More Young Professionals Suffering From Burn-Out

[Guest Guest]

From the Straits Times:

 

"For the past three years, investment banker Andy was plagued by nightmares because of stress from his 14-hour work days. He was moody all the time. Food became a source of comfort, and his weight went from 70kg to 80kg. Three weeks ago, Andy, 29, who declined to give his full name, decided to quit. His case is not uncommon, say doctors and human resource experts. More young professionals are ending up with medical problems, including insomnia, depression and hypertension, because of extra-long work hours. After seeing more of his patients between their 20s and 30s suffering from depression, GP Quek Koh Choon highlighted the issue in a letter in The Straits Times Forum Page last month."

 

 

Are you one of the burnt-out ones? Thinking of quitting soon? Having nightmares and insomnia?

 

How competitive is your workplace?

 

Which profession work the longest hours, face the greatest stress, sleep the shortest hours and have no life, no weekends, etc?

 

Lawyers, accountants, bankers, teachers, engineers, sales people, IT guys ... ?

 

How do you guys cope with the long hours and pressure? Come, come, share your tough working life here and exchange tips on how to survive.

[bluerunner]

Is our young workforce getting more pampered?!

On one hand we complain FTs who are forever putting in extra hours and willing to take lower pay are taking away our jobs, while on the other hand young workers are complaining working for long hours?

Wake up! One cannot have short working hours, high pay and expect good job waiting for us.

Our forefathers who built this nation had worked hard. You as the future generation who will uphold what your forefathers had done will definitely need to work even harder.

[Guest Raiden Alpha]

Just let the slave driving boss drive you over the edge as society do not allow young people to voice out their concerns.

Let the youths speak for themselves you and I should not impose nor intervene in it.

[Guest Guest]

What kind of life is there to work from 8am to 10pm or 11pm every day? 

 

Anybody in the same shoes?

 

How do you keep yourself motivated and smiling? Where do you get the energy?

[Slynn]

It is not suitable to pit the younger generations with our forefathers: the stress and standard of living is very different now and then. Imagine being an investment banker and getting uptight over all the shares daily. The hardships endured by our forefathers (which is tremendous of course)  and the mental stress that the younger professionals handle nowadays is also of a different nature. 

 

It is even weirder to compare ourselves to FTs who put in extra hours. Just because they are doing so, does this mean that the people in that country should forfeit their life balance and do so? Germany and France are working on protecting workers' right by several labor agreements, yet here you have people demanding OTs or even forsaking time with family to tend to business. (Even though this is generally an Asia's thing. It's not likely to change anytime.) Standing fromthe  boss or government's POV, of course they'd love people who slog for them for long hours, even though it's incredibly selfish. We should compare ourselves to FT in terms of work attitude and efficiency, rather than a competition of "who can slog the longest every day"

 

People in this age subject themselves to work with high stress (but also high returns) in order to maintain a high standard of living in Singapore. But people ought to ask themselves what is the point of earning so much money if you can no longer enjoy your life anymore. 

[Guest Guest]

Is our young workforce getting more pampered?!

On one hand we complain FTs who are forever putting in extra hours and willing to take lower pay are taking away our jobs, while on the other hand young workers are complaining working for long hours?

Wake up! One cannot have short working hours, high pay and expect good job waiting for us.

Our forefathers who built this nation had worked hard. You as the future generation who will uphold what your forefathers had done will definitely need to work even harder.

 

Some people can go run here and run there but never had the sense to go run in Europe and USA to see what is work-life balance over there. So I guess all of us living in this third world country are all condemned and must really have long working hours and a lousy job before we can get high pay？ Maybe some forefathers look forward to having their descendent work harder than they did as coolies at the docks. But I don't think my forefathers would mind if I have a better life than they had. In fact, if my forefathers found out I am working harder than they did, they might just all rise from their graves and ashes to overthrow some 昏君。

 

Why is asking for a better life being accused of being pampered. Did Oliver Twist ask for too much when he raised his bowl up to ask for "more"? Or did an elitist just said something because he is really happy to see people work hard for their peanuts while he enjoy the fruits of others' labor?

