Quality of Life

[Guest]

I sadly, what I observe is that most people (certainly not any of us who post here) don't even live their current life to the fullest. How many work 8+ hours a day, 5+ days a week, 50+ weeks a year for 30 or 40 years?

 

Interesting observation, especially compared with any theological debate.

 

So far I've been working 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, 46.5 weeks a year & 20 years elapsed.

 

Last year, I did manage to spend 35 days abroad on holidays and another 10 on business.

I also have no intention of working full time past 50, but am not quite ready to cut that chain just yet.

I wonder how everyone else gets on?

[Guest lvdkeyes]

My advice is to retire as soon as you are financially able and enjoy your life.

[Guest kcampb49]

I haven't been reading this board lately and don't know the context of RichLB's comment, but for many people a career is a large part of "living life to the fullest." That has been true for me. If, as someone once put it, you "find a way to get paid for something you enjoy doing," you're more likely to lead a fairly fulfilling life, even if the intimate relationship side of things is less than ideal.

 

What too often happens is that making the maximum amount of money becomes the sole or primary criteria for choosing a career or staying in one no matter how spirit-destroying the career may be or have become.

 

By the way, I'm speaking about people, like myself, who are born into circumstances where they have the opportunity so get a decent education and have real career choices,not the billions of people around the world, including millions in Thailand, born into circumstances of poverty, tradition, etc. that effectively preclude them from the kinds of choices and opportunities that I have had.

[Guest RichLB]

If, as someone once put it, you "find a way to get paid for something you enjoy doing," you're more likely to lead a fairly fulfilling life,

Yes, that sums up the point I was trying to make exactly. I like the notion that one's career should be "plorking" (combining playing and working). Unfortunately, far too many people believe that a high salary will compensate for engaging in work they find unpleasant and devote their life to building up a big number in a bank book. Or, they attempt to fill the void of dissatisfaction by purchasing expensive toys - be they material things or even an endless stream of sexual partners.

 

The sad part, to me, is that "being happy" is a learning process. If the majority of one's working years are devoted to enduring one's career, they are likely to be disappointed when retirement finally arrives. Even with abundant resources, I encounter many who are overcome by the intertia of unhappiness which filled their lives during their working years. They simply have not developed the skills to be happy.

 

By the way, I'm speaking about people, like myself, who are born into circumstances where they have the opportunity so get a decent education and have real career choices,not the billions of people around the world, including millions in Thailand, born into circumstances of poverty, tradition, etc. that effectively preclude them from the kinds of choices and opportunities that I have had.

 

Agreed. However, I find it is more the expectation of continued poverty which keeps many from breaking out of the cycle. If someone, even the desperate poor, can accept that It is not difficult to accumulate wealth and accept that they deserve it, choices and opportunities present themselves. While education and family backing sure makes it easier, lacking those does not close the door. When attempting to "help" some of my poor Thai friends, I find it is more their expectation of failure than the quality of any of the ideas I have presented which puts on the brakes. For those who have seen nothing but scapting by in their lives, it is difficult to convince them that it is easy to make money and can also be fun.

[Guest fountainhall]

However, I find it is more the expectation of continued poverty which keeps many from breaking out of the cycle.

I expect some readers may be getting pissed off at my references to Hong Kong, but one of the huge differences between Thailand and Hong Kong is the attitude towards poverty and wealth. In Hong Kong, the rich are generally admired - not despised. The attitude seems to be: "if he could make it out of poverty to become a millionaire, I can do it too." This is largely a result of most Hong Kong citizens being second or third generation economic refugees who arrived with virtually nothing, and therefore had to adopt a positive. can-do spirit just in order to survive. But I wish I could bottle that 'spirit' and sprinkle it over this country. Then maybe I could afford to retire!

[Guest]

Some interesting observations.

 

The wealthy are admired in Hong Kong, rather than despised. Good attitude to have.

I believe HK has the third highest GDP per capita in all of Asia (behind Singapore & Japan).

