Skip to main content

Laziness Exemplified

To endure a non-ideal existence to let circumstance or others decide life for you, or to amass a fortune while passing through life like a spectator from an office window. 
- Tim Ferris, The 4-Hour Workweek 

My mom used to tell me all the time that I was lazy. And people wonder why my self-confidence is at an all time high. Keep in mind that she is Asian and her frame of reference is atypical. You could have 10 jobs, be full-time in school, AND be a parent--it still wouldn't be good enough. But she's still amazing and I wouldn't have gotten through life unscathed without her. 

Tim Ferris's definition of laziness is a little more palatable than my mom's. To make myself feel better, I'm going to believe that this is what my mom meant when she called me lazy.

 There are people that really love the grind. Or do they? Maybe they've been programmed to think they loved the grind. When I worked for a Big Firm, my work consumed me. I remember saying that the Firm will take whatever you give it. In return you will get something back. You get great experiences. You make great friends. You are compensated better than average. I can't deny that. I was on my way to amassing a small fortune.  My dad, being the practical one, told me to ride it out until I was 50 and then retire. 

 And then I thought, "If I do this until I'm 50, I probably won't live long enough to enjoy it!" 

 And here I am having a 40-life crisis. 

 For those of you that fit the Ferris definition of lazy, I would like to hear what you are doing to change it. A kick in the pants is sorely needed. 


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

I'm Back!

  Probably not an even close comparison to the return of MJ. But the feeling is there.  It's been a few years to say the least.  I blame Covid... and my lack of motivation to put anything out on the inter-web.  That said, it's a different time and I'm a lot older. Things have changed, but they haven't.  I'm still trying to find that next gig.  Breaking through this so-called barrier of being a company leader or executive still alludes me.   And all my friends are more successful than I am.  So cheers to that. I look forward to writing more.  Cheers - PB 
Post a Comment
Read more

The Thing About Cheese

The book, "Who Moved My Cheese?" has been on my bookshelf for more than a few years. Quite honestly, I don't remember if I read it end to end. So I picked it up and the story vaguely started coming back to me which means that I did read it, but didn't really READ it.  My thing about business self-help books like these are that the concepts and ideas being communicated don't really sit with you unless you are in a situation that makes the ideas hit home.  It's like being a sports analyst without having never really played the sport.  Nothing makes it real like having the experience.  A quote that hit home for me was,  "...a change imposed is a change opposed."  And yet this is how many corporations impose  their edicts expect change to happen within a workforce that is more than happy to oppose  the guys in the ivory tower.  Yes I'm talking about the latest safety policy, finance department "guidance", or expense policy ch...
Post a Comment
Read more

Diary of a Job Search

 I am not any stranger to looking for a new job.  When I was in big firm management consulting, I used to say, "The one thing about this job is that you are always looking for the next one."  Whether you are on the bench or on an engagement, you should always be spending time out of your day planting seeds for the next engagement or job opportunity.  Unfortunately, I have not followed my own advice in over a decade.  Now, I'm  trying to resurrect relationships and break through AI job site filters -- and all the job search horror stories that happen on LinkedIn are happening to me. Whether you haven't looked for a job in a few weeks or since before COVID, here's what I've learned:  There are people that genuinely want to help. Cherish those people and reciprocate accordingly.  There are people that you thought you knew, that will disappear on you. (I think the kids call it ghosting). I'll be honest in that I'm no angel. I'm sure I've done it to...
Post a Comment
Read more