Money vs being happy

m1marty

m1marty

Joined
Sep 5, 2004
Messages
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Not too long ago I was recruited by another company. They offered more pay, cheaper insurance, half the commute (as well as no bridge toll) and far better advancement rate to do the same work. I kicked it around and decided to take the job. In this economy, I feel very fortunate to even have a job- much less one that pays fairly well. I left my old company under good terms (I have an open spot should I choose to return) and started this job roughly a month ago.
Now for the problem- I don't know that I enjoy this job very much. It's in the same industry but I spend far less time on the road during the work day (I have always loved driving truck) and am instead working more in the shop. It's pretty easy work......but I hate being stuck in the same place every day. Should I just suck it up and be grateful for the addtional pay.....or go back to job that I can't really afford to work at for too much longer and be "happy"? What price would you put on your happiness?
 
If you analyze it a little, you left that other job. You must have been not fully in love with it, so you were willing to risk losing it, even with an open door. Now, you have more time (less commute), more money, but a little less happy being corralled. I would suck it up, give it more time. More pay, more time means more pay and more time for the pursuit of happiness. Find something outside work that fills the gap, it may be even more fulfilling. You are a tough guy, start mentoring kids and teach them some self defense moves. You may get caught off guard as to how much you may enjoy that.
 
m1marty said:
or go back to job that I can't really afford to work at for too much longer and be "happy"?
Click to expand...

I was thinking it's a coin flip as to whether you should go back or not until you got to this line... If your old job simply won't give you enough money to get by, then I don't see it as being a viable option. What's so great about working a job you are happier with if you go home to a house with no lights?
 
Attitude, Find things within the new Job to be grateful for.

Excel in the work and take Pride in a job well done.
 
If you are NOT happy, the money is not worth it. We spend so much time at work, we should be happy with what we are doing. There are things that are for more important than money.
 
I would stay in the new job for now. At least that option eliminates needing to find something just b/c you don't have enough $ to pay the bills, which is what you will face if you return to your old job. That said, passively keep your ear to the ground and maybe something you feel you will like more (and which will also pay you enough $) will come along. It also will give you time to get accustomed to your new job and the folks you work with. Heck, just the people can make all the difference between loving a job and hating it. Give them a chance.
 
I've been in similar situations. Generally speaking, it's best to be happy but, like everything else in life, it's all to do with compromise. Like somebody said, it's all very well to be in a job you really like but if you can't afford to pay the bills then life in general is going to suck when they turn the power off.

If the job really sucks then you need to move, no point in earning a pile of money if you're constantly depressed about the thought of going to work.

Sounds to me like you're in the same position as me, job is OK, but nothing to get excited about, but it pays well. I just take the attitude that this is what I do, nobody really bothers me and I enjoy the good bits and ignore the rest. I look forward to the weekend where I can do what I want.

Compromise. OK but not exciting job + good money. In the current economic environment you're probably doing pretty well. Hang out for a bit, when things are better maybe you can look around for something better.
 
I'm with T.K.C,money won't buy happiness,you can always find ways to get by with a little less or make a little more if need be.You must have found a pretty good job wrenching if it pays more than driving,I've always found that driving paid better unless I'm wrenching for myself.
 
I would take a serious look at what it really was that made you happy at that old job.
Can you find / work up to that at the new job? Cj65 is right when he suggested teaching kids. You should check out books like Pathfinder and What colors your parachute, they have great projects in there to help you find what you really like. It's a tough question to crack. I have a job that I love doing but it doesn't pay me enough to live on. Believe me I would rather dislike parts of my job then watch my bank account disappear. Happy hunting.
 
Several years ago my wife was a working mom. She worked for a great company that paid her well and was flexible about her schedule due to my shifts. She was happy at her job but I could tell there was something bothering her and it showed when she came home from work and took out the days frustrations out on me and the kids. This was unacceptable and I told her to quit. She was adamant about continuing to work so she did for a few more months before things came to a head at the office and she was moved for no reason to another dept. This killed her spirit and she cried every night. Again I asked her, no..DEMANDED that she stop working and that we'll work out the money issues later. She needed to spend more time being a mommy and raise our children to be the best that they can be.

