Why do you do it?

[realnew]

1. Carpal tunnel.  I'm in IT.  I'm fairly certain I have what I call "IT syndrome"  a particular fatigue from being near computers ALL THE TIME.  I type a lot. my wrists hurt.  I know the clock has started ticking for me in this field.  When I change careers, I need some passive income to cushion to loss of pay.  If my business plan works, I will not need to work in another industry.  I'd probably go non profit and help some folks.  

2. My children are getting older.  They need me at their games, school plays, or just good old rap sessions about life, boys etc.  During the last 6 months of 2005, I missed more time in my children's lives than any other.  Why? Work.  I put myself in the greatest risk for dying than any other.  Why? Work.  I worked so many long hours getting project work done.  Leaving in the wee hours of the morning, the only one in the building. Coming home, crashing on the sofa, still in work clothes.  Days went by and I didn't know what was going on at home.  That may not be a big deal, but for me, I didn't even know whether or not my kids ate, had had a bath, or had a bad day.  No idea. Why? Exhausted from work. Busting ass at work.  And for what, I ask?  To have the honor of coming back the next day and doing it all over again.

___

I apologize for the minor rant, folks.  It was just 2 hours ago I was talking with a friend about whether I should risk getting into real estate investing.  I've dug myself out of debt (by 3-6 weeks from now, I'll be debt free with money to invest) and I just wanted to recouperate.  Somewhere along the line, corporate america has taken the life out of me.  The edge is gone.  I've become a drone. Get up, drive to work, work, drive back. eat, go to bed, repeat.

I don't know what to do to get that edge back. But I do know, they can't have any more of what's left.

CC

[bobcooltx]

For me, the biggest reason is the dream of spending more time with my family.  Although I love working for Microsoft, I missed my son's first steps (I was in Canada) and I'm going to miss my daughter's first soccer game this Saturday because I had to travel to Redmond this week.  My kids are still very young, but I want to be more involved in their lives as they grow up.  Hopefully REI will enable me to be there more often for them.

The extra money will be great, obviously, as my wife stays at home with our kids.

I think it boils down to a "quality of life" issue for me, really.

[RRRR13]

I agree with hanatal  it's the fun of playing the game too :o