8 ms·

You should probably quit your job

102 points by miraj 15y ago

Udo 15y ago
I agree that life is way too short to NOT be screwing around, and people should be doing what they feel makes a difference (and have fun doing it). It's hard to agree with this one, however: And shorter yet are the "productive years"; that period in your life when you can make a difference, when your knowledge, experience, and influence add up to something. Advances in both biomedical research and the culture of work will mean that we can expect to look forward to the "productive/creative years" lasting the majority of our total lifespan. Of course, you can always opt out, as I've seen with many middle-aged friends recently: have kids, build house, and then wait for death in a cushy bourgeois setting.
- Tichy 15y ago
  That promised land of perfect health at high age is not here yet, though. It's a nice perspective, but no guarantee.
  - Udo 15y ago
    That's right, it depends on the priorities we set as a society for this kind of thing. Not just living longer, but extending the enjoyable and productive period of a person's life. Of course, I'm in the minority (otherwise I wouldn't have gotten modded into oblivion while the guy who says that he doesn't want to have an impact on the world is praised and congratulated) but I still firmly believe it's worthwhile. What I don't get is why many people are so violently opposed to this. I'm not even talking about transhumanism or anything as controversial as that, just preventing "old" people from degenerating. As a med student I saw so many people wasting away in retirement homes, many of them were not even that old. With advances in biotech, I hope we'll give my generation a much more active and empowered existence when we come into this age group.
    - Tichy 15y ago
      I don't think people are opposed, just skeptical.
      - Udo 15y ago
        Sure they are, I debated enough to recognize that. I even debated with medical professionals and scientists to this effect. They think it's "unnatural" (whatever that means). For a short while there, my post had a negative score. They don't like to engage, but they are opposed.
        ams6110 15y ago
        So suppose you can keep old people healthy, strong, mentally sharp, etc. at what point do they get out of the way? 100 years? 110? 150? You must see that at some point the population becomes unsustainable if the old never die off.
        Udo 15y ago
        Somehow it must be possible to talk about the extension of productive life without people trailing off into condescending statements about population control or throwing hissy fits about the drummed up ecological aspects of immortality as if this was the most pressing concern right now. First of all, we're not even talking about making people live longer, just keeping them in shape for longer. There is absolutely zero moral outrage to be had about this one, except maybe if you want to shout something about old people taking our jobs, pointlessly and morbidly arguing that without death, disability and general human misery the global economy would suffer. Second, of course this kind of research eventually arrives at measures that prolong (productive) life, which gives traditional people even more to scream about. We will devour the earth! Never mind falling birth rates in industrial nations which would doubtlessly be the only countries experiencing those extended lifespans. However, my argument is more basic than that. Because, you guessed it, I'm all for longevity research as well. It's a basic ethical appeal to not waste perfectly good minds to decay and oblivion. Conjuring up economic problems that may or may not be even remotely applicable to this type of future society seems callous and short-sighted to me.
AndrewDucker 15y ago
I don't actually feel the need to change the world. There are some things I enjoy tinkering with, and I've been involved in a couple of minor political causes, but I clearly don't feel the same urge that this person does to get out there and remake the world. And so I am not likely to quit my job (which pays quite nicely, doesn't overstress me, and brings me the security to relax at the weekends and in the evenings) and go change the world. I don't feel bad about that.
- evilswan 15y ago
  ...and neither should you. If you're happy where you are then you already have more than most.
- rdin 15y ago
  I agree, quitting isn't for everybody. But one thing everybody can do is at least consider other options that fit with their risk profiles
- Mz 15y ago
