Comments on: What Do You Actually DO For A Living? http://allfinancialmatters.com/2008/02/19/what-do-you-actually-do-for-a-living/ 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, 20 Nov 2009 19:56:44 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: thomas http://allfinancialmatters.com/2008/02/19/what-do-you-actually-do-for-a-living/comment-page-1/#comment-240930 thomas Mon, 25 Feb 2008 07:27:57 +0000 http://allfinancialmatters.com/2008/02/19/what-do-you-actually-do-for-a-living/#comment-240930 yeah, I really wish I knew what I did. The US has become such a services industry it's quite sad. One day I hope to actually produce something tangible, besides PowerPoint presentations or Excel spreadsheets. yeah, I really wish I knew what I did. The US has become such a services industry it’s quite sad. One day I hope to actually produce something tangible, besides PowerPoint presentations or Excel spreadsheets.

]]> By: vitor http://allfinancialmatters.com/2008/02/19/what-do-you-actually-do-for-a-living/comment-page-1/#comment-239936 vitor Sun, 24 Feb 2008 03:03:32 +0000 http://allfinancialmatters.com/2008/02/19/what-do-you-actually-do-for-a-living/#comment-239936 I leave my blog. See if compensates access: www.rendavariavel.blogspot.com I leave my blog.

See if compensates access: http://www.rendavariavel.blogspot.com

]]> By: Ron http://allfinancialmatters.com/2008/02/19/what-do-you-actually-do-for-a-living/comment-page-1/#comment-238195 Ron Wed, 20 Feb 2008 23:09:04 +0000 http://allfinancialmatters.com/2008/02/19/what-do-you-actually-do-for-a-living/#comment-238195 I think one thing is forgotten regarding the measurement of "productivity" in the work place. I view it this way: I'm not always paid for what I do. I'm paid for what I know. In fact, being knowledgeable about my profession means, sometimes, I am paid for what I do not do. I don't waste the time or treasure less experienced workers might because my accumulation of knowledge and skills have taught me that simply doing what is expected squanders those two precious commodities. A very thought provoking post. Thanks. I think one thing is forgotten regarding the measurement of “productivity” in the work place. I view it this way: I’m not always paid for what I do. I’m paid for what I know. In fact, being knowledgeable about my profession means, sometimes, I am paid for what I do not do. I don’t waste the time or treasure less experienced workers might because my accumulation of knowledge and skills have taught me that simply doing what is expected squanders those two precious commodities.

A very thought provoking post. Thanks.

]]> By: Matt http://allfinancialmatters.com/2008/02/19/what-do-you-actually-do-for-a-living/comment-page-1/#comment-238104 Matt Wed, 20 Feb 2008 19:02:20 +0000 http://allfinancialmatters.com/2008/02/19/what-do-you-actually-do-for-a-living/#comment-238104 I've always found it funny that we need to be measured against something to prove that we've been productive. Yes I know there's a need to maintain a certain level of serivice and quality but comparing me an individual to some imaginary norm is frustrating and pointless. Working in the digital world does not mean that there can't be any creative substance to it but people try too hard to create that feeling of accomplishment where none really exists. I’ve always found it funny that we need to be measured against something to prove that we’ve been productive. Yes I know there’s a need to maintain a certain level of serivice and quality but comparing me an individual to some imaginary norm is frustrating and pointless. Working in the digital world does not mean that there can’t be any creative substance to it but people try too hard to create that feeling of accomplishment where none really exists.

]]> By: Master Your Card http://allfinancialmatters.com/2008/02/19/what-do-you-actually-do-for-a-living/comment-page-1/#comment-237780 Master Your Card Wed, 20 Feb 2008 07:15:39 +0000 http://allfinancialmatters.com/2008/02/19/what-do-you-actually-do-for-a-living/#comment-237780 I liked your post, but someone has already beaten you to it... Funnily enough, Karl Marx (the Father of communism) talked about this EXACT thing in his theory of alienation - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marx's_theory_of_alienation#Alienation_in_the_labour_process And before anyone asks: no, I'm not a communist, I'm a political science student :) I liked your post, but someone has already beaten you to it…

Funnily enough, Karl Marx (the Father of communism) talked about this EXACT thing in his theory of alienation – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marx’s_theory_of_alienation#Alienation_in_the_labour_process

And before anyone asks: no, I’m not a communist, I’m a political science student :)