Many of the wealthier Asian countries do suffer from a culture of working long hours.

The Germans have this worked out -they are still the worlds second largest exporter, but have good holidays and reasonable working hours. That's the way to be.

 

As with most of us, I've had the opportunities of an education & have avoided the poverty which affects billions of people. Of course, with a couple of better decisions could have bought retirement before 40 & a couple of worse decisions could have given me no hope of retiring before 50.

 

It's tempting to jack the whole lot in, travel for a year or two, then try running a guesthouse in Phnom Penh or something else completely different.

[Guest fountainhall]

It's tempting to jack the whole lot in, travel for a year or two, then try running a guesthouse in Phnom Penh or something else completely different.

I've been in the fortunate position (referred to earlier by another poster) of having had a ball with my career. I've never stuck with one company for more than 8 years, do the type of work I always wanted to be involved in, which I really enjoy, enables me to travel extensively, and think i am good at. Money-wise I have a been a fool far more often than not. But one decision which I think was one of the best I made - although not according to my bank manager - was to take a year off just before I hit 50.

 

Since going to university, life seemed to have rushed by. I was generally having too much fun, doing exciting and interesting work, loving being based in Asia and exploring this great continent, its peoples and traditions. But I knew eventually I'd have to settle down somewhere and prepare for the general winding down of life that will happen whether we like it or not. So, aged 48, I gave up the job I was doing and took a kind of unpaid sabbatical. I bought a round-the-world ticket, looked at several countries which might have been retirement options, considered different types of work, met up again with lots of friends I had not seen in decades, and basically got rid of a lot of the 'grey matter' which clogs the brain over the years.

 

I very quickly came to the decision that Asia was my home and would continue to be so. Hong Kong was not a place to retire in - the more so if you can't even afford a small broom cupboard to live in, and I considered both Malaysia and Thailand very seriously. With the possibility of religious tension in Malaysia, Thailand won hands down (that crystal ball obviously threw up black-and-white images as it never brought anything red or yellow into focus!). Switching to a different type of work made no sense either, just because I enjoyed what I was doing too much.

 

I feel Thailand will be my home to my dying day. On the other hand, reading PattayaMale and z909's recent posts here and on another thread made me realise I loved my two visits to Cambodia and feel a special affinity to that country. I think it is no coincidence that when I flew into Asia for the first time way back in 1979, I was reading the superb William Shawcross book, "Sideshow: Kissinger, Nixon and the Destruction of Cambodia." The thought that eventually I might find myself there, perhaps teaching and helping pass on to a younger generation some of the skills I have gained over the years, suddenly feels very appealing (and NO, I don't mean 'skills' in THAT sense - all right, maybe just some of those ones as well!).

[Guest kcampb49]

 

Agreed. However, I find it is more the expectation of continued poverty which keeps many from breaking out of the cycle. If someone, even the desperate poor, can accept that It is not difficult to accumulate wealth and accept that they deserve it, choices and opportunities present themselves. While education and family backing sure makes it easier, lacking those does not close the door. When attempting to "help" some of my poor Thai friends, I find it is more their expectation of failure than the quality of any of the ideas I have presented which puts on the brakes. For those who have seen nothing but scapting by in their lives, it is difficult to convince them that it is easy to make money and can also be fun.

 

Expectations surely play a role, although I don't think nearly as important a one as the extent any given political/social system is "rigged" to benefit the rich and powerful at the expense of the poor. Those few who manage to overcome the odds, and whose success I admire and think worthy of celebration, are the exceptions that make the rule. Still, the phenomenon of "rising expections," once released, has historically proven to be quite a force to be reckoned with, often to the dismay of those "to the manor born." A case could be made that "rising expectations" are playing a powerful role in the current turmoil in Thailand.

 

I think it also depends on the degree of economic development and genuine opportunities that exist. I doubt the "desperate poor" in places like,say, Chad, are ever going to encounter much evidence, even if they could manage to change their expectations, that they will be able to easily make money in any kind of way, fun or not.