  People who feel some overwhelming need to Change The World are basically projecting: Their "world" (internal mental landscape, personal life, whatever) is in desperate need of an overhaul. (Edit: I know because this was me, say, 20 to 30 years ago. Then I fixed my personal crap. I no longer feel like lecturing everyone else about what they "should" be doing.) I won't even read the piece. I skimmed it. This is the closing line: You should quit your job. But, sadly, you probably won't. (It feels like a kick in the gut to even read that much.) That and the title tell me all I need to know: This individual has poor boundaries and feels entitled to screw with other people and their lives due to his dissatisfaction. Thank you so much for not being like him. You have absolutely nothing to feel bad about (so I am glad you don't). The world would be a better place if more people were, like you, basically happy with their lives and trying to do some little things to make the world better rather than trying to promote their own Final Solution and running around lecturing people on how they should live. As a general rule of thumb, I will read things that are titled "Why I did X" and won't read things titled "Why you should do X". He knows nothing about me or my life. It is hugely egomaniacal (not to mention delusional) to presume he knows what's best for me. Peace.
ww520 15y ago
Although it's tempting to just quit to pursue your dream, I would advise against it until you have put your financial life in order and save up some money. It's called a fuck-you fund for a reason.
- int3rnaut 15y ago
  Good point, it's interesting to note the 2 people referenced in the article were fairly well off--I mean one was a manager at Microsoft. The idea that you need financial success to do this though is a bit strange. I think it's easier to just quit your job when you're poor from an outside perspective because you're not giving up very much in terms of the grand scheme--you'd throw away a penny before you'd throw away a $20 bill right, but speaking from experience when you're poor, these shit jobs mean a whole helluva lot.
  - analyst74 15y ago
    How much is only relative to your situation. If you live cheaply, saving up a few thousand will allow you do things you'd like to pursue without worrying about money; if you have big house mortgage, fancy car, expensive wife, then giving up a luxury job suddenly becomes not so easy.
- PonyGumbo 15y ago
  Yeah. I started a company after a layoff, and it was very, very rough going. I had to take whatever consulting gigs I could get on the side to keep things going, and those were a huge distraction.
motters 15y ago
In the current economic climate I would encourage people to think really carefully before quitting their jobs. No matter how dynamic or talented you may be, it's a pretty tough environment.
Tichy 15y ago
"Quitting your job" seems like the wrong directive. Find a better job.
- wccrawford 15y ago
  I wouldn't even go that far. 'Evaluate your job' is more like it. Take stock of what you have, what you want, and what you can get. And IF it makes sense to change, seriously consider it. That all seems like common sense, but it's harder than it sounds.
  - mannicken 15y ago
    Oh, common, guys. "Evaluate your job and all the possibilities and if necessary stay until you have reached financial stability or have another offer, in which case you can contemplate quitting" just has a bit less zing than "Storm into your boss's office say 'I QUIT' then defecate on his desk and leave with Metallica - Battery playing all around you.'
deleted 15y ago
[deleted]
snowshoveler 15y ago
Ambition, entrepreneurialism, etc. They are all diseases… to some extent they are likely genetic; something you’re born with. The writer was born with one of these, or like, diseases or is channeling someone who has been. He is therefore of the mindset that he must make a difference… do something that alters the course of history… make a mark. We cannot blame this person for what they cannot control for they were born with this disease. The article is certainly not meant for the overall public and this should have been stated. Your interest in making a change, putting your stamp on the world, leaving a memory, etc has nothing to do with whether you are a good or bad person or whether you are making the most of your life. Some are happy to change the life on one person (child, friend, etc) while others feel compelled to do so on a mass level. It is entirely a personal decision. It is most likely driven by whether you are infected with the disease of ambition, entrepreneurialism, etc… I can speak to this as I too was born with both of the above mentioned diseases. I don’t wish them upon everyone but at the same time I am not sure life would be even fractionally as enjoyable without them.
- padolsey 15y ago
  I agree with everything you've said but I don't think we can classify it as a disease.
GiraffeNecktie 15y ago
"Master, what shall I do until I reach enlightenment?" "Chop wood, carry water." "And what will I do after I reach enlightenment?" "Chop wood, carry water."
- F_J_H 15y ago
  I think the point is: "Master, then why bother?". "Before you will hate it. After you will love it."
csomar 15y ago
It's not quit your job. It's stop doing shit. Some companies like Facebook are changing the world. So by working on Facebook you are contributing to the world change that Facebook does. The problem isn't with that. Life is full shit. You may not be a contributor to that, but many people are. Stop doing Shit. If you are a programmer and you know that your presence adds no value then quit! Stop doing Shit. Go and do interesting things. Doesn't matter if you are working for someone else or you are employing people.
