The average life expectancy of a human being currently sits at around 79 years. Some of us are blessed with more days, whilst others aren't so blessed, and pass away earlier. Around 80% of people on average worldwide, at least go on to live to the age of 65, which we know to be the age of retirement here in Australia. So we have around an 80% chance of seeing out our working life at least, which are pretty good odds, made even better if we actually live our life maintaining a healthy diet and exercising regularly. So whilst we talk of statistics, it's then worth noting that around 80% of us will spend around 90,000 hours of our life working. Over the 79 years of our average life expectancy, that only equates to just 13% of our life, but when we take out 18 years of education, and the 14 years of retirement, that percentage jumps up to around 22%. Now all of a sudden we are talking about nearly 1/4 of our life being spent, during this time, at work. Let's go further again. We will factor in the average of around 6.5 hours sleep that adults have during this period, which will then take the total of our awake time to 30% spent at work. We could also factor in the amount of overtime we apply ourselves to, plus the number of hours we spend commuting, and all of a sudden we are nudging one third of our awake time, between the ages of 18 and 65, that we physically spend at work, or getting to and from work. That's quite a daunting thought really, made even worse for those who hate their job, or the work they do. Even that statistic is alarming, with nearly 9 out every 10 people worldwide, who work a job or business that they don't even like or enjoy. When we do something we don't enjoy, or we hate doing, naturally we are unhappy and dissatisfied. So if we summarize all this information above, that I have reeled off, basically, nearly 90% of people are going to spend one third of their life, between the ages of 18 and 65, unhappy and dissatisfied. It doesn't make for good reading, does it? It certainly doesn't make for a very rewarding and fulfilling life either. It's not that I'm just throwing up random statistics either, this is fact and reality.
The question is, where do you fit in here? Are you in that 90% group who hate and/or don't enjoy your job and the work you do? Answer that question honestly! If you're not sure, or you are just fooling yourself into believing you like your job, then ask yourself this question; do you wake up each work day all motivated, inspired, and excited for the day ahead? Let's be honest, the majority of us would rather turn that alarm off and go back to sleep, or get up to do something more enjoyable. We know full well though that work is a must, otherwise how could we afford to keep a roof over our head, how could we afford to ensure there is food on the table, and how could we afford to pay our bills? So we've got no choice but to go to our job, right? Well, yes and no. We all indeed have to earn a living, but we certainly don't need to settle for a job we hate or don't enjoy. This is where I enter into territory where most people don't believe I'm talking practical or realistic, yet there are so many individuals worldwide, past and present, who have proven that what I'm recommending in this blog entry, that people should do in their own lives, it can indeed be done, it should be done, and it can indeed create success. What am I recommending exactly? To pursue your passion, and to love what you do. As I said, whilst there is a need to work, it doesn't mean that we have to suffer through 47 years of unhappiness and dissatisfaction, just to earn a living. Believe it or not, work can be enjoyable, proven by the fact that 1 in every 10 people do indeed enjoy the job or business they work at.
The problem is society. We are all led to believe that work sucks, that we must have a corporate job, and that it's impossible to enjoy work. For most people, life is all about living for the weekend. We are educated to believe that once we finish school and university, we must then apply for a job. Granted that some people complete their education, enter into the industry and career path they had desired, and go on to enjoy it, however, the overwhelming majority don't. We are not educated about entrepreneurship, nor trained in business startups and management. The only thing society then tells us about businesses is that most of them fail, so it's not worth getting in to. It then leaves doubt in our minds, leaving us to resign to the fact we have to settle for finding a job. What people would ultimately like to get into, within the corporate world, requires certain qualifications and experience, so there's no other option but to find any old job, and just suck it up. It's no surprise that for many people, reaching retirement becomes their ultimate goal, because despite weekends and annual leave, there's nothing else really to look forward to. So how do we then pursue our passion, and start loving the work we do? Personally, I believe the answer lies within entrepreneurship, because you don't need qualifications, you only need the right attitude and behaviors. Entrepreneurship gives you the opportunity to turn something you love and enjoy, into a business. It only takes some creativity. Now any business owner would know you also need to invest funds into the business, you need cash flow, and ultimately you then need to generate results, which may mean we have to remain in our job for a couple of years longer, as we build up more funds and build the business itself, but the difference here is, we are not assigning ourselves to an unhappy and unsatisfying work life in just settling for our job. We have a plan in place for work satisfaction. Business owners would also be all too aware of the constant challenges, failed actions, struggles, and setbacks, that all come with entrepreneurship, especially during those first few years, but with perseverance, patience, resilience, self belief, and hard work, success can definitely be achieved. You can start generating an income by doing something you actually love and enjoy. What's even better is, that unlike a corporate job, there is no cap on what you can earn. The sky is the limit.
