Physical Work Vs. Mental Work

Are you exhausted after work?  Most people are.  What I learned from having both physical and mental jobs is both are demanding.  However, there is one difference between the two kinds of jobs.  Unless you're a manager or an owner, your physical job ends when the day is over.  A mental job can stay with you after the work day ends.


When I worked in my father's small sandwich shop my chores were making sandwiches, scooping ice cream, washing dishes, taking out trash and cleaning up - a lot of cleaning up.  At the end of the day, I was tired, but felt good about the work I had done and the fact it was over.  I could now play with my friends and do some homework (not a lot of homework - I hated school).


My father on the other hand, left work at the end of the day, but never felt good because he worried about: will his meats come in on time the next day, will we be busy enough to pay the bills, will the landlord raise our rent, etc. etc. etc. Yes, we both did physical work, but I was happy when the day ended my father was not.


My career led me to all mental work.  I was mentally drained when my work day was over, but I loved my jobs and that made me happy.  As I moved up the corporate ladder, my new mental jobs came with a lot more responsibility.  Even though I loved those jobs also, I was not only spent when I got home, I worried about the things left undone.  That worry took a lot of the fun out of my jobs and left me mentally exhausted.


If a plumber completes three jobs that day, he is tired, but goes home happy. The boss will tell him what jobs to go to the next.  He doesn't have to think about it until he arrives at work the next day.  If the plumber owns the plumbing business, he goes home thinking about the next day's, week's, etc. jobs.  His day never ends.


If an accountant ends the day, he goes home thinking about all the work he has on his plate that has to be done by noon the next day.  Even though he works for someone else, his day doesn't end when he gets home.


It's just my opinion (because I don't know sh..) that physical workers have better family lives, divorce less and are happier overall.  They may not make as much money as mental workers, but after a great hot shower, they can't wait to hug the kids.


Again my opinion, mental workers have less happy family lives, divorce more and worry too much.  After their day, they don't take a hot shower (because they showered before they went to work), they go to the bathroom with the daily paper, shut the door and unwind for at least twenty minutes.  When they come out, their mind is on the work left undone which leaves little emotional time with spouse and kids.


Sooo, is the answer to quit your mental job and take a physical job?  For some, that's the right answer.  However, for most of us it's not a option.  Therefore, what is the answer?


It all goes back to the things you've been reading about in my blogs.  You are in control of your happiness.  You don't have to worry about the work not finished.  That's right - stop worrying.  The work will be there when you show up the next day.  You'll get it done on time because you're good enough.


You can take a hot shower or a fantastic dump, leave the bathroom and tell your spouse, kids, friends or family what a great lunch you had that day.  Your job is your job.  If you decide to hate it or feel exhausted by it, you will not have the emotional energy to enjoy your life.  If you accept your job for what it gives you then go home thinking about anything or everything other than your job.

Now That's The Way to Happiness.