Would You Do Your Job for Free?

Lifehacker likes the saying "If you wouldn't do you job for free, then quit." Personally, I think it's unrealistic and a load of hogwash. I would argue that very few people actually could find any job that they would do for free that would pay any sort of living wage. For instance, here are things I see American's being willing to do for free: Sleep Eat Watch football Visit with friends Take a walk on the beach Play games The list could go on and on, but you get the idea. Things people want to do for free are things they LOVE to do -- and it's very rare that these ideas combine with work (FYI, that's why they call it "work" and not "fun.") Here are things that are generally associated with work that makes it something that most people wouldn't do for free: Getting up early Commuting Playing politics Having others tell you what to do Stress Being away from family/friends Again, the list could go on. So, is there really any sort of work that people would do for free? Maybe. But those jobs are few and far between. Now that said, this doesn't mean that all people hate their jobs. In fact, you can like your job or even love it when you consider the fact that people/companies pay you for it. For instance, I like my job a lot. I enjoy the people, the company, and the work. Would I do it for free? No way. Am I happy with the effort/reward system that's inherent in it? Of course. Otherwise, I'd be looking for something else, right? Another example: would most people like being trash collectors? Probably not. Now let's say that cities paid trash collectors $250,000 a year. Would more people be happy as trash collectors? I'm guessing they would. Here are my points: Trying to evaluate a person's happiness in a job without the associated compensation is crazy. It doesn't make much practical sense IMO. So to say that you should be willing to do your job for free or you should quit is nonsense. This whole line of thinking is similar to the "do what you love and the money will follow" philosophy. I disagree with it as well. What I do agree with is to find something you LIKE doing that pays you a salary you like (or even love). For more details on this line of thinking, see Doing What You Love Versus Doing What Pays. Then again, perhaps I'm way off base and there are tons of you out there who would do your job for free. Any volunteers? ;-)