How to maximize happiness? One common constraint in life is money. If you have enough, you are more flexible to do what you want, including working a 9 to 5. If you need only a few material things, you will need less money and thus have to spend a smaller portion of your life earning it.
For the money you do need, the question becomes how to earn it. If you are lucky, doing what you love pays you enough. However, even if you do what you love there will always be times where you have to do stuff which sucks.
I am working as a software developer for a big software company in Germany. The job is quite interesting, colleagues are intelligent and friendly, pay and benefits are good. Of course, some of the time you will be working on stuff which is not so interesting, maybe even 50% of the time. This, and the fact that you spend most of your day in the office, makes me long for being more independent and having more time for myself and family/friends.
I also play poker and on some days I am able to earn more money than I earn in my job in much less time. However, playing poker as a job can quickly become monotone and boring. But it can also be more exiting than coding, plus you are very flexible with regards to working hours.
I'm also interested in startups and have thought about building a product on the side and slowly growing business. This would allow me to get maximum benefit from my skill (producing software and selling it multiple times, which is an unique opportunity for a software dev which makes starting your business so profitable nowadays) However, lack of time prevented me from doing so. If I had a partner I would be more interested in going this route, but as it is now I simply lack the time to do this in a reasonable manner. I will try to do small things like building an app in my spare time.
I guess for me, I will continue at my job and try to mix in the other two things. If I get really successful I can still quit the job. Of course, this makes it less likely that I will be successful. But the worst case outcome will be quite good too - I will have a secure, interesting 9 to 6 job.
I agree with your assertation - specifically with regards to having enough money.
How do you define "enough"? I've adopted the outlook that "less is more." I have a ridiculously low cost of living compared to many of my peers. Some of it is circumstantial and I'm thankful for being in the situation I'm in, but I also think you set yourself up to take advantage of circumstances that arise.
Just an example: my total monthly cost of living without spending on entertainment or extras - ie., food, rent, all my bills, transportation, etc. is 79% of my buddy's rent alone. This affords me the opportunity to find work I like. I can easily go for 2-3 years without any work and it would have no effect on my lifestyle whatsoever. Sure, I don't have an SUV or own a fancy house, but I have time to pursue my own interests and I'm deeply passionate about the work I do (after thinking I had no interest in doing it anymore and trying to "pivot" a couple of years ago).
Low cost of living really gives you freedom and flexibility, I agree. Once you have that mortgage and family you cannot be so picky anymore... I guess sooner or later most will have family and will be in this situation. But you can influence how extreme it will be by saving, mindful spending etc.
For the money you do need, the question becomes how to earn it. If you are lucky, doing what you love pays you enough. However, even if you do what you love there will always be times where you have to do stuff which sucks.
I am working as a software developer for a big software company in Germany. The job is quite interesting, colleagues are intelligent and friendly, pay and benefits are good. Of course, some of the time you will be working on stuff which is not so interesting, maybe even 50% of the time. This, and the fact that you spend most of your day in the office, makes me long for being more independent and having more time for myself and family/friends.
I also play poker and on some days I am able to earn more money than I earn in my job in much less time. However, playing poker as a job can quickly become monotone and boring. But it can also be more exiting than coding, plus you are very flexible with regards to working hours.
I'm also interested in startups and have thought about building a product on the side and slowly growing business. This would allow me to get maximum benefit from my skill (producing software and selling it multiple times, which is an unique opportunity for a software dev which makes starting your business so profitable nowadays) However, lack of time prevented me from doing so. If I had a partner I would be more interested in going this route, but as it is now I simply lack the time to do this in a reasonable manner. I will try to do small things like building an app in my spare time.
I guess for me, I will continue at my job and try to mix in the other two things. If I get really successful I can still quit the job. Of course, this makes it less likely that I will be successful. But the worst case outcome will be quite good too - I will have a secure, interesting 9 to 6 job.