The Ideal Way(s) to Make a Living
Adults often ask little kids about what they want to be when they grow up. Of course their answers can only be guided by their limited observations about the available roles in a society and influenced by the sensations associated with these people. So responses as bus driver, policeman, postman and the likes of readily depicted models (in story books or mind visualization) come as no surprise. Otherwise, they are readily shaped by the perceived values of their parents who hold conventional expectation for their kids to be in the elite and esteemed classes of profession - doctor, scientist, pilot, etc.
Like the question on the ideal partner, what is your ideal job is actually a question even most adults may not readily provide an answer which is true to oneself. Preferences may change with experience and learning over time. But for the simple (or not so simple) psychology that the grass always looks greener on the other side, let alone the urge for upward-mobility and recognition or any other occupational reasons, chances are that a person's ideal job is not the one she is currently doing - at least not all the time.
Without trying to be any more philosophical, and having reflected on my accumulated experience of corporate life, pondering and imagination, I can only feel for the most (or, depending on the wording, the least) desirable traits of what may possibly come close to my ideal occupation.
Simply put, not in any practicular order of importance, I want to be doing something:
which can be free of unsolicited judgement and platitudes;
with results more directly proportional to ones input of hard or smart work (of integrity of course) than the sheer good luck of randomness;
not monotonous but enjoyable;
intellectually stimulating somewhat;
which continually adds value to ones business or career prospects;
and rewards reasonably well financially - for an affluently comfortable and satisfying (but not filthy) lifestyle.
I know I will fall dangerously out of work if I allow myself to be indulged in these criteria for an ideal job. Perhaps not even being a successful entrepreneur will necessarily be fulfilling at all times by these standards. We simply don't live in an ideal world.
That's why I envy Tiger Woods so much. But it's interesting, and even enlightening, to see what other people's ideal jobs are.
Like the question on the ideal partner, what is your ideal job is actually a question even most adults may not readily provide an answer which is true to oneself. Preferences may change with experience and learning over time. But for the simple (or not so simple) psychology that the grass always looks greener on the other side, let alone the urge for upward-mobility and recognition or any other occupational reasons, chances are that a person's ideal job is not the one she is currently doing - at least not all the time.
Without trying to be any more philosophical, and having reflected on my accumulated experience of corporate life, pondering and imagination, I can only feel for the most (or, depending on the wording, the least) desirable traits of what may possibly come close to my ideal occupation.
Simply put, not in any practicular order of importance, I want to be doing something:
which can be free of unsolicited judgement and platitudes;
with results more directly proportional to ones input of hard or smart work (of integrity of course) than the sheer good luck of randomness;
not monotonous but enjoyable;
intellectually stimulating somewhat;
which continually adds value to ones business or career prospects;
and rewards reasonably well financially - for an affluently comfortable and satisfying (but not filthy) lifestyle.
I know I will fall dangerously out of work if I allow myself to be indulged in these criteria for an ideal job. Perhaps not even being a successful entrepreneur will necessarily be fulfilling at all times by these standards. We simply don't live in an ideal world.
That's why I envy Tiger Woods so much. But it's interesting, and even enlightening, to see what other people's ideal jobs are.
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