[Guest beachlover]

I agree with RichLB's comment that most people don't currently live life to the fullest.

 

I think quality of life is something you need to plan ahead for. In my experience if you build your own vision of an ideal lifestyle and keep your mind actively focused on this, it eventually leads you there.

 

I had no idea what I wanted to do when I left school, but I did have some lifestyle and personal criteria in mind to meet... One day recently I literally woke up and realised the occupation I was in fit that criteria I had in my mind all those years ago. I had so many paths to choose from, I'm sure it wasn't a coincident I ended up on this one.

 

I run a business now. It doesn't require my presence every day but if I'm away too often or too much, certain aspects of the business start to slip. At this moment it generally requires my presence to grow (both in staffing up and business development), but I'm working towards replacing myself in this role (it's a big step).

 

My current aim is to spend 4 months of the year traveling and living overseas (not a single trip but multiple trips adding up to 4 months). So far I'm about 70% of the way there - not quite a full 4 months, but almost, which is pretty good considering I'm in my 20s, I think.

 

When I'm home, I work fairly long hours but I spend plenty of time with friends and relaxing. I used to work 70-80hr weeks in the early years of the business.. .but I've cut back to normal 10-hr days and no longer work weekends (mostly), although the days are still very intense. When I travel, I still work, but only about one third of the time I would usually work at home. Usually just an hour or two of phone calls, e-mails and actioning stuff on my laptop each day. Otherwise, I enjoy exploring and living in whatever location I'm in.

 

For me, money is an enabler. It gives you freedom to choose and decide what you want to do. Earning money feels good for another reason - it means you are helping and adding value to the world, the economy, the community, other people and organisations etc. I don't think many CEOs do their job purely for the money.

 

I don't believe in retirement. I think we are happiest when challenged (but not overwhelmed) and accomplishing something. However, eventually, I would like to have even more freedom in my movements and activities, while still continuing to add value.

 

I think "The 4-Hour Work Week" by Tim Ferris is an important book to read if you desire a better lifestyle. "Rich Dad Poor Dad" (Robert Kiyosaki) and "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" are also good books.

[Guest buckeroo2]

I run a business now. It doesn't require my presence every day but if I'm away too often or too much, certain aspects of the business start to slip. At this moment it generally requires my presence to grow (both in staffing up and business development), but I'm working towards replacing myself in this role (it's a big step).

 

When I'm home, I work fairly long hours but I spend plenty of time with friends and relaxing. I used to work 70-80hr weeks in the early years of the business.. .but I've cut back to normal 10-hr days and no longer work weekends (mostly), although the days are still very intense.

 

For me, money is an enabler. It gives you freedom to choose and decide what you want to do. Earning money feels good for another reason - it means you are helping and adding value to the world, the economy, the community, other people and organisations etc. I don't think many CEOs do their job purely for the money.

 

 

So I'm guessing you are not posting 30+ times a day and replying to threads that have seen no activity for 3 months to win a $500 gift certificate. In one year, that would be 10,000 posts. Remind me when this contest ends. I used to be able to read all new forum posts in a maximum of 15 minutes - now it takes hours - I know - I guess it is time for me to get a life and stop complaining.

[Guest]

I think "The 4-Hour Work Week" by Tim Ferris is an important book to read if you desire a better lifestyle.

 

So what ideas have you adopted from Mr Ferris that have been significantly helpful?

[Guest GaySacGuy]

So I'm guessing you are not posting 30+ times a day and replying to threads that have seen no activity for 3 months to win a $500 gift certificate. In one year, that would be 10,000 posts. Remind me when this contest ends. I used to be able to read all new forum posts in a maximum of 15 minutes - now it takes hours - I know - I guess it is time for me to get a life and stop complaining.

 

buckeroo2...I am guilty if charged about the 30 post per day to compete...seems like something to do...but I am not restarting months old threads. I know it is a pain if you are just reading the board, but the contest is there, so I am going to give it a try. Sorry in advance.

