Is work a form of entertainment for you?

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Permalink Reply by Nicki Laycoax on April 19, 2009 at 9:25pm

I am happy. My work excites me because I get to meet so many new people and be a part of so many new things daily! As for shopping... I don't do much of it these days. When I do, it remains the same as it has always been-I search for the best deals available! (I'm cheap and enjoy a good hunt)

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Permalink Reply by Jon D. Speer on April 19, 2009 at 9:41pm

I take pride in the fact that I've been able to blur the line between work and hobby. I love what I do. Sometimes, though, it gets me in trouble at home. :)
My take on it is that I spend so much time working that I'd better enjoy what I do.
Regarding shopping, I'm a guy and an engineer. I hate spending money.

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Permalink Reply by Taylor Martin on April 19, 2009 at 9:42pm

It's boring to do nothing, in fact, it's quite an effort to do nothing.-Fanny in Dicken's Little Dorrit

May I say that entertainment is my form of work. In being an entertainer and trying to do it as a for profit enterprise, I find a lot of folks are offended that I state up front that I make a living as an artist. I can't have Indy Magic Monthly join Indy Arts because I refuse it to become a not for profit. Magic and producing magic shows, is my work, vocation, and passion. I am happy to entertain and my work is entertainment.

THM
Art is making something out of nothing and selling it.-F. Zappa

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Permalink Reply by E. Jake Gamble on April 19, 2009 at 9:44pm

I'm a University professor and see myself as part educator, part entertainer. Engaging any audience, especially for several hours at a time, will test the goods of any professional. Communicating with any audience means touching them where they are; sometimes with a story, at other times with facts....information has to be relevant, but it also has to be presented in a way that's engaging. If not, your audience is gone, gone, gone. Sometimes you have to make them cry, at other times you have to make them laugh....you have to somehow reach their heart, grab it, and hold it.
I'll do just about anything I have to, within reason, to make that happen.
I am also a conference speaker, motivational/keynote speaker, success coach.....http://www.jakegamble.com

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Permalink Reply by Wanda Stine on April 19, 2009 at 9:47pm

I know I'll set a some-what misrepresented tone here, but I really wanted the opportunity to answer this question. I'm not a white-collar worker---well, unless you count a designer stiff white collared blouse I bought at Goodwill for $3.99! But even then, I don't work in it---I usually wear it on date nights with my hubby or to church. But the way I work is absolutely similar to the way I shop. Not in the sense that the question is being asked though...because I do not own the latest gizmo, nor do I own an outdated gizmo (except maybe a cordless mouse). I don't even own a cell phone! But my perspective, priorities and way of life are a bit different, and my income would never support such expenses--and this is due to the choices that I make on a daily basis. And if my income did support such a life, I would probably spend it on something else (like a mouse with a cord because this one is driving me nuts!). I'm a stay-at-home, homeschooling mom of seven children who moonlights as an artist in my home-studio. And I work like I shop and shop like I work: with purpose, frugality (of time and money) and with my best ability put forth. I'm sure the question was to get us thinking of why we do what we do in our chosen careers. And although I have a lot of struggles in my own journey, I am finding that I don't question what I do or why I do it. There is no competition in what I do. I'm the only mom and wife living in my home :) . I do not see the point in keeping up with the latest and greatest. I live a simple life, loving what I do, with no regrets as to why I have chosen this path. I do believe, I am in the role I was created to be in: Wife, mother, artist, and servant of the One who made me (not in that order of course). I think it all boils down to what we invest in. Most people have to work in some way (even I earn money from a painting on an occasion). But by asking ourselves "why" we might be able to keep things in perspective. Then perhaps we are not so tempted to "one up" a co-worker or neighbor or friend with the latest and greatest. Just my two cents worth (and probably way off track)--- Off to paint.........and probably clip a few coupons too....

wanda .