[EasleyLim]

Is our young workforce getting more pampered?!

On one hand we complain FTs who are forever putting in extra hours and willing to take lower pay are taking away our jobs, while on the other hand young workers are complaining working for long hours?

Wake up! One cannot have short working hours, high pay and expect good job waiting for us.

Our forefathers who built this nation had worked hard. You as the future generation who will uphold what your forefathers had done will definitely need to work even harder.

 

This kind of lifestyle is unsustainable. Productivity doesn't simply increase by working harder.

[Guest Guest]

Just let the slave driving boss drive you over the edge as society do not allow young people to voice out their concerns.

Let the youths speak for themselves you and I should not impose nor intervene in it.

 

I spoke. And I am definitely not a youth.

[stylishvicky]

Although my income just barely touched 3k, Im alot happier than other peers who worked in private sector. Govt jobs does hav its benefits (standard mon to fri, 9am to 6pm), easy-going boss and much lesser stress. I am also working freelance and study part-time to supplement my salary as well =)  

 

The only prob iis: govt job = no good prospect = boring colleagues = no life =( so it reali depends which kind of life you want: either long hours but high returns or standard hours but low returns.

Edited April 14, 2014 by stylishvicky

[Guest Guest]

 

Your government job allows you to work part time? And you put your face to that statement? Have you declare your freelance work? You want the world to know you are not delivering to the maximum capacity at your full time government job and so you have the capacity to do a part time job? Wow... you are either stupid or heroic.

[luke84]

Dear Guest above,

 

i think what you said deviating from the topic, although I'm partially agree with your thoughts.

 

Somehow, I think that we are weaker than our parents generations in enduring hardship (be it mental or physical)

and also our "wants" are too much that only higher salary/income will give us that lifestyle we want. ( Gym, travelling, supplements, food, clothings, Gadgets)

 

what if, you can get a job to live by simply, with some savings, will you? 

I do believe stability, high end city lifestyle, comes with a price.

 

(again, I like what Slynn said too) Hopefully the work efficiency and work life balance can eventually come true

[stylishvicky]

err e freelance job can onli work on sat n requires a dog, so no offence.

Edited April 14, 2014 by stylishvicky

[thorzguy]

Everyone suffers from being burnt out, in some point or another. The point is: are we able to identify and ensure that it doesn't happen again; or maybe less burnt out feelings for the next wave?

 

Nothing comes easy, especially in country like Sg. We must learn to manage our expectations in life. Control the controllable and leave the uncontrollable as it is. Do your daily exercise and prayers. Keep your mind positive, take on short holidays or just a few days off work. All these tiny bits help.

 

Yes, I do suffer from stress related matters as well. Doing my best to keep it in check. You can too.

[bluerunner]

....Oliver Twist ask for too much when he raised his bowl up to ask for "more"? ....

What a "twisted" argument....

[Guest Got out]

I was running a business in Singapore and felt stressed all the time. My only motivation was profits and buying designer stuff.  I was becoming a grumpy old man! Worked from 8am to 12 midnite all through weekends too.  

 

My only relaxation was travel - to get out of the country for some relaxation time.  Believe it our not, my heart would sink each time the aircraft landed at Changi Airport where I realized that I'm back to square one with all the craziness.  

 

As a result of that stressful lifestyle, I was hospitalised for gastritis and kidney stones.  I hated my life even though I had money, a thriving business and all the 5Cs.

 

5 years on, I felt enough was enough and I wouldnt last one more minute of the craziness.

 

I submitted my application to emigrate to Australia and here I am today (way before Singapore opened its gates to third world immigrants).  

 

I now love my life 100% and have never looked back.  For those who say "we must work hard, harder than our grandfathers to make Singapore a better place", well, that's bullshit you have been taught to absorb and swallow by your government.  

 

Keep telling yourself that and you will lose out to what other smart people have done/are doing by getting out.

