What are you working for?

[Proletariat]

Besides financial independence of course. Someone asked this in passing and it made me think. Why are you working? What's your purpose? Do you even care about it?

What's your grand goal? Is a grand goal even necessary to you or are you okay with taking day by day?

[Cool Friend]

I used to live by the conviction that I was here to make the best art I could.  It didn't work, and I was miserable, so I don't really believe that anymore. I learned that I have no understanding of what will make me "happy," so it's not productive to think of new goals to chase after--it's just more grasping for experiences, things, and accomplishments that I necessarily am unable to know whether they'll be "good" for me or not.

So I'm trying not to grasp anymore.  I'm trying to practice mindfulness meditation to accept the day-by-day instead.

[A Fella from Stella]

I'm really just paying bills. That's the primary thing. I don't love my job. My wife's work, though, is getting us ahead, and I think she might have actually found herself a career she'll enjoy.

[Uturn]

I'm a network security engineer.  In my younger days, I got a lot of my self worth out of my job.  I don't know if I just got older, wiser, or burnt out, but I no longer identify that way.  My job is an income source.  My purpose at work?  To do as I'm told, sock away a ton of cash, and move on.  If I worked for a non-profit or something like that, I might feel differently.  But I work for an organization that exists solely for profit, which we do by selling goods/services to other organizations that exist solely for profit. 

[BuddyXL]

I used to think what I did makes a difference but after 30+ years in the workforce, I have come to believe it doesn't.  If I was a paramedic, doctor or such yeah, but not with what I do.  And I am OK with that as I think most jobs are like this.

So...I am just working for a paycheck in order to save money to be able to NOT work someday and travel.  Love being on the road and have been many places in my lifetime but many more to see!

[wageslave23]

I think as a group, there is a higher percentage of people on this forum who don't find much meaning in their jobs other than for a paycheck.  People who love their jobs and find them meaningful aren't as obsessed with retiring early.  I'm definitely in the "working for a paycheck" crowd.  I'd love to find a job that is meaningful and that I enjoy.  If I ever did, I would definitely stop planning to retire early.

[Philociraptor]

Money.

[Linea_Norway]

I work to make a living. But within that, I have picked a job that feels a bit meaningful. At least, our customers/software users do meaningful work in my opinion. As soon as I reach FI, I'm out of there. I'm sure they will be able to find a new, qualified person to do my job.

[Schaefer Light]

I'm working because I haven't hit my FIRE number.  When I was in school, a teacher asked me what I wanted to do when I grew up.  I told her I'd like to win the lottery so I wouldn't have to work.

[FIREstache]

Paycheck and health insurance.

[MonkeyJenga]

I worked for money. Some validation - I worked a little longer than needed to finish a certification proving I am smart and can do things. Some friendships, although that was more ancillary than the main reason.

Once I semi-FIRE'd, I went back to work for a social mission.

[Lanthiriel]

I mean money #1 like lots of other people said. However, I work for an engineering company that builds and renovates public roads, utilities, and airports. I'm part of the team that gets us hired for jobs. I truly believe that my firm offers public agencies good project management skills that result in cost savings and stretch public dollars for the good of communities. I'm a small and not super significant part of the team that gets this done, but working toward the public good does make having to work feel a little better.

[jaysee]

My feelings go back and forth on this, and my situation keeps changing too, as I'm a contractor.

When it's a good client and a worthwhile project, I feel like I'm improving the world in some tiny way. Building some software system that will better meet the needs of customers or help the organisation to operate more efficiently.

I also feel I can do good on a team-scale just by being someone pleasant to work with, being willing to help co-workers, sometimes even offering some mentoring or advice when someone needs it. And the camaraderie of working hard with a team of seasoned developers to get something challenging delivered.

Then there's the more "selfish" enjoyment - the thrill of chasing a new opportunity or delivering a major piece of work. Or the longer-term satisfaction from having built long-lasting skills and a reputation.

And then there's the money... I've probably been a bit too narrowly obsessed with this lately. But there's nothing like logging in to my investment accounts and literally seeing the numbers increase and knowing that it means that my net worth is up and I can now afford to live longer and better without work, if I ever need it. That feeling of security is (if you'll forgive the obvious irony) priceless.

[Steeze]

Aside from money? I suppose it makes my parents / grandparents happy to know I am in a good career. Girls dig guys with high paying stable jobs, but I’m married now so... I needed hours/years under my belt to get my professional license, but I just got that.

Nope. It’s just money. Money is why I go to work. I just help millionaires and billionaires make even more millions by helping them build buildings to sell to other millionaires and billionaires. What I do probably hurts the world, society, and the environment. We don’t need any more ultra luxury buildings in NYC, sorry. But if you need a permit or some plans stamped I got you!

[BuddyXL]

I think as a group, there is a higher percentage of people on this forum who don't find much meaning in their jobs other than for a paycheck.  People who love their jobs and find them meaningful aren't as obsessed with retiring early.  I'm definitely in the "working for a paycheck" crowd.  I'd love to find a job that is meaningful and that I enjoy.  If I ever did, I would definitely stop planning to retire early.

I wonder if there are websites out there for folks who just love their work so much they go and talk about how they can work longer and never retire.

Naaaa, probably not.  :)


But yeah wageslave, I am with you.  I have always wanted a job I really enjoyed but have just never found one.  The one I had when I first graduated college was pretty close bit only paid $20k a year so not something you can do forever.

[MrThatsDifferent]

I’m working to make a difference, use my education and experience and make money so I have financial freedom for the rest of my life and the only future work I do is for me and mine.

[Metalcat]

*raises hand*

I love my work, don't care all that much about money, and have no plans to retire.

I still consider myself rather Mustachian because I live my best life through frugality, and because of that, I can easily afford to work very part time, which allows me to love my work.

I hated it full time because part of what makes my work so rewarding is that it's so goddamn intense. At 2 days a week though, it's fantastic. I can give my 110% every minute that I'm there, which allows me to perform at a really elite level.

I may or may not stay in my current job long term (whatever long term means), but I'll always stay active in my profession in some way, whether paid or not. My remaining days, at the moment, are spent on unpaid non-profit work, so that's already part of the balance.

I have 2 more working days left before I take a 6 week mini sabbatical, because I can.

[Greenback Reproduction Specialist]

Lol always cracks me up at how many engineers are on here.... I'm also in engineering, great minds think a like eh?

This job is a requirement to be able to FIRE, even though I technically could right now... But, I stay because I realize that these are probably some of my best years to generate income and saving for a higher amount of income or larger safety net is a good idea.

Another thing I'm working for, or at least to prevent. During the recession I lost my job and we could not afford our house any longer, so we were forced to move out. We lived in an RV, and a few rental houses over the course of a few years. It is tough on a family and I dont want to ever have to do that again. Its still pretty fresh in my mind, I also work hard to avoid going through that again.... Or at least so my family doesnt have to, if I were by myself it might not be so bad.