Mavmb
Well-Known Member
Just thought this article might strike up a good discussion.
Do what you love and you'll probably starve
Do what you love and you'll probably starve
Does this apply to being a pilot???
- Thread starter Mavmb
- Start date
RiddlePilot
New Member
I'm eating PB&J on cheapo bread while keeping an eye on one of the local flight schools' student load so I can get a job. Yeah, rollin' in the dough. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
Minnesota_Flyer
New Member
[ QUOTE ]
This guy is full of crap and only wrote this because he wishes he would have done something a little less normal.
[/ QUOTE ]
Less normal than a career coach with a weekly radio show??? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif
Anyway, seems like his factual information is pretty accurate, but I question his conclusions somewhat. He's right that the market will tend to make the "cool" jobs lower paying and harder to get. This is certainly the situation for pilots (too many pilots chasing too few jobs). He's also right that its not worth the effort to pursue "high status" jobs. Of course, I've never been particularly interested in status anyway (said the lawyer); others may have different opinions. And he's clearly right that the only real way to get ahead is to stop working for others and become your own boss.
However, to the extent that he seems to say that you could never be happy making less money in a "cool" job or that you could never be happy in a high status job, or that you could never be happy doing whatever, I think he's full of it. Everyone's different, and what floats one person's boat may not float another's. The only thing that the career studies seem to show consistently is that (above a certain level) more money does not lead to more happiness. In fact, most studies suggest that (above a certain level) more money leads to LESS happiness. So, chasing the money is not necessarily a good idea. Instead, people should be trying to figure out what floats their own boat . . . and then do that.
MF
This guy is full of crap and only wrote this because he wishes he would have done something a little less normal.
[/ QUOTE ]
Less normal than a career coach with a weekly radio show??? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif
Anyway, seems like his factual information is pretty accurate, but I question his conclusions somewhat. He's right that the market will tend to make the "cool" jobs lower paying and harder to get. This is certainly the situation for pilots (too many pilots chasing too few jobs). He's also right that its not worth the effort to pursue "high status" jobs. Of course, I've never been particularly interested in status anyway (said the lawyer); others may have different opinions. And he's clearly right that the only real way to get ahead is to stop working for others and become your own boss.
However, to the extent that he seems to say that you could never be happy making less money in a "cool" job or that you could never be happy in a high status job, or that you could never be happy doing whatever, I think he's full of it. Everyone's different, and what floats one person's boat may not float another's. The only thing that the career studies seem to show consistently is that (above a certain level) more money does not lead to more happiness. In fact, most studies suggest that (above a certain level) more money leads to LESS happiness. So, chasing the money is not necessarily a good idea. Instead, people should be trying to figure out what floats their own boat . . . and then do that.
MF
pilot602
If specified, this will replace the title that
This guy is an idiot ...
He spends the first 2/3 of the artical belittling you saying you're probably not one of the elite, superstars and that you'd probably be happier in a "lower-status" job then he says this:
[ QUOTE ]
If you're at all entrepreneurial, I recommend starting your own business. Yes, I know, only 20 percent of new businesses are still in business after five years, but you can beat the odds.
[/ QUOTE ]
So First, you're not a superstar but then all of a sudden, with a very limited amount of start-up capital, you "can beat the odds."
Moron.
[ QUOTE ]
Career coach Dr. Nemko's radio show airs in San Francisco on Sundays from 11 a.m. to noon Pacific time on KALW 91.7 FM or worldwide on www.martynemko.com. That site also contains more than 400 of his published writings. The Reader's Choice poll rated his book, "Cool Careers for Dummies," the No. 1 most useful career guide.
[/ QUOTE ]
Again he blasts "cool careers" then writes books about how to get into said careers.
He blasts higher education (MBA) but he's a P.h.D.
Want to be happy in your job?
Find one you can tolerate for years on end and then live within your means. Millinoiares aren't millionaires if they're in debt - they';re just as poor (if not more because their debt service is MUCH higher) than the CFI eating ramen.
My goal is to simply be debt free outside of a mortgage (and then to pay that off ASAP). To me that is true "wealth" ... not being beholden to anyone. So what if my couch doesn't have the same name as the rich guy ... mine's paid for, his isn't. So what if my car doesn't start with a B and end with a W, mine's paid for, his isn't.
