November 19th, 2004 - Un-Jobbing: The Adult Liberation Handbook by Michael Fogler
I tried to hide this book in the stack of simplicity books when I brought it home. I didn’t want my husband to think I was considering quitting my job. I thought that’s what the book would be about–how to make a living without working for someone else. While Fogler does address that, it’s really a typical simple living book, not how to quit your job! Wait…I guess he does try to convince you to quit your job, but it’s not really a manual for how to quit. It’s more about thinking mindfully, consciously about the work you do and if that’s really the work you want to do. In my case, I really like my job (as well as the benefits it provides my family) and so I’m not considering leaving it.
The book got me thinking about my interest over the past few years of moving into administration, however. I’m very strongly interested in this, having had some taste of administrative work over the last three years that I really enjoyed. I discovered I actually enjoy administration. That’s apparently fairly rare, so I feel like I should do it. But the biggest thing holding me back? Most administrators work more than 40 hours a week. I don’t want a 60+ hour work week. I really like working 7-3:30. I like being able to come home for lunch (when the weather’s nice and I can bike to work). I like being home before dinner. I like having restful evenings and weekends. Sure, I check my email and respond to folks…but only if I want to or there’s a known problem that I offered to help with in the off hours. My day is relatively unstructured by others. I set my own hours for appointments, meetings, seminars. I can come in a little late when I have late meetings. I can take all my vacation days without worry. It’s only stressful a few times a year, not constantly.
This book, along with the other simple living books, is leading me to staying where I am. But seeking out smaller administrative jobs, such as those I’ve done over the last three years. They were 2-10 hours/week, and the larger one was not in addition to my regular job but part of it. This way, I can pick and choose (to some extent) when I am involved more and to what extent. I could join and/or chair committees, work on special projects, become president of the senate again, etc. I think this would be more in line with the simple kind of life I want to live. I also wouldn’t need to buy a considerably more professional wardrobe than I currently have.
I highly enjoyed this book. There’s a lot of Fogler’s personal story in it (always a hit with me). Primarily about Frugal Simplicity.
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