tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2980246226076317453.post8499871806029432025..comments2024-03-27T09:17:51.095-07:00Comments on Done by Forty: Deep Work, Financial Independence, and EscapeDone By Fortyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06246597867355460723noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2980246226076317453.post-64244548403357919882016-12-09T13:25:04.296-07:002016-12-09T13:25:04.296-07:00I keep thinking back to this post.
My husband and...I keep thinking back to this post.<br /><br />My husband and I are planning/making a stepped-down retirement. Neither of us plan to fully stop working but we are gradually lowering our hours at work as we free up our finances from debt, etc.<br /><br />I'm never sure what the rush to stop working is. Most people then go to fill their life with other obligations regardless.Morgannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2980246226076317453.post-48648247019890645552016-12-06T20:21:50.981-07:002016-12-06T20:21:50.981-07:00I've been thinking about this a lot lately. I ...I've been thinking about this a lot lately. I too could afford to quit and keep my current lifestyle indefinitely in 4-5 more years. But part of me has come to question the FIRE goal. I don't hate my job, and in many ways it's ideal: I work less than 2 miles from my home, I have lots of flexibility and autonomy, and I can help people in a general sense. There's nothing stopping me from killing it at work, but the closer I get to FI the more ambivalent and - frankly - lazy I get at my job.<br /><br />But what exactly am I planning to do when I can afford to quit? Keep working? Quit and become totally self-indulgent? Find something else to focus on? It's a lot simpler to find some work I feel passionate about that I feel like doing for 20-30 more years versus focusing on "escaping" from my current reality with a bare minimum lifestyle and minimal future goals.Elizabethhttp://www.worldofwealth.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2980246226076317453.post-31769438657432158372016-12-06T20:18:35.917-07:002016-12-06T20:18:35.917-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02911033395758972708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2980246226076317453.post-62516414607108608662016-12-05T08:07:52.193-07:002016-12-05T08:07:52.193-07:00The thing about working in government is that they...The thing about working in government is that they are behind the times and have very little flexibility. Plus working hard is not always rewarded and bosses don't always have the authority to make these decisions. It's mostly based on seniority and political connections around here...Andrew@LivingRichCheaplyhttp://www.livingrichcheaply.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2980246226076317453.post-78916405131099442992016-12-02T12:06:36.195-07:002016-12-02T12:06:36.195-07:00It's hard to think of a more noble profession ...It's hard to think of a more noble profession than a public servant. I'd say you qualify. :)<br /><br />Maybe part time work at home & flextime would be an option? I find that year end reviews are great for the big "asks", especially if you have had a good year but, like most Americans these days, aren't getting a raise commensurate with what your performance might suggest. There's a natural instinct to reciprocate when someone does you a good turn, so if you've given your boss a year of good performance, he's more likely to want to give you something back.<br /><br />Anyway, who knows what's possible, but I'm hoping it might work out!Done By Fortyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06246597867355460723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2980246226076317453.post-25553759316565600982016-12-02T11:41:37.148-07:002016-12-02T11:41:37.148-07:00I've been meaning to that Podcast. I guess I ...I've been meaning to that Podcast. I guess I can try to think my job is "noble" as I work in government so I'm a public servant. The job is not too bad and there are interesting parts. One big downside (like Firestarter) is the long commute. The other related one is the lack of flexibility. Would love to be able to work from home or have some flextime, especially when juggling kids/errands etc. Andrew@LivingRichCheaplyhttp://www.livingrichcheaply.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2980246226076317453.post-8307914470883104572016-11-30T23:36:59.190-07:002016-11-30T23:36:59.190-07:00Oh, no! That's like the saddest comment in the...Oh, no! That's like the saddest comment in the whole thread. I hope it's not that bad, Latoya.Done By Fortyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06246597867355460723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2980246226076317453.post-66942856854343755702016-11-30T17:51:19.949-07:002016-11-30T17:51:19.949-07:00Yes, it would definitely be nice if I could enjoy ...Yes, it would definitely be nice if I could enjoy the work I'm doing instead of dreading every minute of it. It will make the achievement of early retirement even more enjoyable.Latoya @ Femme Frugalityhttp://www.femmefrugality.