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Permalink Reply by Karla Elliott on April 19, 2009 at 10:12pm

Interesting thoughts ... I can say that I really (honestly!) enjoy work (speaking of my regular "day job" here). I love the company, the people, what we do, and genuinely like being there each day. That said, if I won the lottery tomorrow, I think I could well be happy doing something else with the time I spend each day at work. If I was suddenly independently wealthy, I don't know that I'd keep going back. Shopping ... well, that I'd keep doing!
~Karla~

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Permalink Reply by Joe Weingarten on April 19, 2009 at 10:23pm

I have been very lucky. I have had three jobs. My first and it lasted 30 years was a blast. Talk about that new gizmo, I was designing them from working on the space shuttle in 1971, while it was just a drawing to designing air cargo systems before we even knew what a hub was, and working on all kinds of Air Force projects, then owning my own Apple computer store and now a small business in my home making reproduction insignia and selling and talking to and meeting people all over the world who buy my products.

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Permalink Reply by Barbara Weaver Smith on April 19, 2009 at 10:38pm

I am not a recreational shopper. Most shopping I complete online or outsource to my lovely husband who is a great shopper and knows how to get it done!

My work is nothing like my shopping. I have had several careers before my entrepreneurial adventure of 13 years, and I have enjoyed all of them--English professor, college dean, nonprofit president. Definitely I am not doing this for lack of something better to do! I can think of many things I could be doing instead of running my company, but none that would give me as much challenge and pleasure. It's not "fun", as in "head to the mall and buy something." It's rather an all-out commitment to something I believe in, that I believe adds value to my clients, and that I want to improve upon every day.

And the people that I am privileged to meet and to work with -- beyond compare!

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Permalink Reply by Jason Fields on April 19, 2009 at 11:45pm

I can honestly say that I'm a librarian because I enjoy the work. The convergence of my desire to help people find the information they're seeking and our technological capabilities has created the ideal work environment for me. Throw in my interests in social media, distance education, and management, and you've got a pretty good representation of my professional life.

I feel like I'm moving forward with a clear purpose in mind. I also feel like I can opt out at any time. I'm making the choice to do something enriching for me personally, and that just happens to be work that I'm passionate about.

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Permalink Reply by Bruce R. Pillow on April 20, 2009 at 3:23am

Pat....for the first time in my life I get to work just like I shop! I think if you find your life's work it will make all the difference!

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Permalink Reply by Faith Wesstrom on April 20, 2009 at 4:17am

I'd never work for the sport of it! Just as I'd never feel better by spending money on things I don't really need and then later regret about the clutter!

I was going to answer "No" right off the bat..then I started thinking..if I look at all the other variables especially the people aspect since my businesss involves mainly interacting with people..that can make it interesting..because people are interesting...I'm surprised by interactions with and responses from others or the way outcomes turn out other than my expectation...so yes, that can be somewhat entertaining.

But really life is too short to just work for the sake of work... and that brings to mind...work to live or live to work?!?

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Permalink Reply by Brian Koning on April 20, 2009 at 7:53am

This is a very thought-provoking question. I guess I really never made the connection until now. I spent many years in the entertainment business as a singer, guitarist, actor and agent. Every day was different...a different city, a different show, a different audience, etc... I've also been in a couple of "white collar" jobs. Most recently, I managed the marketing for Old National Bank's commercial banking, wealth management and insurance divisions. The job was boring and most of the people at the top of the corporate food chain (and in corporate marketing) were, quite frankly, territorial, backstabbing, incompetent jerks who got in their own ways. I call it "corporate constipation". If you ever wonder why banks are in trouble - go work for one in a management-level position! For me, the entertainment value came from watching all of the corporate drama - some of which I created by offering up new, creative ways of marketing mundane financial products. Heaven forbid you have a creative idea.

Now that I am back doing marketing consulting for businesses, I am in my element. I get to choose who I work with. My clients want to grow their businesses and embrace new strategies and technologies. I meet new, exciting people every day through networking (and on Smaller Indiana, of course). I have passionate, exciting and stimulating conversations with my peers, clients, prospects, partners and even my competitors. Since leaving Old National Bank last June, I've regained the passion for my work - the same passion I have when entertaining others from the stage.

My work is fun. My clients are my friends. Each day is different. It's very entertaining!

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