- ams6110 15y ago
  I agree with your basic sentiment but not your example. Facebook are certainly changing things, but change is not automatically good.
- rimantas 15y ago
  > It's not quit your job. It's stop doing shit. Yep. Just yesterday I came across the great piece (imho) on this topic. Just ignore the introductory first sentence in Lithuanian and read on: http://www.dansu.lt/2011/07/13/svecio-irasas-daniel-vaarik-market-made-me-do-it/ http://www.dansu.lt/2011/07/13/svecio-irasas-daniel-vaarik-m... I think it applies to much more than one industry in one small country.
zwieback 15y ago
Judging by this example of navel-gazing journalism, yes, maybe it's good the author quit his job and started a charity. The fact that he feels it's ok to publicly question his daughters ambitions to prove a dubious point further illustrates that he's not in a spot to contribute to the discussion about the value of people's career choices. The whole idea of a limited time in your life where you can make a difference is ridiculous and choosing other journalists and managers as examples of people who have seen the light and quit their jobs just reaffirms my choice of an engineering career. Maybe I'm not finding the cure for cancer but at least I'm not sitting around dispensing bad advice.
- grantismo 15y ago
  It seems like the journalist never realized that his personal situation doesn't apply to everyone. We could use the same anecdotes and say something far more meaningful, like "life is too short, do something you value." A career isn't mutually exclusive with a life goal. For some, a career is a means to that goal, for others, it is the goal. To each his own.
GotToStartup 15y ago
In a way, this article reminds me of Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist. The journey of a shepherd boy who leaves his world to discover the treasures of his personal legend. "They represent the Promised Land where, one day, we'll start doing something meaningful." If you don’t have an urge to go out and do something different than what you’re doing now, then this article probably doesn’t apply to you. I think It’s more related to people who say you’re going to one day start your own company, or work for a startup, or “travel to Montreal” but immediate problems always get in the way. You don’t have to change the world necessarily, just be happy and follow your dreams NOW because life is too short.
- jwingy 15y ago
  I completely agree with this sentiment (and I love The Alchemist). I think it's equally virtuous for someone who has little aspirations but to be happy with the life they've been given as it is for someone who wants to achieve a lot in his/her life. Isn't the goal in the end to simply find what makes you happy and live it?
scythe 15y ago
It's not about the quitting, it's about the charity or the startup or whatever. You can run away from things all your life, but you'll never get to a place called 'there'; you'll find that everywhere you go is still 'here'. You have to go towards what you want, not away from what you don't.
ramidarigaz 15y ago
Why would I quit my job? I like my job! Dammit, stop projecting your own dislikes on to me! I get to work with really bright people on really cool projects. My work environment is somewhat laid back. I get plenty of time off. Nobody bothers me for not showing up right at 9am. Plus, I have fun here!
- umjames 15y ago
  Where do you work, if you don't mind me asking? It sounds like a really great place.
  - ramidarigaz 15y ago
    http://lasp.colorado.edu/ http://lasp.colorado.edu/ :D
    - jvictor 15y ago
      Hope you get paid well too :-)
- sliverstorm 15y ago
  It's a classic human foible. We want to get other people to do the same thing as us, because it makes us feel better about ourselves and our decisions.
ignifero 15y ago
I don't understand, since every single comment disagrees, why was this in the frontpage? Maybe because people like inspiring, loud words; they soothe, make you feel enlightened and accomplished without doing anything. I hate all this new age self-help enlightening crap telling people how to live their life, mostly because some of the world's greatest oppressors used the same methods in the past.
WiseWeasel 15y ago
If you're tired of your job, do like I may or may not have done; wait for a performance review or a meeting with a new supervisor, and when they ask what you see yourself doing in five years, reply with something in a completely different industry. Then, hopefully, you'll be terminated and have a chance at collecting unemployment while you work full-time on your web startup.
bitwize 15y ago
You should quit your job. But, sadly, you probably won't. This line probably sounds best in the voice of Darrell Hammond's embittered-but-resigned, progressively drunker Jack Perkins from SNL about 15 years ago. "That's a song. It's called 'Shadows of the Night' by Pat Benatar. We should do a Biography about her. But, I bet we won't."

