Thread: The philosophy of work

Many of us, especially those with families are prisoners.
It gets worse the more indebted we are, which with high house prices, for many means there is no way out, as we have a guilt complex associated with having to provide the 'best' for our families.

Many of us have parents with assets that will assist on their death and it is a macabre fact that our children will be the beneficiaries of not only our efforts, but those of our parents as well, those assets will be realised too late in our lives to be of much benefit to us.

There is the option to opt out and join the social security network of unemployed, but the thought of having to broach unemplyment benefits and paperwork makes this option scary. In fact I don't mind if some of the population wish to opt out, I just don't want to have to support them.

Following your dream can become a nightmare. It takes a special type to become an entrepreneur, a special mind set and capacity for hard work (and often the capacity to be ruthless).
It can destroy your marriage and not make you any happier.

Wongo has succeeded to develop his woodworking to a level where he can produce and sell fine furniture, but he states his hourly rate for excellent products still reduces to around $10/hour even though his furniture is not inexpensive. He 'maintains' a career on the side, just to help out.....

Marketing the product is the key. Produce something and develop a market..... but I suggest you do this while maintaining your current job.
Hobbies can develop to a new business/ career, but they often remain....... hobbies.

Anyway... a few thoughts

Greg

Thanks for the reply Greg. I agree that many people who have attempted to move from hobby to career have suffered for this choice. Loss of income leading to financial ruin and the break up of marriages is a common encounter in my profession so I am very wary of this choice.

The alternatives also warrant careful consideration.

Attending further study will also add financial pressures as well as a loss of time with the family. Part-time study would be the best choice in minimising this but does extend the time for completion and whilst studying you remain unhappy with your current employer. Although, your outlook would improve when considering you are working towards a 'way out'.

There is also the change in career or employer but both can difficult for those who are not qualified for their aspirations. I do reminisce over my time in the United Kingdom where I was able to attain well paid and satisfying positions based on my skills and experience, not a piece of paper.


Denim

Hello Denim,
You have reached a stage in your life that many people have faced. The questions are always very similar to your own. The opportunity to become master of your tools and make them an extension of yourself so that your products produce that satisfaction that you seek, is one that many people find in woodworking.
Often, however, this isn't enough to pay the bills.
Most professional woodworkers are to some extent feeding the machines, in order to produce enough volume and make a living. Quite often this simply changes our woodworking into another chore which is no longer enjoyed as it was.
For most of the rest of us the choice has been to continue to win our bread with the job that we have, and save our woodworking for the re-creating activity that we love - our hobby if you will.
The next step in making all of this work, is to try to enjoy the job that you are already doing, a little more.
Try to find aspects of it that are enjoyable or that give you a buzz or a sense of satisfaction. Start looking forward to these.
If you can find no redeeming features in your job at all, then it might be time to look elsewhere.
Above all - don't turn your woodworking into something that you may come to feel negatively about, because of the pressure of making enough money.
Good luck my friend.
SG

Hi Denim,

Take the family away for a nice long holiday. If you can't afford the holiday, you can't afford to leave your job for a woodworking career. When you get back from the holiday, you may feel refreshed that your work gives you the ability to do those sort of things with your loved ones. If you still want to do woodwork for a career, you'll at least have one last decent holiday to remember. (partially tongue in cheek)

I do alright from onsite/ maintenance work, but in my experience people want finer items for next to nothing. You'll end up feeding the machine in order to reduce your time on the job. Having said that, people do make a living from ww, but as others have said, it's a lot of work and you may end up disliking what is currently a pleasing pastime.

Cheers
Michael

Thank you very much for your advice. I appreciate you taking the time in offering your thoughts and I'm sure they will help me to reconsider my situation. My wife often reminds me that although my job seems meaningless it does provide for a meaningful life. In that consideration, we can take pride and satisfaction in our life's achievements and accomplishments.

Thanks again.


Denim.

Life is pretty simple.
(And as John Lennon said .... it is what happens while you are making other plans.)
I have found that happiness in life needs only three things:
Someone to love
Something meaningful to do and
Something to look forward to.
If we can get these sorted on a regular basis, why would we need any more ...

Happy trails
SG

denim,

You are lucky to have some of the 'big names' join in your discussion. I'm on holidays at the moment and it is refreshing to hear that someone is thinking about what they do and asking why. Such a change from what we have been hearing election wise!

One thing I love doing is making boxes and i was recently reading an article about a boxmaker in 'Wood review'. He makes boxes for the government that are inlaid with precious timbers etc. Even though he is paid a 'fortune' for his boxes, he still talks about going without- in other words the best in the land can't really make a good living from constructing these items. What hope do us mugs have?
You may know someone who makes quilts. They are in the same position. They love the materials but by the time they purchase the fabrics and spend the hours piecing the thing together- no one could afford it. Many of the objects shown on this Forum are gifts- these people like you enjoy making the things but not to sell for a pittance.

