It is a curse of human condition. Never feeling 100% satisfied for any longer period of time
Is it really a curse? It is the motivation that drives you to change and become better after all.
Better? Or different?
Ask HN: How to optimize your career for happiness?
261–270 of 339 posts
Re: Ask HN: How to optimize your career for happiness?
#262I'm very happy with my career. We run a small website teaching advanced iOS development (objc.io). We write books and make videos. I run it with my co-founder and that's basically it. We have some really good people we work with, but 80% of the time it's just the two of us, and we're pretty aligned in what we want. When my daughter was born (almost 4 years ago) I switched to not working a lot. Maybe 5-6 hours a day.…
Thanks for posting this Chris, I've always wondered this about people in your position who could arguably get top positions at any top tech company of choice but choose to work on teaching instead. I can't tell you how much I appreciate objc.io, I still go back the issues from 2013-2015 for reference. Keep up the good work!
Re: Ask HN: How to optimize your career for happiness?
#263Earlier quoted context omitted.
> I've always thought that a job worth doing was a job worth doing well. Kind of off topic but this made me laugh because I once saw the phrase "anything worth doing is worth doing poorly" and I have found massive inspiration in that, as it has helped me overcome my perfectionism and just get more things done.
G.K. Chesterton I believe. Referring, I think, to the joy of truly amateur pursuits.
I've not read GKC but it seems applicable to professional pursuits too. E.g., "Perfect is the enemy of good" has the same sentiment.
Also, it's a curative to people of a perfectionist bent. Perfectionism often keeps one from trying something new.
Re: Ask HN: How to optimize your career for happiness?
#264Work contract.
You can pick and choose the projects you want to work on.
You are paid day rate and much higher than permanent staff.
You can choose when to work. Spend the free time working on other things or travelling, relaxing.
Much higher levels of independence and freedom.
I spent a decade contracting and it was fantastic. I had the best life-work balance out of any one I know.
Re: Ask HN: How to optimize your career for happiness?
#265For me, the special part is truly viewing any job as just that: a job. I no longer assess my worth as a person as a function of job title, salary, or anything else. I take contracting work primarily and expect absolutely nothing more than a paycheck. Work is a transaction and I deliver what I can and am not a jerk. Almost every disposable penny goes toward physical fitness. My spouse happens to be cut from the same c…
Fantastic contractor mentality I also share.
Re: Ask HN: How to optimize your career for happiness?
#266For me, the special part is truly viewing any job as just that: a job. I no longer assess my worth as a person as a function of job title, salary, or anything else. I take contracting work primarily and expect absolutely nothing more than a paycheck. Work is a transaction and I deliver what I can and am not a jerk. Almost every disposable penny goes toward physical fitness. My spouse happens to be cut from the same c…
May I ask how does one start their contracting path? Is it feasible with say 2 years of experience in the industry?
Yes, you just need to know your stuff. I started contracting 2 years into my career. Best decision I ever made and never looked back.
Re: Ask HN: How to optimize your career for happiness?
#267I simply don't work much anymore. Below 10h a week on average. I haven't set an alarm for years anymore and sleep 9h a night That made me quite happy.
Could you elaborate more please? This sounds idyllic, but without any context or details, this doesn't sound realistic (or useful) considering OP's question.
Re: Ask HN: How to optimize your career for happiness?
#268Are you trying to optimise for your own satisfaction, or sacrifically trying to serve and love your neighbour more than yourself?
The most satisfying times for me are when I'm part of a solution that helps someone, even if it's painful - it's for a good cause.
Re: Ask HN: How to optimize your career for happiness?
#269Earlier quoted context omitted.
How do you mean you spend money on physical fitness? It does sound like a great investment.
We spend a lot of money on a personal trainer; and a coach specific to my poison (cycling). The personal training and coaching are the greatest expense and I will allow my lights to get turned off before I let that lapse - it's that important to me. There has been a significant investment in a rowing machine, indoor smart trainers for cycling, and quite a bit of free weights. My wife runs, and she spends a healthy am…
>> I will also note that we have consciously chosen this route vs. maxing out 401(k) or similar. We are not wealthy (in the financial sense) nor are we sitting on a nest egg or in line to inherit a large sum of money.
This caught my eye. Not maxing out your 401K is leaving money on the table. Money that could make your life easier later on. I'm curious to know what items/activities you'd need to give up in order to max out your 401K.
Is it not worth it?
Re: Ask HN: How to optimize your career for happiness?
#270Lots of good advice here. One additional thing to consider: why is your mind on stress from work? How’s your marriage? How are your parents doing? Your kids? Who are some of your best friends? How often are you physically active? Do you often go for walks, or play tennis, or garden? How well are you sleeping? Do you love your mattress? Any habits you’ve struggled to kick lately? Conversely, any hobbies you’ve really…
I don't have friends. This is probably why I've struggled to maintain mental health and happiness for several years now. I just don't have any intention to fix it, because the fixes look difficult.
Join a fitness group, martial arts etc (I recommend muay thai, brazillian jiujitsu). You get the physical activity, learning of an art, and socialisation.