I work only three days a week. I have too much time on my hands and is driving me crazy. I'm glad my life doesn't evolve around my job. I would hate a 8 to 5 job but it meant more money I would take it.
I want to say option 1, but I think there are some variables missing. For a family where you are the main breadwinner, I honestly don't think that's enough money unless it also come with a pension plan or something (unlikely.) If you want to do things like help pay for your kids' college and retire at 55 with a happy travel-filled retirement like I do, that's probably not going to get you there. However, if you plan on being single your whole life, or your wife also has an equivalent job, then maybe it's doable.
Option 1 without hesitation. There is more to life than money. I recently went through a similar hypothetical. Option A - Very stable company and industry, great benefits, good salary and growth opportunity, low stress, fantastic work-life balance. Option B - Unstable industry but a fairly stable position, good benefits, great salary and growth opportunity, high stress, terrible work-life balance. I went with option A and it wasn't even close. If I ever find myself desiring more money, I can always start my own side business. Good. Europeans, Scandinavians in particular, enjoy the best labor rights and quality of life in the world. This has nothing to do with innovation, btw. We are the center of technological innovation because of how smart we work (i.e. where we put our resources, effort, and training) and not how hard we work. We will eventually lose our innovation edge because we currently suck (and are sucking more and more) at STEM education.
People live for the future but the problem is that you never know what the future brings. Having recently lost my father, I can tell you that time is far more precious than any of us realize. Spend lots of time with your loved ones. It's the most important thing there is. And you never know how long you have that for.
because he spent so much time at work it ruined his family life so if he retired he would just sit and argue all day with his wife lol
This questions is the best summary for NASA vs Oil&Gas. I was in the Aerospace industry involved with Space Shuttle program and work was not stressful. Definitely challenging but not stressful. People were very friendly and were genuinely interested in reaching company goals. Work and Home life never crossed each other. Pay was mediocre and raises were sub-standard. Bonuses almost didn't exist. I LOVED what I did and was very good at it. Had a bright future ahead and had buy-in from management to track me up the ladder (even paid for grad school!) Now that I'm in Oil&Gas, I'm working over 40 hours every week with no overtime and pressure from top management is non-stop. Wouldn't call it cut-throat but everyone seems to be looking out for themselves. I get sick much more than I used to and occasionally have work on my mind when I'm at home. Salary boost was strong when I switched and bonuses are definitely there and get ridiculous as you climb the ladder. Management here likes me but works me like a dog. I'm not really seeing a planned pathway to career advancement. ....hmmm this topic is really making me rethink everything....
If you haven't had time or a relationship with him, make the effort to get it. On his behalf too, if he doesn't realize it. Speaking from personal experience.