My story is that I am employed and have been lucky enough to be able to incorporate some woodwork into my daily schedule. It is something to look forward to when things look down and there is always someone who appreciates what you do (not everyone). The rewards of employment are that you can purchase that special something (tool or timber) every now and then- this is also something to look forward to.

As you are a bit of a thinker, you may turn out to be a person who finds better ways of doing things. You may even invent something- a tool or a process (that you will share with us of course). And while you are in the process of creating ideas your mind is active and you are doing what you love.-Which is not necessarily pushing timber through saws and planers.

I hope this has been of some help- a bit disjointed I know. Thank you again for raising the ideas.

Graham

You are not alone Denim, by any means, in your frustrations and inner battles. I am working in a couple of low paid jobs which are very hands-on and requiring of a lot of general skill and know-how: tractor driving, chainsawing, concreting, plumbing, building, farmwork... a long list. I've been doing this stuff for years. I have few qualifications. I am in this way of life because I need work which gives me time to myself and that complements my other more real work (insultingly called hobbies).

Work in the past was often as menial, repetitive and meaningless as it is now. Let's have no illusions about that. To strike out individually was as difficult and dangerous as well. Without exception it means unaccustomed hardships and suffering; physically, and in one's personal and social life. We are hardwired to be one of the herd. My advise is not just to focus on the idea of being a cabinet maker. It will send you nuts. Look to anything that pulls you from the inherent complacency and boredom of daily life. As often as not these things are found within your daily experiences, in the background. It may simply be a new way of looking at what you do or the way you approach it.

I have learned a lot about art over the years and have had little time or resources to realise much of it in work. What I have come to realise about it is that it is basically about commodities, and in the end I'm glad not to be in great production with it. Afterall, how much fulfillment can we find in things? In my main job I help a guy develop his business. He has now a huge expensive physical infrastructure which takes oodles of his time and energy. It has locked him down in many ways. I'd hate that to happen to myself. I think the more we are away from commodities the better - especially in this over-populated world. Keep the romance with objects simple and transient. The greatest experiences of life have little to do with objects.

There is pride in machines, but it will never be the same level of pride as is found in individual hand work. We are getting over the machine age now and we need as many as possible to fight for the return to more fulfilling labour. So I think you should fight for it in whatever way you can - so long as it doesn't bring too much disturbance to your personal life. There is always some way! Good luck!

Originally Posted by Scribbly Gum

Life is pretty simple.
(And as John Lennon said .... it is what happens while you are making other plans.)
I have found that happiness in life needs only three things:
Someone to love
Something meaningful to do and
Something to look forward to.
If we can get these sorted on a regular basis, why would we need any more ...

I sat down tonight and talked to my wife about this discussion and she was quite touched by what everyone has said. Your 3 things for happiness SG is a very simple but effective way to traverse through life happily. I think I'll begin with there.

Thank you all very much for your thoughts on this. As I said, I've mulled this over for quite some time and it's made a real difference having a chat with you all about it. Focusing on the negatives in life won't achieve much. Happiness is such an important thing in our lives and I think a little more time spent appreciating what make you happy will vastly improve your quality of life.

Denim.

Originally Posted by Scribbly Gum

Life is pretty simple.
Someone to love
Something meaningful to do and
Something to look forward to.

no truer words Scribbly,
I would only add ..a few good friends..seeing as we are tribal creatures.

I bit the bullet 20 years ago, walked away from a well paid job to follow my passion for wood sculpture. ( the career equivalent of becoming a fulltime poet )
The funny thing about "passion" is that it is often pursued blissfully unaware of the consequences.
I now make what I consider a reasonable living from my art, but it has taken many years, hard work and long hours.
My priorities have always focused on my family and although we lived modestly for many years our kids were brought up in a vibrant, creative and loving home.( which in hindsight is all they really wanted,.....oh and food)
I still love going to work everyday, and I still wrestle with my demons like everyone else, I just recognise them as subject matter for more sculpture.


A good BIG question you've put out there Denim

Wow denim, you certainly have got some of the 'big names' to comment on your dilemma and I would suggest that inside everyone who enjoys our craft and many other other crafts, there is the same dilemma. I have had the honour of having met some of these big names and having read of others and they all seem to have achieved a balance in their life which I both admire and envy. It seems that this balance is only achieved by changing one's priorities and eventually one's needs. I would also add Claw Hama to this list. He walked away from a hectic life of managing people and driving crazy distances to become what he is now, a gentleman who exudes calm. has time for others and, so importantly, has joy in his work and the work of others.
As Scribbly Gum said .....

