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What's your attitude to work? Does it mean the world to you?

124

Comments

  • Closed Accounts Posts: 22,461 ✭✭✭✭beauf


    ...I've never known anyone who said "I can't wait until my break/holiday/the weekend is over so I can go back to work".

    I have known quite a few when I think about it. Especially those working for themselves.

    For myself when I'm in a project I look forward to getting stuck in and making progress.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,112 ✭✭✭Technocentral


    beauf wrote: »
    I have known quite a few when I think about it. Especially those working for themselves.
    getting stuck in and making progress.

    That's a bit a bit different as it needs to be done I mean in of itself, outside say musicians and actors which aren't jobs as such but paid hobbies.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,074 ✭✭✭skallywag


    That's a bit a bit different as it needs to be done I mean in of itself, outside say musicians and actors which aren't jobs as such but paid hobbies.

    Tell that to someone trying to make a living out of music, I have a nagging feeling they might disagrree with you ...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,112 ✭✭✭Technocentral


    skallywag wrote: »
    Tell that to someone trying to make a living out of music, I have a nagging feeling they might disagrree with you ...

    I meant people who make a good living


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,061 ✭✭✭leggo


    LLMMLL wrote: »
    I mean..... Are you genuinely asking this? The answer is pretty obvious. People work to have money so they can....... Eat, have a roof over their head, provide for their family.

    Your presupposition by giving that answer is that it’s impossible to do these things without motivation, pride or satisfaction, which brings us back around in a circle again to me asking the same question.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,157 ✭✭✭✭Cyrus


    LLMMLL wrote: »
    I mean..... Are you genuinely asking this? The answer is pretty obvious. People work to have money so they can....... Eat, have a roof over their head, provide for their family.

    don't need to work to have that in Ireland though do you?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,074 ✭✭✭skallywag


    I meant people who make a good living

    Same there to be fair. Most musicians who are successful will tell you that it's a dogs life, particularly these days when the only way to really make money is to be constantly playing live.

    That said I do get your point though. From my perspective I love what I do, and genuinely do look forward to going into work after the weekend.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,593 ✭✭✭LLMMLL


    leggo wrote: »
    Your presupposition by giving that answer is that it’s impossible to do these things without motivation, pride or satisfaction, which brings us back around in a circle again to me asking the same question.

    Can you rephrase? I don't understand what you're saying here.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,061 ✭✭✭leggo


    LLMMLL wrote: »
    Can you rephrase? I don't understand what you're saying here.

    Sure, no prob.

    So I’m saying that spending half your life with a negative attitude towards work is a waste of people’s lives when being positive, proactive and enjoying it is an option.

    You’re saying, essentially, that work is just work and it doesn’t matter enough to care about beyond just doing your bit and collecting your wage.

    I’m asking what the point of getting out of bed to even go to work is then in that case.

    You’re saying to feed family, pay bills etc.

    I’m saying that the purpose of why we work to begin with doesn’t deal with the fact that you can still have a positive attitude towards it and achieve the same ends by either changing career or finding things in your current job to engage yourself and develop a positive attitude towards it. People do it all the time. Therefore your response doesn’t deal with the initial reason we’re disagreeing, so my original question still stands.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,593 ✭✭✭LLMMLL


    leggo wrote: »
    Sure, no prob.

    So I’m saying that spending half your life with a negative attitude towards work is a waste of people’s lives when being positive, proactive and enjoying it is an option.

    You’re saying, essentially, that work is just work and it doesn’t matter enough to care about beyond just doing your bit and collecting your wage.

    I’m asking what the point of getting out of bed to even go to work is then in that case.

    You’re saying to feed family, pay bills etc.

    I’m saying that the purpose of why we work to begin with doesn’t deal with the fact that you can still have a positive attitude towards it and achieve the same ends by either changing career or finding things in your current job to engage yourself and develop a positive attitude towards it. People do it all the time. Therefore your response doesn’t deal with the initial reason we’re disagreeing, so my original question still stands.