 

As for me, I still run my own thriving business here without the unnecessary stress and craziness.  My trading hours are 10.30 to 4.30pm, Mondays to Fridays. Weekends are for leisure.  That is what I call life and yes, I still drive a Mercedes and live in a bungalow.

 

For those of you who feel the same and you want out, please do not delay any further. Submit your application to emigrate somewhere good.  Countries I can think of are Australia, New Zealand, Canada, America or the UK. 

 

You only have ONE life and you owe yourself this favour to be happy.  Good luck!

[Guest Raiden Alpha]

I was running a business in Singapore and felt stressed all the time. My only motivation was profits and buying designer stuff. I was becoming a grumpy old man! Worked from 8am to 12 midnite all through weekends too.

My only relaxation was travel - to get out of the country for some relaxation time. Believe it our not, my heart would sink each time the aircraft landed at Changi Airport where I realized that I'm back to square one with all the craziness.

As a result of that stressful lifestyle, I was hospitalised for gastritis and kidney stones. I hated my life even though I had money, a thriving business and all the 5Cs.

5 years on, I felt enough was enough and I wouldnt last one more minute of the craziness.

I submitted my application to emigrate to Australia and here I am today (way before Singapore opened its gates to third world immigrants).

I now love my life 100% and have never looked back. For those who say "we must work hard, harder than our grandfathers to make Singapore a better place", well, that's bullshit you have been taught to absorb and swallow by your government.

Keep telling yourself that and you will lose out to what other smart people have done/are doing by getting out.

As for me, I still run my own thriving business here without the unnecessary stress and craziness. My trading hours are 10.30 to 4.30pm, Mondays to Fridays. Weekends are for leisure. That is what I call life and yes, I still drive a Mercedes and live in a bungalow.

For those of you who feel the same and you want out, please do not delay any further. Submit your application to emigrate somewhere good. Countries I can think of are Australia, New Zealand, Canada, America or the UK.

You only have ONE life and you owe yourself this favour to be happy. Good luck!

You and I share similar thoughts on what is quality life except I choose to stay behind and destroy them instead of giving up and running away.

Don't ask my people to leave.

Can you bear to give up and go easy on your tormentors?

The chance for payback and to strike is approaching near,I refuse to take the easy way out.

[Guest Guest]

Is our young workforce getting more pampered?!

On one hand we complain FTs who are forever putting in extra hours and willing to take lower pay are taking away our jobs, while on the other hand young workers are complaining working for long hours?

Wake up! One cannot have short working hours, high pay and expect good job waiting for us.

Our forefathers who built this nation had worked hard. You as the future generation who will uphold what your forefathers had done will definitely need to work even harder.

It is possible if the corporations are not getting greedier and greedier.

Profit = revenue - cost

To keep profit high, keep cost low ..one of the ways is employ less employees ..and employees working longer hours

[bluerunner]

It is possible if the corporations are not getting greedier and greedier.

Profit = revenue - cost

To keep profit high, keep cost low ..one of the ways is employ less employees ..and employees working longer hours

Possible too. From the company perspective, that is valid.

[Guest Guest]

Possible too. From the company perspective, that is valid.

 

Are these the types of companies we want in Singapore?

[Guest pennyless lone soul]

I have no money but I know smelling rose is free. I did that every morning and I tried to avoid all sort of crazy people in my life. 

 

I live a simple non stress broke life. I don't watch TV, listen to radio nor go movie. I only have a computer with internet connections.  I go out at night, mostly, because it is quiet and less crowded.

 

I do simple exercises at the park's fee exercise equipments, on nightly basis before taking a long rest listening to night crickets and dying sound of traffic.

 

I am isolated (but I never felt isolated), that is fine with me because I lived a life with clear conscience and knows that your hide is borrowed from god whom he will take it away when time comes. So there is no reason to hold on to anything superficial and doesn't last with time.  You inherited nothing and you give nothing when you are gone, that is the philosophy.  If you wanted to give, work hard and soon, you will realise you truly give away almost everything including your life with it.  So, it is not too late to think and take back your life when young. Life, that doesn't need to make other people richer and you spiritually poorer.   The short human life span has two option - live life or work life? Your choice.

