Work/Life balance

[helliebobs]

It's been noted that lot of ABers post on here during the day and it made me think: how many of you love your job?
Do you live to work or work to live?

[Miss Inquiry]

I HATE my job, so work only to live!

[KARL]

Like some/many of the respondents, I feel quite fortunate. Almost every time from the outset I have worked on a "contract basis", i.e. for a fixed purpose and time (although when it was "permanent" it might as well have been because I sought a change) - usually at the very least for a year or so. After an initial period of gaining experience I found that I no longer needed to look for work, it found me. By careful financial management for less than a decade I was free of accumulated student debt, mortgage and immediate financial worry - this I regard as the key to peace of mind which also frees you from resenting having to work because it is not so overpoweringly important to continue to earn money virtually non-stop. If there is any advice I would imprint on people, it is to urge them to live well within their means (jettison the fear of labelling and the race for labels) and then you don't so easily fall prey to changes in circumstances, the banks, etc. Right now, I only work (current job) because on the occasions when I have said I am leaving I have been told that they will do virtually anything to keep me. I am in effect giving in to emotional blackmail (but not taking advantage) - but for the most part every day I like what I do and, crucially, it feeds my hunger for travel - my mind has been greatly broadened by seeing a variety of places, not as a tourist but as a resident for a while. Although I am certainly not wealthy, the money no longer matters except I would not do this for free because then it is better to give someone who needs the money on offer a shot.

[dolly pond]

If I could teach piano to children with disabilities I would be the happiest worker in the world. currently teach a young lad with downs syndrome and after 2 months he can read music and play on his own. Very challenging but sooooooooo rewarding!
Otherwise, its the same s""t, different day. he he
happy xmas to everyone in the world, regardless of religion. xx

[eash]

I most definitely work to live!

[gina1960uk]

I definatley work to live, im not a workaholic, im a nurse and some nurses just work work work, if i have to then i will, but i always make sure i have something to look 4ward to, ie. im off to miami and spain nxt year, you need to live life to the full, and wenever i have time off i make the most of it! It does help having the money tho and only being 21 yrs old and still at home! lol. Thats why im going no where yet, im staying put untill i wanna move out!!!

[tali122]

i have a good work/home balance, but being at home with my young children is the most important thing - work does not even come close

[TomTom]

I work to live, but also enjoy my job, so I guess im lucky really.

[BabbitCymru]

Work to live, definitely - I have a family and I've been a youth work volunteer for 6 years so the job is just there to pay the bills.

That said, I have a finally found a fantastic job (after a lot of false starts and crappy temp gigs...) so work is less of a four-letter word than it used to be! :D

[Songbirdy]

Work to Live. I have hated my job for the last 40 years, but have had to do it because of physical disability.

It is the one thing I told my children to do. Find a job they like and they have. So at least they will not regret their life at work, as much as I do.

[palomo]

live to live i hate work!!!!!!!!!!