Comments on: Apply the 40 Plus Formula to Advance Your Career http://allfinancialmatters.com/2008/02/14/apply-the-40-plus-formula-to-advance-your-career/ A personal finance blog dedicated to discussing such topics as budgeting, asset allocation, 401K, IRA, cash flow, insurance, financial planning, portfolio management, and other areas in personal finance. Fri, 25 May 2012 02:50:51 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: Ben http://allfinancialmatters.com/2008/02/14/apply-the-40-plus-formula-to-advance-your-career/comment-page-1/#comment-238169 Ben Wed, 20 Feb 2008 21:58:43 +0000 http://allfinancialmatters.com/2008/02/14/apply-the-40-plus-formula-to-advance-your-career/#comment-238169 I have a better solution that works for me. I know how to do "stuff" others don't and couldn't figure out on their own. If I quit right now they'd probably offer me a 20% raise to get me back or they'd loose 45 vendors right off the bat. I have a better solution that works for me. I know how to do “stuff” others don’t and couldn’t figure out on their own. If I quit right now they’d probably offer me a 20% raise to get me back or they’d loose 45 vendors right off the bat.

]]> By: SMB http://allfinancialmatters.com/2008/02/14/apply-the-40-plus-formula-to-advance-your-career/comment-page-1/#comment-235221 SMB Fri, 15 Feb 2008 20:55:22 +0000 http://allfinancialmatters.com/2008/02/14/apply-the-40-plus-formula-to-advance-your-career/#comment-235221 I agree with Jeremy. I really hate that it's become so common in this country--even expected, in many cases--for people to work 60+ hours a week. I agree with Jeremy. I really hate that it’s become so common in this country–even expected, in many cases–for people to work 60+ hours a week.

]]> By: Miguel http://allfinancialmatters.com/2008/02/14/apply-the-40-plus-formula-to-advance-your-career/comment-page-1/#comment-235125 Miguel Fri, 15 Feb 2008 17:09:34 +0000 http://allfinancialmatters.com/2008/02/14/apply-the-40-plus-formula-to-advance-your-career/#comment-235125 I somewhat agree with Rich Money Million that goal-orientation and knowledge is the best driver of career/business success, far and above simply putting in time. My objective is to leverage experience, knowledge, and capital to accomplish more in less time and effort. It's just that I have found that especially when starting out, if you want to accelerate the process, and achieve above-average success in a shorter than average timeframe, then some sacrifices are going to be in order. Now, that said, you might question whether above-average success or wealth is really an appropriate goal. And that is purely a matter of personal preference. I somewhat agree with Rich Money Million that goal-orientation and knowledge is the best driver of career/business success, far and above simply putting in time. My objective is to leverage experience, knowledge, and capital to accomplish more in less time and effort. It’s just that I have found that especially when starting out, if you want to accelerate the process, and achieve above-average success in a shorter than average timeframe, then some sacrifices are going to be in order. Now, that said, you might question whether above-average success or wealth is really an appropriate goal. And that is purely a matter of personal preference.

]]> By: Matt http://allfinancialmatters.com/2008/02/14/apply-the-40-plus-formula-to-advance-your-career/comment-page-1/#comment-235087 Matt Fri, 15 Feb 2008 15:33:18 +0000 http://allfinancialmatters.com/2008/02/14/apply-the-40-plus-formula-to-advance-your-career/#comment-235087 I think its important that this plus part of the 40 hours doesn't necessarily have to be at the office. If you were to work 60 hour weeks at the office you might be doing nothing more than spinning you wheels or burning yourself out. Taking that extra time to improve yourself or work on a side project is a definite must. I think its important that this plus part of the 40 hours doesn’t necessarily have to be at the office. If you were to work 60 hour weeks at the office you might be doing nothing more than spinning you wheels or burning yourself out. Taking that extra time to improve yourself or work on a side project is a definite must.

