EDC 4 bucket bag: adamsavage.com/products/savage-industries-edc-four-bucket-bag With thanks to Tested members Projects in Dad's Garage, James The Cyclist, Larry U and charlesm.1638 for their support and questions! Join this channel to support Tested and get access to perks, like asking Adam questions during live streams: ruclips.net/channel/UCiDJtJKMICpb9B1qf7qjEOAjoin
need to make little name tags that clip on to the lip of the sortimo box inserts..... I tend to make little tags from pieces of index cards that I laminate with clear tape if I need them to last. write on the index card, cut it out and tape it to the lip of the sorter
lmao. Adam, Adam... Adam. Let's be real my dude. I'm sorry, but that bag looks like my cheap re-usable grocery bags. But in some unimaginable way it literally costs $200 bucks. What is it made of, some sort of NASA proprietary hydrophobic silk-steel fibers? That is nonsense, pal. And on top of that it has next to no organizational features aside from places to stick pens/pencils?? Woowwww. Okay look, anyone that is willing to dole out $200 bucks for THAT might as well take the time to look at the VETO Pro Pack, instead. It's double the cost, sure, but it has bout 100X the organizational tool features and huge versatility through their customization add-ons. I guess a "bucket" bag (first time I've ever heard them called that), technically is more adaptable, but you'd be putting a ton of your own work and time to DIY customize it into anything approaching the VETO. I'm sorry, man, but this is just my honest opinion... your bag just seems ludicrous.
I came in on sunday today and did about 3 hours of work with no one else there. What I realized is I don't hate my job. What I hate is who I work with.
Been at my job for 8 years now. Learned that I really dislike about 90 percent of the people in my industry. Now I just tell them I don't like people and if there is work that I can do alone, I will gladly do it. They don't want me to quit, so they try to accommodate that for me lol. Doesn't mean I like my job, but not dealing with the people makes it a lot more bearable.
Thank you. I hate it when people say "You have to just go" when the REAL problem is not knowing what and where. I keep looking for that spark, being open to it, trying different things. After all, a spark is what happens before light.
@@slamkam07 Pretty clear... he means he can't find his passion. What he wants to do in life. If he knew he would be doing it. So for some finding the passion strong enough for something is the hard part.
The danger comes when the soul crushing ends and you realize there is nothing left. Your soul is gone. You don't know who you are. Your hobbies, that used to distract you, are not needed any more. The kids are grown and gone. Your spouse is most likely gone or as brain dead as you. You sit on RUclips, pretending it's real. sorry, what was the question?
@@brokenrecord3523 From u.k. I served an apprenticeship as a bricklayer finished that at 21yrs. Then was going to Poland to work, and my dad said who was a brickie all his life said. What are you going there for? It’s 30 below! So I got in a U.S. owned U.K. based car and engine assembly plant. Ten miles from me, was only going in there for the winter. Thirty five yrs later, retired at 55, pension no complaints. It’s a strange one, lots of lads I met after they took voluntary redundancy in their 30s and 40s ended up financially strapped. Failed business ventures, too many holidays, and of course a permanent good time until the cash runs out! But mainly the lads who I regard as mates, or should I say work colleagues. Are all O.K. and like me appreciate our position, I moved around in the plant a bit keeping my eyes open for better jobs e.t.c. If you are stuck in a rut, and it’s an affordable rut, tough it out! If it isn’t an affordable rut you have to if you can’t find anything else. My two sons both in their mid thirties, both have very well paid responsible jobs. Don’t know where that came from! Has to be genetics from the wife! It’s difficult sometimes, but everyone’s situation is different, I was lucky the money Kept us all there, but I just try to keep things simple TRY not to let things bother you. And try to accept things you can’t change, politics can drive you mad! Take care.
@@brokenrecord3523 the first half all sounds like me and I'm only 28 lol. So while I am still trying to be positive, it's hard having gone through all of that. Thankful I did not have a wife and kids to put through it though.
Well here I am crying right before work. Man, you saying “I don’t know what I want to be when I grow up”is so unbelievably validating and comforting. I’ve been saying that joke for over a decade and feeling like it was just a coping mechanism and deflection because I felt inferior to people who seemed to have drive and a path they want to take. But you, someone who I look up too as a role model, saying it makes me feel like it’s ok to say it or not know what direction to go in. So, thank you. Like, with all my being thank you. You constantly inspire me to be a better human and you validate me in ways I never thought I needed. I appreciate you my guy. I’m glad I get to share this planet with you.
I'm going to be 40 next year and I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up. So far, I've done logistics, tech support, management, network / software operations, software engineering, and being a 911 / police dispatcher. I'm looking to change it up again right now. That doesn't even account for my hobbies and side businesses I am trying to start. I think people like us and Adam get a bad rap. In fact, in American business culture (probably elsewhere too), especially currently, there is no defined place for generalists (for I believe that is what we are). And that is a shame because I guarantee I can learn new things quicker than anyone, I can drop into the middle of crises, keep my cool, and turn things around, and I can work between all kinds of different team silos and bring them all together. I really hate saying all of that because I am highly averse to boasting, but these are just things that I've learned about who I am, and acknowledging that has finally helped me start to be able to sell my skillset to get into roles that fit me well. It's not that we don't know what to be. It's that we don't want to be just one thing. And despite what we've been conditioned to believe, there is nothing wrong with that.
@@doc_sav The lack of need for generalists doesn't have much to do with business culture, it's a direct consequence of the high-tech world we live in. It's not much use being able to learn quickly. In most relevant situations you have to bring a relatively deep skill set to the table to be of any use.The more complex everything becomes, the more specialised we need to be to be able to contribute. I don't know what the future will bring, but for now, "pick a lane" is more true than it was for our parents and grandparents. Because to get to the level where companies look for generalists, we now have to push through two to three layers of knowledge hierarchy.
I loved my job until a change of management several years ago. I wanted to quit but couldn't due to a unique skill set, bad degree and debt. At that point, I focused on being a husband and father and work just became something to finance those roles. My day started at 4:30pm. It gets harder as the kids get older since they don't spend as much time with me, but I still look at how I support them as young adults. I still have good days at work occasionally. I suggest getting a hobby too, even though I couldn't due to health issues my kids had at the time.
@@jasonrackawack9369 absolutely! Hang in there. It was a good reminder on caring too much about things outside of your control. I did take the time to finish my MS in a marketable area, but resolved to stay the course, since I had stability and good benefits. I think too many people hurt themselves in the long run by trying to reacquire the illusion of control as an unplanned reaction to a bad situation. That manager is long gone, but I learned to prioritize my life differently ever since.
@@maxwellbarnhart1375 Did away with my position and others. He ghosted our department and made false accusations in our absence to justify the changes. Although most things reverted after he left a few years ago, the years of disfunction and personnel turnover wiped out all memory of past processes that took a decade to implement. I had energy and optimism the first time around, now I just do my best remind myself that I can't care more about it than the people in charge.
as an introvert, I hate my job because I have to deal with my coworkers... I love my job when I can work alone, but distractions like constant meetings are killing me slowly...
Loved an old job - had tasks and projects that were mine and I did well. Then I got 'promoted' without my consent or even asking if that's what I wanted to account manager. Suddenly I'm on a ton of calls (both internal and with external clients) and I hated every second of it. They farmed out my old position responsibilities to several people, so there was no going back for me. Had to quit and did.
i totally understand that. i used to work in a perm job that had a lot of useless meetings and team days. i got so depressed on those days. Then i left and became a temp worker/ contractor - it was a lot easier as i can plan my own times/ meetings. There still group team calls but it is all about delivering the project. Big bonus is I earn so much more than I could ever earn if I was a permanent worker
I went to school for art on a full scholarship. I got out of school and could not find work. This was before computer graphics, when you lugged around huge physical portfolios. I finally had to get a job in retail and worked my way up for the next 30 years. I now have a comfortable job and take care of my family. All the while, hating every minute of my work and wishing I could drop everything and go back to arts and making stuff with my hands. My advice would be, if I could go back to my former self...do what you like and you will get good at finding work/money. If you do have to take "real jobs", don't let that become your life. Always use it to get back to what drives you. No amount of money in the world is worth looking back and realizing what could've been. People also forget that your skill level diminishes, your sight and muscle control diminishes and one day you could find yourself in a position to go back, and the inability to do what you once loved. That is truly soul crushing. You get one life. Make it your own.
Sounds like you only go to college to get a job, and not much of making your... passion(?) or skills in art to be useful; Promote your art and perhaps sell your artwork online or own a shop and sell your pieces of art. Something to think about, though it's already too late for that, maybe. I think for anyone who is only looking for jobs, do what's trending or any field that will pay well. Technical college would be best for that, in my opinion, again, if you're ONLY looking for jobs. Otherwise, if you're going to college to study and to pass on your knowledge, that's great. The future needs those people to advance the world and humanity.
Same happened to me over 20 years ago. The biggest issue was back in our time, it was harder to make a living in the arts than it is today. I never went to college but had a knack for writing and drawing. My parents knew I was going places. Problem was, well, there was no such thing as internet back then and I live in Louisiana, in the country. Ya can't make a living selling art on the side of the road, so to retail I went and moved up the ladder. Now I have a cushion job doing the same thing for 20+ years. I didn't let work get me down and fought to get my drive yet. It took me over 2 years to get passed my brain funk and FINALLY, I'm back to drawing anything again. When I say anything, I mean it. I can draw anything. In a few more months my first book will be ready for publishing. Because I know what it's like to have that flame fizzle, I made it mt goal to support local artists and to help them push their passion and to direct them in areas that are more cost efficient. For example: I always wanted a digital drawing tablet with an integrated screen, but over 10 years ago, a cheap 10" tablet was 2k. That's the cheap version. I found one for $500 that was a 3" screen. Today, modern technology has made it possible where a 10" integrated screen costs less than $200. Don't have money to publish? Self publish or use Kickstarter. That didn't exist back in my day. I encouraged one young man to open an online apparel store and he was happy for the support. Then whenever he had an issue with his shop he would always come to me for advice. Today is easier for people to follow their dreams and I don't want people to feel like it's out of reach.
I was always in STEM. Electronics, then IT. I was good at it, and made good money. I hated it. I saved enough money, went to law school, and today I'm very happy as a lawyer and law school teacher. I never believed in being happy in our work. Always imagined it was just another "trick" to make people stomach jobs they hate. Now, I do. I love each moment I spend in class, teaching. I love every moment I'm in court, fighting. I love every new legal book, every philosophy and sociology book I buy and read. It wasn't easy. I'm still not 100% free of IT, but today 90% of my work is legal. The catch is, I was able to save money, which I know is not an option to most people. But my point is that you can shift gradually. It doesn't need to be like flipping a switch.
I've never really subscribed to the idea that you cannot have a job that pays well AND is enjoyable. Only bitter people seem to think that's impossible and probably stems from the protestant work ethic where you must work to wipe away your sin
It's the stages of work grief. I'm at the "calm clear water of utter no fs given". I practice meditation, be in silence after work. This clears my head and realize that I can work but I can let go of expectations. I do my best but whatever happens happens. I will be okay, no matter what.
This was my exact experience. It took me 6 years to get to no Fs given and honestly, once every few months I still give a lot of Fs for a few days and have to go through the whole “reminding myself that work is just a means to an end” process again, but by and large, I don’t care. I don’t engage in the small talk, people mostly seem to realize that I am not interested in their BS anymore and leave me alone. I did the whole “quiet quitting” thing a year ago and it was the best decision I have ever made.
Sometimes you just need to hold on a little longer in a bad job to prepare yourself for a better one, whether it's paying for a course to learn something else, getting a qualification/certificate that allows you to change fields, saving money to buy expensive equipment that you will need in this new job, or even saving money just to be able to support yourself for a few months while you get clients and hits the break even. I did exactly what i said, i did the math on how much money i would need, how long it would take me to get my certificate and how much security money i would need, it took exactly 8 months of work, and every day i got home and i crossed off the calendar with a smile on my face, saying to myself “cool, one less day in that place”. What causes despair and nervousness is wanting to leave work and go to another area without planning, but if you think carefully and create a strategy, your last days in a bad job can even be pleasant.
