Is a Good Salary More Important Than Peace of Mind?
By ptower76
@ptower76 (1616)
United States
July 28, 2010 3:28pm CST
In the past, my main criteria for accepting a job was salary. That opinion has changed after experiencing the stressor that come along with the high salaries. Now i am content to work at something i like to do and not worry too much about what i make of course as long as the bills get paid. Do you agree that sometimes we have to trade financial gain for health, happiness, and peace of mind? Or is it possible to achieve both. Someone once said, "Choose a career you enjoy and you never have to work a day in your life" Have any of you found that career?
2 people like this
27 responses
@lilangelspreschool (1129)
• United States
5 Aug 10
To me, money cannot buy my happiness so if I'm not happy with what I'm doing than I would rather not do it. I have been a Preschool Teacher out of my home and that does not pay much at all but I LOVE what I'm doing so it's worth it to me. I would definitely rather be happy and have a sense of peace than all of the money in the world. ![](/Content/images/emotes/thumbup.gif)
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@fish_pink_zoo (53)
• Philippines
4 Aug 10
What you like to work and love it to do with satisfaction is the most fulfilling career rather than receiving a high salary of the work you don't like after all what's the use of money when you can't buy satisfaction and fulfillment.
@argytrans (225)
• United States
29 Jul 10
For me a good salary is important because I'm dealing with my own situation. I live in develop country where basic need and heath care are expensive. Also a good salary is important to secure my future or to cover unexpected needs like accident or sickness, for some people they use insurance.
@AndrewFreyne (6281)
• United Kingdom
29 Jul 10
I personally think that it's better to have a low salary and be happy in your job as opposed to having a very good salary and being under constant stress! This isn't the same for everyone and some people can really handle the stress of high powered positions, this is not me though! I don't take to stress too well.
The thing that is most important in my life is the fact that I'm happy and content deep inside. Some people are very lucky in that they can achieve the job of their dreams and it really doesn't feel like work as they are really enjoying the process and they are lucky enough to have the hugh salary that goes with the job. I would think that the majority of people though tend to settle of jobs that they are really too happy doing.
I once had a career goal! I wanted to join the Royal Navy but as a result of my having asthma I was rejected and then I was totally lost not knowing what I wanted to do in terms of a long term career. I struggle each day now to try and find some kind of happiness for myself! I'm constantly trying to find my niche in the world! Andrew![](/Content/images/emotes/happy.gif)
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@charmlenile (387)
•
29 Jul 10
I do hope that I could find that peace of mind .I realize that there is no other option available to most people except to be contented on what they have right now but time is too short in the continuity of time and life. I prepared my life to mere spark and decided to do the same thing that I could be both happy and have peace of mind.The direction to earned more to change life and live with my children.living as true freemen without shackles attributed to lack of money so I could have peace of mind.No worries.
@alex01soriano (39)
• Philippines
29 Jul 10
It's a case to case basis. Sometimes you think that you have your peace of mind and at the same having a good compensation of what you are doing but somewhere along the way, the circumstances changes. THese are factors that you have no control of like having a new boss which is totally jerk or having a colleague which is incompetent.
What I'm saying is you couldn't get the best of both worlds and at the end you need to decide on which path you want to choose.
But of course life doesn't end if you do not have a job or you are in total mess while working.
But the most important thing is, at the end of the day you should be happy and free of worries.
@missybear (11391)
• United States
29 Jul 10
For about 17 years I worked at Casinos "I live in Las Vegas" and the money was good plus I made tips daily.
It was hard work and people constantly were on your tail to do this and do that, it wasn't that great once you took away the money.
Now I do the same work "HOUSEKEEPING" at a Hospice. The money is less and we don't get tips but it's so much nicer to work at. The people are nice, nobody is after you all day long to do this and that. As long as you do what you supposed to do you can work at your own pace. Unless I was really in a situation were I couldn't pay my bills anymore I would never go back working in the casinos.
So you can say i take Peace of Mind over money as long as I can afford too.
