People that live for 9 to 5, why?
Discussion
I am baffled by people that have no ambition and just live for a 9 to 5 job and will happily do that for the rest of their life.
I'm currently doing that sort of (8:30 till 6:30) but still it's the same principle of working for someone else and whilst it's above average salary and I'm only mid twenties, the prospect of doing this for the rest of my life frightens me
Surely there's more to life than just looking forward to that 2 week holiday every year and getting married and settling down with kids
Maybe I'm wrong and I'm missing something?
I'm currently doing that sort of (8:30 till 6:30) but still it's the same principle of working for someone else and whilst it's above average salary and I'm only mid twenties, the prospect of doing this for the rest of my life frightens me
Surely there's more to life than just looking forward to that 2 week holiday every year and getting married and settling down with kids
Maybe I'm wrong and I'm missing something?
It’s a good way of deciding if you’re chosen career is for you or not.
Imagine yourself in the same role in ten years time. If it fills you with dread then it’s time to push yourself and aim for a promotion, change companies, retrain, whatever.
If you feel comfortable with the idea then maybe you’ve found your place. Not everyone is interested in climbing the greasy pole and happy with a few quid in their pocket, less stress, not always looking for a bigger house/car/wife and two weeks in Majorca.
Horses for courses.
Imagine yourself in the same role in ten years time. If it fills you with dread then it’s time to push yourself and aim for a promotion, change companies, retrain, whatever.
If you feel comfortable with the idea then maybe you’ve found your place. Not everyone is interested in climbing the greasy pole and happy with a few quid in their pocket, less stress, not always looking for a bigger house/car/wife and two weeks in Majorca.
Horses for courses.
I didn't work a 9-5 job until my late 20s.
It's a nice change but I doubt it will be forever.
However, a lot of people have far more responsibility than me. If my income was going towards raising kids, paying a mortgage etc etc then the stability of a 9-5 would be very attractive - not just the income but the routine.
I don't think there is a right answer.
It's a nice change but I doubt it will be forever.
However, a lot of people have far more responsibility than me. If my income was going towards raising kids, paying a mortgage etc etc then the stability of a 9-5 would be very attractive - not just the income but the routine.
I don't think there is a right answer.
MrManual said:
I am baffled by people that have no ambition and just live for a 9 to 5 job and will happily do that for the rest of their life.
I'm currently doing that sort of (8:30 till 6:30) but still it's the same principle of working for someone else and whilst it's above average salary and I'm only mid twenties, the prospect of doing this for the rest of my life frightens me
Surely there's more to life than just looking forward to that 2 week holiday every year and getting married and settling down with kids
Maybe I'm wrong and I'm missing something?
For some people, that's all they want. I'm currently doing that sort of (8:30 till 6:30) but still it's the same principle of working for someone else and whilst it's above average salary and I'm only mid twenties, the prospect of doing this for the rest of my life frightens me
Surely there's more to life than just looking forward to that 2 week holiday every year and getting married and settling down with kids
Maybe I'm wrong and I'm missing something?
Routine, zero hassle - they know exactly what they're doing day on day and get used to it.
Some people also feel incapable of doing more - either they doubt their intelligence (justifiably or not) or are scared to push out of the envelope.
For some people, work is just a means of supporting your family. Doing 9-5 means they have the time and lack of stress to commit to their wife/husband and two kids, which are the only things that are important to them.
They won't miss holidays through being busy at work.
They won't miss school plays through having to travel for a meeting
They won't be distracted from their son's Lego project, thinking about work the next day.
They even won't miss getting home in time to watch Cbeebies with their son/daughter on a Wednesday, which is really important to them.
The prospect of a 'dead end' job frightens ambitious people. But not everyone is ambitious.
There is something to be said about people who know their level though. I’m happy saying that I’ve reached mine and that the next step up would be far too stressful and involve me undertaking tasks that are beyond my confidence and ability.
Plenty of people out there who have been promoted beyond their level because they didn’t recognise it within themselves that they weren’t capable of doing the job. It rarely ends well.
I also witnessed my father losing everything due to being out of work, which had a huge influence on me. He was a contractor all his working life and had that threat hanging over him all the time.
Not for me I’m afraid.
Plenty of people out there who have been promoted beyond their level because they didn’t recognise it within themselves that they weren’t capable of doing the job. It rarely ends well.