 

When I heard life was stressful and depressing in this city, I felt disconnected because I didn't fall within the same channel of rat race.  I live life which I custom-made for myself and not within other people expectation. These people won't live long to judge me anyway or even if they did live long, I won't be around to hear their judgement because I know God will judge me better than them.  

 

So, life to me, is about trying to live longer. To achieve that, you need to custom-made your lifespan to not falling within the rat race dilemma, get out of it even if the salary look lucrative to you.  Didnt evil spirit tried to tempt Jesus and Buddha and eventually got rejected?  You get the message.

 

At this point, I am making clear that I am not an ordinary BW non member who love everything nice and good. It was never my pursuit not because I didn't want it, but because I didn't want to pay a price for it.  It is not worth paying the price for it and I am still happy nonetheless.

 

The sun is setting. I am going for my free jog and exercise and let tomorrow self living decide for itself.

 

Those who have strong disagreement with me, you have every reason and righ to do so but don't complain, judge or opine because I have fully lived life more than anyone could  have possibly imagined.

 

 

[Guest Raiden Alpha]

I have no money but I know smelling rose is free. I did that every morning and I tried to avoid all sort of crazy people in my life.

I live a simple non stress broke life. I don't watch TV, listen to radio nor go movie. I only have a computer with internet connections. I go out at night, mostly, because it is quiet and less crowded.

I do simple exercises at the park's fee exercise equipments, on nightly basis before taking a long rest listening to night crickets and dying sound of traffic.

I am isolated (but I never felt isolated), that is fine with me because I lived a life with clear conscience and knows that your hide is borrowed from god whom he will take it away when time comes. So there is no reason to hold on to anything superficial and doesn't last with time. You inherited nothing and you give nothing when you are gone, that is the philosophy. If you wanted to give, work hard and soon, you will realise you truly give away almost everything including your life with it. So, it is not too late to think and take back your life when young. Life, that doesn't need to make other people richer and you spiritually poorer. The short human life span has two option - live life or work life? Your choice.

When I heard life was stressful and depressing in this city, I felt disconnected because I didn't fall within the same channel of rat race. I live life which I custom-made for myself and not within other people expectation. These people won't live long to judge me anyway or even if they did live long, I won't be around to hear their judgement because I know God will judge me better than them.

So, life to me, is about trying to live longer. To achieve that, you need to custom-made your lifespan to not falling within the rat race dilemma, get out of it even if the salary look lucrative to you. Didnt evil spirit tried to tempt Jesus and Buddha and eventually got rejected? You get the message.

At this point, I am making clear that I am not an ordinary BW non member who love everything nice and good. It was never my pursuit not because I didn't want it, but because I didn't want to pay a price for it. It is not worth paying the price for it and I am still happy nonetheless.

The sun is setting. I am going for my free jog and exercise and let tomorrow self living decide for itself.

Those who have strong disagreement with me, you have every reason and righ to do so but don't complain, judge or opine because I have fully lived life more than anyone could have possibly imagined.

I truly wonder how people like you would vote for who though once the time come.

One might have the wisdom to thrive in all circumstances but will one help or will one simply observe the world of man in passing motion?

Nothing more nothing less.

[Guest pennyless lone soul]

I truly wonder how people like you would vote for who though once the time come.

One might have the wisdom to thrive in all circumstances but will one help or will one simply observe the world of man in passing motion?

Nothing more nothing less.

I will vote for action and not for words.  I don't believe in words. 99% are liars.  I don't believe in main stream reports, or news.  I believe in experiences, self experiences and with my own eyes.    

 

When people said they have helped me, I said show me. When a rich man told me they are poorer by helping the poor, I asked them to show me their poverty.  When people said experts and professional said so, I asked them to disclose identity and not that I care eventually.  They can lie again.