[Guest beachlover]

Buckeroo... No, I just thought it would be fun. Don't know if I'll keep posting though. I'll stop when I'm bored or too busy.

 

I laugh, wondering if GT realised effect this would have on the board, but I think he said the competition had been done before and was fun.

[Guest beachlover]

So what ideas have you adopted from Mr Ferris that have been significantly helpful?

 

I didn't choose to adopt all the ideas in the book but I did adopt a lot.

 

First three things off the top of my head is:

 

1. Hire a virtual assistant. Anytime there's a time-consuming brainless task to be done on my laptop (e.g. formatting a document or cross-checking stuff) or facts, lists or statistics to be compiled and sifted, he does it for me.

 

2. Limit e-mails to 4 times a day (he actually says 1-2 times a day but it's not practical for me to do that).

 

3. Pushing harder on the 80/20 rule...

 

There's also a lot of beliefs and principles he lays out. A major aim of the book is to change your prerception, thinking and existing beliefs.

[firecat69]

I didn't choose to adopt all the ideas in the book but I did adopt a lot.

 

First three things off the top of my head is:

 

1. Hire a virtual assistant. Anytime there's a time-consuming brainless task to be done on my laptop (e.g. formatting a document or cross-checking stuff) or facts, lists or statistics to be compiled and sifted, he does it for me.

 

2. Limit e-mails to 4 times a day (he actually says 1-2 times a day but it's not practical for me to do that).

 

3. Pushing harder on the 80/20 rule...

 

There's also a lot of beliefs and principles he lays out. A major aim of the book is to change your prerception, thinking and existing beliefs.

 

I have to say this is one of the more interesting threads I have read on any board. If the contest GT started led to these kind of threads then the money spent is well worth it!!!!

[Guest YardenUK]

 

 

2. Limit e-mails to 4 times a day (he actually says 1-2 times a day but it's not practical for me to do that).

 

 

I am guessing that excludes the number of posts on fora

[Guest beachlover]

I am guessing that excludes the number of posts on fora

 

You guessed right lol... I usually post on forums when I'm chilling out at the end of the day, watching TV, eating, having a beer and listening to music. (Watching this Denzel Washington movie, "The Book of Eli" now... I thought it looked cool until I realised it was about the freaking bible!)

[Guest]

I have to say this is one of the more interesting threads I have read on any board. If the contest GT started led to these kind of threads then the money spent is well worth it!!!!

 

This thread was started well before the competition, although it was lying dormant until the competition came along.

 

I've just been having a look at the Tim Ferris website. Some of his ideas are at the exact opposite end of the spectrum to those at my current employer, where the job pays reasonably well but the tedious beaurocracy is wearing thin.

This does create a massive incentive to generate income from other sources & ditch 9~5, but I'm not quite there yet.

[Bob]

This thread was started well before the competition, although it was lying dormant until the competition came along.

 

Somebody has been wholesale resurrecting older threads recently for the obvious reason of simply racking up posts (I didn't see anything of value added, usually just a pithy comment). I wish he'd stop doing that and proceed to add a new thread (presuming whatever that's on his mind merits it). His name in Thai might read something like "kao tee rak talay".....

[Guest beachlover]

Somebody has been wholesale resurrecting older threads recently for the obvious reason of simply racking up posts (I didn't see anything of value added, usually just a pithy comment). I wish he'd stop doing that and proceed to add a new thread (presuming whatever that's on his mind merits it). His name in Thai might read something like "kao tee rak talay".....

 

Booo! It's me.

 

I usually scroll through recent/previous threads whenever I join a new forum. I did it for SGT (in fact for SGT I went through 2-3 years of threads).

 

Now what does "kao tee rak talay" mean?

[Guest beachlover]

I've just been having a look at the Tim Ferris website. Some of his ideas are at the exact opposite end of the spectrum to those at my current employer, where the job pays reasonably well but the tedious beaurocracy is wearing thin.

This does create a massive incentive to generate income from other sources & ditch 9~5, but I'm not quite there yet.

