Monday rolls around, and you’re still at home, feeling like hell, and wanting to be in the office. Did you find a job you love? Must have. With that curious notion in mind, let’s ask the burning question, why is it important to love your job? And what will you miss about your job when you retire?
Inspiration for this post is a book I’m reading: This is the Year I Put My Financial Life in Order. The author, John Schwartz, struck a nerve. He never complained an iota about his day job as a journalist, throughout the 200+ pages of personal finance anecdotes.
If it were my book, you’d expect the title to be “Cubicle Loathing”, and the pages peppered with Office Space-like anecdotes. That’s what you’d expect, but today we’re going to focus on the silver linings of the unheralded corporate day job. Rat-racers, strap on those kicks!
Why I “Love” My Day Job: A Very Special Top-10 List
If you’ve kept up with earlier postings on this blog, you’ll find moments like that Jiro post where I strongly questioned the whole notion of early retirement. I’m not jumping back off the deep end, but lets at least balance the equation today and put on our skeptic’s hat. We might learn something about ourselves?
Bear with me, my fine readers… It’s list time.
- It gets me out of the house. Cabin fever during the winter months is especially dulling.
- It instantly surrounds me with other people. Good people. And many of my friendships originated in the office. I’d miss this source of quality pals!
- It makes me feel like a responsible grown-up on Monday through Friday. Everyone else is here. I should be here too. I’ve never been one to play hooky.
- It makes me feel like I’m smart and capable. Granted, some days are better than others!
- There’s good people-watching. Fact: I’m getting older all the time. And dude, those are high waters. Never in-fashion!
- My day job forces me to bathe, shave, and dress like I give two sh*ts about my appearance. Mrs. Cubert loves this, especially after a weekend of regression to ultimate bum.
- Free cake. Sometimes. Melvin? Maybe even free lunch, depending on your vendor Rolodex.
- Occasional happy hours, coffee breaks, and lunches with colleagues fill my social cup.
- Projects reach the finish line. You feel good about getting sh*t done. Real, meaningful sh*t. And sometimes it’s the kind of “sh*t” that makes a difference!
- It challenges you to improve. Soft skills. Technical skills. You name it. Most office jobs are at least as good as a gladiator’s arena. Slay the grizzly bear, and you move up to face more ominous beasts. Promotions are hard to come by the higher up you move, but you still have a stretch goal to work towards.
I reckon I could go on and drum up another 10 or so if I wanted to. But I think 10 is more than enough to make the point. And that point? Your day job offers something more than just a paycheck. I’ll be the first to admit that it’s hard to look past that if you’ve got a not-so-great boss, or the work drains the sap out of you, and/or your commute is forever and a day. Every day… Most of that, if not all of that, we can control.
Surviving a cubicle job for the long haul is another topic. This list is intended to highlight the good stuff. As marginal as that “good stuff” seems during the low points, you may find yourself yearning for the “good old’ days” once in retirement. If you’re not prepared.
What Confucius Said About Work-Life Balance
Do everything in moderation, even moderation.
Thanks, Confucius. So now what? We can’t just sit around in our pajamas staring out the living room window, while everyone else is hunkered down in their cubicles. Can we?? That sounds depressing. The antidote comes to two flavors, at least for those of us who can’t sit still and have a strong desire to “be productive”:
- Find work you love at least twice as much as you hate. If it’s 50-50 or less, you’ll eventually burn to cinders.
- Quit. And move on to start that home building business, carpentry business, blogging empire, or simply walk some dogs. The world is your oyster!
- Oops. I meant three flavors. This one is this vanilla/chocolate swirl: Reduce your hours and work part-time. An ideal path for many, after a strong decade of stashing away paychecks like a bandit.
Confucius had it right. When it comes to the work-life you may despise right at this moment, consider what fragments of that world you might appreciate. The idea is to replace those things, especially the camaraderie, productivity, and feeling of belonging to a team (is that also camaraderie?) once in retirement.