 

I hate people who scrimp on every meal for the sake of buying an expensive property, a car, any form of investments. and than told me they are poor.  I hate contractors, agency or any form of works that uprooted a beautiful tree in front of my house so that a useless pillar can be erected for show and block my view.  I hate all form of destructions, physical or emotional, trying to conceal me into a box.  I am no fish in a fish tank or bird in a cage.  Allowing oneself to such confinements are like people conforming to other people authority and expectations.  I want no such boundary.

 

I  love chasing after a giant grasshoppers for as long as both of us get tired, not about chasing paper qualifications or see who score the best grade. 

 

I admired how birds and butterflies milked the forest during drought and enjoyed having an unknown fish kissing my feet when I tried cooling in the river.  I don't have fanciful card with inspirational quotes as my bookmark, and I used a juniper leave instead, taken from christmas tree as my bookmark..  Inspiration and motivational quotes are for dummies, who need some form of consolation, mostly words to crack your head further.  I don't need them.  Personally, the best consolation is to stay out of the rat race, off the speeding track and even out of those speeding noises.  Who need F1 when I have two squirrels running about on tree top?  When I see a pile of dried leaves burying my feet, I pity those who have piles of work burying their desk.  If you heard your boss screaming over your shoulder, rememeber I have my poodle barking at a teasing bird.

 

Stay out of the pot when it is boiling, or even simmering. People will always tell you that economy (pot) is good for you, but they didn't want you to know they are putting you in. In fact, the more of you the merrier so that it taste richer.  If you can't take the heat, good for you because I don't, Life is not for testing or tasting but for living.

 

Who need rich people to tell the poor what to do when we knew money is behind the telling, not the brain.  In fact, you don't need a brian to know the truth.

 

 

If my writing is not going to make you richer, good, it was never meant to be.  I am not a follower of other people chasing dream. I have already lived mine.

[Guest Guest]

In the eighties , many hong kongers held two jobs to support the family and work really hard ...here , most need not support family as many stay single yet can't deliver twice as much. Simply a generation full of losers ,want easy job and high pay ....how else to explain so many partying clubs these days ....

[Guest Raiden Alpha]

In the eighties , many hong kongers held two jobs to support the family and work really hard ...here , most need not support family as many stay single yet can't deliver twice as much. Simply a generation full of losers ,want easy job and high pay ....how else to explain so many partying clubs these days ....

I assume you are a middle/sliver age man already base on your memories of a distant economic age.

Understand one thing,that was then and now is now.The situation has change,you can't compare the past with the present now.

Back in the past hard work pay off.

But now young people are working hard to pay off a lifetime of debts.

You need to understand economic models and their changes/expiry date.

If I let you become a youth again in today time you will come to understand the unique challenge a youth or person in their prime will have to face through in this current age. You proably won't envy them or think its easy for them.

[wailo]

I am one of the youngsters who suffered a burnout, probably should have noticed the signs earlier and started hunting for another 2 years into my first job instead of trying to tahan it. Eventually I gave up and tendered to backpack for a year.

 

I don't understand why people make all of us sound like spoilt brats. Go work 15hrs a day Mon-Fri, and come back for another 10 on either Sat/Sun without getting recognized. Don't compare how people took on two jobs last time, when there are people who work over 80 hours a week just on one. Then when I finally go on a vacation, I get called almost everyday (towards the end I was expected to even have my office laptop ready when on a holiday) so that I could get contacted and rush stuff out. The only recognition I got was more work because my clients were happy, I could do a good job, and meet all my timelines; other than the rather significant increment I was offered when I resigned.

 

Also, not all FTs are hardworking like what was said earlier. Like locals; some are, some are not. I've seen enough cases of people using connections (i.e. their countrymen) to push tougher projects and clients away. So it's not fair to say that we are complaining about them stealing jobs, because they are willing to work longer hours than us while taking a lower salary. Of course, I'm not denying that some Singaporeans are demanding the impossible too.

 

But sometimes somethings just happen too late. I'm not saying it's entirely the company's fault, because I should have done something about it earlier. I'm just saying that it's not fair to say that Singaporeans or the younger people are (insert adjectives used by others earlier) just like that. It's tough being an young employee in Singapore. You raise your concerns and you get branded as weak/pampered/a loser, you don't and you suffer the consequences yourself. Not a good deal don't you think so?

