To ask WHY you work

[BeatriceAlbert]

Got in a discussion about retirement/early retirement and why people actually go to work in the first place. I know it seems obvious to answer ‘for money’ but this was off the back of the parody about a fisherman.

A businessman on holiday spots a fisherman lounging by his small boat after catching a few fish for the day.

Businessman:
“Why don’t you stay out longer and catch more fish?”

Fisherman:
“Why would I?”

Businessman:
“Well, with more fish, you could buy a bigger boat!”

Fisherman:
“And then?”

Businessman:
“With a bigger boat, you could hire a crew, catch even more fish, and eventually own a whole fleet!”

Fisherman:
“And then?”

Businessman:
“Then you could build a company, go public, and become a millionaire!”

Fisherman:
“And then?”

Businessman:
“Then you could retire, relax by the sea, and spend your days fishing!”

Fisherman:
“…Which is what I was already doing before you interrupted.”

No, it really isn’t about finding the right job. I don’t find my job dull, I’m very good at it. I work with nice people and for an organisation that does good things. I’m in exactly the right kind of job. What I don’t understand is when people can’t think of anything other than work that would occupy them and give them a sense of fulfilment. I’m not criticising them at all - I have friends who feel that way, and my sister’s like that too. I just can’t imagine ever feeling that way. If I had enough money to have a reasonably pleasant lifestyle without working, I would have absolutely no problem filling my time with all sorts of things.

Not far off retirement age but can’t imagine not working. My work gives me a sense of:

achievement
fulfilment
structure
routine
doing something worthwhile and rewarding
socialisation

and of course I earn money !!

I can only work 10 hours a week (15 if I include travel) in a job that’s way “below” what I’m capable of - not just financially but in terms of capabilities, but that’s because of my severely disabled DC.
Why I do it is a) a tiny bit of independence financially b) feeling like I’m not just a benefits loser living (or trying to) off carer’s allowance, c) I work outdoors with children- it’s fun and I get gentle exercise and fresh air d) I’ve met some lovely staff (and children) which will stay with me for life as a joy that helped lift me out of the tough time I was having before I could work (death of mum, PTSD from an incident). Just be being who they are I mean. E) I’d rather do something rather than nothing - I’m 50 and I dread not working again. It’s fine to garden, read, walk the dog, paint (all things I love) .. but 7 years of that is quite enough

Because I enjoy living in a house and eating food.

I have only ever worked so I can pay for a roof over my head. If I won the lottery I'd never work another day! I'd spend my time helping my loved ones (and travelling of course)

Definitely just money.
Weirdly my part time job just working in a pub is more beneficial to my well being than my full time office job working for a charity.
I benefit from the in person interaction and feeling like part of a team. So maybe just doing that.
Life is busy and full enough that I could happily not work and still have plenty to do without missing work, if someone could just cover my bills for me that would be great 😂

Money. To support my family. To contribute. I have chronic anxiety and full time work helps me to manage that - gives me distraction, routine, helps me keep things in proportion.

To keep a roof over our heads and food in our bellies

Purely money. I’ve been doing it for 40 years and it’s always been about the money. I’d be out like a shot if I could.

Money

I could become a SAHM as DH salary would afford that but we would have to change our lifestyle and when I asked my DD6 if she would prefer mummy didn’t work like some of the mums in her class she said ‘No Mummy, I like going on holiday’ so looks like I’m staying in work as I also like a holiday

We could afford for me not to work, but my mental health would be destroyed and our future pensions would be smaller. So, whether or not I actually want to work, it is better all round for me to work. I do like my work, but I have Long Covid. I am permanently tired. All my efforts go into working. My life has shrunk. I would like to reduce my hours so that I can have the energy to do more than just work.

To have a few fish to feed the family

I started off nursing in the NHS it didn’t pay enough and wasn’t interesting enough.

I career swapped and earned a lot more with better hours, met a lot of interesting people and got to drink free wine.

Worked since 15 until 2 years ago.
i packed up work 2 years ago in a combination of my own chronic illness and a SEND child with SEMH needs.

i only ever worked for the money. my last job was killing me both physically and mentally.

and honestly id be quite happy if i never worked again.

Money. I like my job but I’d rather choose what to do with my day. I mainly wfh around school hours and it’s quite lonely and boring.
I’d be a lot fitter for sure as I’d actually be able to have the time to go to the gym.

Money when it comes to the work I do as an employee.

However I also work freelance and I enjoy that very much.

I hate office politics and all the managerial nonsense that comes with working in most UK office environments and much prefer being a freelancer with more freedom and the ability to walk away easily if I am not enjoying a contract/project.

Only for money as I have children to support. I’d much rather be spending time at home on my hobbies and if I could guarantee making money from these I would do them instead of my job. I’m a creative person who likes to potter and home make.

Can’t wait for retirement! Just annoying the age keeps rising.

For money (duh)

To feel like I am doing something useful
with my time and that my life has some purpose.

In this order
money
interest
being in my team
learning
excitement (it can be quite high adrenaline at times)
pension

if I had loads of money I’d still work, but probably two or three days rather than four.

Because it's impossible to not work.

Moral purpose. I know that sounds wanky, but there you go.
I mean also money, of course. I'm lucky indeed to combine the two.

Oh I have heaps of things outside work that also give me fulfillment, and enjoyment. It isn't that. I could fill my days quite happily without working.

But I genuinely love my job and I know that I am very skilled at it and therefore can make a real difference by doing it. And that feels like a real privilege.

When I was employed I did it purely for the money. Now I am self employed I do it for a sense of fulfilment and structure to my day. And the money still comes in handy.

I enjoy my work (specialist nurse), it gives me purpose, I like my team and I feel valued.

I have enough money to keep a roof over my head and do the things I want to to do 🤷‍♀️

For the money.

I couldn't give a shit about getting a sense of purpose or achievement or any of that from work. I don't hate my job but I can get all of that doing things I want to do, and not because I have to.