I hate work. Maybe it’s laziness, but I like to believe I have a short attention span and my mind wanders onto bigger and better things while working. I just can’t make it through the day, and since I’ve been leaving early my boss basically gave me an ultimatum - stay until 6pm or else.
I’m 25 and am in graduate school in medical research. It’s a stimulating, interesting job, but I just can’t bear to think I’ve got to get up every morning for the next 30 years and work until 6pm, and probably a few hours on the weekends. I don’t care what the job is - I don’t think I’d like ANYTHING. I’ve been out of school for 3 years but I think I’m still in the college mindset of sleeping in, skipping classes, and messing around all day.
So assuming I work for 30 more years, how do I motivate myself to work 40+ hours a week? Is this something that must come from within? Do I have to just suck it up and start being a man and take on responsibility? Or will I never adjust? Somebody please HELP ME!
You’re having what’s known as a quarter-life crisis. Actually, I’m not sure if it’s known by that or not, but that’s what I’m calling it. The answer is no, you don’t have to suck it up. But you do have to accept the consequences of your actions.
Don’t want to work a 40 hour a week job? Find one with fewer hours and less responsibility. It probably pays less, but that’s the choice you make.
Don’t like the daily grind? Find a job that offers more flexibility.
Have any hobbies you wouldn’t mind doing for a living? Find a way to make money off of one.
30 years? You honestly think that with the work ethic you have now you’ll be able to retire at 55. That’s for those who can hold a job. You on the other hand will be greating folks at Wal-Mart until you are well into your 70’s.
If you really, really don’t want to work try taking a job with the government or a fair sized university.
If you have a wife, and especially kids, then you’re going to have to suck it up and be a drone. Chances are, the family will provide you with the motivation to get through it.
If not, then do whatever the hell you want. Survival is easy. There are a lot of low-paying jobs out there that are interesting. Go wander through a few of them. Go hike across Alaska. Have an interesting life, for crying out loud. You can always do the corporate drone thing later, if it becomes necessary.
My dear Bob, it seems fairly obvious to me that you are not too keen on your field. You have obviously spent a lot of money pursuing it…hence the degree…but seriously, if you can’t hack it after a mere three years, your job isn’t the sort of thing to “grow on you.”
Take your twenties as an opportunity to knock around a bit; as long as you don’t knock anyone up, this is the most freedom you’ll ever have to do whatever you want.
For one thing, there ARE jobs with flexible hours, or evening hours, in almost any field. You may have to do a lot of searching to find one, but believe me its worth it.
Oh I fully intend to, my wife will be an Optometrist in 1.5 years, who will make 6X what I’m making now!
Thanks for the advice everyone, even the motivational speach by SandyHook predicting I’ll be a Walmart Greeter if I stay on my current path.
It’s true, I really do need a kick in the behind, but I just need advice on how to go about it! I especially liked Archergal’s point: “Your problem is thinking too far into the future. All you have to get through is today. Then do the same thing tomorrow. Simple, really.”
And a fair sized university is definitely a viable option, maybe I’ll make that my goal to get me through the day!
I thought the same thing when I was making the transition from grad school to real life. Earlier, I had had drudgery filled summer jobs, for example as a ledger clerk in a small office. That job was so bad I couldn’t bear to look out the window, because I then I’d see that the afternoon shadows were short and the sun was bright, showing that 5:00 was still hours away.
My situation isn’t exactly like yours, but once I got to a job that offered some intellectual stimulation and interests I didn’t mind doing it full time at all.
On the other hand, I don’t know how people like file clerks (which I’ve also been, in my time) and security guards can get out of bed every morning.
I wonder if what you need is a break? If you’re a full doctor, how about taking a working holiday to somewhere primitive? Medecins Sans Frontiers would snap you up.
A valid question. Most people hate work. I don’t think it’s laziness. If you are in graduate school, you are obviously there for a reason. I has to do more with just not caring.
:"you see Bob…if I bust my butt and Inetech ships a couple thousand more units, I don’t see a dime…Where’s the motivation?
…
…In fact, that’s my only real motivation - not to get hassled…and you know what, Bob? That will only make a person work just hard enough not to get fired."
-Peter Gibbons, Office Space
I’m not sure where this idea came from where your job is supposed to be some life fullfilling pursuit. I think it’s more a media creation. 90% of people have to settle for jobs they merely tolerate or even hate.
Bob55
“Oh I fully intend to, my wife will be an Optometrist in 1.5 years, who will make 6X what I’m making now!”
More likely you will find yourself divorced if you are serious. Most ambitious women I know don’t really want some houseman sitting around on his ass and golfing all day.
Unless you like the idea of being homeless still have to work. My advice is to find something you like to do or at least something with flexible hours.