Now, to all this you may say, well this is easier said than done? Of course it is. Nothing rewarding in life is ever easy. You have got to put in the hard yards, you have got to work your butt off, you have to remain committed and focused. When all is said and done though, right here, I am presenting you with a choice. It's a choice that you've never viewed to be a choice because you are perhaps pessimistic or fearful to do something outside your comfort zone, to do something that involves risk, to do something different, and to do something most people are too scared to do. Not everyone is a suitable fit for entrepreneurship, that's a given. If that's the case, then establish what your job passion is, and then go for it. If it means a few years of sacrificing to go back to university, or to do a certain course, to get yourself qualified, then so be it. There's a simple way to look at things when it comes to career. You can either take it easy now, settle for the job you don't enjoy, and then make your life harder and more uncomfortable in the future, or you can be uncomfortable and be working hard now, sacrificing, failing, and toiling, to make things easier in the future. It's your choice. One thing is for certain, we only live once, and we only have a certain number of hours to live, so why would we choose to waste one third of the time between the ages of 18 and 65 being unhappy, dissatisfied, and miserable? Be brave! Take risks! Try something different! Get clear on what you are passionate about, and what excites you. What job or line of work would motivate and excite you to get out of bed each morning? There's no sugar coating it, it's a tough road ahead, but it will be more than worth it. Don't ever be dismayed by the failures, the setbacks, the challenges, and the rejections, as they are all part of the journey. Keep going! Believe in yourself and continue persevering to achieve your dream. Stop settling for a life of unhappiness, dissatisfaction, and misery, all because your job sucks! Get proactive, get off your butt, discover your passion, and start loving what you do!
#Friday #FridayMotivation #motivation #quote #love #work #job #time #IHateMyJob #career #retirement #entrepreneurship #business #happiness #satisfaction #fulfillment #courage #risk #choice #passion #patience #perseverance #HardWork #resilience #LoveWhatYouDo #sacrifice #WindOfChangeNow
About the Creator
David Stidston
My name is David Stidston, and I am a single father to my 8-year-old daughter Mia. We live in the beautiful city of Hobart in Tasmania, Australia. I am currently self-employed, working as a freelancer and casually in market research.
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The Need For No
As a regular reader of my blogs, quite often you will note that I give the recommendation that we should always be seeking to help, support, uplift, motivate, inspire, and encourage others. When we are proactive in encouraging and supporting others, to pursue their goals, and be striving for happiness, exactly as we desire for ourselves, along with having the generosity to help those in need, it brings a whole new level of satisfaction and fulfillment to our lives, as we are privileged to observe the positive impact we can actually have in the world. Helping others is something I, and many other motivational speakers, life coaches, and successful individuals worldwide, will always encourage. One thing we will discourage though, is when we go about pleasing others. You may be scratching your head, questioning if there is even any difference between helping others and pleasing others, or perhaps wondering why we should be discouraged from pleasing others? Let me first try and clarify the difference between the two. Helping others I could best define as doing an act of kindness towards other people. The beauty of helping others is there are no limitations. We are not restricted to only helping people that we know, it could be a random act of kindness towards a stranger. This kindness and help may come via generosity in giving financially, without the expectation of those funds being returned, such as a donation, giving money to a homeless person, or even to someone you personally know who is doing it tough financially. It may come in the form of volunteer work, sacrificing one's own time, in order to be helping out local community associations, sporting clubs, welfare groups, and the like. It may be about genuinely being there for someone who is going through an extremely difficult time in their life, by regularly visiting them, checking on them, offering to assist in any way, and showing them heartfelt support and compassion. It could be as little as being that support person who is there to continually encourage, motivate, and be that vital source of positivity towards someone, who is on the journey towards achieving their goals. It could be helping an elderly neighbor out, by cooking some meals for them, or assisting them by doing the gardening or lawnmowing. Helping out others is not about doing all the work for them, it's about relieving the burden on them, and showing them that they have someone there who genuinely cares for them and their welfare, and has genuine compassion for them. The best form of helping others comes from spontaneity, and not waiting until someone asks for help, through being proactive in identifying their struggles, and assisting them accordingly. Helping others is about kindness, care, compassion, and generosity from the heart, without any expectation of anything in return.