    Sorry that makes no sense. You're making out that the natural consequence of not being engaged at work is to stay in bed a day and make no money?

    Let's forget the "what's the point of getting out of bed in the morning". We both know the answer to that.

    Whether an individual can bring a positive attitude to a job they don't find all that interesting or engaging is going to completely depend on the individual and their circumstances.

    I get the attitude.you are promoting. It's like the "think positive" stuff that pervades social media, just applied to people's jobs.

    But a lot of people find the social.media stuff fake, and a lot of people would find setting daily goals etc. In a job they find not particularly interesting to be not very helpful or realistic at all.

    If it works for you..... Good for you. But I find it very odd that you can't seem to fathom why other people would differ from you in this aspect.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,061 ✭✭✭leggo


    Yes, we have different mindsets. I find it depressing as hell that someone spends half of their life doing something they get no happiness from out of a sense of duty then spins that as a positive, while saying that it seems ‘exhausting’ to take steps to get some satisfaction from the life they live every day.

    That’s an odd mindset to me, it suggests that you think the entire purpose of life is to pay bills and not be exhausted. I’m sure you find my mindset mad too. But that happens, people are not all the same.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,191 ✭✭✭screamer


    I am very aware that in work I am but a number- a OPS number and a number on a payroll report each month. I am infinitely replaceable and as far from indispensable as a bic biro, and anyone who thinks they are anything different in any company is deluded.
    I do a fair days work for a fair days pay, and will do extra now and again but expect flexibility in return.
    I've managed big teams, small teams, you name it. The most important team to me is my little team at home, and that is my anchor. Besides, I've never seen a headstone with
    She was a great manager and is sadly missed by her company.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 692 ✭✭✭unhappys10


    screamer wrote: »
    I am very aware that in work I am but a number- a OPS number and a number on a payroll report each month. I am infinitely replaceable and as far from indispensable as a bic biro, and anyone who thinks they are anything different in any company is deluded.
    I do a fair days work for a fair days pay, and will do extra now and again but expect flexibility in return.
    I've managed big teams, small teams, you name it. The most important team to me is my little team at home, and that is my anchor. Besides, I've never seen a headstone with
    She was a great manager and is sadly missed by her company.

    Don't agree with the indispensable part.

    There is the Financial Controller in my place, she knows literally everything about the company off the top of her head.
    Lots of complex transactions in our place, some over 9 figures and she knows all the ins and outs.
    If she left tomorrow the place would fall down. There is no one in the company who could replace her and anyone coming from the outside would take months to get up to speed. We simply couldn't afford to be without her.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,157 ✭✭✭✭Cyrus


    unhappys10 wrote: »
    Don't agree with the indispensable part.

    There is the Financial Controller in my place, she knows literally everything about the company off the top of her head.
    Lots of complex transactions in our place, some over 9 figures and she knows all the ins and outs.
    If she left tomorrow the place would fall down. There is no one in the company who could replace her and anyone coming from the outside would take months to get up to speed. We simply couldn't afford to be without her.

    Hope she is making sure to get paid accordingly that's one thing I don't understand people undervaluing themselves.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 692 ✭✭✭unhappys10


    Cyrus wrote: »
    Hope she is making sure to get paid accordingly that's one thing I don't understand people undervaluing themselves.

    She is on good money I'd say, we work in aircraft leasing, even lower level staff are on good money.
    She does long hours, more than I would ever do but she's paid well.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,593 ✭✭✭LLMMLL


    leggo wrote: »
    Yes, we have different mindsets. I find it depressing as hell that someone spends half of their life doing something they get no happiness from out of a sense of duty then spins that as a positive, while saying that it seems ‘exhausting’ to take steps to get some satisfaction from the life they live every day.

    That’s an odd mindset to me, it suggests that you think the entire purpose of life is to pay bills and not be exhausted. I’m sure you find my mindset mad too. But that happens, people are not all the same.