Sometimes it's really just the company, or worse, the team you are working in. In the beginning of my "career" I switched jobs every three, four years. Not because I hated the job, but because I didn't really "feel it", and there were offers that sounded more interesting. When I arrived at the company where I have now been for 14 years I felt right away that this was a much better fit. And I'm not some highly paid specialist, just an ordinary lab-tech. It pays to keep looking. Plus, aquiring expertise in different areas of the same profession has turned out to be quite valuable.
I'm 100000% going to take this advice. I'm currently going back to school to do what I really want to do which is be a teacher. I'm currently stuck at a job I absolutely do not like making really crappy pay and getting abused every day but it pays for my education, and the schedule fits with school. I'm immediately going to take this advice and just stay focused on the goal and view everyday and one day closer to my goal.
3:34 "I still don't know what I want to do when I grow up." Soooo happy to hear that Adam has not grown up yet. Nobody ever should. That's when the joy goes out of life. I have known people that viewed the day job purely as the means to pay the bills for the things they enjoyed (hobbies, travel, holidays, etc). They stomached every grindy day by endlessly reminding themselves that at the end of it, they would be enjoying the fruits of that labor. A photo on the desk of their next "goal" helped them get through it. Not ideal, but it worked for them.
I worked a dumb, dead-end job for 27 years, but I kept myself fairly well satisfied outside of that with personal interests. Only when the business failed at last due to the owner's ineptitude with running one did I realize just how worthwhile those interests had been all that time.
A past co-worker made a profound statement regarding work vs hobbies. He had interests in both a career in electrical engineering or accounting. He picked accounting because he new he would eventually hate his job, and he did not want to ever hate electrical engineering. So that's his hobby, funded by his accounting career.
I heard something similar years ago that has always stuck with me, which is that your day job is how you fund the work you're passionate about. If that ends up generating some extra income for you, that's just gravy. Easier said than done, I know, but the perspective shift has really changed how I approach both my "career" and the things I love doing.
This is sort of what I did, I too loved electronics but I decided to study IT at the university, fell in love with that too. Thought I would work on my own projects in my time with the money I make from my job, but thats too far removed from the reality. The jobs from where I am (India) want 200% of me, and I have already been through 3 jobs in my two and half years career, I have been good at work, always appreciated by the managers but the work doesn't feel of any meaning to me. I can do better, If I must dedicate as much of my time as I did at my job, I would rather work on something of more meaning to me, or at least afford a decent lifestyle to me.
I really don't understand this mindset. Turning something I love into a job that I may hate sounds sucky for sure, but it sounds infinitely better than doing something I already hate day in day out for years on end. I would jump at the opportunity to do one of my hobbies as a job instead.
@@vanessathomas9641 I think we simplify things a lot when we say doing what we love. So when I say that I like working with computers and other technical stuff, what I really mean is that I like to work with these to scratch my own itch, for the sake of my own curiosity, to answers questions that arise in my own mind. When I am do the same for someone else with their problem in that fashion they want me to, prioritising business interest over technical interest it makes me repulsed to that act, then I only do it for the salary and would want to get as far from it as possible when not being paid, It develops in a dislike for the very thing I once was mad about... I don't know if I am able to explain it well enough.
@@vanessathomas9641 I think its the nature of this agreement of working for someone else's project that causes all the issues, I think any job will eventually feel like a necessary evil after a certain time (post honeymoon period...)
I used to watch the show when I was a young man, this is the first time I have seen you on a screen since. People assume because someone is on television that they are vastly successful or rich, it is evident in the online age that it is a facade. appreciate the honesty, its what's needed in order to level up oneself.
My problem is I've doing construction work most of my life. After shutting down my business, I found it very hard to find work. "You're overqualified" seems to be the refrain. Which to me says "We don't want to pay you for what you're worth". Now I drive a taxi for very mear fraction of what I used to make. I'm a bit stuck.
What did you do in construction? Could you look at what you know and use it? I started in 1974 as a bricklayer for 20 years, and in that time, I took night school for four years (with a new baby and a mortgage) and got an HNC in building studies. I then worked the next 30 years doing site manager jobs (freelance) and had to take early retirement due to arthritis. I got cancer. I had it taken out and lost a lung in the process. I now make a living as a Building Advice Consultant and Fire door inspector. It pays enough, and I don't intend to stop - when you stop, you die. You have more skills than just driving - use them. Give them back. Become a college lecturer in a skills college. Become a mentor. Take some online courses and bring your knowledge up to date. Look beyond the parallel lines of sight and think broader.
handiman, construction project manager, inspector - city/county/state and contract hired. building supplier, hail/storm damage inspector for roofing siding company or/estimator for home owners insurance company.
I've been told "you're overqualified" a few times. I now reply "yes, my managers usually call me a high performer." This fits nicely with a question I like to ask when interviewing "what would it take to be a high performing member of this team?" Of course they mean what you say, that they just don't want to pay me what I'm worth, or that they expect me to get quickly bored and leave. I want them to come right out and say so, though. That gives me the opportunity to counter. I like to start the interview, in my introduction, by saying why I'm particularly interested in this company. Maybe I like the industry because it fits my hobby. Maybe the company has a reputation that fits my values (so I tell the relevant value), maybe I've been a customer before. So their company is special and later if they worry I'll just quit, I remind them of our shared passion. I *want* to be there, just compensate me fairly. Likewise, if they don't want to pay me enough, just tell me what they're offering. It's normal to negotiate compensation, they do it every hire. Of course I don't nail every interview, but as I get older this "overqualified" comes up more often, and I worry places will discard me without a chance. These are some ways I try to turn that around to discuss what their ideal candidate would bring. Don't let them sell you short. Good luck out there!
@@aprilgeneric8027 Every one of those options you listed other than the first now require a degree. As for handyman work no one wants to pay what it's worth even if you can find steady work doing it.
I spent 30ish years working towards being a graphic designer in the printing/sign industry, I was finally making good money working at a high level doing national brands and accounts. During covid I ended up transitioning in the same company over to the construction estimating dept. for the interior design/ retail display part of the business that made the millwork/cabinetry, I actually liked the architectural part of the process, however the place went bankrupt while expecting my first child and I find myself selling auto parts at a car.dealership to survive.....Im pushing 50 and every design job now pays peanuts and wants young kids out of school, the dealership job is soul crushing at times, thanks for the advise on pushing through the B.S. Just reading the othercomments in this community that I am not alone has been helpful. Guess I will follow the battle cry of Gen X to just "Keep on Keeping on" and remember "Life's not fair you gotta deal with it"
My wife worked in print for 10 years then pivoted to UX. UX pays creatives as developers, and developers can't take it over easily because the art background and working with product people is not something that can be solved with code. UX is also a leadership role which is more tolerant to GenX. Parts sales has plenty of online presence. You already know the art, branding and marketing, and you know the parts and customers. Just my $.02, paths vary and I think my wife is secretly a nerd.
I'm currently a graphic designer for a garment printing facility that doesn't pay enough and we are experiencing the slowest workload we have ever had. We are slower right now then we get around Christmas time. When the low workload was mentioned to the owner, he simply said, "I guess we will have to shut down". I've been meaning to get a new job for a while but if we close that certainly will force me to move on. Both my husband and I are frustrated with our jobs. We both hate the corporate world and want to do something with our creativity instead of work a mindnumbing desk job. It doesn't help that job opportunities suck in our area but we love living here. We both have no idea what we want to do. As dumb as it might sound, we've been planning to start a comedy RUclips channel as a side business and hopefully that will help launch us in a different direction. I just can't take it anymore. Sometimes I cry looking up at the sky thinking about how beautiful the world is and how I have barely been able to really see any of it.
Just before Covid I started a design degree wanting to go into animation and web design as the type of job I could do from anywhere. Now it feels more and more like the best time to get into design was 30 years ago. A friend of mine who has worked as a graphic designer for ten years gets paid bugger all and works insane amounts of unpaid overtime, it seems like it is just expected because the work is creative and you should feel lucky to have a creative job. I'm wondering if there will even be work for me once I eventually graduate, given the whole AI situation. It's easy to despair and feel like I have wasted my time on an industry without a future 😓
@@MinxFox Serious question: What do they pay for doing graphics for garment printing, in your area? I ask as a guy who screen prints for a living. I always wish I was more skilled in art and design. Have you considered learning to print as a side gig? I have been a 1 man shop for a long time, but make pretty good money.
@@joeshmoe7967 I make $15.00 an hour and I have a BFA degree in graphic design and graduated Magna Cum Laude. I've sorta looked at other print shop artist prices in town but they are all pretty much what I'm making. I'm actually more interested in sublimation printing and our company has a sublimation printer sitting collecting dust. I tried to buy it from them but they wanted too much for it. I've used it a handful of times for personal projects. I made a sublimated mermaid tail on it that I then cut and sewed together. It was pretty awesome. At one point I was interested in screen printing, but if I learn how to screen print here they will force me to do both screen printing and graphic design. This is what happened to my junor graphic designer that quit because he didn't want to be forced to clean screens half the day. I told them I needed him with me all day because he wasn't in here enough to really be helpful. He would come in our office high from all the screen print chemical fumes looking shitty. I would tell him just because the others don't wear a respirator doesn't mean you shouldn't, be sure you demand propper protection, etc. I don't want to be around the chemicals. I'm sure there are cleaner print shops out there that don't use that awful spray adhesive and all sorts of bad stuff. I saw a cool screen print shop on Reddit and was wishing our shop was cool. There is too much drama/negativity and bad managment when it comes to the printers. The screen printers come in late every day and often leave work early too - this is even with more work to be done. They still get weekly bonuses. I'm coming in on time and leaving on time and I'm the only artist so every order has to go through me and I setup and print all the film, etc. I get no recognition. I don't get bonuses. One week I made the company about $700 in art fees in a single day (which is super rare to achive) and my bonus was $25.00. Screen print often gets $100 bonuses. I need a new job. I just don't know what I want to do. How I ended up here is no other graphic design place wanted to consider me because I was fresh out of school with no work experience. Also, the online applying process is the absolute worst. The good thing I can say about my job is they saw me in person, gave me a tour, and hired me that day. It used to be better here but it has gone downhill.
My father loved goldsmithing but couldn't get steady work. He got a job making dentures instead, and he was glad to be working with wax moulds and building bespoke personal pieces.
Now they scan your mouth with lidar to send away and 3D print crowns and dentures. The only thing the silicon mold was for, was my temporary crown made from epoxy resin.
yeah, I had a computer customer that did the denture stuff in his home business. I think I got a couple hundred to recap his motherboard before we all learned about the bad caps plague. and save him from a new 35K machine. A couple years later I met him as a cashier in a big box store. His industry evaporated overnight with the new 3d scan and print stuff.
@@mwater_moon2865yes, but no, you still need someone to make the final casting and small adjustments. In my country, dental prosthetic specialists study for a couple of months with the arts and trade guys, where the goldsmiths and jewel smiths study too
I LOVED the way you answered the question about jobs. Many people (myself included sometimes) don't get the fact that there's no general right or general wrong, no formula for success, because we can't just do what other people do and expect that to be the best for us as well. If we want to be happy, healthy, thriving, we have to "do the thinking" as my girlfriend puts it. Think think think, plan, do, then think about what went good/bad, then plan again, do, then again think. There's just no escaping "the thinking", and there's no taking ourselves out of the equation.
i used to love my job (architectural metal fab) . but as the company has grown, higher end jobs come in, schedule gets tighter, hours get longer, i get more responsibilities. ive grown to hate it, as have most of my coworkers. ive started making excuses to turn down overtime. ive gotten to the point of not needing the money as i have side hustles i enjoy. i try to value my mental health and free time over over my job. my favorite movie quote right now is “how much did they pay you to give up on yours dreams”.
I WAS a Project Manager for a installation and renovation company for about 3 years. It paid decent, but required 150% of ME and I quit because it was going to kill me. A Tested video helped me decide to get out. I have shifted to a corporate desk job, but I have more ambition to make for people somewhere down the road, hopefully sooner rather than later.
Might I ask which industry, specifically? I work as a project manager for a biomass company. Went to school for engineering, but most of my work now has been constant budgeting for other sites’ projects and I feel like my skills and experiences aren’t properly utilized. Plus, budget has been tighter due to warm winters. Pay is good and the company was the only one to follow up after an initial interview, but I lack satisfaction. Would love to learn more from other people, especially those struggling to find work due to lack of experience.
