Live to work..work to live

weeder · Post by **weeder** » Tue May 16, 2006 1:33 am

Much of my life has revolved around my work. Everything arranged around my working schedule. I know that mostly this lifestyle was out of necessity,but living that way becomes a very bad habit. For years, I felt guilty if I wasnt working. I didnt know how to relax. Im changing and it feels very good. Do you " Live to work?" or do you " Work to live?"

gordonartist · Post by **gordonartist** » Tue May 16, 2006 1:51 am

I discovered the hard way that lesson. The one thing that I regret about my life was that I was too committed to my profession and not committed to those things that are probably more important, such as wife and family, recreation and my own health. I am now still paying the price.

My work commitment was based, not on money, but in the belief that what I was doing was really important.

When my big crash came, I found that, instead of getting loyalty and respect from my employer and my colleagues, I was treated like a leper.

My advice is to take time out and think through your decisions. I hope that you make the right ones.

Take care,

Gordon.

Bez · Post by **Bez** » Tue May 16, 2006 1:57 am

weeder wrote: Much of my life has revolved around my work. Everything arranged around my working schedule. I know that mostly this lifestyle was out of necessity,but living that way becomes a very bad habit. For years, I felt guilty if I wasnt working. I didnt know how to relax. Im changing and it feels very good. Do you " Live to work?" or do you " Work to live?"

I've 'worked to live' through necessity since I was 15 years old (45 years) and I would have continued to do so for another 5 years at least.....however.....about a year ago, i was walking with my daughter along the seafront on a beautiful day and I vowed that whatever the consequences I would retire at 60 and taste some 'freedom' from the constraints of a 5 day working week with a 9 hour working day....(not including the travelling). I have never wavered from that determination although I will be working a couple of days a week for the first few months. Relaxing to me is not really laying in the sun or flopping in a chair....it is having the choice to do whatever I want to do (within my financial constaints).

having worked in a factory for most of my life, being OUTDOORS will be absolute heaven to me and of coourse fresh air is FREE...

I must add that on the whole I have enjoyed my working life...If I hadn't I would certainly have changed jobs...if you have to work to survive, at least it should be satisfying and pleasurable to a large degree.

weeder · Post by **weeder** » Tue May 16, 2006 1:59 am

I was shown early on.... probably about 15 years ago.. that " You are only as good as your last day at work" Being committed to employers and putting your family second, is a very huge mistake. You can go years with an impeccable work record. The second you let them down, they will treat you like yesterdays trash. My children got fed up with asking me to walk in the park and my saying.. " No, I cant". And as you stated, risking ones health to be a workaholic is a foolish thing to do.

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Tue May 16, 2006 4:28 am

I work to live..............and save all year so I don't have to work in the summer.

*except for one week of math training they sprung on me!:( *

I wouldn't work at all unless I had to! I would rather be home with my husband and children, who are so grown up now only pop in and out during the day. But I enjoy those times more then anything else.

Uncle Kram · Post by **Uncle Kram** » Tue May 16, 2006 9:27 am

I never have and never will live to work. You have your friends and family until your dying day, but not necessarily your job.

You only get one life so get your priorities right.

weeder · Post by **weeder** » Tue May 16, 2006 10:32 am

Bravo... You are absolutely correct. I wish Id adopted that outlook earlier in life...... But Ive got it now. So, better late than never.

Marie5656 · Post by **Marie5656** » Tue May 16, 2006 10:40 am

I remember a line from a movie, "No one has ever laid on thier death bed saying "Gee, I wish I had spent more time at work'"

I think it is mportant to enjoy your job, but not revolve your whole life around it. You hear alot about folks who spend 50 or 60 hours or more per week at thier jobs.

I work 30 hours, get a good paycheck, and yes, you could say I work to live, as I am not independantly wealthy, but my whole life does not revolve around my job. I try to have other interests.

OpenMind · Post by **OpenMind** » Tue May 16, 2006 12:56 pm

Work to live, live to play.:-6

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Tue May 16, 2006 4:34 pm

Here you go Snooze............................

Attached files

kumininexile · Post by **kumininexile** » Tue May 16, 2006 9:49 pm

For what this is worth, Sigmund Freud was noted for stating that our goal in life should be to..."love hard, play hard, and work hard."

It makes sense to me, I guess.

cars · Post by **cars** » Tue May 16, 2006 10:48 pm

It should (must) be "work to live"! I was foolish enough to think that I "meant" something for the "32" years to the company that I worked for. Well while I was there I did, when I left, they never missed a beat & kept on going like I was never there!

So. . . . . . . work to live, & live to have enjoyment & amusement to the fullest!:)

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Wed May 17, 2006 1:38 am

Work is just work. I value my free time much more than I value the $.

We had a meeting the other day and all of our projections were based on the competitors value and of course the co. goal is to obliterate the competition. I just chuckled. It was sarcastic but I asked what happens when we beat them ? The GM looked at me like I was an alien. I guess we win if we get the most $.

Yea ! Whoo Hoo ! :rolleyes:

I will never dedicate my life to such unambitious goals as being the one with the most money, other things are far more important.

Maybe I am an alien...I dont know.