102 points by miraj 15y ago

Udo 15y ago

I agree that life is way too short to NOT be screwing around, and people should be doing what they feel makes a difference (and have fun doing it). It's hard to agree with this one, however: And shorter yet are the "productive years"; that period in your life when you can make a difference, when your knowledge, experience, and influence add up to something. Advances in both biomedical research and the culture of work will mean that we can expect to look forward to the "productive/creative years" lasting the majority of our total lifespan. Of course, you can always opt out, as I've seen with many middle-aged friends recently: have kids, build house, and then wait for death in a cushy bourgeois setting.

Tichy 15y ago
That promised land of perfect health at high age is not here yet, though. It's a nice perspective, but no guarantee.
- Udo 15y ago
  That's right, it depends on the priorities we set as a society for this kind of thing. Not just living longer, but extending the enjoyable and productive period of a person's life. Of course, I'm in the minority (otherwise I wouldn't have gotten modded into oblivion while the guy who says that he doesn't want to have an impact on the world is praised and congratulated) but I still firmly believe it's worthwhile. What I don't get is why many people are so violently opposed to this. I'm not even talking about transhumanism or anything as controversial as that, just preventing "old" people from degenerating. As a med student I saw so many people wasting away in retirement homes, many of them were not even that old. With advances in biotech, I hope we'll give my generation a much more active and empowered existence when we come into this age group.
  - Tichy 15y ago
    I don't think people are opposed, just skeptical.
    - Udo 15y ago
      Sure they are, I debated enough to recognize that. I even debated with medical professionals and scientists to this effect. They think it's "unnatural" (whatever that means). For a short while there, my post had a negative score. They don't like to engage, but they are opposed.
      - ams6110 15y ago
        So suppose you can keep old people healthy, strong, mentally sharp, etc. at what point do they get out of the way? 100 years? 110? 150? You must see that at some point the population becomes unsustainable if the old never die off.
        Udo 15y ago
        Somehow it must be possible to talk about the extension of productive life without people trailing off into condescending statements about population control or throwing hissy fits about the drummed up ecological aspects of immortality as if this was the most pressing concern right now. First of all, we're not even talking about making people live longer, just keeping them in shape for longer. There is absolutely zero moral outrage to be had about this one, except maybe if you want to shout something about old people taking our jobs, pointlessly and morbidly arguing that without death, disability and general human misery the global economy would suffer. Second, of course this kind of research eventually arrives at measures that prolong (productive) life, which gives traditional people even more to scream about. We will devour the earth! Never mind falling birth rates in industrial nations which would doubtlessly be the only countries experiencing those extended lifespans. However, my argument is more basic than that. Because, you guessed it, I'm all for longevity research as well. It's a basic ethical appeal to not waste perfectly good minds to decay and oblivion. Conjuring up economic problems that may or may not be even remotely applicable to this type of future society seems callous and short-sighted to me.

AndrewDucker 15y ago

I don't actually feel the need to change the world. There are some things I enjoy tinkering with, and I've been involved in a couple of minor political causes, but I clearly don't feel the same urge that this person does to get out there and remake the world. And so I am not likely to quit my job (which pays quite nicely, doesn't overstress me, and brings me the security to relax at the weekends and in the evenings) and go change the world. I don't feel bad about that.

evilswan 15y ago
...and neither should you. If you're happy where you are then you already have more than most.
rdin 15y ago
I agree, quitting isn't for everybody. But one thing everybody can do is at least consider other options that fit with their risk profiles
Mz 15y ago
People who feel some overwhelming need to Change The World are basically projecting: Their "world" (internal mental landscape, personal life, whatever) is in desperate need of an overhaul. (Edit: I know because this was me, say, 20 to 30 years ago. Then I fixed my personal crap. I no longer feel like lecturing everyone else about what they "should" be doing.) I won't even read the piece. I skimmed it. This is the closing line: You should quit your job. But, sadly, you probably won't. (It feels like a kick in the gut to even read that much.) That and the title tell me all I need to know: This individual has poor boundaries and feels entitled to screw with other people and their lives due to his dissatisfaction. Thank you so much for not being like him. You have absolutely nothing to feel bad about (so I am glad you don't). The world would be a better place if more people were, like you, basically happy with their lives and trying to do some little things to make the world better rather than trying to promote their own Final Solution and running around lecturing people on how they should live. As a general rule of thumb, I will read things that are titled "Why I did X" and won't read things titled "Why you should do X". He knows nothing about me or my life. It is hugely egomaniacal (not to mention delusional) to presume he knows what's best for me. Peace.

