Work sucks in a western country
I’ve been reading this string with no small amount of interest and mixed recollections of my own past corporate life.
Well before I ever decided to move to Bali, I left corporate America and became an entrepreneur. Indeed, “work” if defined as time, and a 100% effort for the gain of stock holders, indeed “sucks.”
Towards the end of my corporate career, I began to resent my situation (hopes of a gold watch at retirement and a pension), and abhor the morning train commute into 42nd street with the morning rush hour “living dead.” I knew fully well that I just had to be in business for myself...and eventually I “bit the bullet” and threw myself off of the WTC once and for all. Once doing that, there is no going back.
Now in business for myself for twenty years, I often reflect on those corporate days and realize that I learned a great deal there...all the while being paid...and eventually becoming fully vested in a retirement plan without growing too old! The lessons I learned while working for someone else were, and still are, invaluable to me in running my own business.
An odd thing though, is that unless one is incredibly wealthy, living on a never ending trust fund’s interest, or retired with a generous pension...work in Bali is also a very real reality.
In many ways, working in Bali, especially as an entrepreneur, requires much greater discipline than it takes to hop on that morning 6:30 AM train to 42nd street. There are a billion daily distractions here, each and every day...(including this forum), all of which can take you from your work in a heartbeat, and without any feeling of guilt...and certainly no BS from your “boss” as hell...YOU are the boss! Managing these distractions and other demands on one’s time clearly becomes the greatest challenge of balancing your productive time at work...to make money...and time to enjoy, prosper, and maybe make a difference...which is why one is here.
I will be the first to admit that I do not own one neck tie, one white dress shirt, a pair of dress shoes, and God forbid, anymore Brooks Brothers suits. I am very happy to be free of those fashion icons that designate corporate business. I work bare footed, in shorts or a sarong, and a tee shirt, and I shave when I damn well feel like it, or when Eri says “it’s time” or threatens me with my razor.
But, I will say this. There is NO escape from the feelings of responsibility and the knowledge that your immediate family, your extended family, your village and to some extent the whole of Bali relies on you. The fact that they never give any pressure, sometimes makes me wish that they did.
Much more can be discussed on this topic. Niel....an excellent string in my opinion, so many thanks for starting it off.
Jimbo, not many of us would be willing to “punch a time clock” in hell. As I have said in the past, you have all my respect for your decision to work there. I think we will all be relieved when soon we learn you are out of there, and in Bali.
