When I was young, I wanted to be a fighter jet pilot. As I grew older, becoming a doctor seemed to satisfy the Asian parents who questioned me about my future. In high school, I wanted to be an engineer. In my engineering school, I wanted to be in Finance. Now that I am in Finance, I want to be a programmer.
Maybe the point is, I don't really know what I want. But I do know a couple of things for certain. I want to make money, and I want to be happy.
Making money is the easy part. As a strategy consultant, I make more than most of my graduating peers. At 23, I'm one of the youngest people in my firm. I charge clients at a rate of 150 an hour minimum. I have more airline miles than I care for, and I'm starting to become very familiar with the first class flight attendants. And yet, a part of me wants to give it all up for something else.
I've talked to a lot of people in business and they all seem driven by two things: money and prestige. Sometimes, I truly wonder if anyone else thinks the way I do...or does everyone just go about their daily lives, grinding away at a boring job just so they can make some money and brag to their friends about their fringe benefits.
If all you care about is receiving a free Blackberry, flying first class, and having a corporate credit card, you're going to live a very sad life. Especially when you realize 20 years from now just how much your life sucks and just how little you've actually accomplished.
I'm starting to rethink the corporate ladder. I want to remove the ladder altogether. I want to skip the rungs and jump straight to the top. In life, there's only one true way to do this, work for yourself.
Obviously it's not easy, and the chances of failure are very high, but if I succeed, the rewards will be worth 10x what I am achieving now. And beyond that, I believe I can find happiness in my work by doing something that I love.
A lot of people that are still in college ask me about my job. They are impressed by the consulting lifestyle. They are drawn into the investment banking bonuses. They would love to get a chance to work at a hedge fund, or a PE shop. But why? If it's just for money and prestige, well...you might impress your friends, but deep down, you won't be happy with your work. Money will be your only consolation for doing what you do and most of the time, the work is utter crap. I've talked to way too many people with the same story, and I don't want to join them. Maybe others on Xanga who are in the industry can offer a different perspective, but that's how I see it.
Sometimes, I feel like I am heading in the right direction. But other times, I wonder if I am making excuses for myself for not succeeding the way I imagined I would. My goal was to make 6 figures by the time I hit 25, while that goal is still very obtainable, I wonder if I am merely looking in a different direction because I am afraid of failure in my current pursuits. And the worst part is, it's hard to find someone I can relate to on the subject. It's hard to find someone who isn't so mesmerized by Wallstreet and money to give me a fresh perspective on careers, goals, and ambitions... and most importantly, happiness.
I've been reading a lot of stuff from Seth Godin and Paul Graham, I truly believe they are revolutionary thinkers. One piece of advice they suggested is that you shouldn't ever measure your worth by your resume. A resume is for losers who have nothing real to show. If you truly made an impact and are successful a) you won't need a resume b) the right people will automatically know who you are, or will have heard about you. I think that is great advice. Thoughts?
Sorry for the word vomit today, here's a hot pic for those who don't actually read entries :p
face down, ass up, that's the way i like to F*ck
Comments (48)
good insight, nothing like being your own boss in this world.....btw, I cant tell but my suspicion tells me this girl is a buttaface, haha.
*thumbs up*
Some feelings and thoughts you can't fight.
Struggling with the same thoughts now too...
Let me know if you come to a conclusion.
= )
business traveling seems like a pain in the butt...the perks of free food and drink are just to make up for the fact that you can't have the comfort of your own bed. and layovers..ugh do people actually consider it fun?
this sounds like the beginning of an admissions essay
It is a good goal, what your working for now is well stupid anyway. Material shit that does nothing for you. On your own at least your heart will be in it, your ass will be on the line. There is a bit of importance to that, and well your only 23, if you fall on your ass now, no one will even notice.
Do it.
Rough sex make it HURT
I'm pretty I told this to you before, and you were like, "That's because you're naive." -_-
@Whispers_of_Wind - haha you told me what now?
We live in a world, in a civilization engineered solely towards making money, and in a society that snubs those who don't make enough. SO....don't quit that damn job, you gotta be rolling in millions by the time you hit 35! Which I don't doubt you could do.
Or just don't give a damn about the rest of the world. Do it. Do dead people need any consultants, stock portfolios, or luxury goods after they kick it? No. All that stuff means nothing in the end. What matters is now, and how you live your life. So live it the way you want.
