31–40 of 46 posts
In some ways, I could say I'm successful. I have a stable source of income, a wife and I can afford to go on holidays. But, I feel that I'm an NPC. If I didn't exist, the world would be the exact same. When I think back on my twenties, I had a lot of dreams, now all of them have been broken and I settle for less... Sometimes I feel that I just need to pick myself up together and decide what to do with my life. Find s…
As I'm getting close to the magic age of 30, the ultimate dream and goal for me right now is running my own business - not to get rich, but to be free and independent, to feel that I have accomplished something more that working for others, to create something on my own. It may change world, it may not - doesn't matter, it's yours and always will be yours. Sure, it may require more work, it may be more stressful - bu…
I got there a little while ago and started my own little business (a mobile development company, predominantly for Android). I've had a startup, worked for fairly large web-name, done a bit of consulting, and worked freelance. The business is, by far, the hardest in terms of stress. I can't say I don't spend any time at all envying a few of my friends with stable jobs, salaries and work hours, but it's been an eye-op…
As I'm getting close to the magic age of 30, the ultimate dream and goal for me right now is running my own business - not to get rich, but to be free and independent, to feel that I have accomplished something more that working for others, to create something on my own. It may change world, it may not - doesn't matter, it's yours and always will be yours. Sure, it may require more work, it may be more stressful - bu…
I got there a little while ago and started my own little business (a mobile development company, predominantly for Android). I've had a startup, worked for fairly large web-name, done a bit of consulting, and worked freelance. The business is, by far, the hardest in terms of stress. I can't say I don't spend any time at all envying a few of my friends with stable jobs, salaries and work hours, but it's been an eye-op…
As I'm getting close to the magic age of 30, the ultimate dream and goal for me right now is running my own business - not to get rich, but to be free and independent, to feel that I have accomplished something more that working for others, to create something on my own. It may change world, it may not - doesn't matter, it's yours and always will be yours. Sure, it may require more work, it may be more stressful - bu…
That you might feel happier working for yourself is a personality trait that you, and I, may have but not everyone does. You may find you don't have it either once you start your own place.
As others have said, it all depends on what you define "success" as. Clearly the OP has done things that fulfill him. Although the OP makes no mention of it, when I've talked with friends & family about "success" and all that, following dreams is great. One big thing to keep in mind is that the future is also uncertain. Retirement is the biggest thing that comes to mind. I have many friends who have foregone saving f…
That's a great misconception about the social net. It is considered a socialist idea, but really it has its place in capitalism too. Knowing that you do not risk being in the street with health cover for you, your wife, your kids and dependents is a great relief that stimulate people starting new businesses.
Obviously the downside is that other more (money-)conservative people will have to pay in taxes. However, that's a political scapegoat. The real reason why people complain they are being taxed to pay the lifestyle of others is mainly because middle class is slowly disappearing. They are getting poorer, an other people lifestyle is hastening that process, however not causing it.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
The EU's Working Time Directive provides a right to work no more than 48hrs per week. In my experience, while I agree that here in the UK it's a little less socialist, I believe it's rare to see excessive hours. Most (anecdotally) office workers work around 40hrs/week; including developers and engineers.
I'm in the UK, do 37 hours, home by 4.45 each day, don't let anyone tell you you need to work every hour in the day to succeed.
For me, I took satisfaction from knowing I made that decision, and felt like I actually had control of my destiny somewhat.
I'm 21 and my net worth is about 20 times more than most people my age (putting me in the top 0.05% of the world by income). But I definitely don't feel successful (no real relationships in my life), but maybe that's okay—plenty of time to figure things out in the future.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
I got there a little while ago and started my own little business (a mobile development company, predominantly for Android). I've had a startup, worked for fairly large web-name, done a bit of consulting, and worked freelance. The business is, by far, the hardest in terms of stress. I can't say I don't spend any time at all envying a few of my friends with stable jobs, salaries and work hours, but it's been an eye-op…
I am about to jump from safety of the regular salary, and do something similar. I'll be 30 in a few months and have always wanted to do this. Just curious how did your journey into biz-owner begin, and what was the biggest shock?
The biggest shock was probably the amount of time it takes to simply manage the business. While I was used to a degree of bookkeeping and simple project management from freelancing, I wasn't quite prepared to spend a fifth of my time managing the everyday flow of the business, as I find myself doing now. It's a natural progression, but I still can't say I'm quite used to it. I am better at planning for it though, and ensuring that my time spent project managing is taken into account. Hope that helps.