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What careers have the highest earning potential?

Jobs and Careers: Why are so many people content with just earning a salary and working 9-6 their entire adult life?

  • Why don't more people want to get rich OR try to make a bigger impact that can change the world?

  • Answer:

    Here's the actual answer to the question: There's an inverse correlation between contentedness and drive. Here's some background: When you make enough money to live a comfortable life, it's not worth the risk or time exchange or both for some to "change the world" in the sense that you mean. Most people are content with the status quo. That's human nature. That's how societies work and become successful. There's a shared set of goals and values and if you've achieved those in your society, a sense of belonging and pride tend to ensue.  Contentedness follows. What about those that want to take it to another (not better or worse, just different) level? What are they faced with? Possibly risking all the time and relationships they've invested. I won't even get into the amount of thinking, planning, creating, organizing, and hustling it takes for the average person to change levels. Some people don't even know where to start and that takes the game from risky to impossible (if only in their own minds). Why wouldn't they be content to just continue in the society where they're successful enough? That's why most people will not ever take this risk. The risk itself is scary. They're content. They can support their family quite well without much ado. AND THAT'S OKAY. We need those people. We need the stability because it allows those of us who want to take risks the luxury of being able to do so. There will still be a grocery store, a bank, a hospital, public utilities, schools, and factories.  Most innovators, game changers, and people who are impacting the world rely on these services to become successful. So in a sense, those who are content working the 9-6 jobs do change the world. You need the basic services they provide to move forward with your own ideas even if you're going to start a juice stand and need produce from the market, who gets it from the farmer, who uses water from a well someone had to dig, not to mention the people who had to harvest the fruit and transport it. Just imagine the amount of 9-6 people Apple needs to make the phone you're going to do most of your business on. This is how http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Society work: Insofar as it is http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collaborative, a society can enable its members to benefit in ways that would not otherwise be possible on an individual basis; both individual and social (common) benefits can thus be distinguished, or in many cases found to overlap. If you're not content with the status quo, then it's more likely that you'll be driven to take the financial and social risks to move to another level. That's something to celebrate, commend, and encourage. But who's going to work for you?

Amanda Tendler at Quora Visit the source

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Because 9–6 jobs gives a steady income.If you loose a job ,you can get it within few months mostly.Its not the same once you fail in your business .It gives a sort of balance to life. When your an entrepreneur, you might have lot of projects /do a lot of business and after few months you might be having none or few.Since most of us belong to middle class.We do not want to take any risk.We are risk averse. Our parents also guide the same.W.r.t to Indian mentality, a business man is mostly considered a person who couldnt get a good job.Another wrong notion is you can buy anything if you have great 9–6 job through emis.Society and marital scenario in India approves it unfortunately.You know your incomy and you can plan for the same and lead life style accordingly if you have 9–6 job . In business ,we cant forecast accurately in most times.

Santhosh Santhu

Are you sure they're content? I know an awful lot of people who look successful on the outside and are quietly miserable privately. There's a lot of truth in the saying "most men live lives of quiet desperation."

Judy Murdoch

Well, I figured this much out about myself: I am meant to be a work drone, I don't like shaking hands, selling products, taking risks etc... and I do not enjoy material possessions or going out. What I do love is my work(developer) And I like to the stability and predictability of the 9 to 6. I know what my salary is, I know that after 6 o clock I am totally free to do whatever (something an entrepreneur can never be, and to be fair, if a server crashes after 6 I still fix it) And I measure my success not by money made, but by experienced learned doing this job. And nothing prevents me from being one of the top developers in 10 years and making a large salary.

Joe Elyahchouchi

There could be many reasons. People who are caretakers, whether for children or their senile parents, grandparents, have to follow a strict schedule and rely on a stable income. BTW many of these people are trying to impact the world by doing their best to raise their children into successful adults who could contribute to the world. Salary earners also have a much less stressful life. Not every person is born aggressive, or have the innate talent and capability to venture into the unknown. People with their own business risk losing money and their time, effort could be wasted if they fail. There are many failures in all aspects ever day, but we only hear about successful stories. We do need people who create their own career and have big ambition. But at the same time we need a support system made up of people who are content with a stable unchallenging life working under those people on the top leading the way. Because we cannot live a world where there are only chiefs and no Indians, or only generals and no soldiers.

Laeeqa Ahmed

The flippant answer is that people want stability, and at the same time don't think they can do more. It's relatively facile to assume they do not have ambitions. Iran's better to say they are not realized.

John Haggerty

Money buys health - more money the better medical treatment - the better one's health. Money allows one to be more of themselves and optimize their lives. Better schools - ain't free. Traveling the world over. Dreams and ambitions   cost money. Better neighborhoods. Better and more experiences. If one is happy living in a box in an ally, eating out of a dumpster they won't be happy if they need to take care of someone else. Unfortunately for some, humans are a social animal and therefore needs to belong to some type of social group. At some point, the social group will come under financial pressure or disband. One can not live by themselves, totally exempt from human contact and be happy. Get a job. :)

Mick Lake

For the same reason companies sometimes pay more for commodities by buying futures contracts: to remove uncertainty. People make a rational choice (right or wrong) to forfeit the possibility of making more money for the security of a steady paycheck.

Mario Sanchez Carrion

Because they know what makes them HAPPY little pathetic dog. Do shit that makes you "HAPPY". Never hurt another soul whatever the reason may be, KARMA will come bite you in the ass.PS: There is some one watching and he wants you to do good and as the father of stupid nation told "DON'T SEE BAD, DON'T HEAR BAD, DON'T TALK BAD!" You know who I am quoting. If not bad for you.You are fucking unique, don't judge people. Do what you want and always FEAR GOD.  EVEN THE WORD GOD SAYS IT IS A DOG just be loyal. :) WIsh you all the happiness in this fucking twisted, stupid world. Find things that make you happy and never let any one wipe that smile or your confidence or ego or attitude. NEVER! Don't care if he is the fucking richest person in this world and don't make deal with devils. If some thing looks too good, then it might be, so stay away and take your own time before making a decision.FRom nobody,Have a great and happy life ahead. Wish you all the things that money cannot buy and money for everything else.

Aditya Varma

To quote Steve Jobs: "When you grow up you tend to get told the world is the way it is and ... Try not to bash into the walls too much." Most people state that they are blessed they have what they. Sure, fine for the lot of us. But, as the OP asked, why don't we all want to do more than putter along as worker bees? What prevents or even precludes many of us to desire "more" from life that simply running the rat race. Good as I have it I'd certainly want to be more than a 9-6er and I really think that the potential does indeed burn inside a decent percentage of us. However, regardless of desire to succeed at some risky or challenging endeavor, many of us find it's just too much of an effort to break free from the status quo. I certainly would welcome a breakthrough (and stoke my ego while I'm at it) to another level but as I get older I realize that it may never happen. That's ok with me but doesn't mean I don't dream big!

Craig Clifford

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