You raise some valid points for sure, obviously, we make choices: whether we go to college or not, put in that extra hour at work or not, go out with friends, hang out with a spouse/child, watch a sunset, etc. and ultimately, we have to accept our actions, consider the consequences/risks and respond as necessary.
" Hate the idea of a 9-to-5 job? Well, suck it: the regular hours and clockwork and guaranteed paycheck will go a long way toward making your family more stable and stress free. "
See, it's not that simple. What if hating that 9-5 job means he is angry and depressed and takes it out on his family or decides to give in to some sort of escape (alcoholism, extra-marital affairs, etc.)? Is it worth it then?
Don't convince yourself that a 9-5 is stable, it isn't. They are typically more stable than startups but far from rock solid. You can be laid off tomorrow due to a sudden market change, or nasty office politics. Then what? Was it worth it not to give yourself (and by extension, those that depend on you) leverage? Maybe, maybe not.
It is a complicated matter; for some, the risk of sacrificing some time now in hopes of a better future is worth it, for others, it isn't. Some would much rather have a dead-end job, barely make ends meet but spend 8 hours a day with their kids/family/friends. Others would sacrifice some relationships in order to achieve a greater goal - be it in pursuit of self-actualization or better living conditions, etc.
Author clearly thinks about his daughter and from the responses, am convinced he wants her to know that he cares for her. There's no clear cut answer and there will always be a sacrifice involved when we want something.
For some, the return of investing in relationships far outweighs the financial return of working above-average hours (I am learning this more and more). I personally think it is often worth sacrificing work/money for relationships; but at the same time, let's not forget the people who sacrificed their lives for their work. It is claimed that Nikola Tesla - at the latter end of his life - expressed regret at not getting married and sacrificing so much for his work. But without that sacrifice, where would we be as a society today? Of course, not everyone's result is as noble or far-reaching, but the truth about life is that there will always be a sacrifice to achieve something greater, the ultimate question is: Is it worth it? For that, there is no universal answer.
" Hate the idea of a 9-to-5 job? Well, suck it: the regular hours and clockwork and guaranteed paycheck will go a long way toward making your family more stable and stress free. "
See, it's not that simple. What if hating that 9-5 job means he is angry and depressed and takes it out on his family or decides to give in to some sort of escape (alcoholism, extra-marital affairs, etc.)? Is it worth it then?
Don't convince yourself that a 9-5 is stable, it isn't. They are typically more stable than startups but far from rock solid. You can be laid off tomorrow due to a sudden market change, or nasty office politics. Then what? Was it worth it not to give yourself (and by extension, those that depend on you) leverage? Maybe, maybe not.
It is a complicated matter; for some, the risk of sacrificing some time now in hopes of a better future is worth it, for others, it isn't. Some would much rather have a dead-end job, barely make ends meet but spend 8 hours a day with their kids/family/friends. Others would sacrifice some relationships in order to achieve a greater goal - be it in pursuit of self-actualization or better living conditions, etc.
Author clearly thinks about his daughter and from the responses, am convinced he wants her to know that he cares for her. There's no clear cut answer and there will always be a sacrifice involved when we want something.
For some, the return of investing in relationships far outweighs the financial return of working above-average hours (I am learning this more and more). I personally think it is often worth sacrificing work/money for relationships; but at the same time, let's not forget the people who sacrificed their lives for their work. It is claimed that Nikola Tesla - at the latter end of his life - expressed regret at not getting married and sacrificing so much for his work. But without that sacrifice, where would we be as a society today? Of course, not everyone's result is as noble or far-reaching, but the truth about life is that there will always be a sacrifice to achieve something greater, the ultimate question is: Is it worth it? For that, there is no universal answer.