeks before I was to start school I received a call stating that the night program has been shut down due to lack of students. I am still soo upset. It is almost impossible for me to find another school that I can work into my current job schedule. I do not know what I am doing with my life and it is driving me nuts.

[Subvet642]

"Re: Do you do what you love for work?"

I'd have to be a drunken whore for that! :D

I am a hospital security officer and while I may not love it, I do like it enough to anticipate doing it for the next 20 years.

[longknocker]

I Can't Think Of Doing Anything Else For A Living.:D I've Been A Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) For The Last 34 Years. I'm Paid Well & Get To Give People "Happy Meds"!:tu

[Dickard]

I do not love my work,even as an owner.What I do like is the fact that we support many nice people and their families.

Sorry you don't love your work but I respect the fact that you take pleasure in providing a living for others, hats off sir.

The owners of the company I work for are quite wealthy and its seems money and profit trump the people and families that work here. We are one of the largest Cirrus aircraft service centers in the country and I have some job security but one never can predict the future.

I am fortunate enough to truly love what I do. We maintain some of the nicest general aviation aircraft made to date. Every aircraft I inspect/maintain I imagine putting my family in. Flying is inherently dangerous, a skilled pilot and top notch maintenance is paramount.

I think a job like ours makes the time spent smoking cigars and enjoying life all that much better. To be able to kick back, relax and not have to be 100% "on it" is what recreation time is all about.

[Mattso3000]

Nope.

[VTDragon]

I managed big box stores for over 25 years and absolutely hated it at the end. Ultimately Walmart drove the three different chains I worked for out of business so rather than going to work for them I changed careers and became an independant insurance agent. That was in 1997 and now I own my own agency and love it. I still work with people (which I love) and I get to actually help them out instead of just selling them something. I'm 62 now and am down to working about four days a week with plans to gradually reduce that as time goes on. I'm lucky in that my employees can do those routine things I don't want to be bothered with and I still get to interact with our clients on a daily basis. I will probably never retire, I'm sure I won't be working as much as I am now, but it is still fun to get up every day and face a new set of challenges. Maybe I'd think differently if I could break 90 on the golf course, but even that gets boring when you play too much.

[Apoco]

I'm a Physical Therapist. I've always said, as someone else in this thread did, if I won the lottery I'd still do Physical Therapy (just would take a lot more days off!!!!!
Will I be rich doing this? No
But every day is completely different, and every hour is completely different. Yes, there are some crazy people out there, but I take that as somewhat of a challenge to try to get them better. And the reward to see someone that couldn't walk at first walk out of the clinic is a great experience.
I love what i do and wouldn't change it for the world.

When I was in physical therapy (torn labrum due to dislocation) that is a job that I thought seemed like a blast. Helping people and playing games all day. Laid back atmosphere and the job changed from one half hour to the next. I can see falling in love with that job for sure.

And thanks for helping us heal, too. I spent 6 months in PT for my shoulder and last weekend I went rafting down the Hiwassee River with almost no pain :tu
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[the nub]

I have never in my life thought to myself "I wish I was at work right now"/thread.

[Don Fernando]

I turned my hobby (talking about cigars) into my profession. I am a sales rep for several top brands from Nicaragua, Honduras and the Dominican Republic, I'm doing events, cigar dinners etc etc. Hell yeah I do what I love and love what I do. Even if I win the lottery I would not quit my job. I would just live in a larger house, drive a bigger car and buy (even) more cigars.

[massphatness]

Love my job? No. But I do love the people I work with, and I cannot complain about the compensation. However, I am long past the point where I define myself by my job as you could seriously train a monkey to do what I do. I envy some of you who take great satisfaction in their professions and feel a sense of pride or accomplishment in a job well done. Those feelings are completely foreign to me. I'm at a point where in the not too distant future, a partnership opportunity may unfold, and truthfully all that will mean to me is more money in my pocket. That's great and all, but the job itself gives me no great satisfaction. Honestly, sometimes I feel trapped -- no one in their right mind would pay me a similar amount of money to do something I would really enjoy, so I stay for the paycheck. But at the office I am nothing more than an automaton -- good (extremely good, in fact) at what he does, but deriving zero satisfaction from it.


