How's work going?

[ZedLeg]

Basically I don't think I'll ever be happy at work.

I think there's a bit of that with me too. Like, there's nothing particularly wrong with my job but I'd rather be doing almost anything else.

I don't get people who get rich and keep working though. If I could afford to retire and do nothing productive for the rest of my life I'd be fine with it

[Swervin_Mervin]

I'm just totally meh about work. Company is good, there's opportunities if I want to go for them, pay and package is decent. Client is a total cunt, but aren't they all? I moved a couple of years ago, and this job ticks the boxes of most of the things I was unhappy about before.

I don't really like my job though, but I can do it, and even if it was financially possible I don't know what I would rather do.

Basically I don't think I'll ever be happy at work.

I was the same before 3 of us decided to setup on our own. In my head it was the only challenge left within this line of work and if that hadnt have happened I genuinely don't know what I'd have done. It has been, and continues to be, a challenge. But, I dream of retirement more and more these days

I'm just much, much happier tinkering on cars, in the garden, or making stuff etc - I just don't have the time to do much of that to the extent I'd like.

[duncs500]

I'd love to say retirement would be amazing, pottering about doing bits and bobs, but without pressure I turn into a lazy git too. It's like I don't like pressure, but I know it's the only way I can be productive. I'm therefore destined to be miserable.

[Gavster]

Work has been great for me. Through COVID it has been superb, gaining responsibility, recognition, increased remuneration ,etc. I love my job, where I work, who I do it for and with. More career progress is on the horizon providing I don't do something dumb

It's nice to be in a business that is moving forwards with an ambitious growth plan and plenty of investment. I couldn't be happier at work and I know how lucky I am to say that as I've had some not so good times in the past!

Wow, nice! That's awesome to hear

[Beany]

I'd love to say retirement would be amazing, pottering about doing bits and bobs, but without pressure I turn into a lazy git too. It's like I don't like pressure, but I know it's the only way I can be productive. I'm therefore destined to be miserable.

Yeah, I'm the same - I'm terrible at taking time off because lately, with the previous job killing me, I've not kept up on any of my hobbies and friendships I used to have have fallen apart etc - I'm quite hermit-like at the moment. As such, the idea of having 'no pressure' is anathema to me - I'd just sit on my arse and get fat(ter) and do (even) less.

Once I get back on top of things mentally (which is happening slowly) I'll need to reach out to people, try to get back into social habits etc.

It's only now six months down the line that I'm really starting to see how much the last place utterly fucking broke me, and I suspect there's more to come.

[Sundayjumper]

I'd love to say retirement would be amazing, pottering about doing bits and bobs, but without pressure I turn into a lazy git too. It's like I don't like pressure, but I know it's the only way I can be productive. I'm therefore destined to be miserable.

Snap.

When I've had gaps between contracts it has been - I imagine - quite similar to retirement. Initially it's brilliant but that wears off pretty quickly and when there's no longer any time constraint on stuff (like needing the car to get to work Monday morning) and being at home during the day isn't a novelty (50 hours a week in the car & office makes home feel much nicer) I find it faaaaar too easy to say "meh, I'll do it tomorrow".

[DeskJockey]

It is going okay. My main frustration has been not being able to progress the way I wanted (feeling a bit like Alonso, moved to the wrong team at the wrong time). But there are opportunities and I've applied for a more senior role that merges my two core skill sets, so I'm hoping that will bear fruit.

To cover a gap I've been put in front of a key aspect of a very large deal, and it has been mentioned that it could be thought of as an audition for the role I've applied for. As always nothing is being said clearly and no promises made, but it helped that a former manager spoke to my boss's boss about the role and said I was the right person for it.

If it doesn't come off, I'm not sure what I'll want to do. There are further changes on the horizon that could come good, but they're probably a year away and almost completely outside my ability to influence.

Time will tell.

[Rich B]

I like my job and really like my company, we've grown from 5 people to around 45 over the last 4 years. I'm a director and have 7 reporting direct to me and I'm part of the overall leadership team.

My actual job can be crappy some days because I end up as a bit of a problem solver, but to be honest, I think I'm far more motivated by being directly involved in all the company decisions than anything else.

