What is your incentive to work?

Hi,

Is it simply for money to feed, clothe, and shelter yourself, or do you fulfill a psychic need by working?

What would you do if you didn't have to work?

Personnally, if I didn't have to work to make money I wouldn't. I can entertain myself just by thinking; as the hermit type I don't need a lot of input from the outside world to validate myself or nurture myself; though I enjoy surfing the net, reading and staring at the video-tube I can easily live without them.

There are lucky people among us who would work even if they didn't get paid for it. I've been reading Steven King's books about writing, and he frequently says he doesn't continue to do it for the money. This ties in with the "do what you love discussion," obviously. People like King can do what they love and the money follows--they're a "perfect engine," like a shark--this kind of person is rarer than hen's teeth, though.

Anyway, just thought I'd ask "what's your incentive for working." What would you do if you didn't have to work, and is there a way to do that and still keep body and soul together?
Best,

- Boyd

Hi Boyd,

I work for the basics you outlined in your post - that's those are the main reasons. However, rewarding myself by doing the things I enjoy is at the top of the list too, and those rewards would not be possible without an income of some kind.

So for me, as with a large percentage of the population, work is a means to an end.

Paul

I could also be a hermit.

Of course, it would be nice to go to a movie now and again to get out of the cave, but other than that, I find I am able to entertain myself with a good book, a keyboard (non internet related projects) and what my wife terms as my hobby... Her.

Other than to keep body and soul together, I honestly cannot think of ANY reason to work.

Oh, wait! Dorothy's medical bills. I guess that is a contributing factor, but not the one, true, overwhelming reason for working.

Then, again... I would work so I could live ANTWHERE in the world I wanted to live.

But, that really isn't an overwhelming reason either.

Damn you ask some hard questions!

I'm one of those people doing what that love. Although my business sounds like heavy duty sales, I'm really just your average guys who enjoys helping people. I work with clients face to face or online, find and get the products they want or need with their business name and logo added to it.

I have a lot of friends, because I have a lot of customers. Some of them were total strangers who have been buying from me for 10 to 18 years.

I don't like high-pressure or confrontational selling. I don't have to win the sale, and I can walk out and never see that client again.

In addition, I sponsor others who want to start their own dealership, and I truly enjoy helping them start from scratch and build it. They have to put forth an serious effort, but I'll assist them if they are willing to work.

I love being self-employed, setting my own hours, choosing who I want to work with, etc. You can't understand how wonderful it is to fire a bad customer, unless you've been an employee without that option. Discovering that made my life a whole lot more enjoyable.

I'm not yet at the stage of not needing to work for the money, but I have reached the point where I'm controlling the money rather than it controlling me.

I'm already planning my retirement, having just reached 50. Stop by Sulphur, LA (If I still live here) in November, 2049. I've promised my wife if I'm still alive at 97, I'll retire then.

Besides, I've got too many good customers who won't let me quit. If they don't see me, they call with their orders.

With 47 more years to go, maybe I'll get to travel around the entire US and meet several of my internet customers and friends. I've already had the privilege of meeting Mel. White up in DFW last year. One down, a couple hundred more to go.

So Boyd, where do I look you up in my travels/

Sincerely,

Dennis Bevers




Not all sales involves high pressure and confrontation!

So's my wife! She is one of the Goode Girls. You probably went to school with one of her brothers or sisters. Do any of these names sound familiar?

John, Mary Jo (Still), Theresa (Brooks), Carolyn (Fruge), Paul, Michael/Andrew, Edward, and the pick of the litter - my wife - Dorothy.

How is Wayne?

"They don't do it for the money."

And

"Once you have money you discover how Unimportant money is."

If this is how they feel, then why do they continue to do things for money???

If King is true to his word, then all books should now make him zero dollars. All profit should be given to a charity WITHOUT claiming a tax benefit.

If those who say money is not important are true to their word, then they should give all they have to charity (without tax benefits) and live off welfare.

Fact is, neither of those things will ever happen. And those who make those kinds of remarks are hypocrits.

Let their actual actions be a guide.

> Anyway, just thought I'd ask "what's
> your incentive for working."

Funny thing about this...

As a child, all our wants and needs are taken care of without our concern. We have no worry of paying a bill, paying for food, entertainment, etc.

As adults, we then spend our working hours striving to get back to the care-free days of our childhood. The only exception being, we don't have to ask our parents for what we want, we can buy it ourselves (if we can afford it).

Rather ironic, really.

So why work?

I work - whatever that means - so I can

A: Put food in the table

B: Pay bills

C: Increase my income so I can

D: Invest to the point I generate enough income to

E: put food on the table, pay bills, invest, not work and still grow my wealth.

There is a certain danger in limiting the reasons you work. For it could be said, continue to work and the government can take care of your food and bills for you (communism).

Which is why I have the "growth elements" in my list of reasons.

What would
> you do if you didn't have to work, and is
> there a way to do that and still keep body
> and soul together?

Idle hands makes an idle mind. Or something like that.

Actually, Boyd, I don't fully understand this last question.

What you might consider work, I might not. And visa versa.

What would I do? Anything I wanted to do. And some of that you might think of as work but I wouldn't.

Of course, you may be asking a rhetorical question as something for us to ponder in our own minds.

Michael Ross


Fnd something here to increase your income

But I'm originally from San Antonio, TX. I came to Louisiana by way of the draft. One of the benefit's of being born 50 years ago.