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2980246226076317453.post-85682958632561297272016-11-30T13:16:02.194-07:002016-11-30T13:16:02.194-07:003 hours commuting each day? Yeah, that is rough, m...3 hours commuting each day? Yeah, that is rough, man. If they're not throwing money at you, or if you don't just love your job, then I agree: it may be time to find something better.<br /><br />Though I do remember something about free food and beer at your job. Hard to walk away from free drinks. :)Done By Fortyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06246597867355460723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2980246226076317453.post-39524402333075000702016-11-30T13:04:12.700-07:002016-11-30T13:04:12.700-07:00I hear ya loud and clear mate! I guess I'm tra...I hear ya loud and clear mate! I guess I'm transposing my work situation onto your life. 3 hours commuting each day, and not that highly paid enough that I couldn't do some freelancing to match it with probably less hours if it came to the crunch. I think one more year of saving and I'm outta there. Actually 1.5 years to get the yearly bonus. Yea that sounds like a good plan for me :)theFIREstarter.co.ukhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161550795321520113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2980246226076317453.post-67354939240436783342016-11-30T12:50:44.493-07:002016-11-30T12:50:44.493-07:00I'm kind of digging my job right now (work fro...I'm kind of digging my job right now (work from home, not too stressful, 401k+match, nearly 5 weeks off a year). Still, it's not perfect so I'm sure I'll leave some day. For now, I want to lean in and see how that feels.<br /><br />The main reason I wouldn't leave now is the disparity in pay. There's just no way any side income that's available currently would compare. Now, maybe someday I can follow in the footsteps of other bloggers and make six figures online.<br /><br />However, I'm pretty protective of my writing right now. I am hesitant to turn thing I love into another J.O.B.Done By Fortyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06246597867355460723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2980246226076317453.post-72958466872662976282016-11-30T12:01:23.772-07:002016-11-30T12:01:23.772-07:00A good introspective peice there mate!
I'm g...A good introspective peice there mate! <br /><br />I'm glad you've some new found vigor for the day job but I can't help but think I'd quit right now if I were that close to being fully free! Surely you can find some deep work of your own that pays the bills for a few years to cover the shortfall? <br /><br />Just my two pence though :) - I know you want to travel when FI so maybe you are worried about earning while on the road? *cough cough travel blogger cough *theFIREstarter.co.ukhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161550795321520113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2980246226076317453.post-27056577538158961662016-11-30T08:52:15.062-07:002016-11-30T08:52:15.062-07:00Thanks for the kind words, Millennial Money, but I...Thanks for the kind words, Millennial Money, but I personally don't know how healthy or well developed my views are these days. :) Without the helpful editing of Mrs. Done by Forty, you would get to see my "thought vomit" in its unadulterated form.<br /><br />I definitely could do with more focus on my work though. I want to leave having given my company and team my best, so I can look back with pride on my traditional career.Done By Fortyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06246597867355460723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2980246226076317453.post-16182212737132753682016-11-30T08:49:56.894-07:002016-11-30T08:49:56.894-07:00"We are so incredibly lucky to have the freed..."We are so incredibly lucky to have the freedom we already have, and it doesn't cost anything extra (necessarily) to find ways to appreciate your work and create a more fulfilling experience from those nine hours a day at the office. "<br /><br />Love the way you put that. There's a huge benefit in finding fulfillment in my current work with no (necessary) costs. There ARE opportunity costs if I delay finding a way to enjoy the present though. Today will be gone pretty quick, and I'll never have it again.<br /><br />I'm probably in need of some goal setting, but that of a short term variety. i.e. - engage in deep work for two hours today, or exercise for an hour today. I'm letting the big honking financial goal justify a lot of lazy downtime (tv) and half-assed work, and I don't think I like the results.