In a recent episode of 30 Rock, Alec Baldwin’s character needed to make a decision about his lifestyle. While strolling along a beautiful lakefront with a woman he loved, he impulsively threw his ringing cell phone into the water. Later, once he had returned to dealing with the demands of his job as a network executive, he rudely interrupted that same woman’s call (presumably on a new cell phone) to take an important call from his boss. The woman, of course, was furious, but Jack (Baldwin’s character) didn’t feel he had a choice. He ruefully decided that he couldn’t have it all: he would have to pick either the rush he experienced in his high-powered career or the warmth and companionship of escaping to more pastoral pleasures. Rather predictably (for the sake of the TV series), Jack Donaghy decided he couldn’t give up his job, and gave up the weekend escapes instead.
My own choice would not have been so tough, and the outcome would have been much different. Forgo the chance to spend leisurely weekends at my waterfront property? Not on your life! I find the draw of a “Waterfront Property for Sale” sign a lot more appealing than the thought of running a staff meeting, riding herd on employees to maintain proper levels of production, and suffering through the long commute to and from the office. Somehow even heavy traffic seems less of a headache when the destination involves sparkling water, relaxing by the shore, and spending simple, enjoyable time with friends and family.
There’s an old saying: you either live to work or you work to live. Alec Baldwin’s character on 30 Rock lives for his work. That’s how he defines himself, and he can’t get away from it enough to enjoy many outside pleasures. I would much rather reap the benefits of my hard working hours by living life to the fullest away from the job, enjoying my weekends, vacations, and any other free time I can grab at my waterfront property. That probably explains why I don’t have a job as a high-powered network executive, but I’m happy with my choices nonetheless.