part-time work => more music...

Subject: part-time work => more music...
From: KingBrilliant
Date: 14 Jun 01 - 11:49 AM

A while back I applied for a job that I really really really wanted, but which was going to be very hard work & take up lots of my free time. That fell through because they didn't want to pay a realistic wage (the fools).
Disapointments like that always make me think about options & life-choices etc etc. So I had this BRILLIANT idea!! I could drop my hours in my current job & still get a decent wage - so now I'm going to do a 4-day week and have a whole day per week do the music stuff that I really want to be doing - practice & learn new stuff (with no one else in the house).
Its such a genius idea, and so obvious now I think of it, that I can't believe I never thought of it before.
So now I'm so delighted that I just had to tell you all - especially if it sparks anyone else to make similar changes. Its like buying back a bit of life.

Kris

Subject: RE: part-time work => more music...
From: wysiwyg
Date: 14 Jun 01 - 11:51 AM

Goodonya!

Reports wanted!

~S~

Subject: RE: part-time work => more music...
From:
Date: 14 Jun 01 - 12:59 PM

I am going to do something similar I hope by next year..except work 6 hours a day only. I just can't do anything else when I work 8 hours plus transportation etc...I need lots of sleep and I just don't have the energy. I figure 6 hours would be fine. mg

Subject: RE: part-time work => more music...
From: Margaret V
Date: 15 Jun 01 - 10:03 AM

Kris, that's great! And it's wonderful to have the house all to yourself for practicing by virtue of having a week-day off. All the best, Margaret

Subject: RE: part-time work => more music...
From: mooman
Date: 15 Jun 01 - 10:07 AM

Dear Kris,

Your post reinforces what I've been feeling for some time. I want to do more music, feel less stressed-out, frustrated and tired and have the energy for creativity. This is a step with a lot of consequences but one I think I'm going to have to face soon.

Thanks for your thoughtful post.

mooman

Subject: RE: part-time work => more music...
From: KingBrilliant
Date: 15 Jun 01 - 10:42 AM

MGarvey & Mooman - I really hope you can work out hours to suit your needs too. I start my new regime in mid-July, and my boss is being extremely supportive, which is fantastic. I've just been made technical lead for a busy team and so it will be quite a challenge to fit that role in with the hours, so having the big boss on my side is a definite plus!!!
MGarvey - have you considered cutting a day instead of cutting out hours per day. That way you'd save on travel time & costs as well. And have a solid block of reclaimed time to make use of. The hours would work out the same wouldn't they?
Mooman - it sounds like you're at the same point as me. Like you need to make time for music & creativity, and that's being blocked by work obligations. Its time to reclaim some life & follow your heart. Its really worth thinking about seriously if its at all feasible. I don't know your age - but in my case (38) time is ticking along (OK - maybe its a midlife crisis).
Again - a whole day is the ideal thing. I remember on the Songwriting Under Pressure thread recently that a lot of people commented on the fact that they were creative in the mornings - so waiting til you get home of an evening doesn't always work does it? I find myself thinking all day about what music I want to practice when I get home - then I get home & find I've lost the urge.
Wyw & Margaret - thanks for the encouragement.

Kris

Subject: RE: part-time work => more music...
From: Patrish(inactive)
Date: 15 Jun 01 - 10:55 AM

Great News Kris, Although I'm not in a position to do that yet, I would love to have a day a week with house to myself. Still I dream...........
Patrish xx

Subject: RE: part-time work => more music...
From:
Date: 15 Jun 01 - 11:28 AM

no..an extra day wouldn't do me that much good compared to a shorter day. In fact, if I have to work 40 hours I'd rather split it by six days. And I am without real estate now so I can move next door to wherever I work, which is another goal. I want to be in walking distance of work. I am really concerned about how we are living these days....sitting down all day, working under poisonous flourescent lights, being with people we wouldn't choose to be with that are often quite unhealthy...I guess you can tell I am not a career woman at heart. And that is just me as a spinster talking...I can't imagine working all day and catching buses in the pouring rain and then having to go home and raise children and settle fights. Something has to give somewhere...mg

Subject: RE: part-time work => more music...
From: Llanfair
Date: 15 Jun 01 - 11:41 AM

The theory is brilliant, Kris, and a supportive boss is to be treasured.
I went part-time 2 years ago, and resigned in the October, completely burnt out because my boss wanted me to close half my cases, and I couldn't. Didn't have the time, and didn't agree with the cases being closed. Full time caseload, pressure from the boss, and no support services for the clients. That was me finished.
Having said that, it is the best thing I ever did, and I love being at home and doing all the things I never had time for before.
Cheers, Bron.

Subject: RE: part-time work => more music...
From: KingBrilliant
Date: 15 Jun 01 - 11:50 AM

I find it really hard sometimes to keep perspective about work. Sometimes I get so caught up in it and use so much extra energy and worry over it. But at the end of the day, my job is really about developing fairly worthless systems, within an industry where it seems to be the accepted thing to sell products that don't work work properly just because if we don't do it quickly and with minimal resources we wouldn't have any business at all. Doesn't seem really to be much of a justification for selling crap for a lot of money!!!
I was getting very dragged down by the basic immorality of the whole thing, but on the other hand I still want a decent lifestyle for my family (greedy though that may be). Luckily I'm in a position to make a compromise.
As you say, something has to give somewhere - and I've decided that family & music-stuff has suffered long enough.
There are quite a few of us in our office who are working mothers of daughters of varying ages. We are all very worried about how working saps the energy to the detriment of keeping the lines of communication open with our kids. As they get to the puberty/adolescent & above stage it seems that there are so many more issues than there were at the younger ages, and whilst being a working mum was fine then, we are all coming to crunch points.
MGarvey - I think I'm not a career woman either....
I hope you get your travel problems sorted out so that you can be home & relaxing quickly.

Patrish - keep dreaming & your dreams may come true. X-fingers.

Kris