You ARE Lazy, Get a REAL Job! Online Frustrations

Last week, I went golfing with a few of my friends during the workweek. It was just after lunchtime, and I had finished all my scheduled tasks for that day - mainly because I burnt the midnight oil the previous night. The khaki shorts were slapped on, the multi-colored shirt was looking stellar and my “good luck” straw hat was ready to play.

Just as I was turning off my computers and leaving for the golf course, one of my friends calls… He is swamped with work and tells me to reschedule the tee-off time by 2 HOURS. This tee-off time has been booked all week, so he knew the time. As you can imagine, I was slightly ticked off… working extra hours the night before and cutting my current workday short. The best part is what he said next…

“Not all of us have the “luxury” of working at home and have “real” jobs.”

Are you kidding me? Sure there are benefits, but what luxury?

-Working 80+ hours a week is normal.
-Sometimes projects fail, and all the time invested has been lost.
-Essentially NO job security
-And many other things…

I have lost track of how many times someone has told me to get a “real job” to experience the “real world”. I have worked for a few companies, and I’m not sure what this “real world experience” they keep referring to is. Maybe I believe the “real world” is not supposed to be the monotonous cycle of the 40-hour workweek.

Has anyone here had similar experiences like this, where you have had friends or family think you are just “lazy” because you work at home? How do you explain that working for yourself can be extremely stressful sometimes and is not all roses like they believe.

 

I can totally relate! I just left my "real" job a couple weeks ago to pursue some projects of my own that I had been developing on the side for some time now. The worst is when you tell people you're self employed and they say "oh you mean you're unemployed?" It's these people that just don't get it. If anyone saw how hard and how long self-employed people work they would know better. Just because we're working long hours on something we are passionate about does not mean it's not work.

With more and more people working for themselves society is getting more educated, but it's a slow climb.

 

I agree with the slow increase of acceptance by the general population. It is not as uncommon now a days to say your self employed, as people are hearing it more often.

I know in Canada, BC, there is great need for skilled professionals, but most of these people know they can make better money working for themselves.

 

well said,

Sometimes we do have the golf and tennis (for me) time slots in late mornings or early afternoons while the 40-hour, 8-to-5 folks complain.

For me, the experience has been more personal growth, learning another language, goal setting, traveling and yes 80 hour work weeks are not uncommon.

In addition, the employed professional benefits are not as attractive as they once were in the 80's and early 90's.. remember FREE medical and dental, "without" monthly fees. just a deductible.

send me a PM on Austin ( summer weather). I was just there a couple of weeks ago and loved it. It was incredibly beautiful and hilly west of Mopac. I may just move.

 

Don't be insecure about it! You're making your own living and it beats having most jobs hands down. Plus next time he says it, agree with him that you've got it easy; "It's about working intelligently mate, not hard"

 

Sometimes I kill myself working, often until 2am... My days start before 9am when our little girl wakes us up... long days to say the least.

However, most of the time I try to keep my work days short by breaking up my tasks and taking long breaks in between... THESE are the perfect time to call people up for meaningless small talk and just chat.

Since everyone thinks I do nothing and that my money just falls "from the sky", I like to do WHATEVER I CAN to enforce that image!

If they refuse to take my line of work seriously (because it is very serious) I like to take every oportunity to rub it in their faces.

Have a nice day!

Pete.

 

They dont say that when I pull away in my CL 550

I do alot of work from home, but also have a 'real job'. ive considered many times leaving the corporate world for the 'luxury' of staying home. its tough

 

Yeah, I have to deal with morons too.

Ignore them/stop talking to them/laugh at them -- pick whichever one suits you.

If your friends can't deal with you having a better job than them you need to get rid of them. Not much sense hanging around with people who talk smack to you. They aren't worth your time.

 

Great replies. I am not insecure about the fact (been online 100% for 5+ years), was just seeing how others felt about this.

Deciding not to associate with certain friends is a hard decision, especially if you have known them for along time. However, I have found simply being choosy when it comes to who you spend your spair time with, can make a HUGE difference in your life.

Just like the proverb says... "You Can't Fly Like An Eagle If You Hang With Turkeys!"

 

There is a simple thing that you can do!!!

what do you do?

I am a self employed webdesigner or what ever you do if u just run sites your an admin lol

 

TheBusinessMan, what is the "simple thing" you are refering to?

 

He means how to answer such questions

 

Ahh, I see. Haven't had enough coffee to decode cryptic messages today.

 

I get them too. Or worse, the friends and family members who get offended if I can't sit and chat on the phone all day long. They think being at home = lots of free time. Thank god for answering machines. LOL

 

so true ^^

 

Simple, they're close minded people who are unable to understand that "YES" you can make money from home. Its not being lazy, its being smart. Why work hard at some office when you can work from the very comfort of your own home, though just because you're working from home doesnt make it lesser of a job, you're still making "MONEY".

I hate it when people talk and say stuff because they dont know what the hell they're talking about.

 

I've run into the same ignorant comments since leaving the "real world" behind for the internet way back in 96. Makes me laugh. I can care less what they think or say. They are probably jealous since I am creating my own reality without having to answer or listen to anyone else other than myself.

But, on the otherhand, they are the ones we can pay a small portion of what we make to do all the work.

 

That one hit home! The long phone calls for sure....I've even had some friends ask me if I can run some errands for them in the daytime while they're at work! I mean, what are they thinking...

 

It is good to hear I'm not the only one that gets frustrated with some of my friends and family, regarding this issue.

 

Mine is worse..

My girlfriend's parents always say this "Why waste time on websites, go get a REAL job, learn a skill, and be a boss next time!"

Gosh ...

Oh well ... I am lucky that I have some good money stashed up from my previous "investments", that will last me for a period of time.

BUT, my friends / family are always very interested in what i am doing. heh.