Comments on: As aidworkers, are we allowed to have a life? http://petercasier.be/writing/as-aidworkers-are-we-allowed-to-have-a-life/ My most notorious writings Mon, 23 Jan 2012 13:53:26 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Peter Casier http://petercasier.be/writing/as-aidworkers-are-we-allowed-to-have-a-life/comment-page-1/#comment-416 Peter Casier Tue, 15 Apr 2008 09:48:00 +0000 http://petercasier.be/writing/?p=496#comment-416 Thanks Mats and Ellen!<br/><br/>P. Thanks Mats and Ellen!

P.

]]> By: Ellen http://petercasier.be/writing/as-aidworkers-are-we-allowed-to-have-a-life/comment-page-1/#comment-415 Ellen Mon, 14 Apr 2008 17:27:00 +0000 http://petercasier.be/writing/?p=496#comment-415 Yep.. the familiar discussions we have over here in the Netherlands too.. <br/>The popular opinion is that executives of the non-profits shouldn't earn 'high' salaries (where, as you say, 'high' is in no way comparable to those in the commercial field)..<br/>Where, in fact, shouldn't we all want that those non-profits are lead in the best possible way? If it takes a bigger salary to make sure that non-profit is run in the most efficient way, than that's how it is..<br/><br/>IMHO, we all lead the life we were meant to be, do the best we can. There is absolutely no use in comparing yourself to others, feeling guilty that you're not doing as much.. Whether your work is directly in the field, 365 days a year or being a fundraiser (as I am) at a distance.<br/><br/>I personally am convinced that my talents and experience have the highest impact (and with that, help more people) at the very place I am right now.<br/><br/>And yes, that means a significant lower salary than I would earn (and have earned) in the commercial sector. That means I don't get to see my precious loved ones as much as I'd like. But what I do in my free time, is absolutely my business, and no-one else's.. <br/><br/>In your case: your ski or sailing trips are what you need to give it your best at your work. And that's what counts, isn't it!?? Yep.. the familiar discussions we have over here in the Netherlands too..
The popular opinion is that executives of the non-profits shouldn’t earn ‘high’ salaries (where, as you say, ‘high’ is in no way comparable to those in the commercial field)..
Where, in fact, shouldn’t we all want that those non-profits are lead in the best possible way? If it takes a bigger salary to make sure that non-profit is run in the most efficient way, than that’s how it is..

IMHO, we all lead the life we were meant to be, do the best we can. There is absolutely no use in comparing yourself to others, feeling guilty that you’re not doing as much.. Whether your work is directly in the field, 365 days a year or being a fundraiser (as I am) at a distance.

I personally am convinced that my talents and experience have the highest impact (and with that, help more people) at the very place I am right now.

And yes, that means a significant lower salary than I would earn (and have earned) in the commercial sector. That means I don’t get to see my precious loved ones as much as I’d like. But what I do in my free time, is absolutely my business, and no-one else’s..

In your case: your ski or sailing trips are what you need to give it your best at your work. And that’s what counts, isn’t it!??

]]> By: Mats http://petercasier.be/writing/as-aidworkers-are-we-allowed-to-have-a-life/comment-page-1/#comment-414 Mats Mon, 14 Apr 2008 17:01:00 +0000 http://petercasier.be/writing/?p=496#comment-414 Would never even think of being guilty for getting paid for the work I do. To go see my family it will cost me about a 1000 USD each time. At the most crazy time I saw my wife 50 days in one year as I was on the road all the time. Am I feeling guilty because I can enjoy a few short moments in a nice place with my family... Never.. Right now I have not seen my 1 year old son for a month. Meanwhile he turned one started to walk.. What is that worth to see... Priceless! did i see my 10 year old daughter grow up.. no.. To see that happen.. priceless! Meanwhile I have seen my parents and brother 3 times in 4 years. Most people take all that for granted. For not being able to be everywhere I should be for my family, that I feel guilty about... Would never even think of being guilty for getting paid for the work I do. To go see my family it will cost me about a 1000 USD each time. At the most crazy time I saw my wife 50 days in one year as I was on the road all the time. Am I feeling guilty because I can enjoy a few short moments in a nice place with my family… Never.. Right now I have not seen my 1 year old son for a month. Meanwhile he turned one started to walk.. What is that worth to see… Priceless! did i see my 10 year old daughter grow up.. no.. To see that happen.. priceless! Meanwhile I have seen my parents and brother 3 times in 4 years. Most people take all that for granted. For not being able to be everywhere I should be for my family, that I feel guilty about…

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