I believe I met Doroty while attending McNeese, selling ads for "The Contraband". Ask your wife if she worked for the student newspaper at McNeese.

I also met one of the sisters, who I believed work in a state office, or something like that. You're talking about 22-23 years ago.

As for Wayne - Wayne who? I only moved to Sulphur 14 1/2 years ago. And I've never worked in Sulphur. Been self-employed selling promotional adv. across 9 parishes of SouthBest LA.

When I leave the house, it's one stop at the Post Office, and leave town. I only have 4 customers in Sulphur, out of about 400.

So, where do you and Dorothy live currently?

Dennis Bevers
Living in the other LA!

> So's my wife! She is one of the Goode Girls.
> You probably went to school with one of her
> brothers or sisters. Do any of these names
> sound familiar?

> John, Mary Jo (Still), Theresa (Brooks),
> Carolyn (Fruge), Paul, Michael/Andrew,
> Edward, and the pick of the litter - my wife
> - Dorothy.

> But I'm originally from San Antonio, TX. I
> came to Louisiana by way of the draft. One
> of the benefit's of being born 50 years ago.

Ahhh, you're just a baby.

> I believe I met Doroty while attending
> McNeese, selling ads for "The
> Contraband". Ask your wife if she
> worked for the student newspaper at McNeese.

Yep. She was a short big titted lady in the Radio/Television circuit at McNeese. She worked with the "April 1st issues" and the Bayou Players.

> I also met one of the sisters, who I
> believed work in a state office, or
> something like that. You're talking about
> 22-23 years ago.

That would be her older sister Mary Jo (the one I was dating when I met Dorothy... But the headline is much better than the actual story. Will relate it to you one of these days.)

Dorothy remembers you - you were also involved with the Student Government, if she is remembering correctly.

She also says she hung out with Lou Gerrts who is now wandering the swamps looking for nile virus infected mosquitos...

Small world, huh?

> As for Wayne - Wayne who? I only moved to
> Sulphur 14 1/2 years ago. And I've never
> worked in Sulphur. Been self-employed
> selling promotional adv. across 9 parishes
> of SouthBest LA.

Sounds like you took over her mother & dad's route. Louisiana Souviners, Express Publishing, Current Greating Cards were some of the people they worked for.

My youngest brother-in-law, Edward, says he went to high school with a Wayne Bevers, thought you two might be related. Guess not.

> When I leave the house, it's one stop at the
> Post Office, and leave town. I only have 4
> customers in Sulphur, out of about 400.

I can understand that. Do you make it to Monroe?

Anyway, Dorothy's mom, brother and sister live on 140 acres along East Houston River Road off Hwy 27.

> So, where do you and Dorothy live currently?

Unfortunately, Dorothy cannot live in LA any more because the leaf mold, weather, etc. causes her to live in an oxygen tent 3 months out of the year.

So we are in the beautiful (HA!) town of Pahrump, home of Art Bell's Coast to Coast radio program, Nevada.

She was back there for 3 weeks before, over, and after Thanksgiving.

Sorry she missed you.

> Ahhh, you're just a baby.

Yep, you probably have about 4 to 5 years on me.

> Dorothy remembers you - you were also
> involved with the Student Government, if she
> is remembering correctly.

Must have been someone else. I was a transplant to Louisiana, and couldn't have won an election for dog catcher - Wasn't related to anyone within 150 miles of McNeese (except by marrieage).

> Sounds like you took over her mother &
> dad's route. Louisiana Souviners, Express
> Publishing, Current Greating Cards were some
> of the people they worked for.

Nope, I only sell the custom imprinted and embroidered business advertising - Calendars, ink pens, coffee mugs, company shirts & caps, plus offering another 700,000 potential
"business cards". I started my business from scratch, again with no high school connections or relatives to sell to.

> My youngest brother-in-law, Edward, says he
> went to high school with a Wayne Bevers,
> thought you two might be related. Guess not.

The only Bevers in Louisiana that I'm kin to are the one I married and our 3 children. My Bevers kinfolk are mostly home in South Dakota.

> I can understand that. Do you make it to
> Monroe?

Never. I'm strictly a home-body. I'll travel up to 210 miles round trip in a day, to sleep in my own bed. Never go past Many, Oakdale, Ville Platte, or Crowley to call on customers.

> Anyway, Dorothy's mom, brother and sister
> live on 140 acres along East Houston River
> Road off Hwy 27.

Never have met any of Dorothy's family except Mary Jo and possibly Josie. With the same last name and similiar physical characteristics, it was easy to spot the family connection.

> Unfortunately, Dorothy cannot live in LA any
> more because the leaf mold, weather, etc.
> causes her to live in an oxygen tent 3
> months out of the year.

So, how does she visit here without her oxygen tent? The mold grows almost as fast indoors and out here in Soggy Bottom.

> So we are in the beautiful (HA!) town of
> Pahrump, home of Art Bell's Coast to Coast
> radio program, Nevada.

> She was back there for 3 weeks before, over,
> and after Thanksgiving.

> Sorry she missed you.

The feeling is mutual. I rarely see anyone I knew from McNeese, except the Bookstore personnel who order from me, 23 years later.

So, did you catch any of the 3 McNeese games carried on ESPN 2? If you saw any of the big blue foam boots sticking up in the air, I take credit for that order.

Dennis Bevers




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