]]> By: Patrick http://allfinancialmatters.com/2008/02/19/what-do-you-actually-do-for-a-living/comment-page-1/#comment-237710 Patrick Wed, 20 Feb 2008 04:19:45 +0000 http://allfinancialmatters.com/2008/02/19/what-do-you-actually-do-for-a-living/#comment-237710 I totally agree with this article, but I have decided that my job provides my income to do my hobby and I can show things that I have done by the the progress of my hobby. Now showing my boss what I have done can be a little harder ;) I totally agree with this article, but I have decided that my job provides my income to do my hobby and I can show things that I have done by the the progress of my hobby. Now showing my boss what I have done can be a little harder ;)

]]> By: Patrick http://allfinancialmatters.com/2008/02/19/what-do-you-actually-do-for-a-living/comment-page-1/#comment-237706 Patrick Wed, 20 Feb 2008 04:11:04 +0000 http://allfinancialmatters.com/2008/02/19/what-do-you-actually-do-for-a-living/#comment-237706 I ask myself this question every day! In a former life, I repaired aircraft in the USAF. At the end of the day, I saw an aircraft fly. And I knew I did my job well. Now, I don't see tangible results of my efforts. I don't think it means I don't do anything useful, but it certainly is a different feeling at the end of the day. Very nice article. I ask myself this question every day! In a former life, I repaired aircraft in the USAF. At the end of the day, I saw an aircraft fly. And I knew I did my job well. Now, I don’t see tangible results of my efforts. I don’t think it means I don’t do anything useful, but it certainly is a different feeling at the end of the day. Very nice article.

]]> By: Mrs. Micah http://allfinancialmatters.com/2008/02/19/what-do-you-actually-do-for-a-living/comment-page-1/#comment-237696 Mrs. Micah Wed, 20 Feb 2008 03:37:23 +0000 http://allfinancialmatters.com/2008/02/19/what-do-you-actually-do-for-a-living/#comment-237696 I don't know why I put an apostrophe after parents. Must not be thinking clearly. I don’t know why I put an apostrophe after parents. Must not be thinking clearly.

]]> By: Mrs. Micah http://allfinancialmatters.com/2008/02/19/what-do-you-actually-do-for-a-living/comment-page-1/#comment-237694 Mrs. Micah Wed, 20 Feb 2008 03:35:26 +0000 http://allfinancialmatters.com/2008/02/19/what-do-you-actually-do-for-a-living/#comment-237694 Why I enjoy my jobs so much: After I leave the hospital, I can say "I checked X newborns' ears today." And hopefully I can say "And I made their parents' happy/relieved them because the babies passed." Or at least some babies passed. At the library, I can say "I shelved X carts of books today or approximately X books. And I checked out X patrons so that they can enjoy some of those books I put on the shelves." I think that's why, of all the jobs I've had, the two I've most enjoyed have been shelving and bathroom cleaning. Not prestigious, but they give you a real sense of accomplishment! Why I enjoy my jobs so much:

After I leave the hospital, I can say “I checked X newborns’ ears today.” And hopefully I can say “And I made their parents’ happy/relieved them because the babies passed.” Or at least some babies passed.

At the library, I can say “I shelved X carts of books today or approximately X books. And I checked out X patrons so that they can enjoy some of those books I put on the shelves.”

I think that’s why, of all the jobs I’ve had, the two I’ve most enjoyed have been shelving and bathroom cleaning. Not prestigious, but they give you a real sense of accomplishment!

]]> By: Future Millionaire http://allfinancialmatters.com/2008/02/19/what-do-you-actually-do-for-a-living/comment-page-1/#comment-237669 Future Millionaire Wed, 20 Feb 2008 02:25:21 +0000 http://allfinancialmatters.com/2008/02/19/what-do-you-actually-do-for-a-living/#comment-237669 I get teased about this all the time by the people I work with. I work in the construction industry but instead of a brick layer I'm a Project Engineer so the brick layer (and every other trade on the jobsite) give me a hard time about how I don't do any "work" since I spend all day in there words coloring drawings and pushing papers and when I'm out on site all I do is "walk in circles". I do have to say at least at the end of a project (several years) it is awesome to be able to look at a finished building and know you had a hand in making it happen. I get teased about this all the time by the people I work with. I work in the construction industry but instead of a brick layer I’m a Project Engineer so the brick layer (and every other trade on the jobsite) give me a hard time about how I don’t do any “work” since I spend all day in there words coloring drawings and pushing papers and when I’m out on site all I do is “walk in circles”.

I do have to say at least at the end of a project (several years) it is awesome to be able to look at a finished building and know you had a hand in making it happen.

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