 

Well it doesn't happen overnight. When I was 18 I wanted to be a millionaire by 22... I'm a couple of years further on and it still hasn't happened yet (unless you include the value of the business).

 

Read the book... I think the little tactics and methods in the book are nice, but the main benefit is the way it changes your mindset and way of thinking.

 

There is one chapter in the book dedicated to methods you can use to influence your boss to let you work remotely, if that is possible to do in your role.

 

Much of the onus is on you, having the self-discipline and independence to deliver, regardless of where you are and what's going on. Even being my own boss, I find that challenging occasionally. There's been times I landed in a new city/country and have been raring to get out and explore but had force myself to stay in the hotel for 4-5 hours actioning work and return phone calls/e-mails before getting away to do what I wanted to do.

[Guest beachlover]

This is an interesting article:

 

http://www.news.com.au/business/business-owner/online-work-revolution-as-good-as-a-holiday/story-e6frfm5i-1225906688681

 

Online work revolution as good as a holiday

EMBRACING a location-independent lifestyle and travelling the world is not about escaping the work grind.

 

It's about using technology to reinvent the nine-to-five treadmill to suit your lifestyle.

 

Spaniard Marta Higuera, a freelance business consultant who calls Sydney home for now, was tired of working more than 60 hours a week.

 

"For me, I moved from Australia to the UK and I didn't want a job straight away so I got something temporary - which turned in to working location-independent," she said.

 

"Everyone told me what I was doing was wrong. People at work were asking, 'What are you doing with your career?'...and my parents were worried I [couldn't] sustain myself."

 

But 18 months later, she has reached her goal of working for just six months of the year and travelling the rest.

 

Along the way she has found many like-minded people using simple web tools such as Facebook, Skype, email and blogs to allow them to work for themselves anywhere in the world.

 

For Location Independent website creator Lea Woodward, 33, breaking the chains of an office came from two things: disillusionment with her all-consuming management consulting career in the UK and nursing her mother through the final stages of cancer.

 

"After my mum died...I took a six-month sabbatical,'' she said in an online interview from Edinburgh, her home for the northern summer.

 

In that time she travelled Australia and married boyfriend Jonathan, a graphic designer, in Sydney before flying home to quit her job.

 

Within six months, the couple had started their own online business, sold their flat - and moved to Panama.

 

And within three years, the Woodwards had lived and run their consulting and graphic design business from all over the world, from Toronto to Thailand, and now also have a baby in tow.

 

"You can often lead a much simpler life," she said.

 

Services such as web design, graphic design, writing and consulting are very common independent lifestyle professions.

 

Read more: http://www.news.com.au/business/business-owner/online-work-revolution-as-good-as-a-holiday/story-e6frfm5i-1225906688681#ixzz0xfHh48bq

 

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I like the term, "location independent"...

[firecat69]

Somebody has been wholesale resurrecting older threads recently for the obvious reason of simply racking up posts (I didn't see anything of value added, usually just a pithy comment). I wish he'd stop doing that and proceed to add a new thread (presuming whatever that's on his mind merits it). His name in Thai might read something like "kao tee rak talay".....

Why don't you post a new thread and feel free not to read a thread that some of us may have missed when originally posted. I am happy someone resurrected it and anyone who doesn't like it is free to ignore it!!!!

[Guest lvdkeyes]

Booo! It's me.

 

I usually scroll through recent/previous threads whenever I join a new forum. I did it for SGT (in fact for SGT I went through 2-3 years of threads).

 

I find it interesting that you only seem to do that on this forum where there is a prize at stake. You don't seem to have the same interest in old threads on gaybuttonthai.com where there is no contest. MMMMMMM

[Bob]

Now what does "kao tee rak talay" mean?

 

Lol.....well, literally it's "he who/that loves the beach."

 

No big deal but I see all these old threads lit up and start reading them before realizing it's an old post. Just confusing a bit but I'll get through it (plus I'm now paying more attention to the dates).