.............................
I just re-read my post, and damn it seems depressing. It may be time for some liquid lunch.

[tsolomon]

Love my work, but got a new manager 18 months ago and he is all about "metrics" and proving to other people that we do work. I spend way too much of my time providing reports instead of getting the work done. :hm

[maninblack]

Love my job? Yes and no. I love the pay, because it provides for my family and keeps a roof over our heads. It also allows me to enjoy this crazy cigar hobby. And I like the people I work with for the most part. But the BS gets old. But it's like that with every job I think.

[BigCat]

I like my job quite well, but if I didn't need the money, I'd do it a lot less.

[Steve]

I just re-read my post, and damn it seems depressing. It may be time for some liquid lunch.

I'll join ya my brother! :chr

[chachee52]

When I was in physical therapy (torn labrum due to dislocation) that is a job that I thought seemed like a blast. Helping people and playing games all day. Laid back atmosphere and the job changed from one half hour to the next. I can see falling in love with that job for sure.

And thanks for helping us heal, too. I spent 6 months in PT for my shoulder and last weekend I went rafting down the Hiwassee River with almost no pain :tu
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That is exactly why I love my job. I get to have fun and think of different things to do with people to get them better.
Now don't get me wrong, dealing with the insurance companies SUCK!!!! They don't let me do what I need to do a lot of the time, but I still try to have fun and do everything that I can do to keep people happy.

[Apoco]

That is exactly why I love my job. I get to have fun and think of different things to do with people to get them better.
Now don't get me wrong, dealing with the insurance companies SUCK!!!! They don't let me do what I need to do a lot of the time, but I still try to have fun and do everything that I can do to keep people happy.

My therapist and I talked about cigars on a pretty regular basis. Come to think of it - I still owe him one. I may just drop by one afternoon and give him one :)
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[czerbe]

Um... simply... no. I enjoy cigars, sports, scotch, masonry and my family.. all of which cost me money not make it.. haha

[ScotchRocks]

My friend used to work in a factory and hated it. He started his own business installing security cameras and he's happy as a clam. Said the best decision he ever made.

That's a great speech. Never knew Jobs gave it. Great article too and I got the book just in case. I did the exercises and and got some ideas so hopefully I can join my friend.

Get on it op! Don't be a slave.

[pearson]

when I worked for

http://www.arts-express.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Bob-Bondurant-School-Pic.jpg

Yes loved my job but didnt really pay the bills

Now that I fix helicopters for the army its okay but not till I become a pilot will I love my job again.

[Remo]

Love my job...no...like my job...yes. Used to love it, in fact could not wait to get there and the 10 hrs. went by way too fast. It still has it's moments that are fun but most of the time it's just work, I do have some great co-workers that I enjoy working with and trust my life to.

This quote sums up my work the best "Hours of complete boredom interupted by moments of sheer terror"

[shilala]

For lots of years I liked my job, then I hated it, so I forced change. I was fortunate in the fact that I could quit any day and have a job the next day because I was a specialist in an an industrial area of service that I designed.
Then I wanted to move on because I get bored when there's no more challenge. So I changed jobs in the same field. Within a few years I topped out opportunity for advancement in that arena, so I decided to try something different.
I started building powerhouses and I loved that, but it kept me away from home a lot. The pay was insane, but so was my ex-wife. That made it love-hate.
When I started doing that I had already run out of room for advancement, then I was involved in a work accident and that was that. My health had been failing for a long time, so it was time to be done anyways.
Now I'm retired and I putter. I love what I do even more. I've truly been blessed all throughout the years.

