A lot of money? Own business? Friend & Family? What is your success?
Have you ever been said: “Oh, get a real job. Find a better job. It’s not going to make your living by what you’re doing now. You won’t want to live this way after ten years...” and so on? So that you need to do/find something else which is more…reliable to make your living? And it means doing something you’re probably not into at all? Or even you’re now in the situation that you totally don’t like, but you’re too afraid to get out of this reliable zone, just because you think the thing you like to do may not support your life?
I’m in the last situation described above. I, now, work as an EFL teacher for beginning level. (Yes, that doesn’t require very great English level.) It’s not really something I hate if we just talk about teaching. But when it comes to all the things like talking to parents on phone once one and a half month, telephone teaching all the students once a month, making sure students under your authority (in your class) will not leave this company (or boss will complain even sometimes the reason is not what we can take control), holding extra improving classes for students who can follow up (even most of the situation is because they don’t even review or preview), making up missed lessons for kids who don’t come to class just because they are going to have exam at school, parents have no time to drive them here, or kids have too much homework from school and need time to finish it…etc, then it’s not something I can find fulfillment from.
I like crafting and trying things that I can create something like knitting with wrists, making candles or lip balms, and things that make me feel I can be the producer or creator of them. I want to start my own business, even just a simple one. Maybe at the beginning of it, I won’t earn as much as I do now. But I think I will be happier in some ways. First, I will be happier by doing something I like and am interested in. Second, I will feel more fulfilled because it’s more like what I’m born to do. Last, but definitely not least, I will be healthier, which means I won’t finish my work around 10:30 pm or even later. And I won’t have as much as stress like now. I know I will still have stress, but different kind/level. During the 10 months being an EFL teacher in this company, I have been told that I have too much stress by 3 different doctors. One is the doctor in a clinic. Another one is from the Division of Cardiology. And the other one, which I just talked to last Sunday, is from the Division of Ophthalmology. I found out I had Mitral Valve Prolapse problem in February. It seemed happened from January. And the last doctor, whom I talked to after I was sent to hospital by an ambulance due to the extreme pain in my head and left eyeball followed in a wake of nauseous feeling, told me that I shouldn’t have stress. It’s caused by hemicranias. Furthermore, today, March 25th, I’m having an appointment at the Division of Neurology. It’s suggested by the last doctor. Maybe it’s better to get a check.
I’m in the last situation described above. I, now, work as an EFL teacher for beginning level. (Yes, that doesn’t require very great English level.) It’s not really something I hate if we just talk about teaching. But when it comes to all the things like talking to parents on phone once one and a half month, telephone teaching all the students once a month, making sure students under your authority (in your class) will not leave this company (or boss will complain even sometimes the reason is not what we can take control), holding extra improving classes for students who can follow up (even most of the situation is because they don’t even review or preview), making up missed lessons for kids who don’t come to class just because they are going to have exam at school, parents have no time to drive them here, or kids have too much homework from school and need time to finish it…etc, then it’s not something I can find fulfillment from.
I like crafting and trying things that I can create something like knitting with wrists, making candles or lip balms, and things that make me feel I can be the producer or creator of them. I want to start my own business, even just a simple one. Maybe at the beginning of it, I won’t earn as much as I do now. But I think I will be happier in some ways. First, I will be happier by doing something I like and am interested in. Second, I will feel more fulfilled because it’s more like what I’m born to do. Last, but definitely not least, I will be healthier, which means I won’t finish my work around 10:30 pm or even later. And I won’t have as much as stress like now. I know I will still have stress, but different kind/level. During the 10 months being an EFL teacher in this company, I have been told that I have too much stress by 3 different doctors. One is the doctor in a clinic. Another one is from the Division of Cardiology. And the other one, which I just talked to last Sunday, is from the Division of Ophthalmology. I found out I had Mitral Valve Prolapse problem in February. It seemed happened from January. And the last doctor, whom I talked to after I was sent to hospital by an ambulance due to the extreme pain in my head and left eyeball followed in a wake of nauseous feeling, told me that I shouldn’t have stress. It’s caused by hemicranias. Furthermore, today, March 25th, I’m having an appointment at the Division of Neurology. It’s suggested by the last doctor. Maybe it’s better to get a check.
“Why don’t you just leave?” You may ask. Yes, I have already tried to give the resignation, but we have an employment contract which says I need to stay until September 3rd, 2016. I may need to pay over $9,600 if I just leave now. Many people told me the contract is not fair, so probably I don’t really need to pay. But, I can’t be sure. That’s why I asked the boss before I just tried to resign. And guess what she said? “I’m sorry for that. I really do. What can I do to make the company better?” Does it get better? Well, I can only say: “I saw the heart doctor and got sent to hospital as an emergency after she promised to make it better.” So, what do you think?
So, how much does it worth to put myself in such unhealthy condition? (not really worth it.)
$960 per month = officially 13:30-21:30 from Mon. to Fri., 9:00-17:00 on Sat., but seldom can go home on time. One Saturday can be a day-off. I almost didn’t have that day-off the last half year. Because I have class on Saturday! So I can’t take a day-off. I had classes from Monday to Saturday. (I finally don’t have class on Wednesday from this week.) So she (the boss) said I can finish my work at 14:00 on Saturdays. But, remember what I talked about things we need to do in this company? Yes, I have extra improving classes, or make-up classes or even the training the boss want the teachers to give some specific students for the speech contest. She said we just find whenever we have time to do it, which means we need to squeeze our work time or reach more to the overworked time, and suggested at least twice a week. Haha!! My half day day-off is gone!
$960 is actually not too bad for people who just finished their degree and started working in Taiwan. Our stander salary (minimum) is $709. But does it worth it? For me, it’s definitely a no. I want my haapiness, fulfillment, and health. Even if at the beginning (or even the whole time) of my business, I won’t be able to earn more than $960, I can get the three important things.
Less money, but more haapiness(yes!). If one day I make it, it’s definitely my so-called success.
How about you? What’s your success?
$960 is actually not too bad for people who just finished their degree and started working in Taiwan. Our stander salary (minimum) is $709. But does it worth it? For me, it’s definitely a no. I want my haapiness, fulfillment, and health. Even if at the beginning (or even the whole time) of my business, I won’t be able to earn more than $960, I can get the three important things.
Less money, but more haapiness(yes!). If one day I make it, it’s definitely my so-called success.
How about you? What’s your success?
Earning a lot of money? Having your own business? or spending lots of time with friends & family?
Here comes the video I would like to share, and also is the idea of today's article :) I love this gal!