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If you wouldn't do your job for FREE, then QUIT.

bernmedical.com

1–10 of 24 posts

Re: If you wouldn't do your job for FREE, then QUIT.

#3
If you would do your job for free, you're an idiot and I don't want you on my team.

I've liked almost every job I've ever had, and loved some of them. I would never have done any of them for free.

Even when I was volunteering during high school, I got free food and discounts on parts.

Re: If you wouldn't do your job for FREE, then QUIT.

#4

I wonder if anyone really loves working for McDonald's, or if this kind of advice is only supposed to apply to privileged middle-class (and above) folks?

There are actually people that enjoy those jobs. There aren't enough of them to fill those jobs, though.

But then, I think most people wouldn't enjoy any job, no matter what it was...

Re: If you wouldn't do your job for FREE, then QUIT.

#5

If you would do your job for free, you're an idiot and I don't want you on my team. I've liked almost every job I've ever had, and loved some of them. I would never have done any of them for free. Even when I was volunteering during high school, I got free food and discounts on parts.

I think you're missing the point. My take on what he's saying is "If you had a billion dollars and money was absolutely no object would you still do your job". Hence the "remember when you were 12" line calling back to a time when money is not a primary concern.

Re: If you wouldn't do your job for FREE, then QUIT.

#6
post #5

If you would do your job for free, you're an idiot and I don't want you on my team. I've liked almost every job I've ever had, and loved some of them. I would never have done any of them for free. Even when I was volunteering during high school, I got free food and discounts on parts.

I think you're missing the point. My take on what he's saying is "If you had a billion dollars and money was absolutely no object would you still do your job". Hence the "remember when you were 12" line calling back to a time when money is not a primary concern.

No, I got that. And I still wouldn't work for free.

Even if I worked for myself, I'd expect my efforts to reward me.

Re: If you wouldn't do your job for FREE, then QUIT.

#7

I wonder if anyone really loves working for McDonald's, or if this kind of advice is only supposed to apply to privileged middle-class (and above) folks?

Some jobs are a way of working yourself up to the job you'd do for free and that's what a McDonalds job is to people who aren't stuck in it. If I were the author I'd make that an addendum.

Re: If you wouldn't do your job for FREE, then QUIT.

#8
post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think you're missing the point. My take on what he's saying is "If you had a billion dollars and money was absolutely no object would you still do your job". Hence the "remember when you were 12" line calling back to a time when money is not a primary concern.

No, I got that. And I still wouldn't work for free. Even if I worked for myself, I'd expect my efforts to reward me.

There are plenty of rewards that aren't monetary. The author isn't saying you should work in a job that provides no benefits. He's saying the benefit of money shouldn't be the primary one because other benefits (like fulfillment) are more important.

So the point of the mental exercise is to help you find a job that is worthwhile regardless of the money you're paid to do it. So you'd still be rewarded for your efforts just not in money (which again wouldn't mean anything to you anyway if you had a billion dollars in the bank)

Re: If you wouldn't do your job for FREE, then QUIT.

#9
I have read some bad advice here before, but this ranks among the worst. I would like nothing more than to spend my days sleeping in and my nights creating the next Angry Birds but I live in the real world. There's 14% unemployment here. I don't have my pick of jobs and until I have a major win with the software I create, odds are I won't. I'm very glad that this person has a Utopian philosophy that everyone should only do what they're truly passionate about, but here on Earth that isn't the case for 99.99% of society.

Re: If you wouldn't do your job for FREE, then QUIT.

#10
post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

No, I got that. And I still wouldn't work for free. Even if I worked for myself, I'd expect my efforts to reward me.

There are plenty of rewards that aren't monetary. The author isn't saying you should work in a job that provides no benefits. He's saying the benefit of money shouldn't be the primary one because other benefits (like fulfillment) are more important. So the point of the mental exercise is to help you find a job that is worthwhile regardless of the money you're paid to do it. So you'd still be rewarded for your efforts…

Those rewards won't buy me or my kids food, or pay the mortgage.

I get the larger point the advice is supposed to make, but I'm sorry, I will never work for free.

I will quit working, if I ever become wealthy enough to afford it, and I would tinker on my own "for free", but I wouldn't call it work at that point.

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