My words to her were...

"I'd rather be poor and happy than rich and miserable."

3 years now, and though money is tight, we are happier.
 
Thanks for the replies so far. After giving it a bit of thought- being able to provide for myself and mine takes priority. I was with the last job for several years and loved the freedom that driving gave me. Now I have to "act right" in front of the "man" as I now work in more of a white collar enviroment- and it's been a little bit of a culture shock.:D
Being a little more open minded about this has got me thinking that the problem is more me than the work. The work is easy money as it were but I've been in a comfortable rut the last few years.
Thanks again folks.
 
Hey, Aaron.....

I agree it's probably just a mind-shift that you need. We can all do something in our jobs that makes it more of a challenge for us. And if you are amongst the white-collar folks.... anything is possible as far as them observing that you are a step above the others and maybe there is something better in store for you.

Something my boss always asks when he is interviewing someone, "What is it that you do on a daily basis to prepare yourself for this job/promotion?"

You could challenge yourself to go out of your way to do something nice for one person you work with - every day. Not being a suck up - but just being you, a nice guy. Extra courtesies do get noticed.

Maybe you are the guy who makes your workplace a nicer environment for everyone - your co-workers will look forward to coming to work because you help make the day better. Challenge yourself to that "random act of kindness" thing at work. How many times in one day can YOU bring a smile to someone's face because of something you have done?

Kindness can be contagious. You can do something to make your work environment an enjoyable place to be every single day. For yourself, and for others.

Money isn't everything. But in the economy crisis we are currently in, it won't hurt to stay a while longer in a job that sends you home with some extra $$$$. You were going to leave that other job soon, anyway.

Best of luck in your new job. They have a valuable asset in you - help them realize it every day.

:)
 
First, you actually can not go back to your old job. Oh, they may rehire you, but it will never be the same. There will always -- at least for several years -- be a cloud hanging over.


m1marty said:
What price would you put on your happiness?
Click to expand...

There is no connection between money and happiness. Happiness can not be bought. This is a false and misguided dream.

I know some very wealthy people and what I have observed is that, in general, the wealthier they are the less happy they are. But, what I am talking about here is levels of great wealth. At the lower end of the tax scale, where I suspect that you and I are, money can -- and, if properly managed -- bring a degree of comfort and security. That minimal degree of comfort and security can be the platform on which you can build happiness. But that is the purpose of work. Rare is the person who can find happiness in work. Rather, work give you that platform upon which you build happiness in other things. So, if the new job builds a more secure platform for you, then work the new job for all it's worth.

Happiness comes in independence. That is what the secure platform looks like. So, as you take a higher-wage job or get raises and promotions, don't use that to become more dependent, to buy a more expensive house or a fancy car or something which will make you more dependent. Instead, save and build for your own independence. And that explains why there is so little true happiness in America today. All to often, we look for happiness in jobs and in things instead of building it on the platform which a job can create for us.
 
Interesting dilemma. Here are some more thoughts to add the good advice above.

- Money cannot buy happiness; happiness is internal. Yes, you need a certain income to not have to worry, but that amount of money is often much less than we think. I've seen people in developing countries with almost nothing be far more happy than many rich Americans. It makes me ashamed when I feel somehow "deprived."

- Give the new job some time. You need to adapt to the new set of circumstances. The new job may prove to be more enjoyable than you first think.

- I agree that going back to the old job is not a good idea. In most cases, you will always be seen as the guy who "couldn't make it" at the other place. Your employer, unless they are rare, will always keep this in the back of his/her mind when it comes to promotions, salary, etc.

- I don't believe it's an either-or situation. After you've proven yourself a bit at your new job, talk to your new boss and see if the potential exists to do some other role that you think you might like better. Most bosses want a valuable employee to be happy and will do what they can to ensure this.

My two cents...

- Mark
 
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