I dunno there's a lot to be said for carrying very little debt ...
He spends the first 2/3 of the artical belittling you saying you're probably not one of the elite, superstars and that you'd probably be happier in a "lower-status" job then he says this:
[ QUOTE ]
If you're at all entrepreneurial, I recommend starting your own business. Yes, I know, only 20 percent of new businesses are still in business after five years, but you can beat the odds.
[/ QUOTE ]
So First, you're not a superstar but then all of a sudden, with a very limited amount of start-up capital, you "can beat the odds."
Moron.
[ QUOTE ]
Career coach Dr. Nemko's radio show airs in San Francisco on Sundays from 11 a.m. to noon Pacific time on KALW 91.7 FM or worldwide on www.martynemko.com. That site also contains more than 400 of his published writings. The Reader's Choice poll rated his book, "Cool Careers for Dummies," the No. 1 most useful career guide.
[/ QUOTE ]
Again he blasts "cool careers" then writes books about how to get into said careers.
He blasts higher education (MBA) but he's a P.h.D.
Want to be happy in your job?
Find one you can tolerate for years on end and then live within your means. Millinoiares aren't millionaires if they're in debt - they';re just as poor (if not more because their debt service is MUCH higher) than the CFI eating ramen.
My goal is to simply be debt free outside of a mortgage (and then to pay that off ASAP). To me that is true "wealth" ... not being beholden to anyone. So what if my couch doesn't have the same name as the rich guy ... mine's paid for, his isn't. So what if my car doesn't start with a B and end with a W, mine's paid for, his isn't.
I dunno there's a lot to be said for carrying very little debt ...
pilot602
If specified, this will replace the title that
[ QUOTE ]
And he's clearly right that the only real way to get ahead is to stop working for others and become your own boss.
[/ QUOTE ]
I don't know why everyone thinks this ... maybe it's because the "ideal is there ... but in reality working for yourself is fraught with long hours, very little security and almost no time off.
In high school my father, brother and I ran a mowing business during the summers ... whenever some one called guess what ... out the door we went. Later I ran my own newspaper ... broke even (for just production costs) so I made literally nothing but I was constantly thinking about it, talking about it, selling it, etc. You think pilots are bad about talking about aviation spend an hour sith a small business owner ... the point is working for yourself is not what it's cracked up to be. There are tradeoffs for both sides of the equation.
I truly think the way to "get ahead" is to work smart, find a way to generatu multiple revenue streams (passive = better) and LIVE WITHIN YOUR MEANS.
A multi-millionaire in debt millions of dollars is just a poor person with nice things ...
And he's clearly right that the only real way to get ahead is to stop working for others and become your own boss.
[/ QUOTE ]
I don't know why everyone thinks this ... maybe it's because the "ideal is there ... but in reality working for yourself is fraught with long hours, very little security and almost no time off.
In high school my father, brother and I ran a mowing business during the summers ... whenever some one called guess what ... out the door we went. Later I ran my own newspaper ... broke even (for just production costs) so I made literally nothing but I was constantly thinking about it, talking about it, selling it, etc. You think pilots are bad about talking about aviation spend an hour sith a small business owner ... the point is working for yourself is not what it's cracked up to be. There are tradeoffs for both sides of the equation.
I truly think the way to "get ahead" is to work smart, find a way to generatu multiple revenue streams (passive = better) and LIVE WITHIN YOUR MEANS.
A multi-millionaire in debt millions of dollars is just a poor person with nice things ...
Minnesota_Flyer
New Member
[ QUOTE ]
My goal is to simply be debt free outside of a mortgage (and then to pay that off ASAP). To me that is true "wealth" ... not being beholden to anyone. So what if my couch doesn't have the same name as the rich guy ... mine's paid for, his isn't. So what if my car doesn't start with a B and end with a W, mine's paid for, his isn't.
I dunno there's a lot to be said for carrying very little debt ...
[/ QUOTE ]
Very true.
And you're right about the perils of having your own business (and it's clearly not for everyone). But the reason everyone says it's the best way to get ahead is this: when working for someone else, your work goes toward making someone else rich; if you're working for yourself, you are the only one profiting for your own efforts. But, as you say, that doesn't necessarily mean that you'll be successful.
