The founding father of macroeconomics, John Maynard Keynes, predicted we’d all be working just 15 hours a week by 2030. The idea was that our prosperity would shoot through the roof, and we’d exchange a sizable chunk of our wealth for leisure time. In reality, that’s not at all what has happened. We’re plenty more prosperous, but we’re not exactly swimming in a sea of free time. Quite the reverse: We’re all working harder than ever. We’ve sacrificed our free time on the altar of consumerism. Keynes certainly did not see that coming. Overwork is not just common; it’s a status symbol, a badge of honor worn by the elite.
Keynes did not foresee one critical element in his optimistic projection: the rise of consumerism. We’ve traded our potential leisure hours for a relentless pursuit of material goods, stacking up debts to own things we don’t need, to impress people we don’t even like. Our newfound prosperity didn’t translate into leisure because we got caught in a loop of wanting more. More gadgets, more cars, bigger houses–needs that seemed pressing but are, in reality, hollow.
The Trap of Overwork as Prestige
The irony here is deafening. We live in an era of unprecedented technological advancement, where machines and software can execute tasks in seconds that would have consumed hours of human labor a few decades ago. Instead of enjoying the fruits of this progress, we’ve added more to our workload. Overwork has become a twisted mark of prestige, a sign that you are indispensable, competent, and above all, successful.
The Cost of the Grind
While grinding away the hours may be glorified, the cost to personal life is immense. Time with family, physical health, and even life satisfaction take a nosedive. Our society’s obsession with work as the ultimate measure of worth is a myopic view that ignores the multifaceted nature of human existence.
Early Retirement: An Antidote?
As someone who advocates for early retirement, I’ve often been met with skepticism. “What will you do with all that free time?” is a common question. The underlying assumption is that work is the primary venue for meaning and without it, life becomes purposeless. This mindset prevents us from imagining a life where work and leisure can coexist, where work is just one part of a rich and fulfilling existence.
The True Value of Time
It’s crucial to unshackle ourselves from the perception that time is money. Time is more than money; it’s life itself. It’s the hikes in nature that make you feel a part of something bigger. It’s the moments spent teaching your child about the world, moments that shape a new generation. It’s the time invested in a passion project that benefits not just you, but your community and perhaps even humanity at large.
A Pathway to a Balanced Life
To break free from the work obsession, we need to champion a new narrative—one that values balance, celebrates leisure, and respects individual autonomy. Financial independence isn’t about accumulating wealth for its own sake; it’s about reclaiming your time and life. It’s the freedom to garden, to write, to play, to love, to live.
Reclaim the Dream
The dream of significantly shorter workweeks is still attainable. It’s not a naïve fantasy but a feasible reality we could collectively choose. It requires courage to challenge societal norms, foresight to envision a different way of life, and the audacity to make it happen. As I aim for early retirement and life beyond the billable hour, I’m reminded of what we can regain: not just time but also the freedom to live a life aligned with our deepest desires and aspirations.
It seems that to survive in today’s world most go from paycheck to paycheck. That is in our capitalist society. What about totalitarian workers? Your model refers to only an elite few.
The Navajos were a wandering hunter gatherer society. They lived with bounty and provided enough to survive and thrive in a few hours of work a day. This prosperity allowed them time to advance in education,arts, trade, and recreation. They had health, wealth from a few hours of work a day ( which to them was not work). And then they were “civilized “!
The Navajo are a great example! Our modern norms are not the only way. The Navajo may have achieved a balance that many of us strive for but seldom attain.
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