Comments on: How Do I Answer the ‘Do You Work?’ Question?

By: JillWhalen

JillWhalen — Wed, 29 Jan 2014 22:30:26 +0000

LOL yes, turns out she was retired as well

By: Beth N. Carvn

Beth N. Carvn — Wed, 29 Jan 2014 22:07:36 +0000

I forgot the most important part — three simple words to add to the end.

Question: Do you work?
Answer: Nope, not right now! I was lucky enough to retire from my business that I ran for many years and am looking forward to my next opportunity. Whatever that might be.
HOW ABOUT YOU?

By: RogerEllman

RogerEllman — Tue, 28 Jan 2014 15:06:24 +0000

It’s a good point to bring up. And, it is for me an ever-changing answer according to mood, who I’m talking to and me second-guessing their interests.

Best title for me so far, yet woefully unacceptable amongst archetypical accountants, government employees and those with six sets of letters after their name denoting membership/status/qualification or similar, is Expert Generalist – but only those who are open to it and have their sense of humor set on “generous” at that moment, get it.

So why is this also tricky for me? Well, I am, was/or might be again in the next few minutes, an Entrepreneur, Writer, Artist, Inventor, Designer, Marketer, Speaker, Co-founder, usability advisor, economics commenter, movie licensing old-hand, the list goes on!

Even if I name the project at the fore of usage of waking hours each day….there are others bubbling up or under.

By: JillWhalen

JillWhalen — Wed, 22 Jan 2014 17:36:09 +0000

Ha! That’s an interesting way of putting it, thanks!

By: Michelle

Michelle — Wed, 22 Jan 2014 17:23:20 +0000

Hi Jill, you could say that you are a trust fund kid of the universe. My friend said this to me this week and I loved it! You are doing what your soul/spirit is calling you to do and are trusting and expecting to be abundantly provided for. And so it is. Very happy for you.

By: JillWhalen

JillWhalen — Wed, 22 Jan 2014 17:17:47 +0000

Yep, makes sense, Brian! (And there’s nothing wrong with being “just” a stay at home dad either!)

By: Brian Benham

Brian Benham — Wed, 22 Jan 2014 17:16:37 +0000

My wife is the one that has the big successful career. I stay at home with my kids, 6 and 10yrs old. I do own a small business where I work from home. However we don’t rely on my income and I only take on projects during the school year, for something to do while the kids are in school.
Because I don’t really make a lot of money building furniture I always felt uncomfortable telling people I own my own business opposed to saying I am a stay at home dad. That was until one day someone asked me if I worked and my daughter was standing right next to me and she answered for me.
“He’s a woodworker and has one of the prettiest websites where you can see his work.”
I guess it is all in your perspective.

By: Ruthie

Ruthie — Wed, 22 Jan 2014 17:14:00 +0000

^^^ GREAT response!

By: Beth N. Carvn

Beth N. Carvn — Sun, 12 Jan 2014 21:56:43 +0000

Retirement isn’t synonymous with being old anymore and it never had anything to do with being rich.

Do you remember when you were a little uncomfortable with calling yourself President of your company?

Don’t get hung up on it and don’t worry about what other people think.

Question: Do you work?
Answer: Nope, not right now! I was lucky enough to retire from my business that I ran for many years and am looking forward to my next opportunity. Whatever that might be.

By: JillWhalen

JillWhalen — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 18:48:01 +0000

Oh it’s using the European way of showing dates. I fixed it yesterday for the posts, but looks like I have to go edit the comment template as well. Thanks for letting me know!