@@legodragon1999 I worked in the garage storage and closet industry. Putting in closets, shelves, cabinets inside of homes. I was the installer, trainer, scheduler, problem solver, warehouse supervisor, product orderer, and installer manager. When the production company was bought, the quality dropped, and the problems went from occasional to every single job - multiples at every job. The owner was pissing away the money, and wasn't charging enough for labor and materials. We went from $2.3m in sales in 2021 being the best year ever and all the bonuses that came from it, to 2022 being $2.4m in sales and we were out of money. I could go into more detail, but I don't want to write a story that long.
Something to add to the first question in the video is that I've noticed that if I'm content with my job my hobbies suffer, and if I hate my job my hobbies thrive. I say this because if the person has completely exhausted their current skill set and need to aquire a new set of skills, I would recommend staying at your current job while you aquire these skills. There might be exceptions in terms of getting lucky with the right opportunity (such as someone willing to both pay and mentor you in a new job). But for most situations that luxury likely won't be there. I say this because staying at a job you hate will give you incredible motivation to train up your new skill, and it will give you an edge.
After 20.5 years of the Navy, I can say that they were the best of times, they were the worst of times. What I miss most were the underways and visiting the plethora of absolutely beautiful ports in the Mediterranean Sea. Where I work now is enjoyable, but bland, yet I know I won't find a job that will match the pay or benefits. I retired as a Chief Petty Officer in the Navy after 14 years active duty and 6.5 years in the reserves in spring 2021.
Jeez - bland! I know what you mean. I'm counting the days until retirement. I turn up, I do a day and cross it off. Nothing has ever come close to the thrill and enjoyment of being in the Army for 12 years. So I read a lot, I tend my garden, I do crafts, I make things, I draw. I just try to find something that keeps me sane.
I've lived in Ohio working jobs all my life. I wish I had joined the military and had someone else pay me to see a bunch of beautiful areas. Must be fucking nice.
I quit my job when I felt this way. It sounds extreme, but it was the right call. I just quit one day and lived off savings for half a year. Then I found a similar job that was more fun and paid better and went back to work. It pays enough I can save up for a few years and finally afford to make some life changes that drastically reduce my expenses and increase my freedom.
As a craftsman and freelancer I’ve struggled with this for years! After 15 years of making knives and cutlery, but barely making the bills most of the time, it’s becoming increasingly apparent that not all avenues are gonna work long term. No matter how much you love it.
I find that striking out on my own is scary, but the walls are starting to get closer and closer in my office job. The difficulty i have is figuring out how to set money aside when I have family, bill payments, etc. But I hang on by God's grace, and the desire to keep moving forward. Struggle has to produce something. Gym muscles don't come cheap.
It's one thing to have a job for which you have little or no passion, it's another to actively hate what you do / for whom you do it / who you do it with. Unhappiness to that degree will affect one's mental health and often causes the worker to inflict the internalized unhappiness on their families and friends.
Heh, i was in a similar situation. I was a goldsmith for 9 years. I was good at it, but i didn't enjoy it. I quit at the age of 27 and decided to go to uni tor something i enjoy doing. It was a scary jump to make, giving up a career that was stable. Thankfully i have a supportive family and i've never been happier mentally going after something i want to do. If you can, take the jump, it's 1000% worth it.
I work as an electrician and I enjoy it, I feel like I'm contributing to society in a beneficial way. There's a lot of jobs that don't have that sense of importance. I worked as a warehouse picker, that job was monotonous and I felt replaceable every day.
Sometimes under unforeseen circumstances you ended up doing a job that was your hobby or something you enjoyed doing and becomes your full time job. I was a FAA Commercial Pilot and Advance Ground Instructor, and right before I finished my Bachelor’s degree in Aviation Technology and Major in Aviation Management, the September 11th 2001 terrorist attack happened and I lost my job and the opportunity to work with Cessna in Wichita, KS. During the time aviation went down, I never expected that a prop making hobby that I started during my free time in college, helped me make some income in the meantime the aviation industry recovered, and all the sudden became my full time job all these years.
I am a lifelong chef, almost 40 now, and still enjoy the act of cooking amazing food, but had to relocate during the pandemic from a very touristy high volume area to a rural town Indiana, I still make a fair livable wage, but really don't get the chance to use all the skills I built in the kitchen for over 20 years and work has become a 9 to 5 as apposed to a passion project due to limited opportunity, but me and my wife baught our first house, and I take a bit of satisfaction out of building a more rounded life, realizing a career is not the only part of life that matters. Still a hard adjustment to make some days, but having goals outside of work seem to really help when I struggle to get that creative outlet I had for so many years in high end restaurants. Sometimes a job just needs to be a job and of you can change focus onto something else it helps, I still cook at home, although not as much as I would like but more as a hobby now.
20 years ago, I used to work as an assembly person. Soul crushing job, and degraded by management and engineers. I used that shame and anger as motivation to go.to school, studied architecture, got my undergraduate and graduate degree on my own(massive loans). I'm now working as an architect; sometimes its rewarding, sometimes its a lot of work and poor compensation for the amount of school. And my debt has definitely held me back from starting a business and give more back to the community. The point I'm trying to make is, find the courage to change, but know that even the most amazing job sometimes sucks. So is life. Hope this helps someone
I do roofing industrial roofing rubber in such. When your job eats your life so much. You wake up your kids are sleeping when you get home there sleeping. That is truly sole crushing. You think your doing the right thing but you miss out on the best part of life. Me I'm working on finding a new job. And thanks for this video it gave me the extra to keep trying.
Yes sir that is truth. I been doing 60hrs a week for 14mos with no more than 6 consecutive days off. I work inside the building. Roofing, hot tar, asphalt commercial is hard work. Save your body and family first. They will find somebody to get that roof done.
Freelancers have a different tolerance in what challenges they can manage on a daily business than us 9 to 5ers. Desk jobs are usually more steady and safe, but less rewarding.
@@02SplinterCell02 Maybe people are just different. Some people might be able to do that stuff, but me.. man, it is hard to deal with not thinking. I'm still pretty young, but all I know is I need something to use my brain in. Basically, I agree.. boring jobs are the hardest.
Thank you for validating my decisions. I was worried I might be on the wrong track. Turns out I’m basically already doing what I need to do in order to make this work.
I have a masters degree in German. I am a city bus driver and I paint and sketch in the morning before work and on the weekends. I have been selling paintings and sketches. I just want to keep on running with it and hopefully leave my job.
i tried to sketch in germany and was always discouraged from doing so because they say its for losers... unless you do something exotic like wash your hair with toothpaste and support hamas....
Great advice from Adam about thinking what other industries could utilize your skillset. I was a freelance sci fi prop maker for years. When the jobs became scarce, I pitched myself to a high end interior design firm, offering them the ability to 3D model rooms, 3D print scale models, scan antiques in order to reproduce them… And it worked and I ended up working at the firm for years.
I appreciate the honesty about "a job" Most people can't have a job that we "love" because those don't pay well for MOST people and they are rarely stable/secure even if they do love it. Or maybe you love to do something; but you're not that good at it; so no one would ever pay you for it.
I've been in construction for 20+ years, it's all i know, was never academically really, almost 40 years old, and this fall I have to go for surgery on my elbow because i tore a ligament and it's been a year and hasn't healed properly because I have to work to pay bills, but my doctors said I need basically change careers, something more office style, and I hate my line of work but it's what I know, so it's trying figure out what I can do, so there is a lot of what's next feeling I'm getting. I'm gonna have to try this hard thinking thing.
I have been in construction and manufacturing for 20+ yrs, and the schedule is brutal. It takes a toll on a body and I know many men with the same issues. I also understand learning new skills and getting out of it. It takes a bit of looking, but it is doable. Can't say I've done it yet, but it is definitely in the future
I spent a long time thinking the only way I could make money was with my body, construction, moving, building, repair. When I got cancer and had a major surgery I pivoted and became a maintenance manager for an elderly care facility, a lot of what I learned in construction translated into my job now and I get to teach people how to use their bodies to make money, I was never in and still have not gone to college. The body remembers, it’s trauma, but also its experiences; I hope you find something that allows you to make money with your experience. I was surprised when I found what I do now came naturally.
I trained as a classically trained Luthier, and Brass Musical Instrument Technician, I hold professional memberships, and I worked for the biggest UK manufacturer (no longer trading) - it never paid me enough, but enough to live! Freelance - never paid me enough to live! I ended up as a specialist Electro-mechanical NHS hospital engineer, with a daily six hour commute by public transport (nine hours during the Covid-19 pandemic) until I got too sick to work, and actually collapsed at my bench... Now, aged 61, capital exhausted, almost at the point of losing my home (and still sick, but not sick enough*) I'm applying for anything including P/T cleaning jobs, in order to eat! PS my father was a Watchmaker to trade, a Policeman for a living, like me; his passion didn't pay! *Long Covid is still not universally, or officially recognised in the UK
I'm turning 61 this year, have been involved in Graphic Arts and Prepress for nearly 40 years, and am totally burned out. I need to do something else, and have no idea what to do. I produce music and music video for fun (totally a hobby), and think about maybe pursuing that, but I don't really think it would be a reliable source of income. But I think we all need a change after 10 or so years from anything we do.
I love sticky dots and tag sale labels for sorting things, can always add a layer of clear tape, packaging or gift wrap tape, to make sure it lasts longer.
Adam, you have been a hero to me since i learned who you were as i watched you make a car fly with RATO rockets. But hearing you say what ive said since i was maybe 14 just made my heart skip a beat. "I still dont know what i want to be when i grow up", i say that at least once a week. I was so touched to hear you say that. Made me proud to even share 1% brain function with you. Thanks for a lifetime of wonder and curiosity. Peace and love my friend. ❤ -Glitch
What I'm passionate about and good at unfortunately have never translated into a living or even side job. I've always had an eye for photography, short-form writing, mostly film reviews and playing guitar and writing my own music. Sadly all I do is work hard at jobs I don't enjoy. Thanks for the inspirational video Adam.
I'm a tattoo artist of 5 years and I'm stepping away from that literally in 3 days, with no clue what's next. Haven't applied anywhere, I'm just so burnt out and need time to myself. I'm very fortunate to be able to take a week or so off to recalibrate and this advice is super helpful for the week. Thank you Adam Edit: to those who want to seem “smart” and say this is a bad idea, I appreciatethe concern, but especially if youre saying it just to seem superior, respectfully, fuck off. You don't know my situation, or what I've done to prepare to be able to take time off. heres some more advice for y'all, believe it or not, when you don't burn professional bridges and you're a good worker, other jobs are happy to re hire you in no time at all. I have multiple past bosses that when I do hit them up, I know they re going to say “take your time off, but come in whenever you're ready and we will get you re hired.”
I did that last week. Been at my job for 11 years, literally could not be there another day. Don't have anything lined up either, but I'm optimistic! Stay strong my friend.
I absolutely love this video! It provided me with a lot of valuable points and motivation. If you're currently without a job, your job is to find a job. If you're not satisfied with your job but realize you have valuable skills, consider using those skills in a side gig. This can bring you joy and might even lead to a new, more fulfilling job.
Age 56, I have started school for the 6th time after age 18. I have managed to transform a lot of my hobbies into actual work. Adam has a good point in saying that time between projects should be viewed as a project in itself. Advertising, contacts, more education etc. I started from plough and chainsaw, in few weeks I will be working with disabled people. Lots and lots of dots in that line to connect.
I'm nearly 37, With two Bachelor's Degrees related to Computer Science that is working as a Commercial HVAC Technician who's doing more project management. I don't know what I wanna do yet but my partner in life is an OBGYN. When she goes into her full time job post residency, she's stated I can quit my job and do what I want after our dream house is built. I've got 18 Months to figure that out.