 

Just my opinion though, everyone can disagree with me.

Edited April 15, 2014 by wailo

[Guest Raiden Alpha]

班老鬼对后辈一点爱心和同理心都没有活该他们带着钱进棺材。

他妈的都闻到黃泥香了还那么逼人太渗。

[7heaven]

For any profit making companies, the CEOs and senior managements are driven by boosting the revenue and profit. This is more pronounced in listed companies. The CEOs and senior management themselves are pressured to deliver. One must wonder who benefits the most? Rather obviously, the majority shareholders would benefit the most. The question to ask then is why are there so many people slogging away for the benefit of a handful of shareholders? 

 

Our society is gradually developing into one that lacks social conscience and compassion. From the very day you start school, the competition is on. You be judged if you go to so-so schools, cannot make it into uni, cannot secure that coveted job etc. I attribute such attitude to the policies since our independence. However, it is observed that in the last 3-4 years, the policies are slowly evolving to place emphasis on other things besides academic and material success. So, let's see what happens in the near future. 

 

I feel that some policies are perpetuating the rich to get richer and the poor to get poorer. Just take the above discussion on a select group of majority shareholders getting rewarded via handsome dividend payouts. At the end of the day, a balance must be struck between the haves and the haves-not. 

[Guest Guest]

I will vote for action and not for words.  I don't believe in words. 99% are liars.  I don't believe in main stream reports, or news.  I believe in experiences, self experiences and with my own eyes.    

 

When people said they have helped me, I said show me. When a rich man told me they are poorer by helping the poor, I asked them to show me their poverty.  When people said experts and professional said so, I asked them to disclose identity and not that I care eventually.  They can lie again.

 

I hate people who scrimp on every meal for the sake of buying an expensive property, a car, any form of investments. and than told me they are poor.  I hate contractors, agency or any form of works that uprooted a beautiful tree in front of my house so that a useless pillar can be erected for show and block my view.  I hate all form of destructions, physical or emotional, trying to conceal me into a box.  I am no fish in a fish tank or bird in a cage.  Allowing oneself to such confinements are like people conforming to other people authority and expectations.  I want no such boundary.

 

I  love chasing after a giant grasshoppers for as long as both of us get tired, not about chasing paper qualifications or see who score the best grade. 

 

I admired how birds and butterflies milked the forest during drought and enjoyed having an unknown fish kissing my feet when I tried cooling in the river.  I don't have fanciful card with inspirational quotes as my bookmark, and I used a juniper leave instead, taken from christmas tree as my bookmark..  Inspiration and motivational quotes are for dummies, who need some form of consolation, mostly words to crack your head further.  I don't need them.  Personally, the best consolation is to stay out of the rat race, off the speeding track and even out of those speeding noises.  Who need F1 when I have two squirrels running about on tree top?  When I see a pile of dried leaves burying my feet, I pity those who have piles of work burying their desk.  If you heard your boss screaming over your shoulder, rememeber I have my poodle barking at a teasing bird.

 

Stay out of the pot when it is boiling, or even simmering. People will always tell you that economy (pot) is good for you, but they didn't want you to know they are putting you in. In fact, the more of you the merrier so that it taste richer.  If you can't take the heat, good for you because I don't, Life is not for testing or tasting but for living.

 

Who need rich people to tell the poor what to do when we knew money is behind the telling, not the brain.  In fact, you don't need a brian to know the truth.

 

 

If my writing is not going to make you richer, good, it was never meant to be.  I am not a follower of other people chasing dream. I have already lived mine.

 

The quality of life as seen by the people from eons ago is completely different from now.My family was the envy of the entire block when we first got our black and white television; Now nobody's even looking at cathode TV.

 

I wonder how the father of pennyless lone soul would feel if the latter is living at a quality standard similar to that of the former's era. Sure, all of us can live cheaply. But is that our quality of life? Our father may not have a good education, should we forget about educating our children as well? Our grandparents might have died due to a lack of medicine for a common illness, should we keep medicinal care out of our generation's reach by costing it high too?