I think Confucius would’ve been a fine blogger if he’d lived in the 21st century. The guy had some very applicable quotes even though they’re from 500 B. frickin’ C. A few of these nuggets apply to the topic at hand:
Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”
“It is not the failure of others to appreciate your abilities that should trouble you, but rather your failure to appreciate theirs.”
Holy sh*t! He’s going hard after the whiners with that last one. Yep. Time to dust-up your EQ and set that ego aside. Be a TEAM PLAYER. Okay, one more before we move on:
Those people who develop the ability to continuously acquire new and better forms of knowledge that they can apply to their work and to their lives will be the movers and shakers in our society for the indefinite future.”
In other words, keep finding better ways to do your job and live your life. Remove the waste. Maybe move closer to work, so you aren’t spending godawful amounts of time stuck in commutes. At the very least, don’t settle into to comfort zones, either at work or in your personal life. Stagnation leads to problems! (Cubert, c. 2018)
Find a Job You Love (Sustainable Love!)
Don’t forget to take stock in the good things your day job offers. It’s not prison after all.
When in retirement, after the immediate magic of that never-ending vacation wears off, you might start to itch for some of the practical jokes, coffee breaks, or stretch goals mentioned in that top 10 list earlier. Camaraderie, commiseration, and free cake is worth more than maybe we consider while plotting and scheming our early retirement exits.
My new personal nut to crack is to resolve these things before I hang up the day job. This past weekend plus a sick day on Monday was a reminder of how ill-prepared I am to hunker down at the house during the wintertime, without a job to go to. Crazy how this author suddenly has reservations about a world without the cubicle.
Joe says
I miss the feeling of accomplishment when a chip taped out and also when it came back from the fab. It’s nice to see the product of all that work the team put into. I miss it just a little, though. Everything else, I’m fine without. 😀
You can structure your own life after ER. It’s way better because you don’t have to live your life as structured by someone else. Autonomy is really good. It took a while to get a good routine down.
Cubert says
Hi Joe! That’s understandable- but I’m curious are there things you miss about working with the team – e.g. work friends and acquaintances?
Good words of encouragement btw – I’m really looking forward to that autonomy myself!
Troy @ Bull Market says
I think people just tend to get lonely after they quit their day job. Having a job is a good way to structure your life. Some people find it hard to structure their own daily routines once they become self employed or retired.
Cubert says
That’s definitely a big part of it, Troy. In fact I wrote about that not too long ago in the “Boredom” post.
But I do think beyond the structure, there are some borderline “fun” and rewarding aspects of the grind we need to account for. Wish me luck! 🙂
Amy @ Life Zemplified says
Crazy indeed! 😉
So far I’m only missing the paycheck…but not as much as I love the rewards of my new “career”. 🙂
Hope you’re feeling better and finally getting some nicer weather.
Cubert says
Yes! Thanks, Amy. It’s like night and day compared to last weekend. Sunburnt already. ?
Scott says
” It’s not prison after all.”
Ever hear vacation referred to as “escape” ?
Ever NOT hear it referred to as one???
HAHA
You only need to escape when you’re a prisoner!
Think about that.
BTW Last year I changed professions and now live and work in the same 1 mile area.
As in walk / bike to “work”
Both my wife and I do now – actually …. I recommend this!!
Leave at 5 home at 5:05 NO CAR- NO PARKING NO GAS…ETC!!!!
Commuting i-as I did my whole “life” finally reached me and I ESCAPED!!!
Peace 🙂
Scott
Cubert says
Awesome, Scott! With the commute “slayed”, what are the remaining devils at work you’re trying to overcome?
NWA-non says
Thanks Cubert for bringing this topic up, quite close to my heart!