Literally just quit my job that drove me into a burnout. I am doing a program now to get back into the Job market. Before I had an office job but I was always an Artist deep down. Back then I started to work as a dental technician. I loved the craft itself but hated the stress and body fluids lol. Now I am seriously considering becoming a Goldsmith, to be able to use the tools and skills I started developing back then for something that I really want to do. Maybe become something who creates special jewlery, props and replicas for theatre, movies and museums. Like... Create my own field where I can truly thrive
Adam, you have just given the same advice that I gave to my three kids, who are all grown up and living their own lives, about doing a job that they don't give a shit about and are unhappy. Nothing lands in your lap, though - you have to work at it, and the more you put into it, the more you will get out of it. Don't expect anyone to do things for you if you are not going to give back more. Be the best you can be; if you don't know something, ask and learn. Never turn away education, especially if it is given freely. If you make a mistake, learn from it. 27 days from retirement - but I'm not counting.
I got my first job in 1998. Over the years I worked for a lot of companies. I have to say out of all of them the only job I felt I was rewarded is the day I started gardening. Crazy how a few seeds can allow a person to prosper and experience abundance. Like I said I never made any money off of the fruits and vegetables I grew. My family and I gained from the nutrition the garden provided and it brought me and my children closer together. Honestly, I would rather work for free if there was a way to provide everything my family needs without income being involved.
Tool transport suggestion, I use a 5 gallon bucket with a tool sleeve that can go around the top. It's big enough to handle a lot of larger tools, and the tool holding sleeve has slots and pockets for hand tools. I got mine at Home Depot, but others make it also. It's great for loading and carrying what is needed for a project. The cost is low too.
I love what i do but unfortunately i don't have any personal time, which is starting to get to me... i want to experiment, work on my car, invent and try new things. Glad this popped up in my notifications.
That's similar advice I give to students. "OK, you thought you liked that major/career, but it's not working out... what ABOUT that major excited you? Let's break it down into pieces and find the underlying core elements that we can look for in other majors/careers that might be a better fit." It might be that goldsmithing was one datapoint on a journey that will lead to something even more interesting...but if he doesn't stop and reflect on it, he'll never figure out what the next puzzle piece was.
Last time I was hating my job I decided to find out what some guy I sold some Vinyl Cove Base did with it. I had heard he's a youtuber so I figured could check up on his work in my own time. Even though he was one of my childhood heroes, chronologically following Bill Nye, I hadn't really been following him very closely since then. Luckily, his channel is doing great and is easy to find. I found the project I was interested in quickly, since the cove base made it into the thumbnail. It almost seemed meant for me to find, since the video contained a personal expression of gratitude. Retail can really feel like a dead end for very much of the time, but getting to support the makers community is the best part of it. Having that support acknowledged was very heartening. Then I showed the clip to my boss and he shared it to our insta without asking the youtuber's permission, and I went back to hating my job. Oops.
I have a background in mathematics and decided to pursue a career in tech ending up in various software and data engineering jobs over the last 7 years. In the beginning, I was quite happy to sit at my desk and generate code for whatever task needed to be done. Eventually, after about 3 years of doing that all the spark and flare was gone and it was almost entirely replaced by sitting in pointless meetings all day while listening to middle management pontificate about other things that were largely meaningless. I found filling the void with many hobbies helped a lot, while also focusing on everything outside of work with work being the absolute lowest rung of importance in my life. I worked at various companies over those 7 years and only recently I've decided to leave the field entirely and pursue what I was originally going to do upon leaving high school - become an electrician! Anyway, for me simply making an effort to work towards that thing I always wanted to do has done wonders for my intrinsic motivation and outlook on life.
All this reminds of James Victore's burning questions. A very similar format, and for a designer like myself, it was a great resource for inspiration and personal growth. Keep it up
I'm in the process of opening up an in home preschool and your advice of prayer is very applicable. Simply hyper focusing on the vision and my next step towards that vision is what has gotten me through family members not supporting me.
After 20+ years of going from one job to the next because I didnt like it, I finally decided to work for myself doing the things I enjoy. I definitely make MUCH less money, but at least I'm happy.
I could have stayed at my job, and retired 5 years ago, but I hated it. I left and have been self employed for the last 25 years. Way way less financially stable, but happier.
1st time commenter on any video I think but long time fan and I appreciate your work. Just wanted to say I love your view of " I don't know what I want to be when I grow up". Still as a non commissioned officer with 14 years of service in the military, I have felt this way since I was young. Things can change, situations can change but I will continue to move forward and grow. However that may look like.
I worked soul sucking jobs my whole life, I retired due to health. I spent my entire savings dealing with the aftermath. Now, I have just enough to make it through the month. I'm not alone in this is all I can take comfort in.
We aren’t even gonna talk about the crap factory jobs some people get stuck with because nothing else is around and the stuff that is pays $10 an hour. This is horrid times
ya industrial sector is always ignored, my office job friends always online while at work getting paid more and able to do stuff on clock while I cant even have ear phones and working mandatory OT...lame
@@supa_sets8636I'm afraid the people in my country (USA) seem to want liberal or conservative fascism. So much brainwashing against social programs and leftist ideals that could uplift us all. Reagan and McCarthyist brainwashing have destroyed political discourse in this country that could help a lot of people.
I stripe roads and parking lots for a living, for the last 20 years now. The only thing that stops that, is rain. Nobody gets hours if it's raining. Besides the people in the office, and me. Me, being the guy who's spent his life learning about engines and mechanical stuff to have the skills to also be the "mechanic" on rainy days. Doesn't matter what you do, you gotta have a back up plan.
It's hard to change in a society that doesn't support change. I'm in my forties and I'm back at uni to get an education so I can start a new career, a more creative one. That's only possible because I live in a coutry where education is free.
It took me a couple decades to internalize "Whatever I have to do to make money is not who I am." I'm an artist and starved in the production side of the DC-area theatre scene for 20yrs while developing my own painting and metalwork art practice. About 10yrs ago I stopped theatre and started working in HVAC. I'm pretty good at it and it's nice to be able to regularly sleep inside and eat food. Whenever any boss or coworker asks me about side-work, I tell them that THIS is my side-work. I'm an artist; HVAC just pays the bills. It's helped me be a lot more mercenary about how I make money, and I can walk away at any time (and will as soon as my art pays enough to feed my family).
To the goldsmith. Start making pieces and selling them individually. A hobby is a necessity for us makers and a hobby like that has the potential to spiral into a full time gig
I know a few people who ended up doing what they loved as their job. They inevitably ended up hating what they did, because most of the time real work is not that exciting. Their advice is always to keep what you love as your hobby or a side job that you do when the work is interesting. Unfortunately for many people freelance just means instability and begging for work. They're totally screwed if there is a major lull in opportunities paying enough. End up stressed about losing their home, having to pull their children out of school, etc. What I'd prefer to be doing would never pay enough. So I do something I know how to do that pays well enough. It's not exciting and I'd retire right now, switching to doing what I enjoy, if I had the money.
The architecture boat tour in Chicago is awesome. You get to see the city from a unique perspective while the guide narrates the history, style, and impact of each building.
Good advice Adam. I've been doing the side gig thing for 10 years. It's not easy but I find it rewarding. I like health care and retirement but it's a soul sucking job somedays and the shop helps recharge me.
I had a job I was great at, I loved doing it and it was taken from me. It was not like I was laid off, my employer turned on me , lied about me and terminated me based on their own lie. I have it all recorded, I can prove it but no one in the company cared to hear me out. Now, I hate what I do, where I'm at, my drive. But because of of what that one employer did to me, few places want to give me a shot and they of course are not interested in hearing or seeing my proof. It's just "safer" for them to pick someone else from their perspective.
Ive had so many terrible jobs that i count down the hours till i can leave, eventually I can't stand it and leave then go to another horrible job 🙄 at 43 ive given up the search i just do my work to the best of my ability then go home an focus on my hobbies, Ibelieve only a fortunate few get to do what they love and the rest of us just have to learn to suck it up and do what we have to do. But having a hobby you love and goals to look forward too definitely make it easier to fight through another day.
I'm a mailman, my job sucks...in the heat sweating buckets. In the cold with freezing fingers. But the people I work with and my customers I see every day make it worthwhile. To be honest working sucks but it has to be done. There is a fine balance that is hard to find. It's somewhat of a triangle and you can only have two but not the other. Pay/work environment/like what you do.
What do you call a gentleman whose role or current job is sharing his skills to bring joy to the lives of other people? I think that's Mr. Savage. Thank you sir for sharing your giftedness.
I have absolutely hated my job for almost 20 years. Every day when I put my gear on for work, it feels like it weighs a thousand pounds. I could never stand the unpredictability of doing freelance work, though. I just decided years ago that I would rather have stability than happiness, and that's been my life. Sometimes you just have to do what you have to do to survive. 🤷♂️
Freelancing doesn't make people happy. The people I know who do it are on a constant treadmill of trying to find their next project and getting desperate if it doesn't come quickly enough. Wit freelance people also still have a boss - it's whoever is hiring and paying them. Often worse than the boss in a salaried job.
This is ome great advice. Inspiring. Also, love how Adam just effortlessly switched from philosophical reflections to what's the best way to transport tools.
Adam offers valuable insights on navigating career transitions and finding fulfillment in work. His advice to explore other industries and treat job searching as a dedicated endeavor resonates deeply with those seeking new opportunities. 💼
EDC 4 bucket bag: adamsavage.com/products/savage-industries-edc-four-bucket-bag
With thanks to Tested members Projects in Dad's Garage, James The Cyclist, Larry U and charlesm.1638 for their support and questions!
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need to make little name tags that clip on to the lip of the sortimo box inserts..... I tend to make little tags from pieces of index cards that I laminate with clear tape if I need them to last. write on the index card, cut it out and tape it to the lip of the sorter
what's with the swearing? You're not smart enough to formulate a sentence with using them?
lmao. Adam, Adam... Adam. Let's be real my dude. I'm sorry, but that bag looks like my cheap re-usable grocery bags. But in some unimaginable way it literally costs $200 bucks. What is it made of, some sort of NASA proprietary hydrophobic silk-steel fibers? That is nonsense, pal. And on top of that it has next to no organizational features aside from places to stick pens/pencils?? Woowwww. Okay look, anyone that is willing to dole out $200 bucks for THAT might as well take the time to look at the VETO Pro Pack, instead. It's double the cost, sure, but it has bout 100X the organizational tool features and huge versatility through their customization add-ons. I guess a "bucket" bag (first time I've ever heard them called that), technically is more adaptable, but you'd be putting a ton of your own work and time to DIY customize it into anything approaching the VETO. I'm sorry, man, but this is just my honest opinion... your bag just seems ludicrous.
Wow $430AUD for a basic tool bag is quite nuts, it must be made of something super special and more of a collective piece.
@@NatesToolbox Came here to say this. This much money for a tool tote bag is beyond insane.
I came in on sunday today and did about 3 hours of work with no one else there. What I realized is I don't hate my job. What I hate is who I work with.
Valid
I feel this sentiment. When I work with a select few people work is sweet. With others I can't wait to leave.
Been at my job for 8 years now. Learned that I really dislike about 90 percent of the people in my industry. Now I just tell them I don't like people and if there is work that I can do alone, I will gladly do it. They don't want me to quit, so they try to accommodate that for me lol.
Doesn't mean I like my job, but not dealing with the people makes it a lot more bearable.
Too many narcissists.
Hi, this has of course seriously shocked me. Please meet me in my office tomorrow at 9 so we can discuss this post.
I am always reminded of a quote. If i knew where i was going, i would already be there. Stay strong everyone.
Smashing Pumpkins song funnily enough, incredible words to hold on to though.
Thank you. I hate it when people say "You have to just go" when the REAL problem is not knowing what and where. I keep looking for that spark, being open to it, trying different things. After all, a spark is what happens before light.
I don't really understand the quote
Good quote
@@slamkam07 Pretty clear... he means he can't find his passion. What he wants to do in life. If he knew he would be doing it. So for some finding the passion strong enough for something is the hard part.
Having a job that sucks is very common and not overall worrisome in the short term. Getting absolutely STUCK is soul crushing and extremely dangerous.
It’s why I left a very successful company, it was crushing my soul (and my career wasn’t expanding)
The danger comes when the soul crushing ends and you realize there is nothing left.
Your soul is gone. You don't know who you are. Your hobbies, that used to distract you, are not needed any more.
