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Would you give up a higher paid job that you don't like or one that doesn't pay much but you enjoy?
Trying to weed out my freelance work and I'm stuck wondering if I should give up the higher paid work that I have to force myself to do or make room by giving up smaller paying ones that I actually enjoy.
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October 19, 2009 08:13 PM
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It simply depends how much higher paying the first option is. If it's enough to go to Starbucks two more times a day, it might not be worth it. On the other hand, it may be worthwhile if the money allows you to solve other problems in your life that you currently have to live with. For instance, if you could hire a maid, you'd never need to clean. Having that load off your shoulders might actually make the unenjoyable work more fun than you think.
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• This is a great way to look at it which I hadn't really considered. Thanks!
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October 19, 2009 03:00 AM
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Before I had kids.. I'd have said the one you enjoy. Now I'd say the higher paying one. Basically I think it comes down to financial responsibilities. Can you live comfortably without doing the higher paid work? If so, your happiness is important and I would stick to what you enjoy. If I didn't have others counting on me I would even be willing live slightly less than comfortable if it meant being happier, however if there are people's lives impacted directly by your pay check and the higher paying work would make their lives better, won't that bring you happiness as well?
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October 19, 2009 03:29 AM
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I would say yes a million times over. Money is nothing if you are miserable at what you do. Most jobs require you to be present 40 or more hours per week, and if you don't like what you're doing there, then no amount of money can make it better, at least in my opinion.
Obviously if you have financial and/or familial obligations, these are considerations you need to take into account. However, I would argue that if you work somewhere that makes you unhappy, that unhappiness is going to seep into every aspect of your life, including your home life. If you are doing work that makes you genuinely happy, then that happiness is going to affect those around you in a positive manner. Yes, you might have to cut out some of the little luxuries you might have grown used to (excessive cable channels, fancy dinners out, unnecessary new clothes, etc.), but I think this is fully worth it if you gain happiness in the arena in which you spend the majority of your waking time.
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Obviously if you have financial and/or familial obligations, these are considerations you need to take into account. However, I would argue that if you work somewhere that makes you unhappy, that unhappiness is going to seep into every aspect of your life, including your home life. If you are doing work that makes you genuinely happy, then that happiness is going to affect those around you in a positive manner. Yes, you might have to cut out some of the little luxuries you might have grown used to (excessive cable channels, fancy dinners out, unnecessary new clothes, etc.), but I think this is fully worth it if you gain happiness in the arena in which you spend the majority of your waking time.
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October 19, 2009 04:22 AM
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Really good question. In my opinion, it really depends on what is is you don't like about the higher paying job. If the higher paying job is just not challenging or interesting, that's one thing. However, if the higher paying job is, say, with a company that doesn't align with your values, then that's a bigger deal.
Remember, money isn't everything, but it's a big part of why many of us need to work. So, don't be too quick to walk away from a job that pays well, especially if that job is with a solid company that won't go up in smoke easily.
In many cases those "interesting", "enjoyable" jobs don't last, or they aren't everything they are cracked up to be.
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Remember, money isn't everything, but it's a big part of why many of us need to work. So, don't be too quick to walk away from a job that pays well, especially if that job is with a solid company that won't go up in smoke easily.
In many cases those "interesting", "enjoyable" jobs don't last, or they aren't everything they are cracked up to be.
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October 19, 2009 09:56 AM
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I would give up the higher paid job if the contentment in performing your work has a higher value to you than the value of the monetary difference.
One way to think about it is, how much extra would you make from the higher job? Is it $15,000? What is the BEST possible thing you would buy with that $15,000? A new car?
Now, would you rather be happy during your work and not have a new car, or be less happy during your work and get that new car?
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One way to think about it is, how much extra would you make from the higher job? Is it $15,000? What is the BEST possible thing you would buy with that $15,000? A new car?
Now, would you rather be happy during your work and not have a new car, or be less happy during your work and get that new car?
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October 19, 2009 07:52 PM
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Follow your heart. If you don't all of your work suffers. If you are happiest with a smaller salary, but that salary still pays your bills and keeps you comfortable, then weed out that which is drudgery. You will live longer and your work will be much better quality where you are happiest. ~~"No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money" Matt 6:24 NLT ~~
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October 21, 2009 05:22 PM
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I've never been materialistic or strongly motivated by money, so at this point in my life I'd take the job I enjoy over the one that made me lots of cash. I did factory work for 25 years while raising my family and am blessed with a husband who has a decent income, so I have the luxury of being able to make that choice. I write for the enjoyment, and if I make a few dollars that's great, but it's not what gets me going.
It really depends on your own financial situation and how many possessions you think you need. What sacrifices are you willing to make? If the bills are getting paid, you have some savings in the bank, and a bit left over to spend on yourself, consider yourself fortunate and write what you enjoy.
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It really depends on your own financial situation and how many possessions you think you need. What sacrifices are you willing to make? If the bills are getting paid, you have some savings in the bank, and a bit left over to spend on yourself, consider yourself fortunate and write what you enjoy.
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October 21, 2009 09:17 PM
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I am in that exact same situation, well sort of although the lower paid job that I would actually enjoy is quite hard to pin down at the minute.
I say that life is short and working hours are long. You would have to weigh up the pros and cons of whether you would be able to live with the pay cut but on a whole life is for enjoying. There is no doubt in my mind that if it was myself with the exact same conundrum as you, I would take the enjoying lower paid job. You never know. This could lead to new openings and who knows... higher pay in an enjoyable job in the future...?
Good luck with your choice. I hope all goes well for you.
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I say that life is short and working hours are long. You would have to weigh up the pros and cons of whether you would be able to live with the pay cut but on a whole life is for enjoying. There is no doubt in my mind that if it was myself with the exact same conundrum as you, I would take the enjoying lower paid job. You never know. This could lead to new openings and who knows... higher pay in an enjoyable job in the future...?
Good luck with your choice. I hope all goes well for you.
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October 22, 2009 03:32 PM
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Tough question!
If face with the choice, I'd probably opt for the job that doesn't pay much, with a huge condition.
The job that doesn't pay that much must not occupy more than half of my daily work hours, allowing me to add other sources of income.
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If face with the choice, I'd probably opt for the job that doesn't pay much, with a huge condition.
The job that doesn't pay that much must not occupy more than half of my daily work hours, allowing me to add other sources of income.
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January 19, 2010 10:23 PM
http://www.jobsindubai.com/ Helpful Answer? (0)
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Earning money is quite really hard now a days, but if your job gives you such dilemma even though you have a high salary then you should think about it again Having a job that you enjoy is much important than earning money
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