I graduated last year. In the meantime, I had a summer office job, a failed business idea and a blog I couldn't make money from. I'm enrolled in a master's course now and my parents still support me, but I know I can't delay entering the workforce anymore. I have some internship opportunities after which I might be employed, but I still don't see myself working 9 to 5.
3 mo
How do I convince myself to like a 9 to 5 job in a field I'm not passionate about?
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Here's the thing man, we can't always have it perfect right out of the gate. A 9-5 ain't glamorous but it pays the bills, and that's important too. Here's some things you can tell yourself:
- Focus on the benefits, not just the work. You'll be making good money, get benefits/time off too probably. Use those to pursue your real passions outside of work.
- See it as a means to an end. Stick it out for a couple years, save up, get experience. Then you'll be in a better spot to take more risks on your own thing.
- Challenge yourself to find the positives each day. Maybe you'll learn new skills, meet cool people, get free food Fridays or whatever. Reward yourself on the weekends.
- Remember it's just temporary. Keep your real goals in mind - whether that's starting your own biz someday or switching careers. Have an end date in mind.
- Go in with an open mind. You never know, you might end up liking certain aspects more than you thought. Or it could lead to cool opportunities later on.
- Compromise is part of growing up, dude. We all gotta pay rent sometimes before living our true dreams. You got this!
Feeling better about it now? Just reframe how you look at it - see it as an investment in your future instead of a bleh job. You've got big plans, now it's time to get to work!
I have my first office job. I got it when I was 38. It sucks. Every day. It never gets better. But that's why they pay us. I've had jobs I loved. That's a true blessing and a privilege to have, but it's not something we're owed. The plus side... you put in 8 hours to support the other 16+weekends.
What jobs did you have before? How much did you earn? Do you work in a corporation and in the private sector, for an exploitative boss?
I kinda envy those people who like something lucrative, dedicate wholly to the job, and are able to support a family. If I were a teacher or a writer in my country, what I would like to do, I would have to move somewhere else (the cost of living in my town), live a very frugal life, and not be able to have a family. If I had a family, my hypothetical wife, despite her being understanding and kind, would probably not be satisfied that I am not a breadwinner. If it turns out that she is not understanding and kind, she would blatantly disrespect me, as I've seen how many men who earn less are treated by their wives. Unless they are some local gurus and their wives can advance in career by using their man's notoriety.
It's a hard choice. I will make one. Maybe future experiences will guide me towards it.
There are fewer hours than 16. 9 to 5 is actually 8.30 to 5, because you have half an hour lunch break with annoying co workers. Being there by 8.30 means getting up at 7.30. You finish at 5 and sometimes there is unpaid overtime. If you don't comply, "you don't care about the team", you are told "you have to make the effort". If you finish at 5, let' say, you spend 30-40 minutes in traffic. You get home at almost 6. You've got 5 hours and a half left. The rest you sleep, otherwise you will be burnt out.
I like working and I would like to dedicate my whole life to work, but this idea of trading you freedom for 8 hours to someone to exploit you while they get rich off you drives me crazy. If you don't pretend you like them, they will ruin your mood. Just let me go to the gym from 9 to 10, eat lunch with my friends from 12 to 13 and I will work two more hours, more productively than two hours with annoying co workers who don't shut up, while you have to focus. Then no wonder the boss shits on the work you've been trying to do while the others distracted you with their bullshit conversations.
Anyway, working from 9 to 5 per se is not that bad. Humans who own the means of production are.
First off, no, there is never unpaid overtime. Employing me isn't charity. We negotiated a pay for me to be on site 40 hours (or whatever) a week. You want more than that you pay more than that. I'm not their boyfriend/priest/sponsor, if that's' what it means, "caring about the team" isn't in my job description any more than my boss is going to come babysit for me because she "cares about her employees." No. Boundaries.
What I did before was complicated. Let's just say I served in various capacity as an advisor during periods of conflict outside the borders of my country. I took a significant pay cut to take my current job because it's only a short plane ride from home, but it's mindlessly dumb.
Nothing says you can't write in your spare time if that's your calling. I know quite a few writers, very few of them made it to the point where that COULD BE their sole income. All of the ones at that level have been on national TV many, many, times. The idealized version of a typewriter on a beach with a cuban and a margharita isn't how adulthood plays out. At least not until you can buy that.
can't see yourself work from 9 to 5? Ok. Do you see yourself living on the street? No? Well tought shit then, go to work!
Todays youth... You motherfuckers really think we like to work 9 to 5? No! But we need money!
Of course you don't like it. "Today's youth' is trying to put some pressure to change the status quo. Now you see that many corporations implemented online remote work and flexible workdays. Some IT companies are like: you have a week to finish the project. You can go to the gym in the morning if you can't concentrate on working and your work time is not dictated by someone else.
Instead of trying to change something, you "older generations" just suck it up and showcase your stoicism.
If that works for you - sure. Good luck :D
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