I also witnessed my father losing everything due to being out of work, which had a huge influence on me. He was a contractor all his working life and had that threat hanging over him all the time.
Not for me I’m afraid.
MrManual said:
I am baffled by people that have no ambition and just live for a 9 to 5 job and will happily do that for the rest of their life.
I'm currently doing that sort of (8:30 till 6:30) but still it's the same principle of working for someone else and whilst it's above average salary and I'm only mid twenties, the prospect of doing this for the rest of my life frightens me
Surely there's more to life than just looking forward to that 2 week holiday every year and getting married and settling down with kids
Maybe I'm wrong and I'm missing something?
You don’t seem happy at work and acknowledging this is the first step. I'm currently doing that sort of (8:30 till 6:30) but still it's the same principle of working for someone else and whilst it's above average salary and I'm only mid twenties, the prospect of doing this for the rest of my life frightens me
Surely there's more to life than just looking forward to that 2 week holiday every year and getting married and settling down with kids
Maybe I'm wrong and I'm missing something?
Now put your big boy pants on and move your life in a different direction.
You’re welcome.
I went from self employed thus basically 24/7 to a 9 to 5 for six years and now I do 25hrs a week driving a van... I also have a two year old and his early years were something I refused to miss out on plus my wife quit teaching after he was born and has recently opened her own business, she works fewer hours too. Plus, sod paying £50 a day and letting somebody else bring him up. My ambition as far as work goes has taken a back seat for now, I can always make more money in the future but I'd never get lost time back. It's the work / life balance and just now, life matters more than work.
I'm sure many start off feeling the same. Then they get kids, mortgages and loans and can't see a way beyond it and make peace with the idea. If you can break out of it then good for you. Most can't or won't. Some even like the painlessness.
As for me I've never had a salaried job or 9-5 and a bag of medical waste would be more employable than I am. Works for me.
As for me I've never had a salaried job or 9-5 and a bag of medical waste would be more employable than I am. Works for me.
Difficult one. I worked hard (by that I mean stressful job and 7am - 6pm) for years when I was younger to make money as that was what mattered to me. Then health came along and that was more important, now a child has come along and spending time with him is also important so I am now self employed and work fewer hours, as another poster above said, time is something you can not get back.
It is all about what you want in life and when you want it. The idea of a steady income and easy life doing a job you know well etc is attractive for many.
It is all about what you want in life and when you want it. The idea of a steady income and easy life doing a job you know well etc is attractive for many.
What else would you do other that 9-5? 2-10 10-8
What ever job you do you have to graft it out for a set number of hours a day.
Maybe a simple 9-5 without stress allows that person to enjoy everything else a bit more. What’s better? A bit more drive and become self employed, possibly earn more and work 24/7, and also possibly lose it all and mess not just your life up but yours kids and misses. Being a kid with no money is terrible
What ever job you do you have to graft it out for a set number of hours a day.
Maybe a simple 9-5 without stress allows that person to enjoy everything else a bit more. What’s better? A bit more drive and become self employed, possibly earn more and work 24/7, and also possibly lose it all and mess not just your life up but yours kids and misses. Being a kid with no money is terrible
I think it very much depends on personality. I notice a lot of posters on this thread mention that it’s people with kids etc that tend to like this lifestyle, and whilst that’s undoubtedly true, it’s not the only people. I’m single and don’t have/want any kids, but I like the predictable, safe nature of a 9-5 job. I can go home from work and not think about it until I arrive again the next morning, and I can enjoy my evenings and weekends doing stuff with friends, or just stuff I want to do myself. And as a PH’er, it’s nice to have a secure income that allows me to indulge my interest in nice cars.
I think a major factor is who you work with as well. I’m lucky in that for the most part I like the people I work with. I’d imagine it would be frustrating if you didn’t.
I think a major factor is who you work with as well. I’m lucky in that for the most part I like the people I work with. I’d imagine it would be frustrating if you didn’t.
Of course, a steady 9-5 is infinitely better than being perennially unemployed, dossing about on benefits due to laziness or even a life of crime. So it's not all bad.
I can understand if you are in a dull 9-5 but at least you're in one and you have a choice to stay or move.
Another option for those who are scared is to try something whilst employed in your spare time - although not ideal if you have a family or other commitments etc.
I can understand if you are in a dull 9-5 but at least you're in one and you have a choice to stay or move.
Another option for those who are scared is to try something whilst employed in your spare time - although not ideal if you have a family or other commitments etc.
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