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The compelling case for working less

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Re: The compelling case for working less

#111

Post by virgilp »

dspillett wrote: post #95
donpdonp wrote: post #37

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The most effective way to be unhappy - comparing yourself to others. Its far more satisfying to 'impress yourself', ie do better than you did before. I also like to remember that such comparisons are usually between your every day existance and their 'highlight reel'.

> Its far more satisfying to 'impress yourself', ie do better than you did before. The converse of this is why stagnation feels bad long term (you don't tend to notice short term, that is just a break taking things easy for a while). Knowing you have not learned/done anything new in a long time can be depressing, and fuels many a mid-life crisis.

But that's completely fixable, right? It'w quite easy to start learning something new, or start doing something new.

Re: The compelling case for working less

#112

Post by Joe-Z »

mseebach wrote: post #103
Joe-Z wrote: post #101

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Okay, I can see that. That's what I try to do too. Altough I see these thinking habits as more of a short-term happiness boost than a tool for feeling satisfied with my life (which I would categorize as a more longer-lasting feeling, independent of my normal up/down mood-cycles).

The value is that when you don't spend your life being angry at Mondays or the weather or the fortunes of your favourite sportsteam (never main all the things people are casually angry at their bosses for, but doesn't actually warrant anger), you have a lot more energy to identify and engage with the things that actually make a lasting difference in your life.

That's certainly true, but I would argue that there's some things that really don't warrant wasting your time / energy with (like you said, mainly inter-personal and superficial stuff like appearances, money, etc.) and others that you should listen to if it's something that continues to bother you.

Weather is a good example: If you find yourself constantly annoyed at the weather and it's possible for you to do so, why not go to somewhere with a climate that might better suit you?

I guess my point is, I agree, it's not worth it getting constantly worked up over stuff, but also one shouldn't ignore one's feelings towards certain things for a prolonged time.

Re: The compelling case for working less

#113

Post by wslh »

spyckie2 wrote: post #7

I'm convinced that our decision for how much effort to exert on work is not governed by the rational part of our brain. It's part primal - fear of insecurity and belonging to a social structure - part ego - accomplishment as confirmation of existence and your salary as a concrete number to compare favorably to others - and part culture and habit. I also think overwork is a byproduct of a globally connected society. H…

I have a radically different thinking and I think it is related to culture and the country where you live. I rather prefer a strong health/education/housing umbrella where I have time to focus my energy in what I consider more important work than, for example, optimizing ads.

Re: The compelling case for working less

#114

Post by imgabe »

konschubert wrote: post #59
Joeri wrote: post #55

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The libertarian argument would be that if government didn’t regulate working hours the number of hours worked vs the amount of pay would be negotiated by the labor market and you would be free to choose to work fewer hours in exchange for somewhat reduced pay. The socialist counter-argument would be that under such a system people with few employment options or low skills would be forced to work more hours for the sa…

I don't think it's illegal, in any western country, to work part time. So we HAVE the option to negotiate fewer hours, no?

It is difficult to work part time and get benefits such as health insurance. Since this is a necessity for most people there is no practical option to work part time.

Re: The compelling case for working less

#115

Post by funnelsgun »

Spearchucker wrote: post #94
kough wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Humans are happy if they are relatively well off compared to what they know. This is super true. I've been congratulating myself all month on my new job, paying me BIG BUCKS, compared to my friends. Well, just found out an old friend of mine also found a new job, getting payed literally twice as much as me. Now I'm in a funk and it's irrational and stupid but I can't help but look at the same number in a totally di…

Age fixes that. Used to feel much the same. Now (approaching 50) I just couldn't give a shit anymore. A friend I've grown distant from over the last 4 years or so bought a 911 GT3 RS last year. And suddenly I hear from him. And I marvel at the waste. Purchases like that are meaningful on only two days - the day you buy it, and the day you sell it. I think a mid-20's me might've liked a car like that for the sex it co…

I'd argue that a 911 GT3 RS is not a waste. I would love to own a GT3, let alone a GT3 RS. Most GT3 RS owners are motorsport lovers, and use their GT3 RS for its true purpose. Motorsport and track events are also a great place to make new friends, as are organized road trips to incredible places in the world such as the PetrolHead tours.

Re: The compelling case for working less

#116

Post by StavrosK »

A few years ago, I decided I didn't want to work 40-hour weeks any more, and asked my employer to switch to 32 (four-day weeks), with a 20% pay cut. Satisfaction-wise, it's been fantastic, as four days isn't long enough that you'll get tired by the week, and three free days is amazing to recharge.

Unfortunately, I've found that it's rather career-limiting, as people don't care as much if a lowly developer works four-day weeks, but for more senior positions nobody will accept that. I have a choice between fulfilling life and fulfilling career, and I think I'm leaning towards the former.

Re: The compelling case for working less

#117

Post by imgabe »

j7ake wrote: post #47
gerhardi wrote: post #43

When you’re actually good at something you do, dont give 100% in all the time. Get a feeling of what your clients/boss/etc. need to be happy and try to exceed it marginally. - Be capable of 100 in normal working hours - Be expected to deliver 70 - Deliver 80 This provides also a good buffer for errors and other unexpected stuff. And reduces stress.

Is this how any great scientist, athlete, artist produce their works ? I highly doubt they took your advice. If it's just about making money however, then sure that seems like a sound strategy.

Yes, actually. For athletes especially, you need to rest because that is when muscle growth occurs. Have you ever looked at a training regimen for a marathon? The longest practice run is usually 21-22 miles, not the full 26.2.

Re: The compelling case for working less

#118

Post by konschubert »

imgabe wrote: post #114
konschubert wrote: post #59

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't think it's illegal, in any western country, to work part time. So we HAVE the option to negotiate fewer hours, no?

It is difficult to work part time and get benefits such as health insurance. Since this is a necessity for most people there is no practical option to work part time.

I didn't consider the health insurance system in the US.

Re: The compelling case for working less

#119

Post by sumedh »

wsc981 wrote: post #32
ekianjo wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

＞ It's part primal - fear of insecurity and belonging to a social structure - part ego - accomplishment as confirmation of existence and your salary as a concrete number to compare favorably to others - and part culture and habit. You forget a big part I think: planning for your future. You don't know if you'll have a job 10 years from now. If you have kids you know you need a bunch of cash to make sure they get a re…

... You forget a big part I think: planning for your future. ... What I find remarkable is that in Thailand the people on the country-side generally seem to not think too much about the future. My Thai girlfriend sometimes tells me I should think less about the future, same like the Thai people do. She tells me sometimes I think too much about the future. The Thai people don't care too much about saving up for a pens…

> expect their children to provide for their old age. ..Perhaps this view of life has some roots in the Buddhist religion as well.

That has nothing to do with Buddhism, it's because developing countries dont have govt provided social security so old people have to depend on their kids for support.

Re: The compelling case for working less

#120

Post by ThomPete »

When me and my former collague now partner left Square after 4 1/2 to start a new design consultancy, we decided on a couple of things which have changed our lifes for the better.

We wanted to be able to walk to our office.

We work 3 first days of the week.

We Have meetings and checkins on Thursday.

And use Friday for various products we are developing or just for time to think.

We dont do project prices only daily or weekly and mostly retainer deals.

We are pretty expensive to hire which means mostly series a round startups or larger organizations like Tata.

Our clients dont pay for any overhead on our end and get way better results out of it and we get the time to build up our organization properly.

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