Let's talk about careers, jobs, income.
Let's imagine you're a young kid. Before you even go to school, people ask you what you want to be when you grow up. And maybe you say fireman, policeman, doctor, builder, artist. Most likely you say something you've seen that stands out to you. Maybe Mom or Dad does it, maybe uncle or grandpa, or maybe just a character from TV. So you saw it and understand the job they do, and you decide that when you grow up that's what you want to be.
So let's pick one... we'll go with firefighter. Because a lot of people perceive them to be heroes, and then maybe assume that such a dangerous and overly helpful job-because it benefits so many people- must be prosperous. So not only are you a hero, lots of people will need your help so you have job security, but it must pay well. So even as a little kid you put it together that it's a great job to have. Money, fame, etc. OK. Good choice.
What's the reality of the job though?
The reality is that becoming a firefighter takes time. Lots of time. Commitment learning techniques and learning how to think in stressful and tough and tight situations. You have to be physically fit. You have to dedicate time to training and learning and being the best. You have to face fears. You have to put your life on the line for others. If you have what it takes- you become a good firefighter and land a paying job. Oh wait, you didn't realize that not all fire fighters get paid??
YUP, there are paid firefighters, and then there are volunteer. So if you want to be a career (paid) fire fighter you have find someone to pay you. Probably move to a town that has paid firefighters to make your commute not too bad. And then you realize that the pay may not be great. It'll be able to pay your bills. You'll afford a place to live and a vehicle to drive, food on the table and clothes on your back. Maybe even live comfortably and have extra money to spare. That's living the dream.
Now add a spouse to the picture. Maybe your spouse has their own career path. So you have double income. So you get a bigger place to live, get newer cars (maybe upgrade to more expensive ones), and have two incomes supporting two people shared expenses. Great. Then you have kids.
Adding kids-whether one or five, furry or human- throws a curve ball. You have a child and your life CHANGES. Someone may want to stay home and raise the child, not miss a moment of the adventure that is bringing a new life into and up in the world.
Can you all afford that? Can you afford to support three lives on one salary? Can you afford the living situation you've chosen on that same one salary, plus the health and happiness of the three people in it?
Did you think of that when you choose to be a firefighter? Did you think of that when you took the job you have, when you bought/rented the place you're living in, when you created the life you now have to/need to support?
Is this the time to choose/rethink living your dream-having your dream career- over the health and happiness of you and your family?
Some people choose a career path with the end game in mind. Financial stability no matter where they end up in life is many people's end game.
For some, that means not pursuing that childhood dream. It means picking a career path solely based on the financial payoff. Some parents even push for this. They refuse to pay if the college major and career path doesn't align with a winning career path.
In today's college to newly graduated group of people, this is a huge issue. They either picked a course of study and thus a career path they didn't have any interest in and were just in it for the inevitable cash payoff, or they paid big bucks to learn something they enjoyed and were passionate about that won't pay the bills. Working two and three jobs to pay off the extremely high amount of student loan debt they accrued. Or maybe they find a decent lasting job that's not related in any way to the coursework they are paying back those big bucks for. But they're living comfortably, and yet kinda hating their jobs.
But- I say to you- if you always lived below your means, if you always kept your end game (whatever that may be) in mind, if you always were cognisant of your situation and thought things out before doing.... Could you do it all??? COMFORTABLY? SUCCESSFULLY? HAPPILY?
Too many people are not thinking about end game ever, always only living in the moment. Yes, YOLO. Yes, live every day like your last. But having some sort of plan is always helpful- It can never hurt.
THINK ABOUT IT
Let's imagine you're a young kid. Before you even go to school, people ask you what you want to be when you grow up. And maybe you say fireman, policeman, doctor, builder, artist. Most likely you say something you've seen that stands out to you. Maybe Mom or Dad does it, maybe uncle or grandpa, or maybe just a character from TV. So you saw it and understand the job they do, and you decide that when you grow up that's what you want to be.
So let's pick one... we'll go with firefighter. Because a lot of people perceive them to be heroes, and then maybe assume that such a dangerous and overly helpful job-because it benefits so many people- must be prosperous. So not only are you a hero, lots of people will need your help so you have job security, but it must pay well. So even as a little kid you put it together that it's a great job to have. Money, fame, etc. OK. Good choice.
What's the reality of the job though?
The reality is that becoming a firefighter takes time. Lots of time. Commitment learning techniques and learning how to think in stressful and tough and tight situations. You have to be physically fit. You have to dedicate time to training and learning and being the best. You have to face fears. You have to put your life on the line for others. If you have what it takes- you become a good firefighter and land a paying job. Oh wait, you didn't realize that not all fire fighters get paid??
YUP, there are paid firefighters, and then there are volunteer. So if you want to be a career (paid) fire fighter you have find someone to pay you. Probably move to a town that has paid firefighters to make your commute not too bad. And then you realize that the pay may not be great. It'll be able to pay your bills. You'll afford a place to live and a vehicle to drive, food on the table and clothes on your back. Maybe even live comfortably and have extra money to spare. That's living the dream.
Now add a spouse to the picture. Maybe your spouse has their own career path. So you have double income. So you get a bigger place to live, get newer cars (maybe upgrade to more expensive ones), and have two incomes supporting two people shared expenses. Great. Then you have kids.
Adding kids-whether one or five, furry or human- throws a curve ball. You have a child and your life CHANGES. Someone may want to stay home and raise the child, not miss a moment of the adventure that is bringing a new life into and up in the world.
Can you all afford that? Can you afford to support three lives on one salary? Can you afford the living situation you've chosen on that same one salary, plus the health and happiness of the three people in it?
Did you think of that when you choose to be a firefighter? Did you think of that when you took the job you have, when you bought/rented the place you're living in, when you created the life you now have to/need to support?
Is this the time to choose/rethink living your dream-having your dream career- over the health and happiness of you and your family?
Some people choose a career path with the end game in mind. Financial stability no matter where they end up in life is many people's end game.
For some, that means not pursuing that childhood dream. It means picking a career path solely based on the financial payoff. Some parents even push for this. They refuse to pay if the college major and career path doesn't align with a winning career path.
In today's college to newly graduated group of people, this is a huge issue. They either picked a course of study and thus a career path they didn't have any interest in and were just in it for the inevitable cash payoff, or they paid big bucks to learn something they enjoyed and were passionate about that won't pay the bills. Working two and three jobs to pay off the extremely high amount of student loan debt they accrued. Or maybe they find a decent lasting job that's not related in any way to the coursework they are paying back those big bucks for. But they're living comfortably, and yet kinda hating their jobs.
But- I say to you- if you always lived below your means, if you always kept your end game (whatever that may be) in mind, if you always were cognisant of your situation and thought things out before doing.... Could you do it all??? COMFORTABLY? SUCCESSFULLY? HAPPILY?
Too many people are not thinking about end game ever, always only living in the moment. Yes, YOLO. Yes, live every day like your last. But having some sort of plan is always helpful- It can never hurt.
THINK ABOUT IT
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