The kids are grown and gone. Your spouse is most likely gone or as brain dead as you. You sit on RUclips, pretending it's real.
sorry, what was the question?
@@brokenrecord3523
From u.k.
I served an apprenticeship as a bricklayer finished that at 21yrs.
Then was going to Poland to work, and my dad said who was a brickie
all his life said.
What are you going there for? It’s 30 below!
So I got in a U.S. owned U.K. based car and engine assembly plant.
Ten miles from me, was only going in there for the winter.
Thirty five yrs later, retired at 55, pension no complaints.
It’s a strange one, lots of lads I met after they took voluntary
redundancy in their 30s and 40s ended up financially strapped.
Failed business ventures, too many holidays, and of course a permanent
good time until the cash runs out!
But mainly the lads who I regard as mates, or should I say work colleagues.
Are all O.K. and like me appreciate our position, I moved around in the plant
a bit keeping my eyes open for better jobs e.t.c.
If you are stuck in a rut, and it’s an affordable rut, tough it out!
If it isn’t an affordable rut you have to if you can’t find anything else.
My two sons both in their mid thirties, both have very well paid responsible jobs.
Don’t know where that came from!
Has to be genetics from the wife!
It’s difficult sometimes, but everyone’s situation is different, I was lucky the money
Kept us all there, but I just try to keep things simple TRY not to let things bother you.
And try to accept things you can’t change, politics can drive you mad!
Take care.
@@brokenrecord3523 the first half all sounds like me and I'm only 28 lol. So while I am still trying to be positive, it's hard having gone through all of that. Thankful I did not have a wife and kids to put through it though.
@@jordanclarke5957 Sounds like you're a fast learner. Now that you realize there is a choice, what're ya gonna do?
I like this Adam Savage ‘cool dad in the garage’ leadership arc… people need this more than ever. I see it all around me
Well here I am crying right before work. Man, you saying “I don’t know what I want to be when I grow up”is so unbelievably validating and comforting. I’ve been saying that joke for over a decade and feeling like it was just a coping mechanism and deflection because I felt inferior to people who seemed to have drive and a path they want to take. But you, someone who I look up too as a role model, saying it makes me feel like it’s ok to say it or not know what direction to go in. So, thank you. Like, with all my being thank you. You constantly inspire me to be a better human and you validate me in ways I never thought I needed. I appreciate you my guy. I’m glad I get to share this planet with you.
I'm going to be 40 next year and I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up. So far, I've done logistics, tech support, management, network / software operations, software engineering, and being a 911 / police dispatcher. I'm looking to change it up again right now. That doesn't even account for my hobbies and side businesses I am trying to start.
I think people like us and Adam get a bad rap. In fact, in American business culture (probably elsewhere too), especially currently, there is no defined place for generalists (for I believe that is what we are). And that is a shame because I guarantee I can learn new things quicker than anyone, I can drop into the middle of crises, keep my cool, and turn things around, and I can work between all kinds of different team silos and bring them all together. I really hate saying all of that because I am highly averse to boasting, but these are just things that I've learned about who I am, and acknowledging that has finally helped me start to be able to sell my skillset to get into roles that fit me well.
It's not that we don't know what to be. It's that we don't want to be just one thing. And despite what we've been conditioned to believe, there is nothing wrong with that.
Quit crying.
@@doc_sav The lack of need for generalists doesn't have much to do with business culture, it's a direct consequence of the high-tech world we live in. It's not much use being able to learn quickly. In most relevant situations you have to bring a relatively deep skill set to the table to be of any use.The more complex everything becomes, the more specialised we need to be to be able to contribute.
I don't know what the future will bring, but for now, "pick a lane" is more true than it was for our parents and grandparents. Because to get to the level where companies look for generalists, we now have to push through two to three layers of knowledge hierarchy.
I too, am glad to share a planet with Adam Savage
What a nice comment :)
I loved my job until a change of management several years ago. I wanted to quit but couldn't due to a unique skill set, bad degree and debt. At that point, I focused on being a husband and father and work just became something to finance those roles. My day started at 4:30pm. It gets harder as the kids get older since they don't spend as much time with me, but I still look at how I support them as young adults. I still have good days at work occasionally. I suggest getting a hobby too, even though I couldn't due to health issues my kids had at the time.
I am in a similar place right now....if it helps at all your not alone or the only one life decided to pick on. Hang in there😉👍
@@jasonrackawack9369 absolutely! Hang in there. It was a good reminder on caring too much about things outside of your control. I did take the time to finish my MS in a marketable area, but resolved to stay the course, since I had stability and good benefits. I think too many people hurt themselves in the long run by trying to reacquire the illusion of control as an unplanned reaction to a bad situation. That manager is long gone, but I learned to prioritize my life differently ever since.
What did the new managers change about your job?
interesting outlook, thanks for sharing
@@maxwellbarnhart1375 Did away with my position and others. He ghosted our department and made false accusations in our absence to justify the changes. Although most things reverted after he left a few years ago, the years of disfunction and personnel turnover wiped out all memory of past processes that took a decade to implement. I had energy and optimism the first time around, now I just do my best remind myself that I can't care more about it than the people in charge.
as an introvert, I hate my job because I have to deal with my coworkers... I love my job when I can work alone, but distractions like constant meetings are killing me slowly...
What's your job, if you don't mind me asking?
Loved an old job - had tasks and projects that were mine and I did well. Then I got 'promoted' without my consent or even asking if that's what I wanted to account manager. Suddenly I'm on a ton of calls (both internal and with external clients) and I hated every second of it. They farmed out my old position responsibilities to several people, so there was no going back for me. Had to quit and did.
i totally understand that. i used to work in a perm job that had a lot of useless meetings and team days. i got so depressed on those days. Then i left and became a temp worker/ contractor - it was a lot easier as i can plan my own times/ meetings. There still group team calls but it is all about delivering the project. Big bonus is I earn so much more than I could ever earn if I was a permanent worker
I am in the same boat!
I went to school for art on a full scholarship. I got out of school and could not find work. This was before computer graphics, when you lugged around huge physical portfolios. I finally had to get a job in retail and worked my way up for the next 30 years. I now have a comfortable job and take care of my family. All the while, hating every minute of my work and wishing I could drop everything and go back to arts and making stuff with my hands.
My advice would be, if I could go back to my former self...do what you like and you will get good at finding work/money. If you do have to take "real jobs", don't let that become your life. Always use it to get back to what drives you. No amount of money in the world is worth looking back and realizing what could've been. People also forget that your skill level diminishes, your sight and muscle control diminishes and one day you could find yourself in a position to go back, and the inability to do what you once loved. That is truly soul crushing.
You get one life. Make it your own.
Sounds like you only go to college to get a job, and not much of making your... passion(?) or skills in art to be useful; Promote your art and perhaps sell your artwork online or own a shop and sell your pieces of art. Something to think about, though it's already too late for that, maybe.
I think for anyone who is only looking for jobs, do what's trending or any field that will pay well. Technical college would be best for that, in my opinion, again, if you're ONLY looking for jobs.
Otherwise, if you're going to college to study and to pass on your knowledge, that's great. The future needs those people to advance the world and humanity.
Same happened to me over 20 years ago. The biggest issue was back in our time, it was harder to make a living in the arts than it is today.
I never went to college but had a knack for writing and drawing. My parents knew I was going places. Problem was, well, there was no such thing as internet back then and I live in Louisiana, in the country. Ya can't make a living selling art on the side of the road, so to retail I went and moved up the ladder. Now I have a cushion job doing the same thing for 20+ years.
I didn't let work get me down and fought to get my drive yet. It took me over 2 years to get passed my brain funk and FINALLY, I'm back to drawing anything again. When I say anything, I mean it. I can draw anything. In a few more months my first book will be ready for publishing.
Because I know what it's like to have that flame fizzle, I made it mt goal to support local artists and to help them push their passion and to direct them in areas that are more cost efficient.
For example: I always wanted a digital drawing tablet with an integrated screen, but over 10 years ago, a cheap 10" tablet was 2k. That's the cheap version. I found one for $500 that was a 3" screen.
Today, modern technology has made it possible where a 10" integrated screen costs less than $200.
Don't have money to publish? Self publish or use Kickstarter. That didn't exist back in my day.
I encouraged one young man to open an online apparel store and he was happy for the support. Then whenever he had an issue with his shop he would always come to me for advice.
Today is easier for people to follow their dreams and I don't want people to feel like it's out of reach.
thank you for your words from experience. teacher
Father Savage’s sermon this Sunday morning was just what this burnt out soul needed.
I was always in STEM. Electronics, then IT. I was good at it, and made good money.
I hated it.
I saved enough money, went to law school, and today I'm very happy as a lawyer and law school teacher.
I never believed in being happy in our work. Always imagined it was just another "trick" to make people stomach jobs they hate.
Now, I do. I love each moment I spend in class, teaching. I love every moment I'm in court, fighting. I love every new legal book, every philosophy and sociology book I buy and read.
It wasn't easy. I'm still not 100% free of IT, but today 90% of my work is legal.
The catch is, I was able to save money, which I know is not an option to most people. But my point is that you can shift gradually. It doesn't need to be like flipping a switch.
Very awesome story thanks for sharing! It is very inspiring!
I've never really subscribed to the idea that you cannot have a job that pays well AND is enjoyable. Only bitter people seem to think that's impossible and probably stems from the protestant work ethic where you must work to wipe away your sin
Parabéns, irmão. Nicely done!
I went from indifference to hate, to panic attacks to the calm clear water of utter no fs given.
It's the stages of work grief. I'm at the "calm clear water of utter no fs given". I practice meditation, be in silence after work. This clears my head and realize that I can work but I can let go of expectations. I do my best but whatever happens happens. I will be okay, no matter what.
How? Did you change jobs?
This was my exact experience. It took me 6 years to get to no Fs given and honestly, once every few months I still give a lot of Fs for a few days and have to go through the whole “reminding myself that work is just a means to an end” process again, but by and large, I don’t care. I don’t engage in the small talk, people mostly seem to realize that I am not interested in their BS anymore and leave me alone. I did the whole “quiet quitting” thing a year ago and it was the best decision I have ever made.
@@SuprachiasmaticI seem to be going through this. I question staying because my boss is extremely abusive & cruel. What is quiet quitting?
I love that
Sometimes you just need to hold on a little longer in a bad job to prepare yourself for a better one, whether it's paying for a course to learn something else, getting a qualification/certificate that allows you to change fields, saving money to buy expensive equipment that you will need in this new job, or even saving money just to be able to support yourself for a few months while you get clients and hits the break even.
I did exactly what i said, i did the math on how much money i would need, how long it would take me to get my certificate and how much security money i would need, it took exactly 8 months of work, and every day i got home and i crossed off the calendar with a smile on my face, saying to myself “cool, one less day in that place”.
What causes despair and nervousness is wanting to leave work and go to another area without planning, but if you think carefully and create a strategy, your last days in a bad job can even be pleasant.
Sometimes it's really just the company, or worse, the team you are working in. In the beginning of my "career" I switched jobs every three, four years. Not because I hated the job, but because I didn't really "feel it", and there were offers that sounded more interesting. When I arrived at the company where I have now been for 14 years I felt right away that this was a much better fit. And I'm not some highly paid specialist, just an ordinary lab-tech. It pays to keep looking. Plus, aquiring expertise in different areas of the same profession has turned out to be quite valuable.
Thats a great point, I will be using your advice as I have 2 months left before I quit
I'm 100000% going to take this advice. I'm currently going back to school to do what I really want to do which is be a teacher. I'm currently stuck at a job I absolutely do not like making really crappy pay and getting abused every day but it pays for my education, and the schedule fits with school. I'm immediately going to take this advice and just stay focused on the goal and view everyday and one day closer to my goal.
3:34 "I still don't know what I want to do when I grow up."
Soooo happy to hear that Adam has not grown up yet. Nobody ever should. That's when the joy goes out of life.
I have known people that viewed the day job purely as the means to pay the bills for the things they enjoyed (hobbies, travel, holidays, etc). They stomached every grindy day by endlessly reminding themselves that at the end of it, they would be enjoying the fruits of that labor. A photo on the desk of their next "goal" helped them get through it. Not ideal, but it worked for them.