<br /><br />Thanks so much for the thoughtful comment, Emily.Done By Fortyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06246597867355460723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2980246226076317453.post-23971561361978830072016-11-29T22:00:12.833-07:002016-11-29T22:00:12.833-07:00It sounds like you have a very healthy and well de...It sounds like you have a very healthy and well developed view of what you do. Keeping perspective on work and focusing on your goal can have the effect of increasing your confidence in who you are. Thanks for your thoughts on this subject.Millennial Moneyhttp://millennialmoney.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2980246226076317453.post-58223173293075730192016-11-29T14:28:37.225-07:002016-11-29T14:28:37.225-07:00As a similarly driven personality, I've always...As a similarly driven personality, I've always had the next milestone in my sights. But recently, I've also come to realize that by focusing on that next goal toward this ginormous big picture vision, I feel less than satisfied with my current reality. <br /><br />Wouldn't it be horrible to white knuckle it through for the next four years only to die in a sudden car wreck right as you reach financial independence? <br /><br />Now, I realize that there is a balance. It's only through big dreams and diligent progress that we achieve incredible feats in our lifetimes, like genuine financial freedom. <br /><br />But I've stopped timelining and milestoning lately (I had quite a few giant yellow sticky pad posters up in my room of all places). And I've stepped back to be present and grateful for this moment. We are so incredibly lucky to have the freedom we already have, and it doesn't cost anything extra (necessarily) to find ways to appreciate your work and create a more fulfilling experience from those nine hours a day at the office. <br /><br />Perhaps that car wreck in four years doesn't kill you, but leaves you in such a financial state that you *get* to work a few more years before financial independence. Perhaps by investing as you are in your work happiness, you're life will still have joy and meaning and celebration even if the vision is delayed. Good luck! Em Capitohttp://www.emcapito.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2980246226076317453.post-56637576503327948292016-11-29T08:44:20.975-07:002016-11-29T08:44:20.975-07:00Hi there! I think you were the nice person who wel...Hi there! I think you were the nice person who welcomed me on the Rockstar Finance forums, right?<br /><br />I definitely feel like I have the same goals: security, independence, more ability to be generous, more options. All of those are, by themselves, great goals. But I do feel like I personally (certainly not all bloggers pursuing FI) have some downsides that come with that framing: seeing my current situation as inherently not free, not that independent.Done By Fortyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06246597867355460723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2980246226076317453.post-12810357684251472652016-11-29T08:42:39.587-07:002016-11-29T08:42:39.587-07:00I know some traditional retirees who are bored out...I know some traditional retirees who are bored out of their minds, watching TV all day and just chilling until death comes around. No way do I want that...but without a clear purpose and goal, something's got to fill the void. And there's a whole entertainment industry waiting to do just that.<br /><br />I do feel like writing is the thing I want to focus on, and I'm trying to do that now with the blog and (hopefully) some writing on the side, too. I may just need to refine the purpose of the writing beyond what's happening on this little blog...Done By Fortyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06246597867355460723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2980246226076317453.post-6754442417611444992016-11-29T08:40:37.547-07:002016-11-29T08:40:37.547-07:00I always appreciate your comments, because you'...I always appreciate your comments, because you've seen both sides of the early retirement journey: the work to get to the crossover, and then the life after.<br /><br />As always, we need to look inward. I never seem to get that. Even in this post, I'm looking for outward validation (via a job) instead of some other outward validation (via financial independence). Done By Fortyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06246597867355460723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2980246226076317453.post-25010796356422832472016-11-29T03:35:36.871-07:002016-11-29T03:35:36.871-07:00I've had the goal of being financially indepen...I've had the goal of being financially independent since I was in my early 20's (I'm 36 now) but never with the goal of running away from something. Instead for me it's about security, independence, and being able to give back to others. Right now I don't have a desire to leave my corporate job, but I like the idea of having options. Plus my corporation could choose to lay me off at any time, deciding they no longer need my services. I'd like to be in a position where if that happened I would have flexibility and time to find something else. Liz@ChiefMomOfficerhttp://www.chiefmomofficer.orgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2980246226076317453.post-62865852980925752922016-11-29T02:30:18.756-07:002016-11-29T02:30:18.756-07:00"To frame a goal like that means I'm runn..."To frame a goal like that means I'm running away from something, rather than towards something."