]]> By: Miguel http://allfinancialmatters.com/2008/02/14/apply-the-40-plus-formula-to-advance-your-career/comment-page-1/#comment-235025 Miguel Fri, 15 Feb 2008 13:07:43 +0000 http://allfinancialmatters.com/2008/02/14/apply-the-40-plus-formula-to-advance-your-career/#comment-235025 I should add to the above that I hit the $mm NW mark before the age of 40, whereas it took my FIL considerably longer, I'm guessing age 60 or thereabouts to reach that kind of NW. On the other hand he has a decent pension, something I am not likely to ever receive. I don't think he would have been happy doing things my way, but conversely, I wouldn't be happy with his way. There are things about career and financial attainment at a relatively young age, that I feel were worth the extreme effort and sacrifices. Now in my mid-40's I know I have the option to quit (not that I would) depending on the kind of lifesyle I'd be willing to accept. I should add to the above that I hit the $mm NW mark before the age of 40, whereas it took my FIL considerably longer, I’m guessing age 60 or thereabouts to reach that kind of NW. On the other hand he has a decent pension, something I am not likely to ever receive. I don’t think he would have been happy doing things my way, but conversely, I wouldn’t be happy with his way. There are things about career and financial attainment at a relatively young age, that I feel were worth the extreme effort and sacrifices. Now in my mid-40′s I know I have the option to quit (not that I would) depending on the kind of lifesyle I’d be willing to accept.

]]> By: Rich Money Million http://allfinancialmatters.com/2008/02/14/apply-the-40-plus-formula-to-advance-your-career/comment-page-1/#comment-234804 Rich Money Million Fri, 15 Feb 2008 06:11:18 +0000 http://allfinancialmatters.com/2008/02/14/apply-the-40-plus-formula-to-advance-your-career/#comment-234804 I don't think that agree with that theory. There is nothing magical about the number 40 or that many hours. In many countries the work week is less, and in others it's more. Workers in the US have been cultured to follow this routine and do so almost mindlessly now. I personally think that you should not work on things based on any formula for number of hours, but rather on based on specific goals or tasks. You should say, "I'm going to finish this report today", or "I'm going to make this many sales today", or "I'm going to read this book today", rather than "I'm going to be busy for at least 40 hours, and if I can be busy for more than 40 hours I'm a success!" Your time is money and the more you can accomplish well in the same amount of time defines success to me. That means that you will be able to eventually accomplish more in less time, allowing yourself time to do other things that you enjoy and live a more fulfilling life.-Rich I don’t think that agree with that theory. There is nothing magical about the number 40 or that many hours. In many countries the work week is less, and in others it’s more. Workers in the US have been cultured to follow this routine and do so almost mindlessly now. I personally think that you should not work on things based on any formula for number of hours, but rather on based on specific goals or tasks. You should say, “I’m going to finish this report today”, or “I’m going to make this many sales today”, or “I’m going to read this book today”, rather than “I’m going to be busy for at least 40 hours, and if I can be busy for more than 40 hours I’m a success!” Your time is money and the more you can accomplish well in the same amount of time defines success to me. That means that you will be able to eventually accomplish more in less time, allowing yourself time to do other things that you enjoy and live a more fulfilling life.-Rich

]]> By: Kristin http://allfinancialmatters.com/2008/02/14/apply-the-40-plus-formula-to-advance-your-career/comment-page-1/#comment-234780 Kristin Fri, 15 Feb 2008 05:42:31 +0000 http://allfinancialmatters.com/2008/02/14/apply-the-40-plus-formula-to-advance-your-career/#comment-234780 The idea is to take on more work than what can be done in 40 hours. Not to stretch out your current assignment to 50 or 60! This does work. If you take on the work of 1.5 people you will get noticed. Most of the work is done by about 10% of the employees - the top 10%. The rest are just putting in their time doing their job and no more. The idea is to take on more work than what can be done in 40 hours. Not to stretch out your current assignment to 50 or 60!

This does work. If you take on the work of 1.5 people you will get noticed. Most of the work is done by about 10% of the employees – the top 10%. The rest are just putting in their time doing their job and no more.