I’ve never really known, I’ve made it up as I’ve gone along as best as i can.
I worked a dumb, dead-end job for 27 years,
but I kept myself fairly well satisfied outside of that with personal interests.
Only when the business failed at last due to the owner's ineptitude with running one
did I realize just how worthwhile those interests had been all that time.
A past co-worker made a profound statement regarding work vs hobbies. He had interests in both a career in electrical engineering or accounting. He picked accounting because he new he would eventually hate his job, and he did not want to ever hate electrical engineering. So that's his hobby, funded by his accounting career.
I heard something similar years ago that has always stuck with me, which is that your day job is how you fund the work you're passionate about. If that ends up generating some extra income for you, that's just gravy.
Easier said than done, I know, but the perspective shift has really changed how I approach both my "career" and the things I love doing.
This is sort of what I did, I too loved electronics but I decided to study IT at the university, fell in love with that too. Thought I would work on my own projects in my time with the money I make from my job, but thats too far removed from the reality. The jobs from where I am (India) want 200% of me, and I have already been through 3 jobs in my two and half years career, I have been good at work, always appreciated by the managers but the work doesn't feel of any meaning to me. I can do better, If I must dedicate as much of my time as I did at my job, I would rather work on something of more meaning to me, or at least afford a decent lifestyle to me.
I really don't understand this mindset. Turning something I love into a job that I may hate sounds sucky for sure, but it sounds infinitely better than doing something I already hate day in day out for years on end. I would jump at the opportunity to do one of my hobbies as a job instead.
@@vanessathomas9641 I think we simplify things a lot when we say doing what we love. So when I say that I like working with computers and other technical stuff, what I really mean is that I like to work with these to scratch my own itch, for the sake of my own curiosity, to answers questions that arise in my own mind. When I am do the same for someone else with their problem in that fashion they want me to, prioritising business interest over technical interest it makes me repulsed to that act, then I only do it for the salary and would want to get as far from it as possible when not being paid, It develops in a dislike for the very thing I once was mad about... I don't know if I am able to explain it well enough.
@@vanessathomas9641 I think its the nature of this agreement of working for someone else's project that causes all the issues, I think any job will eventually feel like a necessary evil after a certain time (post honeymoon period...)
I used to watch the show when I was a young man, this is the first time I have seen you on a screen since. People assume because someone is on television that they are vastly successful or rich, it is evident in the online age that it is a facade. appreciate the honesty, its what's needed in order to level up oneself.
My problem is I've doing construction work most of my life. After shutting down my business, I found it very hard to find work. "You're overqualified" seems to be the refrain. Which to me says "We don't want to pay you for what you're worth". Now I drive a taxi for very mear fraction of what I used to make. I'm a bit stuck.
What did you do in construction? Could you look at what you know and use it? I started in 1974 as a bricklayer for 20 years, and in that time, I took night school for four years (with a new baby and a mortgage) and got an HNC in building studies. I then worked the next 30 years doing site manager jobs (freelance) and had to take early retirement due to arthritis. I got cancer. I had it taken out and lost a lung in the process. I now make a living as a Building Advice Consultant and Fire door inspector. It pays enough, and I don't intend to stop - when you stop, you die. You have more skills than just driving - use them. Give them back. Become a college lecturer in a skills college. Become a mentor. Take some online courses and bring your knowledge up to date. Look beyond the parallel lines of sight and think broader.
handiman, construction project manager, inspector - city/county/state and contract hired. building supplier, hail/storm damage inspector for roofing siding company or/estimator for home owners insurance company.
I've been told "you're overqualified" a few times. I now reply "yes, my managers usually call me a high performer." This fits nicely with a question I like to ask when interviewing "what would it take to be a high performing member of this team?"
Of course they mean what you say, that they just don't want to pay me what I'm worth, or that they expect me to get quickly bored and leave. I want them to come right out and say so, though. That gives me the opportunity to counter.
I like to start the interview, in my introduction, by saying why I'm particularly interested in this company. Maybe I like the industry because it fits my hobby. Maybe the company has a reputation that fits my values (so I tell the relevant value), maybe I've been a customer before. So their company is special and later if they worry I'll just quit, I remind them of our shared passion. I *want* to be there, just compensate me fairly.
Likewise, if they don't want to pay me enough, just tell me what they're offering. It's normal to negotiate compensation, they do it every hire.
Of course I don't nail every interview, but as I get older this "overqualified" comes up more often, and I worry places will discard me without a chance. These are some ways I try to turn that around to discuss what their ideal candidate would bring.
Don't let them sell you short. Good luck out there!
@@aprilgeneric8027 Every one of those options you listed other than the first now require a degree. As for handyman work no one wants to pay what it's worth even if you can find steady work doing it.
@@j_taylor Great tip.
I spent 30ish years working towards being a graphic designer in the printing/sign industry, I was finally making good money working at a high level doing national brands and accounts. During covid I ended up transitioning in the same company over to the construction estimating dept. for the interior design/ retail display part of the business that made the millwork/cabinetry, I actually liked the architectural part of the process, however the place went bankrupt while expecting my first child and I find myself selling auto parts at a car.dealership to survive.....Im pushing 50 and every design job now pays peanuts and wants young kids out of school, the dealership job is soul crushing at times, thanks for the advise on pushing through the B.S. Just reading the othercomments in this community that I am not alone has been helpful. Guess I will follow the battle cry of Gen X to just "Keep on Keeping on" and remember "Life's not fair you gotta deal with it"
My wife worked in print for 10 years then pivoted to UX. UX pays creatives as developers, and developers can't take it over easily because the art background and working with product people is not something that can be solved with code. UX is also a leadership role which is more tolerant to GenX. Parts sales has plenty of online presence. You already know the art, branding and marketing, and you know the parts and customers. Just my $.02, paths vary and I think my wife is secretly a nerd.
I'm currently a graphic designer for a garment printing facility that doesn't pay enough and we are experiencing the slowest workload we have ever had. We are slower right now then we get around Christmas time. When the low workload was mentioned to the owner, he simply said, "I guess we will have to shut down". I've been meaning to get a new job for a while but if we close that certainly will force me to move on. Both my husband and I are frustrated with our jobs. We both hate the corporate world and want to do something with our creativity instead of work a mindnumbing desk job. It doesn't help that job opportunities suck in our area but we love living here. We both have no idea what we want to do. As dumb as it might sound, we've been planning to start a comedy RUclips channel as a side business and hopefully that will help launch us in a different direction. I just can't take it anymore. Sometimes I cry looking up at the sky thinking about how beautiful the world is and how I have barely been able to really see any of it.
Just before Covid I started a design degree wanting to go into animation and web design as the type of job I could do from anywhere. Now it feels more and more like the best time to get into design was 30 years ago. A friend of mine who has worked as a graphic designer for ten years gets paid bugger all and works insane amounts of unpaid overtime, it seems like it is just expected because the work is creative and you should feel lucky to have a creative job. I'm wondering if there will even be work for me once I eventually graduate, given the whole AI situation. It's easy to despair and feel like I have wasted my time on an industry without a future 😓
@@MinxFox Serious question: What do they pay for doing graphics for garment printing, in your area? I ask as a guy who screen prints for a living. I always wish I was more skilled in art and design. Have you considered learning to print as a side gig?
I have been a 1 man shop for a long time, but make pretty good money.
@@joeshmoe7967 I make $15.00 an hour and I have a BFA degree in graphic design and graduated Magna Cum Laude. I've sorta looked at other print shop artist prices in town but they are all pretty much what I'm making. I'm actually more interested in sublimation printing and our company has a sublimation printer sitting collecting dust. I tried to buy it from them but they wanted too much for it. I've used it a handful of times for personal projects. I made a sublimated mermaid tail on it that I then cut and sewed together. It was pretty awesome. At one point I was interested in screen printing, but if I learn how to screen print here they will force me to do both screen printing and graphic design. This is what happened to my junor graphic designer that quit because he didn't want to be forced to clean screens half the day. I told them I needed him with me all day because he wasn't in here enough to really be helpful. He would come in our office high from all the screen print chemical fumes looking shitty. I would tell him just because the others don't wear a respirator doesn't mean you shouldn't, be sure you demand propper protection, etc. I don't want to be around the chemicals. I'm sure there are cleaner print shops out there that don't use that awful spray adhesive and all sorts of bad stuff. I saw a cool screen print shop on Reddit and was wishing our shop was cool. There is too much drama/negativity and bad managment when it comes to the printers. The screen printers come in late every day and often leave work early too - this is even with more work to be done. They still get weekly bonuses. I'm coming in on time and leaving on time and I'm the only artist so every order has to go through me and I setup and print all the film, etc. I get no recognition. I don't get bonuses. One week I made the company about $700 in art fees in a single day (which is super rare to achive) and my bonus was $25.00. Screen print often gets $100 bonuses. I need a new job. I just don't know what I want to do. How I ended up here is no other graphic design place wanted to consider me because I was fresh out of school with no work experience. Also, the online applying process is the absolute worst. The good thing I can say about my job is they saw me in person, gave me a tour, and hired me that day. It used to be better here but it has gone downhill.
My father loved goldsmithing but couldn't get steady work. He got a job making dentures instead, and he was glad to be working with wax moulds and building bespoke personal pieces.
Now they scan your mouth with lidar to send away and 3D print crowns and dentures. The only thing the silicon mold was for, was my temporary crown made from epoxy resin.
yeah, I had a computer customer that did the denture stuff in his home business. I think I got a couple hundred to recap his motherboard before we all learned about the bad caps plague. and save him from a new 35K machine. A couple years later I met him as a cashier in a big box store. His industry evaporated overnight with the new 3d scan and print stuff.
@@mwater_moon2865yes, but no, you still need someone to make the final casting and small adjustments.
In my country, dental prosthetic specialists study for a couple of months with the arts and trade guys, where the goldsmiths and jewel smiths study too
I LOVED the way you answered the question about jobs. Many people (myself included sometimes) don't get the fact that there's no general right or general wrong, no formula for success, because we can't just do what other people do and expect that to be the best for us as well. If we want to be happy, healthy, thriving, we have to "do the thinking" as my girlfriend puts it. Think think think, plan, do, then think about what went good/bad, then plan again, do, then again think. There's just no escaping "the thinking", and there's no taking ourselves out of the equation.
i used to love my job (architectural metal fab) . but as the company has grown, higher end jobs come in, schedule gets tighter, hours get longer, i get more responsibilities. ive grown to hate it, as have most of my coworkers. ive started making excuses to turn down overtime. ive gotten to the point of not needing the money as i have side hustles i enjoy. i try to value my mental health and free time over over my job. my favorite movie quote right now is “how much did they pay you to give up on yours dreams”.
I WAS a Project Manager for a installation and renovation company for about 3 years. It paid decent, but required 150% of ME and I quit because it was going to kill me. A Tested video helped me decide to get out. I have shifted to a corporate desk job, but I have more ambition to make for people somewhere down the road, hopefully sooner rather than later.
!!!!
Might I ask which industry, specifically?
I work as a project manager for a biomass company. Went to school for engineering, but most of my work now has been constant budgeting for other sites’ projects and I feel like my skills and experiences aren’t properly utilized. Plus, budget has been tighter due to warm winters.
Pay is good and the company was the only one to follow up after an initial interview, but I lack satisfaction. Would love to learn more from other people, especially those struggling to find work due to lack of experience.
@@legodragon1999 I worked in the garage storage and closet industry. Putting in closets, shelves, cabinets inside of homes. I was the installer, trainer, scheduler, problem solver, warehouse supervisor, product orderer, and installer manager.
When the production company was bought, the quality dropped, and the problems went from occasional to every single job - multiples at every job. The owner was pissing away the money, and wasn't charging enough for labor and materials. We went from $2.3m in sales in 2021 being the best year ever and all the bonuses that came from it, to 2022 being $2.4m in sales and we were out of money.
I could go into more detail, but I don't want to write a story that long.
This will be a highly viewed video based on the title
Caught my attention
Oh 100%
That is the point of clickbait titles. Good message though.