I’ve spent considerable time thinking what a post-retirement life would look like. I’m a social animal. Not in the sense that I’m the life of the party, or even like to party, but I like to be around people. Collaborate, talk, get sh*t done, drink a couple of beers, solve problems (or at least pretend to solve problems by debating about the causes of social inequalities in this age; that counts right?!) I get immense satisfaction from the work I do, and the impact my work has. My work is nothing earth shattering but I enjoy it and take pride in it. I’ve enjoyed climbing the corporate ladder – promotions are surely a high I’ll miss.
I’ll give an example of how I like working around others. My work allows me the flexibility to work from home, any time. I take that opportunity at every instance when I need to. Snow day – check; sick child – check; plumber coming in – check; Champions League game on – check :D. But I cannot work from home more than 2 days in a row. I need to get into my work space, interact with live human beings, go for the occasional lunch in the cafeteria or outside.
And then when I get caught up in rush hour traffic where my usual 15 min commute changes to half an hour of me fuming in the car, I go back to thinking about not having to work for a living. This goes in cycles.
Cubert says
You’re welcome, sir! I’m glad it resonated!
I’m like you – somewhere in the middle of the social spectrum. I would miss the people around me, even if I’m not the most chatty among the bunch.
How far are you from your workplace? Is cycle commuting an option for you?
NWA-non says
Garage to parking ramp, is 10 miles/15 mins, in car. Google tells me the same starting and end point is 16 miles/1.5 hours! I have to cross the river, and not enough access points. So unless I’m retired the 3 hours round trip cycling commute is not happening 😀
Cubert says
Course, you could consider Park and Ride as a compromise. 😉
freddy smidlap says
i keep coming to this salt mine because it’s not bad, and we have a gym on site. a few weeks ago i was talking to a biker guy here and he asked me if i was going for the “homeless” look. i took that as a cue to have a shave.
Cubert says
The gym is a nice amenity. We have a nice one here and it’ll help immensely when I can start riding to work – hopefully Monday!
Funny how you got that honest feedback from “biker guy”. NICE.
Tom from Dividends Diversify says
I like your positive take Cubert. Having left my day job 5 years ago, the likable things on your list are really easy to replace from my perspective. It is good to have a plan, however. Sometimes I hear of people who retire, but without a plan they just end up going back to work after a period of time to fill the void. Tom
Cubert says
Thanks, Tom! I had to tweak this post after the initial version published yesterday. Thanks to Angela I checked myself and my usual sarcastic approach to make my point a bit better.
Mr. Freaky Frugal says
“how I’ll replace the camaraderie, and how I’ll get out da house on a regular basis”
I think these two things are related and they definitely took effort for me after I FIREd. I joined a run club which helped. I’m also thinking about volunteering at the library.
Cubert says
Hey there, matey! I think I’ll be doing something like that too – finding a club or two, or maybe a coffee shop with regulars. Like those old farmers in small town Iowa who sit around and jaw about politics. 🙂
Damn Millennial says
It is important to find the positive in everything. Many of your points hit home with me. Not all is bad about going into a day job. My biggest annoyance is that sometimes you feel like you have to be there just to keep up appearances. If this piece could be removed then it would be infinitely better.
Cubert says
Hey there DM! Thanks for stopping by. I would agree that often in roles I’ve felt that “face time” is important, to keep up appearances. Things have changed ever so slowly at my company to the point I don’t feel quite as bound by that. It’s more about getting the work done that matters. But man, I’m not a fan of 4PM (and especially 5PM) meetings…
Tread Lightly, Retire Early says
I might need to make a list like this as well – though mine will have a lot more content to it because I actually DO like my job most of the time ? Reading this list I can see why you are exiting as soon as possible.
Cubert says
Angela! Thank you for your comments as always. This particular one struck a nerve and actually made me rethink the tone of what I had written. The sarcasm definitely flows stronger some days more than others. I took the opportunity to edit the post this morning. All because of your last sentence “Reading this list I can see why you are exiting as soon as possible”. There is some truth to that – reading between the lines, but I’d intended to be more sincere about the good things. I’m certainly going to exit as soon as possible for a number of other reasons, but I have to tread lightly, or I’ll find myself missing some of this routine. Thank you!!!