Originally Posted by Scribbly Gum

Life is pretty simple.
(And as John Lennon said .... it is what happens while you are making other plans.)
I have found that happiness in life needs only three things:
Someone to love
Something meaningful to do and
Something to look forward to.
If we can get these sorted on a regular basis, why would we need any more ...

Happy trails
SG

... and, if ever you meet him you will realise that these are the words of a man who has achieved HIS balance.

I am a bit older and now facing the dilemma of finding MY balance. I had a high responsibility, high stress job and, through typical corporate jealousies, I was put off. Since then industrial osmosis has drawn me back into the whirlwind and, this weekend, I have to make a decision about diving deeper into that whirlwind.
I have never been happier than when I made my daughters surprise furniture or helped other formites or saved and put back to use an old discarded tool and this will weigh heavy when I make my decision.
It IS adilemma and I WILL be guided by those big names that I have met here ... and admire.
fletty

Denim when I was younger and heading out of my apprenticeship I was working 3 situations in my first few years of marriage a permanent job and working 2 other situations towards working for myself.

I then made a major change in job which I enjoyed for 25 years or so ( it wasn't without its hassles) BUT it took me well away from my family and friends luckily I still have my family and wife. In the back of my mind and heart I still wanted my dream working for myself.
Mortgage, and life's bills in general had to be paid, yes that guilt of being the provider was there and need to meet the requirements. Mind you dumb Governments didn't help back then either adding to the stress of the work and industry I was in. It finally took its toll, Chronic Fatigue. I/We nearly lost everything, except my family although it has put undue strain hurt and a caven between some of us.

Back up a little my plan was to work from home, I had the ideal location, situation when I got married and bought our first home. It would never have survived thanks to high interest, high wages and spending cuts. It dumped what I was setting up to do down the gurgler.

Mind if I had the same choice today I'd have chosen both worlds my plan for home working building into a small business, giving up on a job I throughly enjoyed.

Now thanks to illness, failure of being a real person earning a real wage, government legislation, I have to be satisfied with a Disability pension which we struggle to make ends meet but still enjoy life to the best we can.

Its funny Greg that people don't mind paying Premiers, Prime Ministers, government employees, Judges who are paid many times more what pensioners get. Not just now while they work but all their lives on full pay pensions indexed. Yes its your hard earned cash/taxes paying Life pensions and I tell you thee is far more of them. These are indexed to help them keep pace with changing life, free travel, office staff, drivers. Those other people who are know known as self funded retiree's can go out earn what they like when they like spend what they like, with out it effecting their income as it does Government social security Pensioners or disability or single mothers.

Now you tell me why an ex corporate exec needs to be paid Millions to do nothing till he dies and not pay a cent in tax, or a politician. Australia is supposed to be a land of Equal Opportunity there is one Equal opportunity for Union, Government employee's, Large corps in comparison to small business, private self employed persons. The latter two who still pay taxes and can have an insurance company deny a claim and put you for the rest of your life on disability payments where you are constantly badgered about being there paid for with the small $260 a week you have to live on NOT $300K no tax for life indexed as Politicians, Judges, etc .

Hello Denim,
I think we all feel your confusion, even anguish, as many of us have been through it.
Your responsibilities with a family to support don't allow much freedom.
I made the jump from an unsatisfying job as a diesel fitter at 30, a time when I had no partner or mortgage etc. I went back to uni, to study art and did the whole struggling student routine, a big wake up after earning reasonable money! I landed on my feet at uni though, ended up working here, and remain 20yrs later, running about the art studios and passing on my skills to sculpture students. Each day brings something new, and I wake nearly every morning looking forward to work. I produce artworks and furniture in my spare time, and keep a lowish profile exhibiting. The tertiary education system allows for some freedom with fractional employment, and occasionally I have made benefit of that so I could take on public art commissions. The best of both worlds... security and creativity.
What I guess I'm saying is sometimes that big, difficult step might pay off, if not in a direct financial way but open unexpected, satisfying paths to follow.

Cheers and thanks for posting your thoughts.

Originally Posted by Denim

During the Industrial Revolution machinery was invented which allowed the workmanship of certainty. That means that the machine eliminated the risk, and guaranteed a reliable result with precision every time. To produce a better result meant purchasing a better (and more costly) machine. Thus the consumer market of the middle class was created,

An excellent take on the industrial revolution.

Ironically, it was the industrial revolution that instigated the "Craft Arts" movement.

A wealthier middle and upper class ( due to new industries ) recognised the value of items that were not the result of a convenient method of manufacture, and were willing to pay for unique pieces.

....somehow a combination of all of these things resulted in the invention of the Domino