WHO REALLY ENJOYS WORK!?!?

Do you work because you have to or becasue you want to? I would definitely have to say it's because I HAVE TO!
Do you like what you do, or is it just something to do until the right job/opportunity come along?

I don't know about you, but I HATE working! I don't mean I hate my current job, I really do mean that I HATE TO WORK. The word WORK is a far nastier 4-letter word to me then any swear or curse word I've heard (or used). Having to work, to me, is a far greater punishment that I've had to endure beyond my parents' wildest imaginations!

Now, please don't mistake me for just being lazy, because trust me I AM NOT! But, I am a restless soul. Dealing with people for 40-50 hours a week just because I'm paid to do so really irritates me. I'm personable, down to Earth, Hey, sometimes I'm even friendly. But the reality as I know it-PEOPLE BOTHER ME! I like to deal with people on my own terms. I like speaking to people when I want, about things that interest me and it just boils my bunnies the more I realize that people lack COMMON SENSE! Yet, at every job that I've had (and trust me there have been MANY) at some point some of the most "Book Smart" people are some of the most "Common Sense" dumb! From not being able to grasp basic computer functions (retrieving a document seems to be a biggie) or just the over all rationale that some of these professionals (I use the term loosely) really feel they deserve to be catered to. In which, I've come to realize I'm just not the type of person to cater to ANYONE!

I've worked as a recruiter for about 4-5 yrs, and from what I hear the time to be in recruitment was right before I got in back in 2001. Before, and even within those 5 yrs, I also worked retail. I still come back to the realization that I HATE WORKING! I've always wanted to work in Public Relations, but only because it would require me to write. For about the last year I've been trying to "find myself", whatever that means. I've been trying to find my niche. I've completely abandoned the recruitment and retail industries and have started over from scratch. I took a pay cut to take an entry level position for a company in the fashion industry, boy, was that a mistake. In a previous life I held receptionist positions for everything from Law Firms to Doctor's Offices, except I'm quick tempered and even quicker with my mouth! I've worked for newspaper publishers in a sales capacity. In one afternoon, I packed up my desk to never return again. I HATE to work! You know, actually that's not a fair statement. It's not that I hate to work it's that I HATE to HAVE TO work!!

Unfortunately though, I'm a 30 yr old Puerto Rican female born and raised in Brooklyn and not a 30 yr old Princess that has too much money that I'll never get to spend in my lifetime. I don't dislike what or who I am, I wouldn't trade my background for anything, it's made me who and what I am today. What I would change, though, is the mentality in my household and in my community. I'm sure many of you were brought up in pretty much the same fashion as I was. Our parents making us do well in school, pushing us to get good grades and excel in academics, so we can get what they call "good jobs". To my parents a good job is one that pays weekly/bi-weekly, has benefits and gives you vacation time on top of paid holidays. That's what they taught in my house, so I have a sister that is an Administrative Assistant for the Police Department and another sister that is a Police Officer. Then there is me, the black sheep of the family. At the moment my family is proud of me I work, get paid, have benefits and I don't ask them for money. WOO HOO-they did their jobs as parents. Yet, I'm still trying to find more. Something fullfilling, something that would make me personally happy, even if not rich. I've worked for money and in the end I still feel like an underpaid hooker, compromising my goals, morals and even sanity for X amount of dollars.

Let's also look at companies now-a-days. They want you to come in early be at your desk ready for work by 10 minutes to 9 AM. Be glued to your desk all day, skip lunch and then at 5:30, 6 and even 6:30 they are still handing out the work hand over fist. Although, when you ask them to fork over the money for your work in the same fashion the look on their faces is as if you've started to sprout another head right then and there. The owners of the company want you to treat THEIR business as if it were your own, but won't split the profits with you! Even though, the money is tainted with YOUR blood, sweat and Oh the tears!
And what do we do?? We have children and teach them the same things our parents taught us! Go to school, get good grades and when you're done get a good job. In 30-40 yrs, when you finally get to retire and your life is actually all yours to live; what do you think happens? You're sitting there wondering what are you supposed to do now? You sit there asking yourself "What If?"! I don't know about you, but in 30 yrs I don't want to ask myself 'What if I took a chance?' or 'How would it have been different if I had pursued MY goals, MY dreams, MY wants?'

For as long as I can remember I've always told my friends I never want to live my life with regrets. At the age of 30 there really aren't many things that I do regret, I have about 3:
#1-Losing my virginity at a very young age.
#2-Hurting and Jeopardizing some of my friends and friendships (Thankfully we've all grown and learned from that).
#3-Not taking school serious enough to finish.
And while the first two I can't change or take back, the last one doesn't have to be my reality. So while every one else for the next 30 yrs or so settles into their jobs and awaits their raises/bonuses/promotions I'll continue to strive for what makes me happy.

Yes, some will read this and still think "she's just lazy", but my reality is I'm not lazy, I'm just not happy nor am I easily appeased by having my employer dictate MY LIFE! Not when I come, Not when I go nor what I do. I don't intend to settle as I feel my family has done and I sure as hell won't take mediocrity in my life! I want it ALL and I want it on MY terms. I mean it is MY LIFE, right? You wouldn't settle in a marriage you're not happy in. And you take vows, stand up in front of family/friends and God for that. Why settle for a job when you only said "Yes, I'll take it" to one person, behind a closed door interview with no witnesses to a person you didn't even know?! For give me if the logic just escapes me, but I just HATE TO HAVE TO WORK or compromise what MAKES ME HAPPY.