I'm looking forward to Adam's take on this
😂
Something to add to the first question in the video is that I've noticed that if I'm content with my job my hobbies suffer, and if I hate my job my hobbies thrive. I say this because if the person has completely exhausted their current skill set and need to aquire a new set of skills, I would recommend staying at your current job while you aquire these skills. There might be exceptions in terms of getting lucky with the right opportunity (such as someone willing to both pay and mentor you in a new job). But for most situations that luxury likely won't be there. I say this because staying at a job you hate will give you incredible motivation to train up your new skill, and it will give you an edge.
This is so well worded and completely true for me at the moment - I hate my job and I am studying penmanship at the moment so I can change one day.
Unless you're really good at the job you hate, so they're always demanding more of your time because you're one of the ones who gets things done.
Definitely not true for me. I wish I could work on my hobbies, but I can't, my job drains all motivation out of me.
After 20.5 years of the Navy, I can say that they were the best of times, they were the worst of times. What I miss most were the underways and visiting the plethora of absolutely beautiful ports in the Mediterranean Sea. Where I work now is enjoyable, but bland, yet I know I won't find a job that will match the pay or benefits.
I retired as a Chief Petty Officer in the Navy after 14 years active duty and 6.5 years in the reserves in spring 2021.
Jeez - bland! I know what you mean. I'm counting the days until retirement. I turn up, I do a day and cross it off. Nothing has ever come close to the thrill and enjoyment of being in the Army for 12 years. So I read a lot, I tend my garden, I do crafts, I make things, I draw. I just try to find something that keeps me sane.
Nothing will ever match being underway. I visited over 15 countries with 5 years of sea time in my 10 year career.
I've lived in Ohio working jobs all my life. I wish I had joined the military and had someone else pay me to see a bunch of beautiful areas. Must be fucking nice.
@@TheScrubmuffin69 maybe you are too smart to help rich people intimidate the poor of the world
Changing professions is definitely a scary proposition, but can be liberating no doubt
I quit my job when I felt this way. It sounds extreme, but it was the right call.
I just quit one day and lived off savings for half a year. Then I found a similar job that was more fun and paid better and went back to work.
It pays enough I can save up for a few years and finally afford to make some life changes that drastically reduce my expenses and increase my freedom.
That sounds amazing. I haven't really been able to build up enough savings to do that, but one day, that would be the dream.
As a craftsman and freelancer I’ve struggled with this for years! After 15 years of making knives and cutlery, but barely making the bills most of the time, it’s becoming increasingly apparent that not all avenues are gonna work long term. No matter how much you love it.
I find that striking out on my own is scary, but the walls are starting to get closer and closer in my office job. The difficulty i have is figuring out how to set money aside when I have family, bill payments, etc. But I hang on by God's grace, and the desire to keep moving forward. Struggle has to produce something. Gym muscles don't come cheap.
It's one thing to have a job for which you have little or no passion, it's another to actively hate what you do / for whom you do it / who you do it with. Unhappiness to that degree will affect one's mental health and often causes the worker to inflict the internalized unhappiness on their families and friends.
You know him?
Of course I know him...he's me!
Heh, i was in a similar situation. I was a goldsmith for 9 years. I was good at it, but i didn't enjoy it. I quit at the age of 27 and decided to go to uni tor something i enjoy doing. It was a scary jump to make, giving up a career that was stable. Thankfully i have a supportive family and i've never been happier mentally going after something i want to do. If you can, take the jump, it's 1000% worth it.
I feel like being a goldsmith from the age of 18 means you have some serious connections.
I work as an electrician and I enjoy it, I feel like I'm contributing to society in a beneficial way. There's a lot of jobs that don't have that sense of importance. I worked as a warehouse picker, that job was monotonous and I felt replaceable every day.
Sometimes under unforeseen circumstances you ended up doing a job that was your hobby or something you enjoyed doing and becomes your full time job. I was a FAA Commercial Pilot and Advance Ground Instructor, and right before I finished my Bachelor’s degree in Aviation Technology and Major in Aviation Management, the September 11th 2001 terrorist attack happened and I lost my job and the opportunity to work with Cessna in Wichita, KS. During the time aviation went down, I never expected that a prop making hobby that I started during my free time in college, helped me make some income in the meantime the aviation industry recovered, and all the sudden became my full time job all these years.
I am a lifelong chef, almost 40 now, and still enjoy the act of cooking amazing food, but had to relocate during the pandemic from a very touristy high volume area to a rural town Indiana, I still make a fair livable wage, but really don't get the chance to use all the skills I built in the kitchen for over 20 years and work has become a 9 to 5 as apposed to a passion project due to limited opportunity, but me and my wife baught our first house, and I take a bit of satisfaction out of building a more rounded life, realizing a career is not the only part of life that matters. Still a hard adjustment to make some days, but having goals outside of work seem to really help when I struggle to get that creative outlet I had for so many years in high end restaurants. Sometimes a job just needs to be a job and of you can change focus onto something else it helps, I still cook at home, although not as much as I would like but more as a hobby now.
20 years ago, I used to work as an assembly person. Soul crushing job, and degraded by management and engineers. I used that shame and anger as motivation to go.to school, studied architecture, got my undergraduate and graduate degree on my own(massive loans). I'm now working as an architect; sometimes its rewarding, sometimes its a lot of work and poor compensation for the amount of school. And my debt has definitely held me back from starting a business and give more back to the community. The point I'm trying to make is, find the courage to change, but know that even the most amazing job sometimes sucks. So is life. Hope this helps someone
Even the best heroes have to pay the bills. Thank you for sharing your story, I pray your opportunity shows up.
I do roofing industrial roofing rubber in such. When your job eats your life so much. You wake up your kids are sleeping when you get home there sleeping. That is truly sole crushing. You think your doing the right thing but you miss out on the best part of life. Me I'm working on finding a new job. And thanks for this video it gave me the extra to keep trying.
Yes sir that is truth. I been doing 60hrs a week for 14mos with no more than 6 consecutive days off. I work inside the building. Roofing, hot tar, asphalt commercial is hard work. Save your body and family first. They will find somebody to get that roof done.
Freelancers have a different tolerance in what challenges they can manage on a daily business than us 9 to 5ers. Desk jobs are usually more steady and safe, but less rewarding.
Problem cna be that nobody supports or takes "freelancing" seriously.
Everyone i know considers "freelancing" a nice way of saying "fun-employed".
Steady until the people in charge decide you're no longer needed.
I disagree. I feel like desk jobs and 9-5 jobs in general are impossibly challenging due to how steady (BORING) they are
@@02SplinterCell02 Maybe people are just different. Some people might be able to do that stuff, but me.. man, it is hard to deal with not thinking. I'm still pretty young, but all I know is I need something to use my brain in. Basically, I agree.. boring jobs are the hardest.
more rewarding?
Thank you for validating my decisions. I was worried I might be on the wrong track. Turns out I’m basically already doing what I need to do in order to make this work.
I have a masters degree in German. I am a city bus driver and I paint and sketch in the morning before work and on the weekends. I have been selling paintings and sketches. I just want to keep on running with it and hopefully leave my job.
i tried to sketch in germany and was always discouraged from doing so because they say its for losers... unless you do something exotic like wash your hair with toothpaste and support hamas....
Didn’t someone really famous from Germany love to paint and sketch? His name was like Adolph… or something 🤗
@@haydenmammen6079 … if only he had been admitted to art school in Vienna!
@haydenmammen6079 wow I'm sure that took the 2 neurons you had remaining to come up with a joke about Germany that's never been said before
He was Austrian
Great advice from Adam about thinking what other industries could utilize your skillset.
I was a freelance sci fi prop maker for years. When the jobs became scarce, I pitched myself to a high end interior design firm, offering them the ability to 3D model rooms, 3D print scale models, scan antiques in order to reproduce them… And it worked and I ended up working at the firm for years.
I appreciate the honesty about "a job" Most people can't have a job that we "love" because those don't pay well for MOST people and they are rarely stable/secure even if they do love it. Or maybe you love to do something; but you're not that good at it; so no one would ever pay you for it.
I've been in construction for 20+ years, it's all i know, was never academically really, almost 40 years old, and this fall I have to go for surgery on my elbow because i tore a ligament and it's been a year and hasn't healed properly because I have to work to pay bills, but my doctors said I need basically change careers, something more office style, and I hate my line of work but it's what I know, so it's trying figure out what I can do, so there is a lot of what's next feeling I'm getting. I'm gonna have to try this hard thinking thing.
I have been in construction and manufacturing for 20+ yrs, and the schedule is brutal. It takes a toll on a body and I know many men with the same issues. I also understand learning new skills and getting out of it. It takes a bit of looking, but it is doable. Can't say I've done it yet, but it is definitely in the future
I spent a long time thinking the only way I could make money was with my body, construction, moving, building, repair. When I got cancer and had a major surgery I pivoted and became a maintenance manager for an elderly care facility, a lot of what I learned in construction translated into my job now and I get to teach people how to use their bodies to make money, I was never in and still have not gone to college. The body remembers, it’s trauma, but also its experiences; I hope you find something that allows you to make money with your experience. I was surprised when I found what I do now came naturally.
I trained as a classically trained Luthier, and Brass Musical Instrument Technician, I hold professional memberships, and I worked for the biggest UK manufacturer (no longer trading) - it never paid me enough, but enough to live! Freelance - never paid me enough to live!
I ended up as a specialist Electro-mechanical NHS hospital engineer, with a daily six hour commute by public transport (nine hours during the Covid-19 pandemic) until I got too sick to work, and actually collapsed at my bench... Now, aged 61, capital exhausted, almost at the point of losing my home (and still sick, but not sick enough*) I'm applying for anything including P/T cleaning jobs, in order to eat!
PS my father was a Watchmaker to trade, a Policeman for a living, like me; his passion didn't pay!
*Long Covid is still not universally, or officially recognised in the UK
I'm turning 61 this year, have been involved in Graphic Arts and Prepress for nearly 40 years, and am totally burned out. I need to do something else, and have no idea what to do. I produce music and music video for fun (totally a hobby), and think about maybe pursuing that, but I don't really think it would be a reliable source of income. But I think we all need a change after 10 or so years from anything we do.
I love sticky dots and tag sale labels for sorting things, can always add a layer of clear tape, packaging or gift wrap tape, to make sure it lasts longer.
Adam, you have been a hero to me since i learned who you were as i watched you make a car fly with RATO rockets.
But hearing you say what ive said since i was maybe 14 just made my heart skip a beat.
"I still dont know what i want to be when i grow up", i say that at least once a week. I was so touched to hear you say that. Made me proud to even share 1% brain function with you.
Thanks for a lifetime of wonder and curiosity. Peace and love my friend. ❤
-Glitch
I love this video! “There is a reason why people pray… it’s because prayer actually works.” I love this❤
What I'm passionate about and good at unfortunately have never translated into a living or even side job. I've always had an eye for photography, short-form writing, mostly film reviews and playing guitar and writing my own music. Sadly all I do is work hard at jobs I don't enjoy. Thanks for the inspirational video Adam.
I'm a tattoo artist of 5 years and I'm stepping away from that literally in 3 days, with no clue what's next. Haven't applied anywhere, I'm just so burnt out and need time to myself. I'm very fortunate to be able to take a week or so off to recalibrate and this advice is super helpful for the week. Thank you Adam
Edit: to those who want to seem “smart” and say this is a bad idea, I appreciatethe concern, but especially if youre saying it just to seem superior, respectfully, fuck off. You don't know my situation, or what I've done to prepare to be able to take time off.
heres some more advice for y'all, believe it or not, when you don't burn professional bridges and you're a good worker, other jobs are happy to re hire you in no time at all. I have multiple past bosses that when I do hit them up, I know they re going to say “take your time off, but come in whenever you're ready and we will get you re hired.”
I did that last week. Been at my job for 11 years, literally could not be there another day. Don't have anything lined up either, but I'm optimistic! Stay strong my friend.
if you only have enough money to last 1 week without a job perhaps quitting your job isnt the play
Your plan is not good in today’s market…
@@somanyhobbies you got this! Take your time and truly enjoy it for yourself!
Good on ya, man! I hope your next venture fits better!
I absolutely love this video! It provided me with a lot of valuable points and motivation.
If you're currently without a job, your job is to find a job.
If you're not satisfied with your job but realize you have valuable skills, consider using those skills in a side gig. This can bring you joy and might even lead to a new, more fulfilling job.