    True but I don't feel the need to misrepresent your mindset like you are.misrwpresenting other people's.

    OBVIOSUSLY, nobody has said their mindset is that the purpose.of their life is to pay bills. That's a ridiculous thing to take from what I and others have said.

    I don't know why I even have to say this but those people's mindset is that the purpose of.life is to spend time with family and other things they enjoy in their time off.

    It's like me portraying your mindset as someone who works 24/7 and takes no enjoyment outside of work. Ridiculous.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 8,159 ✭✭✭Unearthly


    Worked like crazy in my 20's to get up the ladder and to get good pay.

    Now I'm at a stage where I am Salaried, flexible times and days, and work from home looks like it will be an option even after Covid 19. I work smart, not long. I've no intention in going for higher paid jobs with more responsibilities as I don't need it to fund my desired lifestyle


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,061 ✭✭✭leggo


    LLMMLL wrote: »
    True but I don't feel the need to misrepresent your mindset like you are.misrwpresenting other people's.

    OBVIOSUSLY, nobody has said their mindset is that the purpose.of their life is to pay bills. That's a ridiculous thing to take from what I and others have said.

    I don't know why I even have to say this but those people's mindset is that the purpose of.life is to spend time with family and other things they enjoy in their time off.

    It's like me portraying your mindset as someone who works 24/7 and takes no enjoyment outside of work. Ridiculous.

    Well apologies you took it that way, I wasn’t looking to misrepresent you. It was more a case of the subject at hand being work, not what we do with our family, so when I refer to ‘the point’ I mean it in terms of the relevant discussion. I saw it as a given that people earn money for stuff outside of work that they need or enjoy, so it didn’t need to be stated.

    I think both of our arguments going over each other’s heads and are going to just go around in circles: you see me not acknowledging why people work as missing the point, I see you not acknowledging that you can get satisfaction from work as missing the point. Like I said, two different mindsets.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,733 ✭✭✭OMM 0000


    It means absolutely nothing to me.

    Careers mean nothing.

    I feel sad for people who choose careers over family as I know they're making a mistake and will regret it later.

    I would happily not work. I'd find hobbies, courses, etc., to keep me occupied.


  • Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators Posts: 11,010 Mod ✭✭✭✭Jim2007


    unhappys10 wrote: »
    Don't agree with the indispensable part.

    There is the Financial Controller in my place, she knows literally everything about the company off the top of her head.
    Lots of complex transactions in our place, some over 9 figures and she knows all the ins and outs.
    If she left tomorrow the place would fall down. There is no one in the company who could replace her and anyone coming from the outside would take months to get up to speed. We simply couldn't afford to be without her.

    Sounds like a very dumb approach on the part of management if that really is the situation. And if it is a public company, one would expect that it is being flagged up the the board as a major risk.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 487 ✭✭Jim Root


    Jim2007 wrote: »
    Sounds like a very dumb approach on the part of management if that really is the situation. And if it is a public company, one would expect that it is being flagged up the the board as a major risk.

    Yep, perfect breeding ground for fraud.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,593 ✭✭✭LLMMLL


    leggo wrote: »
    Well apologies you took it that way, I wasn’t looking to misrepresent you. It was more a case of the subject at hand being work, not what we do with our family, so when I refer to ‘the point’ I mean it in terms of the relevant discussion. I saw it as a given that people earn money for stuff outside of work that they need or enjoy, so it didn’t need to be stated.

    I think both of our arguments going over each other’s heads and are going to just go around in circles: you see me not acknowledging why people work as missing the point, I see you not acknowledging that you can get satisfaction from work as missing the point. Like I said, two different mindsets.

    Oh I totally acknowledge you can get satisfaction from work. But a lot of people don't or can't. And that's fine.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,157 ✭✭✭✭Cyrus


    Jim2007 wrote: »
    Sounds like a very dumb approach on the part of management if that really is the situation. And if it is a public company, one would expect that it is being flagged up the the board as a major risk.

