I don't want to stick it to the man, I just want nothing to do with him.

Netzapper — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 16:53:15 -0800

I'm a bright, creative, productive computer programmer close to the beginning of my career. I'm currently employed at a startup I really like, with relatively interesting work, and generally feel positive (or neutral) about going and spending time at the office each day. But, for a myriad of reasons, I despise having a job. I absolutely cannot imagine doing this for the rest of my life. Other than turning to a life of crime, in what ways might I support myself without having a traditional job? The things I hate most about a job:

The constant carrot-and-stick manuevering of primate hierarchical structures.

Conforming to schedules decided and defined by other folks, with priorities and motivations I find frequently find laughable or counterproductive.

The concepts of vacation, sickdays and "personal days". As if I somehow belong to the company, and must ask permission to go where I wish.

The idea that somehow monetary compensation makes up for behavior I would never tolerate from a friend.

I'm not interested in "paying my dues" and moving up in said hierarchical structures; having my boss's job sounds worse than mine.

The obvious answer is to start my own company. While I'm certainly considering that very strongly, I can't say that I'm particularly interested in business--I'm an engineer. Furthermore, I have a net worth measurable with four significant digits, and seeking outside investors just results in a new set of folks to whom I'm beholden. And, of course, if it goes somewhere, and I wind up with employees, I'm back in the same damn boat--I'm just the captain.

I've done a bit of consulting work. I find it even less tolerable than a regular job. Not only am I doing mercenary work in which I'm not invested,

Is my only option just to buy a cabin in Montana and become a hermit? My girlfriend probably won't like this much.

(Answers such as "suck it up, that's how life works" will be regarded as the repititious mantra of the unimaginative.)

Realizing goals & believing in your plan

pricklypear — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 16:28:32 -0800

How do you regain your sense of self and autonomy in personal decision-making? Somehow I’ve lost touch with my ability to confidently preside over my own life and pursue personal goals, particularly the ones that require taking a big leap outside of my comfort zone. It’s a two part problem: (1) I’ve lost my self-assuredness. It’s like I need a trusted friend to validate my ideas and plans, since I’m just too timid to start anything without reassurance. (2) I’ve lost touch with my personal goals, the ones I had always vowed to achieve regardless of outside factors. I’m letting other people’s pessimism or doubts about my decisions influence my thinking.

I’ve tried keeping a journal to get in touch with what I want out of life. Unfortunately, this has been counter-productive since I begin to think about where I am now and where I had hoped to be, and it feels like there’s an impossibly long way to go. By the way, I’m not depressed, just eager to formulate a plan and take action.

So, how do you get back in touch with personal goals and start believing in your own decisions? Do you have a special thing you do or place you go to re-center yourself? And how can you avoid the cycle where you develop a plan, then analyze all the potential pitfalls and feel like you need to start over with a new plan, yet again?

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I don't want to stick it to the man, I just want nothing to do with him.

Realizing goals & believing in your plan