]]> By: Jeremy http://allfinancialmatters.com/2008/02/14/apply-the-40-plus-formula-to-advance-your-career/comment-page-1/#comment-234750 Jeremy Fri, 15 Feb 2008 04:58:36 +0000 http://allfinancialmatters.com/2008/02/14/apply-the-40-plus-formula-to-advance-your-career/#comment-234750 Wow. I not only think this is absolutely horrible advice, I think the attitude it embodies is one of the worst things about our culture and our society. First of all, defining productivity in terms of number of hours worked is just plain wrong. Second, if you need to work that much more just to get ahead, you are in the wrong job. Third, you are encouraging people to give up more and more of their life, the stuff that matters, in favor of a mere job, the stuff that doesn't matter. My job is how I make a living; the goal is to make it interfere with my life as little as possible. "Nobody ever died wishing they'd spent more time at the office." I hate the entire attitude that is behind this advice. I hate the entire idea that there is somehow virtue in working for more time. There isn't. This is the idiocy of the "work ethic", which was invented by rich people who wanted to find a way to get other people to do work so they wouldn't have to. Forget that, and forget anyone who expects you to devote your life to a job, no matter how much you like it. I like my job. I make well above average income and enjoy what I do. I sure as heck don't try to spend more and more time doing it, though. I try to do it BETTER, so I can spend LESS time doing it and still get ahead. Wow. I not only think this is absolutely horrible advice, I think the attitude it embodies is one of the worst things about our culture and our society.

First of all, defining productivity in terms of number of hours worked is just plain wrong.

Second, if you need to work that much more just to get ahead, you are in the wrong job.

Third, you are encouraging people to give up more and more of their life, the stuff that matters, in favor of a mere job, the stuff that doesn’t matter. My job is how I make a living; the goal is to make it interfere with my life as little as possible. “Nobody ever died wishing they’d spent more time at the office.”

I hate the entire attitude that is behind this advice. I hate the entire idea that there is somehow virtue in working for more time. There isn’t. This is the idiocy of the “work ethic”, which was invented by rich people who wanted to find a way to get other people to do work so they wouldn’t have to. Forget that, and forget anyone who expects you to devote your life to a job, no matter how much you like it.

I like my job. I make well above average income and enjoy what I do. I sure as heck don’t try to spend more and more time doing it, though. I try to do it BETTER, so I can spend LESS time doing it and still get ahead.

]]> By: Sowmya http://allfinancialmatters.com/2008/02/14/apply-the-40-plus-formula-to-advance-your-career/comment-page-1/#comment-234627 Sowmya Fri, 15 Feb 2008 01:35:43 +0000 http://allfinancialmatters.com/2008/02/14/apply-the-40-plus-formula-to-advance-your-career/#comment-234627 When you are passionate about what you do and love your job, be it at home or for some organization, the concept of 40 plus gets automatically imbibed in your system. One doesn't think about working extra hours on any given day, it just happens every day. (Type 1) On the other hand, when you are not so passionate about the work you do for some organization, there are two options - 1. Try to educate more about your work and work related advancements, create interest and eventually becoming passionate about it (Type 2) 2. Work 40 hours exactly and spend extra hours each day on what you really like to do hoping to some day turn that into your real career (Type 3) When you are passionate about what you do and love your job, be it at home or for some organization, the concept of 40 plus gets automatically imbibed in your system. One doesn’t think about working extra hours on any given day, it just happens every day.
(Type 1)

On the other hand, when you are not so passionate about the work you do for some organization, there are two options – 1. Try to educate more about your work and work related advancements, create interest and eventually becoming passionate about it (Type 2)
2. Work 40 hours exactly and spend extra hours each day on what you really like to do hoping to some day turn that into your real career (Type 3)

]]> By: DB http://allfinancialmatters.com/2008/02/14/apply-the-40-plus-formula-to-advance-your-career/comment-page-1/#comment-234614 DB Fri, 15 Feb 2008 01:16:33 +0000 http://allfinancialmatters.com/2008/02/14/apply-the-40-plus-formula-to-advance-your-career/#comment-234614 I guess he hasn't read The Four Hour Workweek :) I used to think this way and actually worked 80-100 hours a week at my job for 2 years. Then I realized I could make money to support myself, save, and do what I wanted without killing myself. I'm not saying it pays to be lazy. Everyone should try to excel at something and achieve their goals. It's just that you should pick the areas you want to excel in, whether it's your career, making money, personal relationships, personal fitness, or anything else. I guess he hasn’t read The Four Hour Workweek :) I used to think this way and actually worked 80-100 hours a week at my job for 2 years. Then I realized I could make money to support myself, save, and do what I wanted without killing myself.

I’m not saying it pays to be lazy. Everyone should try to excel at something and achieve their goals. It’s just that you should pick the areas you want to excel in, whether it’s your career, making money, personal relationships, personal fitness, or anything else.

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