 

You might be happy with living in the mountains under a rock, and that is your choice. But the rest of civilization has moved on, and nobody should be denied the new standard of living just because there are people trying their best to price things out of reach to others.

[Guest Guest]

I am one of the youngsters who suffered a burnout, probably should have noticed the signs earlier and started hunting for another 2 years into my first job instead of trying to tahan it. Eventually I gave up and tendered to backpack for a year.

 

I don't understand why people make all of us sound like spoilt brats. Go work 15hrs a day Mon-Fri, and come back for another 10 on either Sat/Sun without getting recognized. Don't compare how people took on two jobs last time, when there are people who work over 80 hours a week just on one. Then when I finally go on a vacation, I get called almost everyday (towards the end I was expected to even have my office laptop ready when on a holiday) so that I could get contacted and rush stuff out. The only recognition I got was more work because my clients were happy, I could do a good job, and meet all my timelines; other than the rather significant increment I was offered when I resigned.

 

Also, not all FTs are hardworking like what was said earlier. Like locals; some are, some are not. I've seen enough cases of people using connections (i.e. their countrymen) to push tougher projects and clients away. So it's not fair to say that we are complaining about them stealing jobs, because they are willing to work longer hours than us while taking a lower salary. Of course, I'm not denying that some Singaporeans are demanding the impossible too.

 

But sometimes somethings just happen too late. I'm not saying it's entirely the company's fault, because I should have done something about it earlier. I'm just saying that it's not fair to say that Singaporeans or the younger people are (insert adjectives used by others earlier) just like that. It's tough being an young employee in Singapore. You raise your concerns and you get branded as weak/pampered/a loser, you don't and you suffer the consequences yourself. Not a good deal don't you think so?

 

Just my opinion though, everyone can disagree with me.

 

Looks like you are a victim of corporate bullying. The lowest form of methodology to get people to work.

[Guest Fatty]

But Lao lee says we need to have spurs stick into our hides

[Guest Guest]

The quality of life as seen by the people from eons ago is completely different from now.My family was the envy of the entire block when we first got our black and white television; Now nobody's even looking at cathode TV.

I wonder how the father of pennyless lone soul would feel if the latter is living at a quality standard similar to that of the former's era. Sure, all of us can live cheaply. But is that our quality of life? Our father may not have a good education, should we forget about educating our children as well? Our grandparents might have died due to a lack of medicine for a common illness, should we keep medicinal care out of our generation's reach by costing it high too?

You might be happy with living in the mountains under a rock, and that is your choice. But the rest of civilization has moved on, and nobody should be denied the new standard of living just because there are people trying their best to price things out of reach to others.

Materialistic pleasure doesn't mean better quality of life.

Better education to turn ppl into money making robot?

most ppl would rather enjoy a tranquil life, is this what ppl look forward to to their retirement?

What is the point of having better health care and medical advances to prolong a life void of meaning or purpose

[Guest Guest]

How to stop feeling depressed when you're working late at night while people are home or having a good time?

[Guest Guest]

Materialistic pleasure doesn't mean better quality of life.

Better education to turn ppl into money making robot?

most ppl would rather enjoy a tranquil life, is this what ppl look forward to to their retirement?

What is the point of having better health care and medical advances to prolong a life void of meaning or purpose

 

Are basic needs of life equivalent to materialistic pleasures? Is asking for affordable housing too big a request? Was it really a joyous occasion when HDB finally managed to sell a 2-room BTO below $100k, or was that more reflective of how sorry our state of PUBLIC housing really is? Similarly, is asking for affordable medical care too much to ask for?

 

Better education don't turn ppl into money making robot, but it does give ppl a better chance at it. Or perhaps you are telling us that the lack of education would make ppl into money making robot. If that is really so, any kind of education has been completely wasted on you.

