My first job out of university was a 9 to 5 job. After three years of studying history, I ended up working in a betting shop. As you can imagine, it wasn’t what I envisioned when I went to university back in 2008.
The job involved mundane tasks like opening and closing the shop, taking bets from customers and ensuring the shop was tidy. As the months progressed, I settled into the job and slipped into a routine — the only variation being whether I worked the morning or afternoon shift.
It wasn’t the most glamourous existence. Over time I became more and more frustrated with the job. It all came to a head when I was hit by a car while cycling home one night. I was lucky; I walked away with only a few cuts and bruises, and a fresh perspective.
I realized that working at the betting shop wasn’t something I wanted to do. I was miserable, bored and eager for change. Three months later, I quit my job and moved to Australia to live for a year.
That was my first experience of a 9 to 5 job, and I hated it. Before I went to work, I’d always imagine ways to make money myself, so I didn’t have to go to work. Unfortunately, the concept of content creation wasn’t as widespread back in 2011 as it is today.
If I’d never worked in another 9 to 5 job again, I’d think they were all a waste of time, and you’d be better off doing something else instead. Except, when I worked in Australia and New Zealand, a few of the jobs I did were of this nature.
Working in IKEA, I had to start at five in the morning, while my job as a groundsman at the airport in Christchurch was a typical eight-hour shift, from eight to four. Yet, I loved both jobs. I enjoyed the job at IKEA so much; I regularly volunteered to work ten and sometimes twelve-hour days if necessary.
These experiences made me realize that the belief that 9 to 5 jobs are soul-destroying and a waste of your time isn’t true. As with many things in life, the reality is much more nuanced.
Get the right job
Working in a betting shop was not the job for me. It was tedious and unfulfilling. It’s no wonder I was miserable during my time there. I felt like a bird trapped in a cage.
Things weren’t much better when I worked in an office. Again, I found the work to be boring, of little consequence and the monotony crushing. The only saving grace in either job was that my colleagues were fantastic. Had they not been, I’m not sure how long I would have lasted.
The difference between working in these two jobs, my time at IKEA and the airport, was that I enjoyed the work in the latter two. I found it fulfilling, invigorating and challenging.
I was refitting a store that required me to think, to use my hands and focus. At the airport, I would spend my time fixing up problems around the grounds, planting trees, flower beds and heading off to builder’s merchants to get supplies.
Both of these jobs were more stimulating and despite the hours being the same, and in the case of IKEA, starting at 5 am, I loved both jobs. I regard the job at IKEA as the best one I’ve had apart from becoming self-employed, that’s how much I enjoyed it.
The point of all of this? If you’re not enjoying your line of work, it might not be the hours that are draining your soul — it might be the work itself.
Entrepreneurial fallacies
When I became self-employed two years ago, I was excited but also perplexed. I was glad I didn’t have to step foot back into the office, yet I had no idea what I should be doing.
The lack of structure was hard to get used to. I slowly understood that I would have to create my own structure. Otherwise, my mind would wander, and I’d never get any work done.
I’d always wanted to become self-employed at some point. As the months progressed, I realized I had made the right choice. The freedom and the fact that I was making enough money from my online endeavors was satisfying.
I also recognized this line of work wasn’t for everyone. It was difficult at first to keep on top of everything, not to mention filing my own tax return at the end of the year, something I’d never done before.
Becoming an entrepreneur is often touted as the answer to those who want to leave their 9 to 5 job behind. While this will be a worthwhile path for some, it’s not for everyone. The truth is, being an entrepreneur is challenging, not to mention lonely at times.
The idea of making money on the internet is a dream for many, but you should ask yourself why you want to do this. Is it because you have a burning desire to work for yourself? If so, good luck to you, and I have no doubt you’ll make the most of it.
If you don’t particularly want to work for yourself, but you don’t like your job, maybe being an entrepreneur isn’t the answer. Instead, you should reassess your work options and figure out what you want to do.
Sometimes, getting a new job can make all the difference.
The right job is a good job
Working from 9 to 5 receives a lot of flak. These jobs are branded as boring, a waste of your life and soul-destroying. I’m sure there are many other ways to describe them too. But it’s also true that a lot of people enjoy working in these jobs.
I have been in both camps. I can appreciate either side of the debate. There is much more nuance in the argument than just a simple declaration that all 9 to 5 jobs are ‘bad.’
If you end up in a job you love and it happens to start at nine in the morning and finish at five in the afternoon, those facts don’t make the job a ‘waste.’ Some of the most satisfying jobs operate on these hours.
I never thought about the hours I was working when I was at IKEA or the airport. Even though I had to get up early for both jobs, I was happy to do so because I enjoyed the work. A 5 am start is tough, but you soon forget about it when you enjoy your work.
Not every job is good, but not everyone is cut out for entrepreneurship or, for that matter, working from 9 to 5. What this debate is missing is some nuance. If you enjoy your job, and the hours you happen to work are from 9 to 5, are you wasting your time?
If your answer to that question is no, then you’re in the right job. The hours you work are irrelevant.
If you don’t like your job, consider that it might not be the hours you dislike; it might be the job itself.
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