    Typical of fast growing companies to be fair


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,903 ✭✭✭Macker1


    I take my job and its responsibility serious enough. I try my best to be professional and helpful at all times.

    The bottom line is that I work to live and not the other way round.

    I think when starting out you do need to give it more focus so as to get ahead of the pack but this should only be a short term situation until you get where you want to.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,875 ✭✭✭Patsy167


    I think the idea of work/life balance is inherently negative. It implies that work takes away from life and vice versa. I think you can have 100% of both. I know a good hard day in work acts like a domino effect and gives me more energy and motivation to do more stuff outside of work and with family. Opposite holds true when I am bored and un-motivated in work, it seeps into other areas of life. I think the phrase "How you do anything is how you do everything" holds true.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,750 ✭✭✭storker


    OMM 0000 wrote: »
    It means absolutely nothing to me.

    Careers mean nothing.

    I feel sad for people who choose careers over family as I know they're making a mistake and will regret it later.

    I would happily not work. I'd find hobbies, courses, etc., to keep me occupied.

    Yep, and I still wouldn't have enough hours in the day.


    .


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,056 ✭✭✭tastyt


    I suppose it’s down to how you view your self.

    A lot of people view their self worth through work and where they stand, how much they earn etc.

    Each to their own but personally I find that very depressing


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,157 ✭✭✭✭Cyrus


    personally i really like my job, its challenging, takes up too much of my day, i have a large team and it can be stressful, but i am well paid, we live in a nice house, great neighbours, happy kids and a happy life.

    I dont think you can have 2 parents focusing on career and it not impact family life but you can have one. So i focus on that side, my wife looks after most of the family stuff, it works well and we are both happy.

    Having a good career and caring about it isnt a recipe for depression or gloom as some of you seem to think.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 223 ✭✭checkcheek


    unhappys10 wrote: »
    Don't agree with the indispensable part.

    There is the Financial Controller in my place, she knows literally everything about the company off the top of her head.
    Lots of complex transactions in our place, some over 9 figures and she knows all the ins and outs.
    If she left tomorrow the place would fall down. There is no one in the company who could replace her and anyone coming from the outside would take months to get up to speed. We simply couldn't afford to be without her.

    While I understand there is some people that think they are the only ones that can do something, everyone is replaceable. While the next person might not be as great or as knowledgeable about the specifics, there is someone out there that can do what she does and do it for less. She will leave one day, be it a new job or retirement.

    My recent job I worked I enjoyed it, It was always thought that If i left the place would fall to bits. And to an extent it did. But someone took over (on less money) and is pretty much doing what needs to be done. While they may not have known the ins and outs of all details like I did. The company kept going.

    Overall I dont think its fair that people are calling people lazy just because work isnt there main focus. And equally it goes the other way. If someone wants to give there all to work, great. If they have other passions and wish to focus there energy on that, great. Each to their own. Some people find joy in their bank account, others in their family.

    But I do think unless its your own company, you really are just a number. They might praise you, but they will 100% let you know when you have slipped up, even on something small.

    Again last job, there was times I may aswel have lived in the office. I was doing the job of about 5 people, and there was times when **** really hit the fan and I was the one to tidy it up and prevent any big drama. Didnt get any big thanks, but I did it anyway as I am that kind of person. But a week after that I made a small typo error and of course that was something I was pulled up on. Even though the countless other things where I had went above and beyond my job.

    The older I have got (not that old just late 20s) - im realising there is a lot more to life. A job is a job, it can be gone in the blink of an eye. I was in one of the most stable/busy/profitable industries and now COVID has thrown that all in doubt.

    Its like what someone above said about the gravestone. Your not judged on your job in life. Its the interactions you bonds you make with others.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,056 ✭✭✭tastyt


    Reminds me of a bit of advice I once got

    “ no one ever lies on their deathbed wishing they had spent more quality time in the office “


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