 

Of course everybody would want a tranquil life. But when your basic needs are not even met, what tranquil life are you even hoping for? Ppl here struggle day and night and even during their vacation days, just so to earn a miserable salary to put food on their table. You think they don't want a tranquil life? (Go read up on the Maslow Hierarchy of Needs on this topic... oh wait, don't bother, education is wasted on you.)

 

"What is the point of having better health care and medical advances to prolong a life void of meaning or purpose"?? How do you find purposes in life when you are constantly worrying about the basic needs. Furthermore, are you saying that people deserves to die because their life is void of meaning or purpose? I hope not.

 

Just because you have met all your basic needs of a house, some retirement funds etc when you managed to earn your keep when the days were easier, does not mean that everyone else is having an easy time now.

 

You know what? Your lack of empathy really make me wish for something:

I wish all that you have now will be stripped to nothing, to the extent that you won't have a roof to sleep under and no money to pay for any medical bills, just so that you can pass away without any proper medical care and die in the middle of nowhere, and you can have all the tranquility and purposes in life to see you over to the other side. I sincerely hope your lack of empathy can be countered with a vicious dose of reality one day.  Maybe that will help you open your eyes.

[Guest Guest]

I might sound lack of empathy to you based on my few lines of reply, but your wish on me doesn't reflect you isn't one either.

This is actually what I am working at on my life past few years. To be able to live minimally, to enjoy life responsibly without bothering too much on other or the society expectation.

In fact I don't see it is a bad thing to experience the 'misfortune' you mentioned in my life. I believe everything happens for a reason. I just let myself go with the flow of life. Try not too resist the undesirables, or cling on to the fleeting pleasure. At the end of the day, the destination for us all is the same.

I would prefer my life to be an adventure, overcoming problems after problems, instead of resisting them.

I am learning to let go the illusion of lack that causes us to live in a worrisome and fearful life.

No I don't hv a retirement fund cos I live on Now, not the future. Cos I realise not everyone can live till retirement.

My only wish is, on my death bed I can confidently answerable to my dying self I have indeed lived a worthwhile live.

[Guest Guest]

I might sound lack of empathy to you based on my few lines of reply, but your wish on me doesn't reflect you isn't one either.

This is actually what I am working at on my life past few years. To be able to live minimally, to enjoy life responsibly without bothering too much on other or the society expectation.

In fact I don't see it is a bad thing to experience the 'misfortune' you mentioned in my life. I believe everything happens for a reason. I just let myself go with the flow of life. Try not too resist the undesirables, or cling on to the fleeting pleasure. At the end of the day, the destination for us all is the same.

I would prefer my life to be an adventure, overcoming problems after problems, instead of resisting them.

I am learning to let go the illusion of lack that causes us to live in a worrisome and fearful life.

No I don't hv a retirement fund cos I live on Now, not the future. Cos I realise not everyone can live till retirement.

My only wish is, on my death bed I can confidently answerable to my dying self I have indeed lived a worthwhile live.

 

Thank you for letting us know of your short-sighted nature. That is very revealing of the type of people who are giving advise to "materialistic" people. Not everyone of us are suitable to live as monks and nuns.

[Guest Guest]

There is of cos nothing wrong to enjoy life with material possession. Just that when we are too caught up with the game of life, when it brings us more suffering and pain, in the pursuit of happiness, we need to realise there are other possibilities too.

the way I am leading my life now, I realise I could one day be a monk..haha..if it is my fate and destination.

[Guest Guest]

Madonna still

wears high heels and dance to earn money , nowadays., singers need only to wayang, wayang with high pitch scream to earn ten times more than Madonna when she was at her prime .....yet still complains about hardship ....

[Guest Guest]

There is of cos nothing wrong to enjoy life with material possession. Just that when we are too caught up with the game of life, when it brings us more suffering and pain, in the pursuit of happiness, we need to realise there are other possibilities too.

the way I am leading my life now, I realise I could one day be a monk..haha..if it is my fate and destination.

and what is wrong being a monk? it is your happiness that is more important than material things, to each his own

[p-2122]

I am burned out too. Thinking of tender of resignation. In this competitive market the pay is minimum but the job scope is maximum