You know what’s a great career move when you’re young?
Being broke.
You will stop looking for zeros and start looking for fun.
Bottom Line: It’s not until you have nothing that you realize how little you need.
Bold Career Move
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{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
1) I’ve had nothing, in fact, I’ve had less than nothing (due to a 50k medical bill for my father who passed away), and yes, you do look for ‘fun’ and maybe realize that you need very little.
But on the contrary, you wake up every morning wondering how you are going to make it through the next day, and how you are going to pay that bill, or get dinner or whether you may be evicted, and that is a feeling that I do not wish upon anyone. We can always look on the bright side, but the way the current world is, that sugar coated view does not stick around too long when things start to stack up against you.
2) We always talk about getting our ‘dream job’ and not stopping until we have it. Or, finding a job that isn’t work, but rather we love every minute of every day we work it.
I agree with this attitude. Yes, we should strive to find a job that we love, of course this is a great attitude to live by.
But, what I cannot stand are the people who, when they need a job, will not take work because it is ‘below them’ and consequently do not enjoy it. And then complain that they do not have a job.
My first official job was at 14 years old sweeping warehouses for $5.15 an hr 40 hours a week. Why? Because I needed $$ to help my mom. I’ve worked as a nanny, I’ve been a security guard in an art museum, worked in the mall, delivered papers, taught English, worked in construction, landscaping, coached sports, ran summer camps, you name it, I’ve probably done it.
I’m in the process of starting my own business, but for the time being, I’ll continue to do what brings in the $$ and supports myself and my family (fiancee + dog). I guess maybe my experiences make me bitter, but that is the one thing that irks me the most.
Ryan, first of all, thank you so much for sharing this. I was hoping for someone to comment something of the sort.
1) I ask you this: do you regret going through it? I’m assuming you were young at the moment and didn’t have a family to take care of, because I DON’T recommend going through that if other people depend on you. I’ve always embraced adversity, and think that those moments are the ones that have taught me the most.
Just to be clear, I’m not saying this is a good situation to have permanently, one has to get out of it eventually, I agree with you on that.
2) Fantastic. I agree with you Ryan. In fact, I’d add that the experience of working in may different sectors is invaluable. It’s a much bigger investment than we give it credit for.
And no, being bitter it’s different from being realistic. You are realistic.
I do not regret anything that has ever happened in my life. I see life as a constant learning experience. Sometimes we make good decisions, sometimes bad ones, but you learn from them all.
You know what scares me? Having large amounts of money. Since I’ve never had it, thinking about operating a business and making 100k a year is a fear of mine. If I reach that point, I have no clue how I’ll respond.
I learned how to make do with less than nothing, and for that I’ll always be a stronger person. It makes me who I am today. I’ve learned how to be an amazing cook to save $$, I really have no sort of obsession with clothes, or personal belongings of any way. I became a great athlete because playing sports was relatively free, or inexpensive and a great release for me.
It’s refreshing to see a Gen-Y blog not talk about having cars, houses, or things of that nature, and instead giving everyone a gut check.
All I’m after is a small house by a lake for my fiancee and my dog. Kayak every morning, have my cup of tea and read my paper, and enjoy what I have in life, not what I want.
Oh, what an interesting point Ryan, but I think I have just the answer for you:
If you worked for it, then you’ll be ready. I truly believe that winning in the lottery is one of the worst things that could ever happen to someone. They are giving you the solution to all your “problems” in a moment, most people that win it see their lives turn miserable.
The day you “make it” Ryan, you’ll appreciate your hard work, and your past. no matter how much money you make, you’ll rise up to the challenge because you know what money really means.
Thanks for the kind words man, and to be honest that’s my dream true, except for kayaking, I’m more of a running kind of guy
I’ve learned to stress less about money and place importance on enjoying my life as I’m in my 20’s. Without a doubt, as time goes on more responsibilities will ensue and less emphasis on just me, enjoying and letting go of my inhibitions. I think we also get pretty creative when there’s less money, but we all want to enjoy ourselves. I’ve slept in airports all night to take the earliest flight, taken day-long bus rides, backpacked, lived on peanut butter while traveling, etc. Just because those luxuries aren’t as fun or relevant when you’re living each day spontaneously, on the edge. I know I will always remember those times. We’re only young once.
I do however agree with @Ryan that sometimes there are responsibilities that are hard to abandon. We just have to be careful and understand the situation at hand.
Carlos. I think I know what you’re getting at here – but it just isn’t really clicking with me. I agree that we shouldn’t be in the constant pursuit of money – because money isn’t the end all be all in life. But choosing to be broke so you can go out and have fun, without having to worry about money – it’s not the way things work (unfortunately). If I’m broke, my primary concern isn’t fun, it’s finding a job and making the money necessary for survival. When you’re broke, you think even more about zeroes. Once you have a steady flow of cash coming in – enough to live comfortably, then you can start having fun. As unfortunate as it is, money makes the world go round, and without it, life is pretty un-fun.
“But choosing to be broke so you can go out and have fun.” This is not what I’m saying at all.
1) I blame my shortage of words for this misunderstanding, but I’d never suggest someone to be broke on purpose. But when it happens, you’ll learn a lot.
2)Fun. If you read the post of Personal MBA that I linked to there, you’ll see that it’s a whole other concept of having fun that the one you’re mentioning. It’s not about having fun because you’re broke. It’s understanding that you should work at what you find fun, because that will make you the best.
No doubt – I think we all strive to spend out weekday hours doing something that we can, at least on some level, consider ‘fun’.
Most jobs have “Eat a Big Bowl of Shit Everyday” as a prerequisite.
The reason? No one would do the job if someone didn’t pay you to do it. I try to avoid these, but have taken quite a few of them in order to make ends meet. The key? Figuring out how to do other stuff on the side. (Something I’m still trying to master.)