[czerbe]

UM no I'm in Sales, other wise I would be sitting on the Beach with a hot 18 year old and her Twin, watching the Phillies, Eagles, Flyers, Sixers, and Union win Championships year after year smoking nothing but the best cigars and drinking nothing but Spanish Reds!!!

[Madman31]

I'm a Physical Therapist. I've always said, as someone else in this thread did, if I won the lottery I'd still do Physical Therapy (just would take a lot more days off!!!!!
Will I be rich doing this? No
But every day is completely different, and every hour is completely different. Yes, there are some crazy people out there, but I take that as somewhat of a challenge to try to get them better. And the reward to see someone that couldn't walk at first walk out of the clinic is a great experience.
I love what i do and wouldn't change it for the world.
I've always thought this would be a great job! Great to hear it from the horse's mouth. What do you think about physical therapy assistants? I might be going for that. Will it be just as rewarding as your job? (but obviously with lower pay)

[Madman31]

For lots of years I liked my job, then I hated it, so I forced change. I was fortunate in the fact that I could quit any day and have a job the next day because I was a specialist in an an industrial area of service that I designed.
Then I wanted to move on because I get bored when there's no more challenge. So I changed jobs in the same field. Within a few years I topped out opportunity for advancement in that arena, so I decided to try something different.
I started building powerhouses and I loved that, but it kept me away from home a lot. The pay was insane, but so was my ex-wife. That made it love-hate.
When I started doing that I had already run out of room for advancement, then I was involved in a work accident and that was that. My health had been failing for a long time, so it was time to be done anyways.
Now I'm retired and I putter. I love what I do even more. I've truly been blessed all throughout the years.
I admire your courage to keep on advancing. I think most people would be content to stay where they are.

Retirement seems awesome! It sounds like the best "job" :)

[shilala]

I admire your courage to keep on advancing. I think most people would be content to stay where they are.

Retirement seems awesome! It sounds like the best "job" :)
I get just as bored in retirement. :)
Since I retired I've taken up woodworking full time, bought a CNC machine, taught myself how to do the programming and run it, and I'm now teaching myself how to make furniture.
The internet kicks ass. The opportunities to learn a new craft are endless.

[gbum]

i love teaching...
but god i hate doing rnd,writing papers,journals and thesis...

but being the only one in the family who manage to pursue the postgrad study... feel oblige to my parent to finish it... at least a masters level...

[Commander Quan]

I do love what I do, but since I own the business at times it does feel like work. If I were to win the lottery would I still be doing it? Yes. Except I would be doing the fun parts of it, and not worried about the crappy parts like trying to collect money and paying bills.

[smitty81]

I also work to live. Do I love my job? I wouldn't say love but I would say it's one of the better ones I have had.

Little to no benefits, not great pay but it does pay the bills.

I like most of the people I work with and I am a manager. No one to answer to except the boss. My boss is a great guy to work with/for too.

He would give you the shirt off his back if you really needed it.

Sometimes just being happy at work is better than working at a high paying job if your miserable.

my 2 cents

[Madman31]

I get just as bored in retirement. :)
Since I retired I've taken up woodworking full time, bought a CNC machine, taught myself how to do the programming and run it, and I'm now teaching myself how to make furniture.
The internet kicks ass. The opportunities to learn a new craft are endless.

Living the dream! I envy you :) I can only imagine the kinds of stuff I will learn once I have the time in retirement.

[hammondc]

I'm in field sales for a Big3 tire manufacturer. I love it. Work from home, great folks to work with, never ending demand.

[DMK]

I as well work to live, but can't say I've ever loved my work.
I just recently have had the opportunity to go back to a job I use to do over 10 yrs ago. I'm an old fart tradesman who is on the downward slope to retirement, so the chance to ride a desk is good for my back and knees....:r
I'm a Millwright by trade, and I'm now doing a planning function for multi trades.
Never to old to learn I guess.:rolleyes: