Work that gives room to live
Work that gives room to live
Some people have their entire future mapped out. Mick prefers to focus on what feels right now. The 21-year-old works through Timing at Saint Gobain, is an avid sports enthusiast, and mainly enjoys life as it is now. “I really live more in the moment,” he says. “Of course, I do think about the future, but I also just want to do what makes me happy now.”
There is more than just working
Mick describes himself as enthusiastic, spontaneous, and optimistic. Someone who gets energy from sports, seeing friends, and doing fun things with family. His weeks are not just about work.
“An ideal week? Working four days, lots of sports, running, strength training, going out with friends on the weekend, and playing football on Sunday. After that, I often hang out at the football club.”
He finds that balance important. Especially now that he is still young. “You hear from everyone how fast life goes. That's why I prefer to enjoy what is now. “Life is about more than just work.”
From holiday work to flexible working
Mick encountered temporary work at a young age. Through his father, who also works at Saint Gobain, he started with holiday work at the age of fifteen. He still works there through Timing.
“I actually just fell into it. My father already worked here, so I could start during holidays. Since then, I have actually always continued working through Timing.”
This flexible working suits the phase he is in now. Especially because he wants to study again next year.
“What I like about temporary work through Timing is that it is easy to combine with other things. When I was studying, for example, I worked two days a week. Now I work a bit more. You can actually very flexibly indicate when you do or do not work.”
Work that moves with his life
For Mick, freedom is important. Not only in his free time but also in how he works.
“I think I would be less flexible with a permanent job. Then you are stuck with fixed times and fixed days. I don't have that now. If I want to plan something or be away for a few days, then that's just possible.”
This freedom helps him to combine work with everything else he finds important.
“At the moment, temporary work just fits well with my lifestyle. Maybe that will change later, but I'll see then.”
Prefer enjoyment in your work over just earning money
Although many peers are busy saving, mortgages, and building a career, Mick looks at it differently.
“Of course, I understand that you have to save and think about the future. But I also just want to enjoy what I do.”
That's why he consciously chooses not to just work as many hours as possible.
“I prefer something where I earn less, but really enjoy it. And that I go to work with pleasure. Instead of earning a lot of money and thinking every day: I have to go to work again.”
Still searching for the future
Mick previously followed a sports education but realized that he prefers to keep sports as a hobby rather than work.
“I enjoyed the education itself, but what I could become with it later didn't really suit me. Then I realized that I prefer to do sports because I enjoy it.”
For now, he is mainly looking for an education and direction that truly suits him.
“I want to find something that I get pleasure from. Something I think: I really enjoy doing this. I have to figure that out in the coming time.”
And until then? He mainly enjoys life as it is now.
“I don't need to have everything mapped out yet. That will come later.”