Ask HN: Why did this post cost me 10% of subscribers?

That may be true - "the present hacker zeitgeist" may disagree with my point of view. Today there's an emerging trend towards working less and spending more time with family and your hobbies (in some way, the newest book from 37signals supports that).

And, well, I don't disagree with that! Neither do I disagree in taking off some vacations, if that makes you feel better (and/or more productive).

But my point here is that we should strive to try to work on something that's aligned with our life goals - and those may include spending time with your family, traveling or building a charity. This way, work would have other meaning to us.

A lot of satisfaction, inspiration and personal growth in life comes from leisure time. Enjoying a glass of wine with a friend, meeting a new person. In the end its the people in your life you will remember and who will remember you. Not your achievements.

I picked Sam Walton because I've been reading his auto biography, and he seems to be a good example of someone who really loved his job. Also, his family didn't consider him an absent father. He was someone who managed to merge his job, his family and his life goals in an harmonious way.

Is 10% of around 100. Tt's a small number, I know... but it still is 10% ... =/

I actually agree with your post. And subscribed to you afterwards.

I often encounter the same issue.

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Typical Example: Friends ask me what I am doing over the weekend? I said I got some work to do. I have to learn NodeJs, figure out how to parse BCC address off an email, focus on my UI and UX design for my email app, go do more research on hashtags for emails, etc...

What I cited there are not "work" per say as coined in most people's mind as the dreary 8 hour work life.

What I am actually saying is "I GOT A PROBLEM I AM PASSIONATED IN SOLVING. I AM GOING TO SPEND MY WEEKEND AND NIGHTS RESEARCHING TO SOLVE IT BECAUSE ITS FUN. IT IS MY VIDEOGAME, AND MY WAY OF GAINING SATISFACTION TO IMPROVE MYSELF."

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So basically if you replaced "In 2014, if you want happiness, choose work" with "In 2014, if you want happiness, choose PASSION". No one would unsubscribe.

I agree with the people side. I forgot to insert that point on my post.

But I don't agree that your achievements aren't also one of the biggest sources of happiness. If that weren't true, why did so much people obsessed with goals like climbing the mount Everest and winning the super bowl, or having rich people continuously building new companies?