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Optimizing your career for happiness

praachi.work

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Re: Optimizing your career for happiness

#21

Post by jajko »

PradeetPatel wrote: post #18
Traubenfuchs wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This makes me wonder, as a misanthropic European software engineer, what would be the best way to get into the weapons or (governmental) surveillance industry?

It really depends on the level of seniority. If you are applying for a junior role, I don't know much about Europe, but in India the defence and security sector often have internship programmes for university students. Alternatively, same as all other jobs, keep your eye open and make sure your CV and cover letter is catered towards the job. You don't need to be a misanthrope to work in defence and security. Despite…

That 'making safer place' is 50:50 at best, every single arms/bombs/rocket/ammunition manufacturer has seen its products used for smaller or bigger genocides of civilian population across whole age spectrum, with obviously the biggest being US and Russia/CCCP.

Its supremely dumb to blame manufacturers in any way of course, they are just (pretty efficient) tools.

Re: Optimizing your career for happiness

#22

Post by notepad0x90 »

Happiness and fulfillment are great, but I can't wrap my head around making those things a priority. If or when I manage to support myself fully and achieve financial stability, then I would need to be concerned about doing the same for those who helped me get there (including family and friends). For most people, these things are not within reach, yet we must pursue them as a priority.

Fulfillment and happiness should be added benefits or side effects. That is, if one is fortunate enough.

I, personally, I don't work for the sake of happiness but for the paycheck. Not to imply that I am unhappy or joyless in my work, it just isn't the goal. I'd rather be unhappy and well paid so I can take care of myself and others.

Money can't make you happy directly but it can buy you time and space to pursue happiness if you so desire. Jobs and careers are means to gain such money. We should work to obtain those things money can buy.

Re: Optimizing your career for happiness

#23

Post by jajko »

purple-leafy wrote: post #3

work 4 days not 5 as money allows Then work 3 days not 4 as money allows Then work 2 days not 3 as money allows …. Then retire

I am planning from next year something different (having 4 mortgages gives a bit of perspective) - switching to 90% employment.

Now I couldn't care less about having half a day off once a week (even 4 days work week ain't something spectacular to me), but instead I will work 5 days a week as always till now, but reaping cca 25-26 paid days of vacation on top of current 25. If done smartly and combined with public holidays, it can net 12 weeks per year, while sporting pretty decent corporate career. For cca 7% drop in net income, thats a massive benefit to me.

As a parent of young kids and also a keen adventurer this may be a massive improvement in QOL and happiness, we'll see.

Re: Optimizing your career for happiness

#24

Post by eastbound »

purple-leafy wrote: post #3

work 4 days not 5 as money allows Then work 3 days not 4 as money allows Then work 2 days not 3 as money allows …. Then retire

I work 6 days not 5, because the civil world is so unbearable.

I won’t list the problems because it would get political quickly, but some people like me are easy to adapt to logic, but difficult to adapt to the illogical requirements of the social world.

I am deeply unhappy, have had several psychologists for a few years each, it barely helps… because the social world is still illogical.

I’m the kind of boss you may have ;) but honestly my employees are happy, as I strive to make people shine around me. But me… I’m deeply envious of people who can have 3 days off per week and not want to commit atrocities.

Re: Optimizing your career for happiness

#25

Post by stephenson »

notepad0x90 wrote: post #22

Happiness and fulfillment are great, but I can't wrap my head around making those things a priority. If or when I manage to support myself fully and achieve financial stability, then I would need to be concerned about doing the same for those who helped me get there (including family and friends). For most people, these things are not within reach, yet we must pursue them as a priority. Fulfillment and happiness shou…

I think this is the most sad comment I have read on HN for years. Can I ask where in the world you live?

Re: Optimizing your career for happiness

#26

Post by tuna74 »

tonyedgecombe wrote: post #13
tayo42 wrote: post #5

Easier said then done, which is weird because you would think everyone is on board with optimizing for happiness?

Most people think buying a new car or house will make them happy. It probably does for a short while but they soon get used to it and are back on the treadmill again.

I bought a nice OLED TV a year ago and I am still happy every time I use it. Sometimes buying stuff actually improves your life.

Re: Optimizing your career for happiness

#27

Post by [deleted] »

chrisdbanks wrote: post #2

I would also add to this. Aligning your personal goals with your company's mission can be a game-changer in achieving both professional success and personal fulfillment. When your values and objectives resonate with those of your employer, every project becomes more meaningful, and motivation naturally increases. Your personal goals become much easier to achieve, and you have more fun achieving the company goals beca…

[deleted]

Re: Optimizing your career for happiness

#28

Post by phreeza »

chrisdbanks wrote: post #2

I would also add to this. Aligning your personal goals with your company's mission can be a game-changer in achieving both professional success and personal fulfillment. When your values and objectives resonate with those of your employer, every project becomes more meaningful, and motivation naturally increases. Your personal goals become much easier to achieve, and you have more fun achieving the company goals beca…

It's a two edged sword though in my experience, because it can lead to self-exploitation. I found it much easier to separate work from private life in jobs where I didn't personally identify with the outcomes.

Re: Optimizing your career for happiness

#29

Post by RandomThoughts3 »

chrisdbanks wrote: post #2

I would also add to this. Aligning your personal goals with your company's mission can be a game-changer in achieving both professional success and personal fulfillment. When your values and objectives resonate with those of your employer, every project becomes more meaningful, and motivation naturally increases. Your personal goals become much easier to achieve, and you have more fun achieving the company goals beca…

> Aligning your personal goals with your company's mission can be a game-changer in achieving both professional success and personal fulfillment.

That’s a fairly dangerous way of doing thing in my experience. Unless it’s your company, you have very little say in what the company actually does.

Generally speaking, I advocate keeping a sane distance between what you do for a living and the rest of your life. You are not defined by the company that pays you.

Find a job which helps you achieve what you want to achieve, work honestly and leave work at work.

Re: Optimizing your career for happiness

#30

Post by ramon156 »

tayo42 wrote: post #5

Easier said then done, which is weird because you would think everyone is on board with optimizing for happiness?

Everyone wants to optimize happiness for themselves, with a priority for staying lazy and low-effort. Not giving a crap about your employees is pretty easy
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