@Yosho - -_- Everything you said in this entry..basically, money doesn't buy happiness, etc etc.
@Yosho - Whispers is right. Money will not buy happiness. But the woman in that pic will give you all the happiness you were hoping for.
I know what you mean, but I'm not nearly as financially ambitious as you are. It might be my downfall unfortunately. I prefer to be happy, no matter what I'm doing. but that's translated into me not knowing what the hell i'm doing with my life, because life's taken a backseat to my immediate gratification. my one goal in life is to be financially *secure* so that I can do whatever the hell my heart wants.
work that corner
the premise is simple.
do what you hate for the money...
until you have enough to do what you love.
I chose happiness over success long time ago, what so great about your possessions when you can't take it away with you when you are gone.
you inspire me and i hate resumes
money can't buy happiness but it can buy you everything else. Why don't you just work till you get that six figures income and then start your own business and find what you want in life?
That girl isn't that hot. WHERE'S THE QUALITY?
I think it's important to compromise sometimes. If what you truly want to do inside is to sweep streets, then you'll be happy sweeping streets but you'll suffer financially, obviously. I've never understood why people placed so much importance on money. How can people damage relationships, friendships, and family bonds because of money o.O. I'm still young but I've earned money by myself so I realize it's not just magic lamp easy, but I still don't care that much about money.
Of course there's the pride thing, where you feel the need to show off to friends and family and feel like you're successful, but those things aren't that important if you're unhappy, like you said. From an outsider's view, your life seems dream-like. But you have to decide to only live for yourself, since you're all that you've got. You need to find something you like doing, but compromise if it's going to make you homeless...and there are lots of ways to make it happen...it's okay to change careers. Lots of people don't because they're scared of change and failure, so they stick with the thing they do well right now. Maybe you'll never be satisfied with one thing, and you'll want to change careers every couple of years, or maybe you'll finally find one thing you want to continue doing for the rest of your life.
Maybe the high class rich life was what you wanted, but once you got it, it gets boring after a while. Everything's like that. People dream of being celebrities, but I bet actual celebrities don't love it that much. We only want the things we don't have right now...and so you need to think past that and think about if you'll be happy with something even after you get it..it's the same with love, you need to think if you'll love that person even when she loves you with no doubt and there's no fun chase or uncertainty anymore.
I feel like I just wrote a lot <_< but I felt the need to assert my opinon...cuz I'm da boss, bitch.
i agree! i don't think its always about the money, i was brought up from a poor family, yes it has driven my family to want alot alot of money and behaviours turn into greed. The things they will do for money is outragoues. Not only a bad but horrifying thing to see. They want more money to provide a more comfortable lifestyle which is not wrong and with the lack of education they had, they want the best for their children that can lead to a good career path in future and showing others your success.
As children, once we have completed our education, you start to earn lots of money, are you really happy? do you truly have the passion for this job, or you are doing it just for the sake of it? with all these bonuses, what do you actually enjoy? i was once a career driven person before graduating, however, things change and priorities rotates, so what if you earn all this money, where do you have time to spend it? you can't go wherever you want whenever you want, tied down responsibilities and lack of time to do things you once thought to do.
especially when you start your business, you are fully commited to it, no time spent with friends or family.. travelling seeing different things and understanding other influences around. as we are in our 20's life isnt alway about working and achieving the highest, you have got to be enjoying life before its too late...
u can do work your corporate job and do your side stuff at the same time... just need some preserverance and ppl who'll work for that common goal
It's never about money, it's always about working towards being a decision maker who can make a difference...
Start-ups - if you have a great idea, now is the time to pursue your passion - when you don't have personal responsibilities and obligations to prevent you from taking a risk. When I had the choice at 23 between start-up and PE, I chose PE, but then, I'm also very risk-adverse...
what are you going to sell if you had your own business?
i'm trying to become an elementary school psychologist not for the money but because I love working with kids. GO ME!
Its the American dream. Succeeding on your own terms & having a meaningful life while doing so. You just want a piece of the pie of happiness.
You should dabble in pron =) It could be as meaningful or as meaningless as you want, the money can be good, and you definitely can be your own boss.
I thought the whole point of making money was so you could quit and pursue what you love to do.
I'm currently still a college student, but that's my plan.