Do you get meaning from work or are you a hedonist ?

The work/play mix. Do you have a good balance ? A little of both ? Or do you get your work done so that you can head to the beach ?

I come from a family of workaholics. So it's all about the work. But every time I've taken work by the horns , I take a horn in the balls. And one in the ass.

It's more practical to get some meaning out of work. So I've always preferred that. But I guess I have to be a pure hedonist. Might have to go back to the oilfield.

Hedonism requires some effort too though. You have to have a positive attitude. I have a pretty good track record in the hedonism department.

Thoughts ?

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Originally Posted by Backspin

Do you get meaning from work or are you a hedonist ?

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...fortunately, those two aren't the only options...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tomcat

...fortunately, those two aren't the only options...

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In the broadest terms , they are the only 2 options.

I count going to a world war 2 museum as hedonism. I've gone to the one in Thailand. I go to every WW2 thing I can find

My work pays for my trips to the beach.

Definitely not a hedonist. Not going to do it but could easily see myself working until 70. As it stands work right now work is mostly about marking a few more things off the “To Do” list before retiring back to Thailand in 2022. One of those things being 40 years combined working for the Department of the Navy.

I work to live - I don't live to work.
There's plenty of things that I'd like to do but they generally cost money, though some only require the paying of the yearly bills.
I don't work because of feeling the need to prove myself or have a sense of accomplishment or achievement.
It's important to contribute to society so work has an element of that however.
I'm very good at my job but it doesn't interest me greatly, so if I could afford to indulge my interests and luxuriate in occasional hedonism I'd be in there like a rat up a drainpipe.
Anybody out there with a spare key to a family trust is welcome to hook me up.

I teach online as a means of saving for my retirement. I frittered away a million USD in 'another life', with only a mansion in Buckinghamshire to show for it, I gave that up for my ex and kids in the UK. Bad relationship decisions didn't help in Thailand LoL. Finally, I started saving each month and topping up my UK national insurance. When (if) I retire in about 5 years from now, I'll actually be modestly OK financially.

Teaching science to young students is fun, but I'd rather be enjoying that 'another life' again!

I enjoy work, when/if it's a success...........and done

Then I can have a beer and pad my back abit.

Never gave it a whole lot of thought. Worked my entire life to pay the bills. Fortunately my path of employ was challenging and self-satisfying so there were very few days when I had to expend effort to "drag myself to work".

My job was more like my hobby and I love doing it. Going to work for me is a pleasure. I do enjoy doing seminars many of which involve teaching young engineers and technicians. I still enjoy the challenge of difficult engineering jobs and re engineering poorly engineered jobs but they are few and far between. Most clients go for the status quo and are not interested in pushing the envelope even if there is significent environmental savings. No one wants to be the first, but occasionally you get a client who is willing to push the envelope and those jobs are gold. In the end It's all about the challenge. I love doing what others dont want to tackle. I guess we all get our jollies differently.





FOC&L

I work as much for pleasure as I do for money. I never bothered with the management positions, preferring to make things work myself. When I retired, back in 2006, I continued to answer people's questions so went back so I got paid for it. When I retire again, I will need to find something I enjoy as much...

Good answers all.

For me , the oil patch suited me better. But 2014/15 hit and another opportunity came up in the family business. In the family business , you have to like it or you gotta get out. I wanted to like it. But I can't make it work. I was barely depressed in my oil field years. Even on the worst days , I'd bang out 45 minutes at the gym. Now , I don't have the energy to brush my teeth.

I think you have the answers yourself. Right there ^ Chemistry problem between you and the old boss