ww520 15y ago

Although it's tempting to just quit to pursue your dream, I would advise against it until you have put your financial life in order and save up some money. It's called a fuck-you fund for a reason.

int3rnaut 15y ago
Good point, it's interesting to note the 2 people referenced in the article were fairly well off--I mean one was a manager at Microsoft. The idea that you need financial success to do this though is a bit strange. I think it's easier to just quit your job when you're poor from an outside perspective because you're not giving up very much in terms of the grand scheme--you'd throw away a penny before you'd throw away a $20 bill right, but speaking from experience when you're poor, these shit jobs mean a whole helluva lot.
- analyst74 15y ago
  How much is only relative to your situation. If you live cheaply, saving up a few thousand will allow you do things you'd like to pursue without worrying about money; if you have big house mortgage, fancy car, expensive wife, then giving up a luxury job suddenly becomes not so easy.
PonyGumbo 15y ago
Yeah. I started a company after a layoff, and it was very, very rough going. I had to take whatever consulting gigs I could get on the side to keep things going, and those were a huge distraction.

motters 15y ago

In the current economic climate I would encourage people to think really carefully before quitting their jobs. No matter how dynamic or talented you may be, it's a pretty tough environment.

Tichy 15y ago

"Quitting your job" seems like the wrong directive. Find a better job.

wccrawford 15y ago
I wouldn't even go that far. 'Evaluate your job' is more like it. Take stock of what you have, what you want, and what you can get. And IF it makes sense to change, seriously consider it. That all seems like common sense, but it's harder than it sounds.
- mannicken 15y ago
  Oh, common, guys. "Evaluate your job and all the possibilities and if necessary stay until you have reached financial stability or have another offer, in which case you can contemplate quitting" just has a bit less zing than "Storm into your boss's office say 'I QUIT' then defecate on his desk and leave with Metallica - Battery playing all around you.'

deleted 15y ago

[deleted]

snowshoveler 15y ago

Ambition, entrepreneurialism, etc. They are all diseases… to some extent they are likely genetic; something you’re born with. The writer was born with one of these, or like, diseases or is channeling someone who has been. He is therefore of the mindset that he must make a difference… do something that alters the course of history… make a mark. We cannot blame this person for what they cannot control for they were born with this disease. The article is certainly not meant for the overall public and this should have been stated. Your interest in making a change, putting your stamp on the world, leaving a memory, etc has nothing to do with whether you are a good or bad person or whether you are making the most of your life. Some are happy to change the life on one person (child, friend, etc) while others feel compelled to do so on a mass level. It is entirely a personal decision. It is most likely driven by whether you are infected with the disease of ambition, entrepreneurialism, etc… I can speak to this as I too was born with both of the above mentioned diseases. I don’t wish them upon everyone but at the same time I am not sure life would be even fractionally as enjoyable without them.

padolsey 15y ago
I agree with everything you've said but I don't think we can classify it as a disease.

GiraffeNecktie 15y ago

"Master, what shall I do until I reach enlightenment?" "Chop wood, carry water." "And what will I do after I reach enlightenment?" "Chop wood, carry water."

