Comments on: Stay Focused, Stay Balanced, Stay Healthy: Part Two

By: Maria

Maria — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 01:50:36 +0000

Gary, thanks for sharing your story. It’s a real eye-opener. It worries me, too, though, because even during my few years in the workforce (I’m in my mid-20s), I’ve observed unrelenting employers not only at large corporations but also at startups. In fact, the startup I freelanced at was probably worse, possibly because of business pressures to maintain growth and managers’ relative inexperience.

I believe there are employers out there who truly do believe in work-life balance for their employees…. It’s simply a matter of finding them. And holding yourself to practicing a decent balance.

Ryan, do you ever feel as though you’re putting off your life because of your desire to accumulate a certain level of wealth? I’m not saying it’s bad to have financial goals–that’s great. But surely you can find more balance in your life. At least, I hope so.

By: Sean Patzer, MCSE

Sean Patzer, MCSE — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 18:06:26 +0000

Being a Gen Xer who was also a system admin, I understand completely. It can be a real shocker to be taken to PA clinic and have your BP be a 210/120 at 34 yrs old. No heart attack, but dang, that scared the bejesus out of me. The BP was because I was constantly focused on what I was doing and not relaxing like a thought I was. It is a tough balance for some people to find, as we all have different levels of stress I could find. Well, I opted out of the job I was in and found another one that was in a lower stress environment. I have become a different person since then. My BP is down to 120/70, I sleep at nights, I have time with my family and to be honest, the hit in money did not make any difference in my living standards.

I now work on legacy UNIX systems maintaining older code. 35 and enjoying the slower pace.

By: Ryan Waggoner

Ryan Waggoner — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 12:45:41 +0000

I think I disagree with everyone’s comments…in my mind, money is terribly important in life, because time is money, and time is the most precious resource we have. My goal is to accumulate enough wealth to own my own time. The best and most proven way to do this is to start early, spend (much) less than you earn, and invest the difference wisely. This will give you the ability to “retire” younger and hopefully be able to pursue the things in your life that you are passionate about, whether that’s starting a business, spending time with your family, travel, charity work, etc.

While I agree that life is not ultimately about the money, I think it’s disingenuous to underestimate the influence of money on our life and the freedom controlling it can bring.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 19:25:52 +0000

Thanks for sharing this story, Gary. I swore growing up with a father that traveled a lot for work that I would never let the job get in the way of family life. However, I can see myself becoming driven by money and work issues more and more. Luckily, I have a fantastic wife that keeps me in check and have a pretty flexible work schedule.

By: ToughMoneyLove

ToughMoneyLove — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 17:09:36 +0000

From this baby boomer, thanks so much for this post. A definite read for everyone with work/life balance issues.

It’s not about the money folks.

By: Kent @ The Financial Philosopher

Kent @ The Financial Philosopher — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 16:27:01 +0000

One of the tragedies of the human condition is that our pursuits and priorities are rarely in alignment with each other…

Most people would list health, family, personal relationships or general well-being as their top priorities in life. In all of my 10 years as a financial planner, not one person has listed money as a priority…

Yet our pursuits reflect otherwise…

Unfortunately, it often takes a “shock” of some kind to properly align our pursuits and priorities…

Thanks for sharing your story. I hope that you have been able to attach meaning and purpose to your suffering. If not, I highly suggest the book, “Man’s Search for Meaning,” by Viktor Frankl, a psychotherapist and Holocaust survivor…

“In some way, suffering ceases to be suffering at the moment it finds a meaning, such as the meaning of a sacrifice.” ~ Victor Frankl

“Ever more people today have the means to live, but no meaning to live for.” ~ Viktor Frankl

“Live as though you were living a second time, and as though you had acted wrongly the first time.” ~ Viktor Frankl