Accidental FIRE says
“Fact: I’m getting older all the time. And dude, those are clearly high waters. Never in-fashion!”
Leaving the office today I saw a kid who’s pants bottoms were literally a quarter way up his shins. I’m not sure capri’s go with a suitcoat but he was rockin’ it.
Good list, I also like the shave and clean up aspect. I now usually just work 2 days and have 5 in a row off, so by the fifth day I have a decent beard again. I start looking a bit unruly.
Cubert says
Ha! Capris!!! Couldn’t imagine that just I dunno, ten years back??
Funny re the shaving routine. I’d grow a beard if Mrs Cubert let me!
FullTimeFinance says
My job has its share of good and bad. If people are realistic most do. I tend to lean towards the positive side. But every now and then I go the other way. It seems we’re on opposite wave lengths because my post this week was about work sucks.
Cubert says
I’ll definitely be checking out your post, FTF. Yeah, “there is a season…” blah blah I could go on, but ultimately the traditional cube job situation is truly for the birds.
BusyMom says
I love the coding part. I like making things, and writing good code gives me the same satisfaction. What I don’t like is when I have to write code to fix something quickly, instead of properly. I also don’t like meetings and spending the whole day in a cubicle.
– I don’t like free lunch – It usually means that someone arranged a meeting during my lunch hour.
– I don’t like how everyone is busy telling everyone who will listen (and usually there is no one listening) about how hard they work.
– I don’t like how I am expected to be passionate. Like any other emotion, it comes and goes. I am not happy every day. Or sad. Why should I feel passionate every day?
– I like that I get to learn new things.
– I like that someone is ready to pay so much.
– I like that my job is flexible enough.
– I like that my skills are in demand, and I can find a new job anytime.
– I like the people around me (sometimes)
Cubert says
I would definitely put you in the “50-50 or less” crowd, along with yours truly! 🙂 Thanks for sharing, Busy Mom!
[HCF] says
I wanted to write the same thing so cannot resist copying your comment and “fixing” it for my needs 🙂
/* ————————– START OF PLAGIARISM ————————–*/
I love the coding part. I like making things, and writing good code gives me the same satisfaction. What I don’t like is when I have to write code to fix something quickly, instead of properly. I also don’t like meetings and spending the whole day in a cubicle.
/*– I don’t like free lunch – It usually means that someone arranged a meeting during my lunch hour.
– I don’t like how everyone is busy telling everyone who will listen (and usually there is no one listening) about how hard they work.*/
– I don’t like how I am expected to be passionate. Like any other emotion, it comes and goes. I am not happy every day. Or sad. Why should I feel passionate every day?
– I like that I get to learn new things.
– I like that someone is ready to pay so much.
– I like that my job is flexible enough.
– I like that my skills are in demand, and I can find a new job anytime.
– I like the people around me //(sometimes)
/* ————————– END OF PLAGIARISM ————————–*/
Most of the jobs (things) have its pros and cons. The main problem areas I see are:
-what are you working on (fulfillment and satisfaction)
-how are you supposed to work (doing it right)
-when are you supposed to work (the mandatory “BE THERE” part)
-how much do they pay for it (the benefits)
The more of these is how they like them the happier would you be with your job and to be honest, there are companies out there who recognized this already, hope this will be a trend. In that case, the “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” quote could easily apply 🙂
Cubert says
Right on, Brother from the Far East! Or Near East? Eastern Europe…
I really appreciate yours and Busy Mom’s shared list. Very typical for coders and I see it where I work as well. Trouble strikes when politics and bad actors seemingly conspire to make your job a real pain. Too many coders at our org get caught at the end of projects trying to fix defects caused by bad requirements and poor testing. A common tale.