A Good Job Versus A Great Life - Is This A Fair Comparison?

A good job versus a great life is a never-ending discussion. Maybe it's not a fair comparison, but it's important to continue to focus on the way we lead our lives as technology, work,  economics, society, world events, and our own expectations continue to encroach on our well-being. We spend the majority of our productive time working and if we're not creating our version of a great life in the process then what are we doing?

Typical 24-Hour Day for Americans

According to the American Time Use Survey (June 2013), a typical day for a working person consists of 8.45 hours of sleep, 0.76 hours for personal care, 1.24 hours to eat and drink, 7.95 hours to work, 3.26 hours to watch TV, and 1.76 unclassified hours (commuting, random activities, etc).  For a total of: 8.45 + 0.76 + 1.24 + 1 + 7.95 + 3.26 + 1.76 = 23.42 hours. We repeat the pattern for 5 days per week totaling approximately 71% of the calendar week. If we’ve managed our time well during the week, then Saturday and Sunday are our leisure days (29%). Oh wait - we work on weekends too!

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Glassdoor's Employment Confidence Survey which focuses heavily on 'employee vacation realities' enlightened us further by focusing on our use of vacation time.  Most of us don't even pause long enough to take the vacation time which our good jobs provide. We often just power through. Even if we do take physical vacation time away from the office, we take our work along with us. Again I say - what are we doing?

• On average, employees took 51% of their eligible time off in the past 12 months
• Of employees who have ever taken vacation/paid time off, three in five (61%) report doing some work while on vacation
• Of employees who took vacation in the past 12 months, one in 10 (11%) report they used vacation/paid time off to interview for another job

Definitions of Good Job and Great Life

Driving to and fro daily is my introspection time. For years I contemplated the dilemma of having a good job versus having a great life. I finally concluded that this is a false comparison and it's up to me to create a great life powered by a great income. If you're comfortable with your arrangement, then proceed business as usual. If not, then redefining what a good job versus a great life means to you may be your next step. My definitions have changed slightly over the years, but the basics remain the same.


--> What is a Good Job?

The baseline of a good job typically includes an effective salary and benefits, company stability, interesting work, advancement potential, friendly co-workers, and solid leadership. No mention of working through weekends and vacation!


--> What is a Great Life?

A definition of a great life is a bit tougher to align, but there are some characteristics that virtually everyone can agree on - good health, perpetual income, happy family, great friends, purposeful actions, freedom, and fun times. Still nothing about working through weekends and vacation!

If one works all the time including weekends and vacation, then there might not be much room for health, family, friends, and fun - unless work is structured so that it includes all of these elements. If you're on a path where there is little overlap between a good job and a great life, then perhaps it's time to reevaluate your trajectory.

I get it - we all need an income to take care of ourselves. Our life phases and circumstances often dictate our choices. However, at each step along the way it's up to us to determine how and whether we create a great life or simply settle for a good one.

To kick life up a level from good to great at work and away from work, here's a hint - change and risk are involved.