<br /><br />Well-said. This is exactly what many people don't understand. You can't run away from something, you have to run towards something better. Otherwise, after retiring, you'll just end up bored and depressed with no purpose. You need to figure out what you enjoy and work on doing that. <br /><br />You are changing your mind set to like the the positive things at work, which is great. That will help you get through the next 4 years. In my case, I was writing on the side and that's what got me through my days. The idea that work is just a means to an end and after I reach FI, I'll be able to write full-time. And not only that, I also get to do a bit of coding but for a non-profit and towards a worthy cause. So no skill is ever wasted...even after you retire. So you're absolutely right. Don't run away. Run towards something better.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17344483376849442717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2980246226076317453.post-20935727458278780082016-11-28T16:30:50.103-07:002016-11-28T16:30:50.103-07:00Well, I can certainly relate to the sentiment of t...Well, I can certainly relate to the sentiment of this post. I mean, back when I was still an employee working for the non-profit music school, I had a total "feel good" position, working for the greater good, yadda, yadda, yadda. But still, I just couldn't escape the feeling that my life did not entirely belong to me - that the organization "owned me" in some fundamental way. <br /><br />And while there is some truth to the idea that one's time is not one's own when one is an employee, I also think that a good chunk of the feeling of not "being free" had nothing to do with my job and everything to do with me. When I was younger I felt the exact same way about school, and since quitting, I've found the same old feelings creeping up around family obligations, caring for sick cats, home repairs, housework - hell... even the fact that I have to make something to eat several times each day can feel like an imposition! <br /><br />Now I'd be the last person on the planet to suggest that financial independence is not a worthy goal, but I do think that it's worth looking inside a bit to sort out some of the other things that make us feel trapped. In my case much of it has to do with my childhood and the feeling that nothing I did was ever really good enough.<br /><br />Anyhow, I think finding purpose in your work is a good thing, but I'm also living proof that if what's making you feel trapped is coming from inside, a change of employment status will not do much to change it. In a funny way, for me it actually provoked a bit of a crisis, as I suddenly had nothing else to blame my feelings on on and had to come face to face with my own reality. It turned out to be a really, really good thing for me, because dealing with one's own personal shit leads to more real freedom than finances can ever provide, it just wasn't exactly the way I was expecting it all to work!EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2980246226076317453.post-8886540172372644382016-11-28T14:55:56.378-07:002016-11-28T14:55:56.378-07:00Yeah, I think that's the common thread among u...Yeah, I think that's the common thread among us: the desire for a free life, one completely independent from financial concerns. I just don't want to look so hard on the horizon that I miss out on what's a few feet in front of me.Done By Fortyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06246597867355460723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2980246226076317453.post-80334434662692403752016-11-28T14:51:04.855-07:002016-11-28T14:51:04.855-07:00That's something I hadn't considered...may...That's something I hadn't considered...maybe this is just an inherent downside of having a long term financial goal like this. Rather than reframing, maybe I just need to accept that a certain amount of dissatisfaction with your current situation is part of the deal with a big honking goal.<br /><br />I'll have to noodle on that one, Tonya.Done By Fortyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06246597867355460723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2980246226076317453.post-39107092429802652522016-11-28T14:15:48.558-07:002016-11-28T14:15:48.558-07:00I think most of us are pursuing FI because it woul...I think most of us are pursuing FI because it would provide more freedom and choices. I certainly fall in this camp too. Tawcanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17163696730038583040noreply@blogger.com