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
29 Jul 10
Two years ago I accepted a job wherein I got paid twice as much what I was making then. Unfortunately, that job involved a long commute everyday, being stuck at laboratory in a basement without windows, and I imagine a lot of stress. I tried it out for 6 weeks. Afterwards I went back to my previous job, which still has stress involved, but with a short commute, and a chance for travel once in a while.
I think I made the right choice.
And as far as getting the career that I would enjoy, I think I am already in the right one, but still not the right job. So, my hunt continues...
@hestylim (1210)
• Indonesia
29 Jul 10
I once left a higher paid job for one that paid me lower just because I didn't have any peace of mind anymore there.
For me, peace of mind rules. I can look for money everywhere in this world. But not a peace of mind. I can't find a peace of mind anywhere I like.
That is why, it is important and very very important. Money could be essential for life. But when you have money but not a peace of mind, believe me, all the money in the world will not be enough as well.
@smilepleeeaz (784)
• India
29 Jul 10
I think it depends on what phase of life you are.
According to me, for youngsters who are just starting, a good salary is the most important thing as they can handle the stress very well that comes with it. At that time they need to earn good salary to form a good base for rest of their life , so money becomes the first priority and peace of mind is easily sacrificed for it.
But once you get an experience of about 10 years, you start realizing that you need much peace of mind than the salary. Also till that time, you have had made a good saving for you by working hard at the cost of your peace of mind.
So our priorities changes with our age. And both the things are equally important.
And we should strive for a good balance between the two.
thanks for this discussion.
Take care :)
@diogz22 (516)
• Philippines
29 Jul 10
I don't agree that you need to trade financial gain for health, happiness and peace of mind. You should have all of them. It is just a about choosing the right option for you. If your having fun with your work that is good for you. But if you think your job is not that fun think twice again other people might consider it fun. In that case you might consider looking for another job and give your current job to the one who needs it the most. Basically its all in the mind, it depends on you how you would balance all the aspect of living. Live life! Live like there is no tomorrow! Have fun and enjoy!!
@aaronfyzeon (1920)
• Philippines
29 Jul 10
I would have to choose first high paying jobs then try to challenge myself if i can really handle the stress in it. I have my ways on how to handle stress. But if in this job that i have taken would make me have a peace of mind because of the office politics, then i really have to resign in that company. I want to be happy with my work even if it pays not that much. Or maybe i could work in that stressful but high paying job until i still hold my nerves out then just transfer to a different company once i have saved a big amount of money. then start my own business in the future.
@DeepakCool (434)
• India
29 Jul 10
I feel that both are improtant in our job.If i feel that i don't have a peace of mind in my job and my salary is little high than the standards i think then i will quit that job....suppose if the job has very high salary than i think then i will tolerate myself and get use to situation and work only for the salary
@yiyezhiqiou55 (23)
•
29 Jul 10
I like do something that i like ,but the reality is not, so i do work ,
@Archie0 (5653)
•
29 Jul 10
[i] Hello ptower
well i think for me both will be somewhat equal. Because if i earn money i will be able to get some peace at some point of time. If i don't have good salary, the problems of my life might get over me and make my life depressed.
Where as if i have peace i am able to earn and work with my mind, but if in case my mind and heart are not at peace i may not be working good as well. So you see, both are interlinked at a limit.
[/i]
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@calai618 (1773)
• Philippines
29 Jul 10
yeah this is really a common dilemma. A lot of people find peace of mind when they get to have enough money to feed their family and to support their needs and wants. i guess it depends on whether you want more. If one is fine with what's enough, then I dont see the need to ask for more money and stress one self.
@kyle2krystel (2489)
• Japan
29 Jul 10
Hi ptower, I prefer to have peace of mind coz I dont have to think to much about that and this. Its important to have peace of to relax your self everyday. Having a good salary but no peace of mind is kind of tough to me.
@cursoralbert99 (412)
• Malaysia
29 Jul 10
Well, having a good salary will bring peace of mind. It's depends on how much we spend everyday and monthly as well. But, somehow, it's not easy to workout something until we found a good salary for ourselves. The demands for the cost of living in this world are getting higher each day and somehow, it'll be hard for us to achieve the peace of mind.
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