Age 56, I have started school for the 6th time after age 18. I have managed to transform a lot of my hobbies into actual work. Adam has a good point in saying that time between projects should be viewed as a project in itself. Advertising, contacts, more education etc. I started from plough and chainsaw, in few weeks I will be working with disabled people. Lots and lots of dots in that line to connect.
I'm nearly 37, With two Bachelor's Degrees related to Computer Science that is working as a Commercial HVAC Technician who's doing more project management. I don't know what I wanna do yet but my partner in life is an OBGYN. When she goes into her full time job post residency, she's stated I can quit my job and do what I want after our dream house is built. I've got 18 Months to figure that out.
Shit. Mine makes 60 bucks a day. Enjoy that brother
Literally just quit my job that drove me into a burnout. I am doing a program now to get back into the Job market. Before I had an office job but I was always an Artist deep down. Back then I started to work as a dental technician. I loved the craft itself but hated the stress and body fluids lol. Now I am seriously considering becoming a Goldsmith, to be able to use the tools and skills I started developing back then for something that I really want to do. Maybe become something who creates special jewlery, props and replicas for theatre, movies and museums. Like... Create my own field where I can truly thrive
Adam, you have just given the same advice that I gave to my three kids, who are all grown up and living their own lives, about doing a job that they don't give a shit about and are unhappy. Nothing lands in your lap, though - you have to work at it, and the more you put into it, the more you will get out of it. Don't expect anyone to do things for you if you are not going to give back more. Be the best you can be; if you don't know something, ask and learn. Never turn away education, especially if it is given freely. If you make a mistake, learn from it. 27 days from retirement - but I'm not counting.
Actually that's not true. A lot of people get things handed to them and they land right in their lap. Just not you or me.
@@all1soul Names. I want names.
Congrats on retiring!!!
I got my first job in 1998. Over the years I worked for a lot of companies. I have to say out of all of them the only job I felt I was rewarded is the day I started gardening. Crazy how a few seeds can allow a person to prosper and experience abundance. Like I said I never made any money off of the fruits and vegetables I grew. My family and I gained from the nutrition the garden provided and it brought me and my children closer together. Honestly, I would rather work for free if there was a way to provide everything my family needs without income being involved.
Tool transport suggestion, I use a 5 gallon bucket with a tool sleeve that can go around the top. It's big enough to handle a lot of larger tools, and the tool holding sleeve has slots and pockets for hand tools. I got mine at Home Depot, but others make it also. It's great for loading and carrying what is needed for a project. The cost is low too.
Thinking about how to better your life or the lives of others is the best type of prayer. Thank you
I love what i do but unfortunately i don't have any personal time, which is starting to get to me... i want to experiment, work on my car, invent and try new things. Glad this popped up in my notifications.
That's similar advice I give to students. "OK, you thought you liked that major/career, but it's not working out... what ABOUT that major excited you? Let's break it down into pieces and find the underlying core elements that we can look for in other majors/careers that might be a better fit." It might be that goldsmithing was one datapoint on a journey that will lead to something even more interesting...but if he doesn't stop and reflect on it, he'll never figure out what the next puzzle piece was.
Adam you are the smartest person alive. Thank you so much for what you do. To be able to have a conversation with you...
Last time I was hating my job I decided to find out what some guy I sold some Vinyl Cove Base did with it. I had heard he's a youtuber so I figured could check up on his work in my own time. Even though he was one of my childhood heroes, chronologically following Bill Nye, I hadn't really been following him very closely since then. Luckily, his channel is doing great and is easy to find. I found the project I was interested in quickly, since the cove base made it into the thumbnail. It almost seemed meant for me to find, since the video contained a personal expression of gratitude. Retail can really feel like a dead end for very much of the time, but getting to support the makers community is the best part of it. Having that support acknowledged was very heartening.
Then I showed the clip to my boss and he shared it to our insta without asking the youtuber's permission, and I went back to hating my job. Oops.
I took a job aptitude test when I was thirteen. And boy, did it have me pegged. It said WORK FOR YOURSELF.
I have a background in mathematics and decided to pursue a career in tech ending up in various software and data engineering jobs over the last 7 years. In the beginning, I was quite happy to sit at my desk and generate code for whatever task needed to be done. Eventually, after about 3 years of doing that all the spark and flare was gone and it was almost entirely replaced by sitting in pointless meetings all day while listening to middle management pontificate about other things that were largely meaningless. I found filling the void with many hobbies helped a lot, while also focusing on everything outside of work with work being the absolute lowest rung of importance in my life.
I worked at various companies over those 7 years and only recently I've decided to leave the field entirely and pursue what I was originally going to do upon leaving high school - become an electrician!
Anyway, for me simply making an effort to work towards that thing I always wanted to do has done wonders for my intrinsic motivation and outlook on life.
All this reminds of James Victore's burning questions. A very similar format, and for a designer like myself, it was a great resource for inspiration and personal growth.
Keep it up
I'm in the process of opening up an in home preschool and your advice of prayer is very applicable. Simply hyper focusing on the vision and my next step towards that vision is what has gotten me through family members not supporting me.
After 20+ years of going from one job to the next because I didnt like it, I finally decided to work for myself doing the things I enjoy. I definitely make MUCH less money, but at least I'm happy.
I could have stayed at my job, and retired 5 years ago, but I hated it. I left and have been self employed for the last 25 years. Way way less financially stable, but happier.
1st time commenter on any video I think but long time fan and I appreciate your work. Just wanted to say I love your view of " I don't know what I want to be when I grow up". Still as a non commissioned officer with 14 years of service in the military, I have felt this way since I was young. Things can change, situations can change but I will continue to move forward and grow. However that may look like.
My job salts me up most days, but the friends I have there make it all okay.
I worked soul sucking jobs my whole life, I retired due to health. I spent my entire savings dealing with the aftermath. Now, I have just enough to make it through the month. I'm not alone in this is all I can take comfort in.
I adore your honesty and experience, please NEVER change. Many times I have been where you talked about.
So glad I found you again, Adam. You are a one-of-a-kind Gem!
Appreciate your comment - we will pass on to Adam!
We aren’t even gonna talk about the crap factory jobs some people get stuck with because nothing else is around and the stuff that is pays $10 an hour. This is horrid times
ya industrial sector is always ignored, my office job friends always online while at work getting paid more and able to do stuff on clock while I cant even have ear phones and working mandatory OT...lame
All that's in my small town is factory jobs or fast food and gas stations that's it and it's hog shit.
@@Purge_v3 same here brother it sucks
@@supa_sets8636I'm afraid the people in my country (USA) seem to want liberal or conservative fascism. So much brainwashing against social programs and leftist ideals that could uplift us all.
Reagan and McCarthyist brainwashing have destroyed political discourse in this country that could help a lot of people.
@@supa_sets8636we really need socialist policies
I stripe roads and parking lots for a living, for the last 20 years now. The only thing that stops that, is rain. Nobody gets hours if it's raining. Besides the people in the office, and me. Me, being the guy who's spent his life learning about engines and mechanical stuff to have the skills to also be the "mechanic" on rainy days.
Doesn't matter what you do, you gotta have a back up plan.
It's hard to change in a society that doesn't support change. I'm in my forties and I'm back at uni to get an education so I can start a new career, a more creative one. That's only possible because I live in a coutry where education is free.
It took me a couple decades to internalize "Whatever I have to do to make money is not who I am." I'm an artist and starved in the production side of the DC-area theatre scene for 20yrs while developing my own painting and metalwork art practice. About 10yrs ago I stopped theatre and started working in HVAC. I'm pretty good at it and it's nice to be able to regularly sleep inside and eat food. Whenever any boss or coworker asks me about side-work, I tell them that THIS is my side-work. I'm an artist; HVAC just pays the bills. It's helped me be a lot more mercenary about how I make money, and I can walk away at any time (and will as soon as my art pays enough to feed my family).
To the goldsmith. Start making pieces and selling them individually. A hobby is a necessity for us makers and a hobby like that has the potential to spiral into a full time gig
I know a few people who ended up doing what they loved as their job. They inevitably ended up hating what they did, because most of the time real work is not that exciting. Their advice is always to keep what you love as your hobby or a side job that you do when the work is interesting.
Unfortunately for many people freelance just means instability and begging for work. They're totally screwed if there is a major lull in opportunities paying enough. End up stressed about losing their home, having to pull their children out of school, etc.
What I'd prefer to be doing would never pay enough. So I do something I know how to do that pays well enough. It's not exciting and I'd retire right now, switching to doing what I enjoy, if I had the money.
Having a bad job isn't bad if you have kids to support. If you are single and only support yourself fly out of there.
The architecture boat tour in Chicago is awesome. You get to see the city from a unique perspective while the guide narrates the history, style, and impact of each building.
Good advice Adam.
I've been doing the side gig thing for 10 years. It's not easy but I find it rewarding. I like health care and retirement but it's a soul sucking job somedays and the shop helps recharge me.
"Prayer actually works". It's so refreshing to hear Adam talk about spiritual practice! Awesome!
I had a job I was great at, I loved doing it and it was taken from me. It was not like I was laid off, my employer turned on me , lied about me and terminated me based on their own lie. I have it all recorded, I can prove it but no one in the company cared to hear me out. Now, I hate what I do, where I'm at, my drive. But because of of what that one employer did to me, few places want to give me a shot and they of course are not interested in hearing or seeing my proof. It's just "safer" for them to pick someone else from their perspective.
HVAC/R is where it’s at. Without air conditioning there’s no servers 🤘⚡️🤘✨✨✨✨✨
I love how perfectly mundane but relatable some of this is 😄the thought process behind how the organizer is labelled e.g. lol
A Brother P-touch is very handy for labeling bins and storage containers.
I don’t even consider myself someone who is “into” architecture, but the Chicago architecture boat tours are absolutely delightful.
Ive had so many terrible jobs that i count down the hours till i can leave, eventually I can't stand it and leave then go to another horrible job 🙄 at 43 ive given up the search i just do my work to the best of my ability then go home an focus on my hobbies, Ibelieve only a fortunate few get to do what they love and the rest of us just have to learn to suck it up and do what we have to do. But having a hobby you love and goals to look forward too definitely make it easier to fight through another day.
I'm a mailman, my job sucks...in the heat sweating buckets. In the cold with freezing fingers. But the people I work with and my customers I see every day make it worthwhile. To be honest working sucks but it has to be done. There is a fine balance that is hard to find. It's somewhat of a triangle and you can only have two but not the other. Pay/work environment/like what you do.
What do you call a gentleman whose role or current job is sharing his skills to bring joy to the lives of other people? I think that's Mr. Savage. Thank you sir for sharing your giftedness.
Guru. Or maybe Cult Leader!
Raconteur?
I have absolutely hated my job for almost 20 years. Every day when I put my gear on for work, it feels like it weighs a thousand pounds. I could never stand the unpredictability of doing freelance work, though. I just decided years ago that I would rather have stability than happiness, and that's been my life. Sometimes you just have to do what you have to do to survive. 🤷♂️
Freelancing doesn't make people happy. The people I know who do it are on a constant treadmill of trying to find their next project and getting desperate if it doesn't come quickly enough. Wit freelance people also still have a boss - it's whoever is hiring and paying them. Often worse than the boss in a salaried job.
As an also 39yo that is having increased challenges at work, this hit pretty close to home
Your content is like, anti-clickbait. It's so much more than the title has going for it
Sir, found you randomly and love your energy. Taking away a few good nuggets from this. Be well!
Man this hits me very hard cuz this is literally the same situation n job ....... Man goldsmith is a very under appreciated job
I'm super impressed with this. Didn't see that amount of wisdom coming
This is timely....15 min before work ✌🏻
This is ome great advice. Inspiring.
Also, love how Adam just effortlessly switched from philosophical reflections to what's the best way to transport tools.
Adam! Love your stuff man! You’re the best!
Adam offers valuable insights on navigating career transitions and finding fulfillment in work. His advice to explore other industries and treat job searching as a dedicated endeavor resonates deeply with those seeking new opportunities. 💼
Thank you for normalizing not knowing what you want to do when you "grow up". I'm sure a lot of people needed to hear that