MF
My goal is to simply be debt free outside of a mortgage (and then to pay that off ASAP). To me that is true "wealth" ... not being beholden to anyone. So what if my couch doesn't have the same name as the rich guy ... mine's paid for, his isn't. So what if my car doesn't start with a B and end with a W, mine's paid for, his isn't.
I dunno there's a lot to be said for carrying very little debt ...
[/ QUOTE ]
Very true.
And you're right about the perils of having your own business (and it's clearly not for everyone). But the reason everyone says it's the best way to get ahead is this: when working for someone else, your work goes toward making someone else rich; if you're working for yourself, you are the only one profiting for your own efforts. But, as you say, that doesn't necessarily mean that you'll be successful.
MF
jrm1493
New Member
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
This guy is full of crap and only wrote this because he wishes he would have done something a little less normal.
[/ QUOTE ]
Less normal than a career coach with a weekly radio show??? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif
MF
[/ QUOTE ]
You're right... I guess he does have a strange career, my bad for not really paying attention to all his lecturing; he seems to be full of contradictions, however, since he apparently knows that his readers are wholly incapable of making it in that type of career. I know from experience that working in a cubicle and making good money drives me absolutely crazy, maybe some can do it but I can't for much longer. Our parents' generation has tried really hard to find happiness by getting "good" jobs and nice cars and fine houses in the suburbs, and mostly all they have to show for it is a whole new category of illnesses like depression and anxiety, rampant marital failure, and all kinds of addictions. I think the baby boomers' singleminded pursuit of wealth and security has left them completely empty on the inside (yes I'm generalizing). I bet that there is a much higher percentage of mid-level executives on antidepressants making $250k/yr than there are whitewater river rafting guides making $25k/yr. Money and security definately do not buy happiness, and the boomers I think have proven that beyond a shadow of a doubt.
[ QUOTE ]
This guy is full of crap and only wrote this because he wishes he would have done something a little less normal.
[/ QUOTE ]
Less normal than a career coach with a weekly radio show??? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif
MF
[/ QUOTE ]
You're right... I guess he does have a strange career, my bad for not really paying attention to all his lecturing; he seems to be full of contradictions, however, since he apparently knows that his readers are wholly incapable of making it in that type of career. I know from experience that working in a cubicle and making good money drives me absolutely crazy, maybe some can do it but I can't for much longer. Our parents' generation has tried really hard to find happiness by getting "good" jobs and nice cars and fine houses in the suburbs, and mostly all they have to show for it is a whole new category of illnesses like depression and anxiety, rampant marital failure, and all kinds of addictions. I think the baby boomers' singleminded pursuit of wealth and security has left them completely empty on the inside (yes I'm generalizing). I bet that there is a much higher percentage of mid-level executives on antidepressants making $250k/yr than there are whitewater river rafting guides making $25k/yr. Money and security definately do not buy happiness, and the boomers I think have proven that beyond a shadow of a doubt.
PhilosopherPilot
Well-Known Member
Well, I just gave up a very well paying consulting job to be a flight instructor, and pursue my goals in aviation.
Am I scared? Hell yes! But I firmly believe that if I work hard, live conservatively, and keep my eye on my goals I will succeed. I hope I am not being idealistic, but the thought of living in an office for 30 more years just doesn't appeal to me. Besides, if aviation doesn't work out, I can always go back into SQL programming and project management right?
My boss told me just yesterday (as quoted from his email), "I guess what I don't get is that you have plenty of time to make those dreams come true. You're 27, not 57 and who says you can't do what you want at 40?"
I think it is obvious that he just doesn't get it.
-G /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/insane.gif
Am I scared? Hell yes! But I firmly believe that if I work hard, live conservatively, and keep my eye on my goals I will succeed. I hope I am not being idealistic, but the thought of living in an office for 30 more years just doesn't appeal to me. Besides, if aviation doesn't work out, I can always go back into SQL programming and project management right?
My boss told me just yesterday (as quoted from his email), "I guess what I don't get is that you have plenty of time to make those dreams come true. You're 27, not 57 and who says you can't do what you want at 40?"
I think it is obvious that he just doesn't get it.
-G /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/insane.gif
FlyingFish
New Member
Good for you. I'm in exactly the same situation... Lucklily everyone is supportive (even those I've told at work) and "knows" I'll make it. Unfortunately they don't have alot of contact in the biz to help me out... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif