Office Jobs: The Tipping Point
I think the point has almost come where I have had enough with the office jobs. I cannot stand sitting in cubicles pretending to be busy all day. I hate sitting in meetings pretending to care. I hate the fact I get paid for the time I spend here, rather than the amount of productivity I provide. I swear some weeks I do 40 hours of work, and others I do 5. Either way I have to sit here for a minimum of 40 hours just to get a full paycheck.
Now I know a lot of people may say I wish I had a job like this, which is fine. But honestly, I feel like I am wasting my life away by sitting here bored all day thinking of things I would rather be doing and places I would rather be. Everyone says you only get one shot at life, so why should I spend mine this way.
I know the job may pay more than other jobs, but I am not a money driven person my any means. Matter of fact, I am sick of the whole rat race. It seems like people here in America keep trying harder and harder to make more money so they can accumulate more stuff they don’t even need.
I barely own anything since I move so often, but I still feel like I own a lot of stuff I don’t need. Things like televisions and cable boxes are something I never need. I barely watch TV, so why have one. I am perfectly happy with the two suitcases I moved out to Hawaii with. A few sets of clothes, my MacBook, and a few other essentials. So in the next few months, I plan to sell more of my stuff. The only tough thing is going to be the car, which I only bought so I could commute to work with.
So at some point in the very near future, I am going to kiss this “perfect” job away as some would say. I would rather work a job I enjoy and just be happy with what I have. The only stress in my life is caused by the combination of getting up early, commuting to work, sitting at work, and commuting home from work. Other than that, I am a very outgoing and happy person.
Back in college, I was broke almost the entire time. But you know what, I was never stressed out about anything, not even money. I used to give plasma just to have some beer money to go party with my friends. I lived off of oatmeal and rice and am willing to do it again if necessary. So obviously money is not the problem, but the fact I spend so much of my waking hours at a job that I have no motivation to perform well at.
What is even worse, is when I look at the people of above me and realize I wouldn’t even want their position. So if you do not even want to move up to your supervisors position, why stick around?
I am not real sure exactly what type of job I am looking for just yet. I would like to work outside that is for sure. Maybe a surf stand or cleaning boats or windows, who knows, just anything outside of an office. I used to do freelance work and loved it since I could set my own hours and wages. I also enjoy writing and hope to make some income off of this blog at some point.
My post yesterday about Living Situations brought some very positive feedback. Most importantly, Abbey posted some information about Australia. I have been thinking about moving their since I met a few people from their while living in Hawaii and I really miss the sun and ocean. It sounds like a great country and I am really ready to just get out of America for awhile.
Stick around and see what happens as I try and sort this all out by June…
PS. Anyone else feel the way I do?
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Now, who didn’t give plasma in college?
April 3rd, 2008 at 9:55 am
lol thats true Josh, there used to be lines of college kids trying to give plasma for some pocket change.
April 3rd, 2008 at 9:59 am
You’re in the same set of mind I was in a few weeks back when I quit cube farm inc.
One of my happiest friends lives in Hawaii and works on a farm and doesn’t get paid! He works for a place to live and food to eat. He has not debt and no concerns and is learning a valuable skill instead of pushing papers around.
Working outside is great too. My most satisfying job was working for my step-dad at his small construction company. Going home and knowing I got my day’s exercise, sun, and helped make someone’s home better was an exhilarating feeling. A much, much better feeling than going home knowing you helped rich and powerful corporations get more rich and more powerful.
Make sure you are prepared for the jump though, meaning your bills are paid and you’ve got a little bit of a financial safety net so that you don’t spend all your free time worrying about money.
Good luck and let us know how it goes. Oh, and enjoy it. Quitting a cube farm is wicked liberating.
April 3rd, 2008 at 11:09 am
Good for you! The decision to jump ship is not easy, and the realization that you don’t need money to be happy even harder. You have joined the ranks of an elite and empowered few; revel in it.
April 3rd, 2008 at 3:54 pm
Dude, I feel ya on this one. Life is too short to spend in a cubicle, or working at all for that matter. The key is finding a job that doesn’t feel like work..and making it work for you. I’ve been thinking about this very same issue a lot myself lately and plan to write a post in the near future…stay tuned
April 3rd, 2008 at 4:18 pm
Hey, this post was super-refreshing. I felt like someone had written down all the thoughts that I have in my head. I want an outdoor job too, maybe you could do a post about types of outdoor jobs, or something like that. It would be amazing
Also, have you ever seen Into the Wild? It’s a great movie and based on your recent posts, I think you would find it exhilarating.
Thanks for writing, good luck with everything.
April 3rd, 2008 at 4:48 pm
If your serious Justin check here
http://jobsearch.gov.au/harvesttrail/
http://www.stonedcrow.com/default.htm
http://www.backpackingaround.com/
http://www.bugaustralia.com/
The first one is the fruit picking guide…alot of back packers do that to supplement their cash…we get heaps here in the Gap year..
well that should get you started on your dream…hang in at work cause you are going to have to save to get here…:)
April 3rd, 2008 at 5:50 pm
I couldn’t agree with you more! I feel the exact same way about my office job right now. I go to work, and sit behind a desk all day, then go to sleep at night, just to wake up the next day repeating the same cycle! I feel like my life has become one big monotony… and I do feel like I should be doing something else with my life right now. I feel like there’s so much I’m missing out there stuck to this boring office job. The problem is, I’m not sure what I really want to do with my life either. Sucks, huh?
Good for you, coz you can go anywhere you like. Hey, if you’re looking for another place to explore, maybe you could try the Philippines. Lol. Although I can’t see why you want to leave Hawaii. I’ve always wanted to visit that place!
I hear it’s amazing!
Well, good looking out. And I’ll be tuning in, to see what updates you have.
April 3rd, 2008 at 7:42 pm
HI Justin,
Wow..very inspiring!!! Everything you just wrote is exactly what I have been thinking and feeling for the last few months. I work in Manhattan as a Fashion
Designer/Graphic artist. I sit in a cubicle all day. I hate it!!! I am very stressed out with deadlines all the time for multiple buyers and production timelines. My job is not creative at all. I have become a robot.
We just merged with another company and have new corporate rules.
We cannot eat at our desks, they have video cameras above our desk.
We have to scan our finger prints to get in and out of the building.
Plus we have no 401K, bonuses or raises. Only 1 week vacation …. it sucks!!!!
I am not a materialistic, superficial person and don’t care about having the latest Coach bag. I dont fit in this industry.
I am trying to think of a new career to go back to school for.
Teaching sounded good b/c of the two months off a year. I love to travel in the spare time. It takes too long to b/c a teacher.
Kind Regards,
Sandy Shelton
June 24th, 2008 at 6:31 pm