By David Stidston5 years ago in Motivation
I Never Chose the Easy Path; I Always Chose Hardship
From the earliest memories I can recall, life presented me with two roads. One was smooth, inviting, and well-trodden—a path that promised comfort, approval, and ease. The other was rough, rocky, and uncertain—a path of struggle, obstacles, and lessons that demanded effort, patience, and resilience. I never chose the smooth road. I never took shortcuts. Not because I was fearless, but because something deep inside refused to let me live a life that wasn’t earned. The easy path whispered promises of fleeting satisfaction, fleeting success, and fleeting recognition. It was tempting. Many around me chose it, and I often wondered if I was foolish for ignoring it. But I learned early that true growth is rarely convenient. The easiest choice often leads to emptiness, to regret, to a quiet knowing that you could have been more than you allowed yourself to be. Hardship became my teacher long before success ever noticed me. The lessons it offered were harsh, uncompromising, and often lonely. There were days when choosing the hard path felt like choosing isolation. While others were celebrated for small accomplishments, supported by friends and family, I walked in silence, with doubt as my companion. Progress was invisible to the world. Failures were frequent and relentless. Many nights, I returned home tired, my heart heavy, my mind questioning why I even bothered. Yet even in that silence, I was being shaped. I was learning the value of persistence, of dedication, and of refusing to give up on myself. The hard path forced honesty. It refused to allow excuses. It stripped away illusions and pretenses. I was left face-to-face with my limits, my fears, and my own humanity. On this path, I discovered strengths I never knew I had: patience I had never cultivated, resilience I had doubted, and self-respect that grew every time I stood up instead of walking away. These were not lessons that could be taught in comfort. They were only learned in struggle, in challenge, and in the quiet persistence of refusing to quit when no one was watching. I remember one time vividly. I had a goal that seemed impossible—one that required me to sacrifice comfort, leisure, and social approval. The easy path was right there: a way to avoid the challenge, to be “okay,” to follow what others had done before me. Many advised me to take it. “It’s safer,” they said. “It’s simpler,” they said. But I could feel, deep inside, that taking the easy way would leave me empty. I chose the hard path. The journey was grueling. Every step felt like pushing against gravity. But with each challenge, I gained more than I ever would have on the easy road. I gained endurance, confidence, and an understanding that real achievement is never handed—it is earned. Strength, I realized, isn’t loud. It doesn’t announce itself. It grows quietly, in the moments no one sees—the early mornings, the long nights, the repeated failures, the times you push forward when giving up would be understandable. Resilience is not simply surviving; it is deliberately choosing to continue, to stand again, to pursue the path that tests you the most. It is knowing that walking away is easier but will never lead to the person you are capable of becoming. I have walked many hard roads in life. Each one was different, yet the lessons were the same: comfort cannot teach endurance, shortcuts cannot teach discipline, and fleeting success cannot teach respect. Every struggle, no matter how small, adds to your character. Every failure is a mirror that shows you who you really are. And every choice to face hardship instead of fleeing builds a foundation that lasts long after temporary victories fade. There were times when I felt truly alone. People around me often misunderstood my choices. Friends, family, colleagues—they all questioned why I refused the easy way, why I worked harder, why I pushed myself beyond what seemed necessary. They didn’t see the growth happening quietly inside me. They didn’t see the small victories, the lessons learned, the resilience being forged. But eventually, the results spoke for themselves—not in a loud announcement, but in the quiet confidence and self-respect that I had built from the inside out. Life, I have learned, rewards those who endure hardship. Not always immediately. Not always visibly. But it rewards those who persist, who face struggle head-on, and who refuse to settle for anything less than becoming their fullest selves. Success that comes without effort is temporary; strength and self-respect are eternal. Hardship tests us, but it also teaches us. It shows us the depth of our own courage, the strength of our will, and the power of refusing to surrender. The lessons of the hard path are subtle, often invisible, and always lasting. I learned that failing is not shameful; failing is a necessary step toward mastery. I learned that enduring pain, even when no one notices, builds a type of strength that comfort never can. I learned that the more difficult the path, the deeper the reward—not measured in wealth or fame, but in character, wisdom, and self-respect. Every choice to embrace struggle instead of avoiding it shaped me. Every sacrifice, every extra hour, every moment of doubt faced instead of ignored, added to the foundation of the person I am today. My life was not easy. It was messy, unpredictable, and often overwhelming. But it was authentic. It was mine. And through hardship, I became resilient. I became someone who can face challenges without fear because I have faced them before. I became someone who respects themselves because I have honored my own effort. I became someone capable of growth because I refused to choose comfort over character. I often reflect on the people around me who chose the easy path. Many of them achieved quick victories, immediate recognition, and temporary peace. But over time, I noticed something important: the victories were shallow, the peace fleeting, and the growth minimal. They lacked the depth of resilience, the quiet power of self-respect, and the profound satisfaction that comes from knowing you endured, you learned, and you became someone stronger. Choosing hardship is not glamorous. It is not celebrated in real-time. It is often lonely, exhausting, and demanding. But it is transformative. It shapes your mind, your heart, and your spirit in ways comfort never can. It teaches discipline, patience, humility, and courage. It makes failure meaningful, effort valuable, and success earned. The hard path is where true people are made—people who understand that life’s challenges are not punishments, but opportunities. Opportunities to become better, stronger, wiser, and more capable. I never chose the easy path. I always chose the harder road, the one that tested me, the one that demanded effort, and the one that required me to face myself honestly. I walked through fear, doubt, exhaustion, and setbacks. I fell, and I got up. I failed, and I tried again. I cried, I questioned, I endured. And through it all, I became someone I could respect, someone who knew the value of persistence, someone who understood that hardship is not the enemy—it is the greatest teacher. Today, I measure success differently. I do not measure it by comfort, convenience, or ease. I measure it by growth, resilience, and the depth of self-respect I have cultivated. I measure it by how I faced challenges I could not ignore, how I embraced struggles that seemed unbearable, and how I refused to take shortcuts at the cost of my own becoming. I never chose the easy path. I chose the one that made me resilient. I chose the one that taught me self-respect. I chose the one that allowed me to become the person I am today. And if I had the choice again, I would choose the hard path every single time. Because the road of struggle is not only a journey—it is the making of a human being.writing...
By Ihtisham Ulhaq3 days ago in Motivation
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