Do you feel like you're doing something "useful"?



This is so true. Humans never needed civilization, shit we made it fine running around half naked chanting. Modern society is about giving people shit they don't need. That or making people want shit they don't need.
stupidity is the only reason capitalism works if you think about it.
 
So I've been thinking about this for a long time...

Don't get me wrong, I love what I do, I love the idea of having no boss, of making good money, of being able to work from anywhere and the fact that I can pack my bags right fucking now and head to the airport and choose a random destination. BUT, I realized something that is bothering more and more the older I get (I'm 30 now): at the end of the day, I will NEVER have the same satisfaction as a Doctor, a Teacher or a Firefighter will have.

Do you?

Are we doing something useful for mankind, or are we just making rich companies richer? (Thru AM, SEO, etc...)

Discuss my negroes, discuss.

Sounds like you've got to the stage of life where you realise you're not immortal, and are wondering exactly what your life is for. I went through that a few years back (when I was 30).

You don't need to be a doctor/fireman/teacher to do useful work. It's just easier to define how you're improving the world. Personally, the business I'm in genuinely improves my clients' lives, so I definitely feel useful in that way. I'm also working on getting involved in some bigger causes (like food supply) that are important to me.

What you get paid for isn't the only source of usefulness - you can apply your skills elsewhere.
 
Set it up so that you have your money makers, and you also have more satisfying 'side projects' that aren't as profitable, but are more fulfilling.

Sometimes those satisfying side projects, actually strike a chord, and turn into the surprise sleepers that wake up.

Plus rep
 
No matter what you do for a living, whether you write content, build websites, dig ditches, fight wars for Big Oil, or strip naked in redneck bars, you're still earning a living, the better part of which you're contributing right back to the economy. So, by that token, you're doing something useful, whether you like it or not.
 
Have the same question/thinking in my mind. I am trying to move to a business model that gives value the humanity but could not make it yet. Proper business models are not that easy as promoting offers or gaming google! (Yet at least for me)
 
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I take satisfaction in taking a small start-up company's brand new website and getting it ranked among (and above) the industry leaders in search engines.

I take satisfaction in the fact that my efforts have given business owners the ability to take on staff and create local jobs in the community.

I'm not saving lives, but I'm helping people and improving lives. Internet marketing isn't just about selling people shit they don't need.
 
OP are you diversified at all? Do you run an actual business? Or are you just an affiliate? I think starting a business you're actually interested in would give you a sense of purpose. Just a thought.
 
I've worked in a nuclear plant, I've worked as a teacher, I've worked as a counselor. And I'll tell you that I'm far happier as an internet entrepreneur. I did help people in many fashions, and I didn't earn enough money doing it. After a while, the novelty and self-aggrandizement of saying "oh, i'm so helpful" isn't worth not having money and having people not appreciate you. Eventually it's like "fuck you ungrateful pricks, I need to go make some money."

Just some insight from the other side of the greener grass.
 
can not see IM competing with a doctor/fireman but it is fun.
working with clients is nice (however they do need to pay, the bigger the better), however you can build a site dedicate to something that you love (except internet business) and offer some of your knowledge on that, might give you some nice feeling.
 
There are all kinds of worthy causes that need volunteers if you want to feel good about yourself. Or you could make a real difference and give them a shitload of money.
 
Modern society is about giving people shit they don't need. That or making people want shit they don't need.
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhxfArTAcfM"]The Century Of The Self 1 of 4 | One: Happiness Machines - YouTube[/ame]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dKhODjUqGU&feature=related"]The Century Of The Self 2 of 4 | Two: The Engineering Of Consent - YouTube[/ame]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCu1jBLbthk&feature=related"]The Century Of The Self 3 of 4 | There is a Policeman Inside All Our Heads, He Must Be Destroyed - YouTube[/ame]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IBGgWLF5qE&feature=related"]The Century Of The Self 4 of 4 | Four: Eight People Sipping Wine in Kettering - YouTube[/ame]

Most people have no clue.
 
No matter what you do for a living, whether you write content, build websites, dig ditches, fight wars for Big Oil, or strip naked in redneck bars, you're still earning a living, the better part of which you're contributing right back to the economy. So, by that token, you're doing something useful, whether you like it or not.

this.
 
Go rent some computer lab, start up a free entrepreneurial class, spread the word around your town, and teach people the same skills that make you independent.

Give a man a fish, or teach him how to fish, kinda bullshit.
 
Go rent some computer lab, start up a free entrepreneurial class, spread the word around your town, and teach people the same skills that make you independent.

Give a man a fish, or teach him how to fish, kinda bullshit.
i must be different than a lot of people... i have no desire to help others. i take, not give. my dream is to become like gordon gekko, buying large shares of poorly run companies, dumping them all and causing the company to fail. maybe one day i can do this with a whole country like george soros.