F_J_H 15y ago
I think the point is: "Master, then why bother?". "Before you will hate it. After you will love it."

csomar 15y ago

It's not quit your job. It's stop doing shit. Some companies like Facebook are changing the world. So by working on Facebook you are contributing to the world change that Facebook does. The problem isn't with that. Life is full shit. You may not be a contributor to that, but many people are. Stop doing Shit. If you are a programmer and you know that your presence adds no value then quit! Stop doing Shit. Go and do interesting things. Doesn't matter if you are working for someone else or you are employing people.

ams6110 15y ago
I agree with your basic sentiment but not your example. Facebook are certainly changing things, but change is not automatically good.
rimantas 15y ago
> It's not quit your job. It's stop doing shit. Yep. Just yesterday I came across the great piece (imho) on this topic. Just ignore the introductory first sentence in Lithuanian and read on: http://www.dansu.lt/2011/07/13/svecio-irasas-daniel-vaarik-market-made-me-do-it/ http://www.dansu.lt/2011/07/13/svecio-irasas-daniel-vaarik-m... I think it applies to much more than one industry in one small country.

zwieback 15y ago

Judging by this example of navel-gazing journalism, yes, maybe it's good the author quit his job and started a charity. The fact that he feels it's ok to publicly question his daughters ambitions to prove a dubious point further illustrates that he's not in a spot to contribute to the discussion about the value of people's career choices. The whole idea of a limited time in your life where you can make a difference is ridiculous and choosing other journalists and managers as examples of people who have seen the light and quit their jobs just reaffirms my choice of an engineering career. Maybe I'm not finding the cure for cancer but at least I'm not sitting around dispensing bad advice.

grantismo 15y ago
It seems like the journalist never realized that his personal situation doesn't apply to everyone. We could use the same anecdotes and say something far more meaningful, like "life is too short, do something you value." A career isn't mutually exclusive with a life goal. For some, a career is a means to that goal, for others, it is the goal. To each his own.

GotToStartup 15y ago

In a way, this article reminds me of Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist. The journey of a shepherd boy who leaves his world to discover the treasures of his personal legend. "They represent the Promised Land where, one day, we'll start doing something meaningful." If you don’t have an urge to go out and do something different than what you’re doing now, then this article probably doesn’t apply to you. I think It’s more related to people who say you’re going to one day start your own company, or work for a startup, or “travel to Montreal” but immediate problems always get in the way. You don’t have to change the world necessarily, just be happy and follow your dreams NOW because life is too short.

jwingy 15y ago
I completely agree with this sentiment (and I love The Alchemist). I think it's equally virtuous for someone who has little aspirations but to be happy with the life they've been given as it is for someone who wants to achieve a lot in his/her life. Isn't the goal in the end to simply find what makes you happy and live it?

scythe 15y ago

It's not about the quitting, it's about the charity or the startup or whatever. You can run away from things all your life, but you'll never get to a place called 'there'; you'll find that everywhere you go is still 'here'. You have to go towards what you want, not away from what you don't.

ramidarigaz 15y ago

Why would I quit my job? I like my job! Dammit, stop projecting your own dislikes on to me! I get to work with really bright people on really cool projects. My work environment is somewhat laid back. I get plenty of time off. Nobody bothers me for not showing up right at 9am. Plus, I have fun here!

umjames 15y ago
Where do you work, if you don't mind me asking? It sounds like a really great place.
- ramidarigaz 15y ago
  http://lasp.colorado.edu/ http://lasp.colorado.edu/ :D
  - jvictor 15y ago
    Hope you get paid well too :-)
sliverstorm 15y ago
It's a classic human foible. We want to get other people to do the same thing as us, because it makes us feel better about ourselves and our decisions.

ignifero 15y ago

I don't understand, since every single comment disagrees, why was this in the frontpage? Maybe because people like inspiring, loud words; they soothe, make you feel enlightened and accomplished without doing anything. I hate all this new age self-help enlightening crap telling people how to live their life, mostly because some of the world's greatest oppressors used the same methods in the past.

WiseWeasel 15y ago

If you're tired of your job, do like I may or may not have done; wait for a performance review or a meeting with a new supervisor, and when they ask what you see yourself doing in five years, reply with something in a completely different industry. Then, hopefully, you'll be terminated and have a chance at collecting unemployment while you work full-time on your web startup.

bitwize 15y ago

You should quit your job. But, sadly, you probably won't. This line probably sounds best in the voice of Darrell Hammond's embittered-but-resigned, progressively drunker Jack Perkins from SNL about 15 years ago. "That's a song. It's called 'Shadows of the Night' by Pat Benatar. We should do a Biography about her. But, I bet we won't."