If I didn't need to work, I'd 100% miss the social interaction at work as the culture and people I work with are awesome. We do lots of drinking and eating out paid for by the company and everyone is valued - We have great staff retention too, only a few people have left in the 4 years, so the atmosphere is good.

My missus has just started a new job too - a 6 month contract earning really good money, so I think the next year or two will be our chance to build up some cash (she hasn't worked for the last year) and do more holidays/get house done/etc.. no plans for me to move anywhere else though.

[Holley]

Always had a love/hate relationship with my job.

For a long time I believed I hated my job and was desperate to leave - but without any clue as to what to do instead. Follow your joy they say, but I don't have any .

Over the years I realised that what I actually hated was the constant worry that I wasn't doing well enough. Not getting enough clients, not working hard enough, not reaching target, not growing etc. The continual worry was just exhausting.

I eventually gave up on goals, sacked off the business coach and decided not to worry too much about results (I still care, just not as obsessed as I used to be). I found that without the stress, I did actually enjoy my job.

I just associated the pain I was feeling as the jobs fault, not my own stupid worries about the future.

Interestingly, I have been doing pretty much as well as I used to, just without the pain. I think it's because I believed I needed pain to motivate me. Like if I didn't berate myself, I just wouldn't bother getting out of bed.

Actually the opposite has been true, because I don't have that can't wait for the pain to go feeling continually, I feel more motivated to work.

Genuinely don't obsess about retirement anymore either. Because work has become more enjoyable, I feel happier to keep doing it.

Work still get's on my tits from time to time, but nothing like it used to be.

[dan]

I love my job, can’t wait to go to work every day.

[dinny_g]

I don't get people who get rich and keep working though. If I could afford to retire and do nothing productive for the rest of my life I'd be fine with it

Yep - me too...

We've no plans to mooch about and tinker with things when we retire. We plan to "Small Camper Van" around America, funded by renting our house and our pensions. Friends have done this (although they're sailing around the med) but I can' sail and I want to see America...

[Jobbo]

I love my job, can’t wait to go to work every day.

24/7, 365, Dan?

[NGRhodes]

Like a pig in mud, sadly with about the same pay.

[DeskJockey]

I love my job, can’t wait to go to work every day.

Don't be so negative, Dan!

[DeskJockey]

Like a pig in mud, sadly with about the same pay.

As long as you find truffles, you're probably doing okay.

[dan]

I love my job, can’t wait to go to work every day.

24/7, 365, Dan?

Pretty much, my mrs was shocked when I said I wasn't coming in yesterday....one of the rare days this year i've not been in.

[dan]

I love my job, can’t wait to go to work every day.

Don't be so negative, Dan!

Life's too short to get miserable about stuff!

[Beany]

Glad my presentation isn't till late tomorrow.

*Urp*

[V8Granite]

Can’t complain, 1 year on from the company being bought out, everyone is being pushed much harder than expected but we knew that about the new owner and it’s not a bad thing for the company.

Having to take more care of myself as injury and wear and tear are taking it’s toll. Still hope to retire from this work when I’m 50 and be a delivery driver, warehouse guy where there is no work stress when you leave work but will see what happens.

Currently in Perth again about to go to a mine so worry I’ll miss being all over.

Dave!

[Nefarious]

I keep flitting between "you're supposed to have retired" and "oh, that could be a good little project".
I've only added one new property to the portfolio this year, but have done a couple of mid-sized contract jobs.
I've got a bit of a plan to try and put a retirement solution together for my site manager, so aim to step up the contract stuff for the next couple of years to build up a bit of a war chest. We'll see how long that lasts before I want back into the world or retirement again

It sounds like you enjoy the process of working, or creating things, so how can you retire?

I heard a great analogy about making money vs having money. Making money is like accelerating to 100mph in a car, it's the fun part, finding a new way to get to that speed as quickly as possible. Having money is the result, which is the same as cruising at 100mph - it's boring as hell.

If I'm honest, the motivation to work is an identity thing rather than itchy feet or avoiding boredom. I've always been a busy person (probably thanks to parental accusations of laziness!) and the idea of just sitting around getting fat and playing playstation doesn't sit well with me. Mostly what I do when I'm not "working" is fix other peoples stuff for free (I think I've fixed *something* in every single one of the 36 flats in the block above us, and had hands on 80% of the cars in the street at some point)!