There have been many requests for me to share my story in this blog. The time has come for me to sneak out “The Short Version”. I have titled it: “Escape From Paid Slavery” because I have been very passionate about giving people the opportunity to break away from the Rat Race. More importantly, I’m very passionate about giving people the ability to Recognise that they are in the Rat Race. Unless we know about it, we might just casually plod along until one day we discover it – and it is too late.
In part 2 of this article, I will share my personal story with you. For now, I will elaborate on some topics that have inspired me to strive towards financial freedom or simply: Breaking out of the Rat Race. I have gained great insights from people like Napoleon Hill, Charles Haanel, John Demartini & Robert Kiyosaki. My learnings from such great mentors have enabled me to get started on a journey that is far more inspiring than most people can imagine. There is nothing more exciting than excitement itself! Inspiration requires no motivation. It runs on nothing but pure adrenalin. Let me share this with you but first, let me talk about the alternatives. There are many and for now I will only show you a very bleak one. One that far to many people end up in…
Our Place In The Rat Race
Without getting into the topic a bit to “Deep”, I’ll explain myself about discovering our place in the Rat Race. Many, or most people are very happy with what they have in life. That is good and I do not want to take that away from them. Good luck and bless you if you have that feeling. This is An Example of a scenario I have seen far to many people end up in. It is quite sad and sets in depression for some people when they start to ask the question: “Is this as good as it gets?“.
The Rat Race Trap
Remember, this is only an example:
Childhood is over. You are now an adult and are told to “Stop Dreaming” and to “Grow Up“. As an early adult, normally you get into debt immediately and possibly never get out of it. Maybe you are supporting a family with kids. There was a time when one income was enough. No more! We are now “Liberated” and it now takes 2 full time incomes to support an average family. We put our offspring in daycare and have very little time to influence and bring up your own children. You keep telling yourself that you will spend more time with your kids next week but right now you need to focus; focus on the current issues. “I will play with the kids tomorrow“. Tomorrow never comes and next thing your kids have grown up, your boss wasn’t as loyal as you thought and broke his promises and you have become a statistic.
Most people become more in debt as they grow older and are realising that retirement is most likely not going to be paid for by the government. Divorce is a 60% probability (according to statistics) and most likely to happen when your kids move out from home and you are faced with a choice of finding a new partner whilst dealing with your ex-spouse who still tries to run your life.
Stories in the paper and on the news are predominantly “bad news stories” and don’t necessarily cheer you up. When it’s not a Swine Flu Pandemic threatening us to stay inside, it’s something else. Global recessions and other “bad news stories” tell us to stick to the safe line of Living In The Rat Race.
Bleak outlook… yes, I know and yet, this is what I have seen a lot in the construction industry that I worked in for many years. My story in Part 2 of this article will give you some more insight into this scenario that I have experienced first hand.
Take The Road Less Traveled
Why do we allow society to do this to us? Because many of us are in the Rat Race and it “Happens” to us. But there is another way.
“If we don’t want to have the average results, that the average person gets, then we MUST do what the average person DOES NOT“.
Statistically, only 1% of the populace (in Australia) are wealthy at the age of 65. Only 4% can support themselves financially at age 65 and the rest rely on the government and their family to get them through to their last resting place. Why is it that so many people conform and subscribe to this scenario? I don’t know but I’m not playing this game. I quit the game in 2005 and started to travel The Road Less Traveled. It is not an easy road! It is scary AND it is far more satisfying than doing average things.
“We do not stop playing because we grow old. We grow old because we stop playing”
I hope this gives you some insight to my inspiration to escape the Rat Race, or as I call it: My Escape From Paid Slavery. One day, I’ll elaborate in more detail on Paid Slavery and why I’m adament that slavery is still a large part of life around the world.
Until “in a few days”… when I deliver part 2 of Escape From Paid Slavery.
Have a most outstanding day!
Sean Rasmussen
Success Communicator
Aussie Internet Marketer © 2004 – 2009
{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
The road less traveled is a far scarier (and exciting) ride, although I wouldn’t go back to the Rat Race if you paid me
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Looking forward to part two of this story Sean
Someone once told me, “Michael, if you always do what you have done, then you will always get what you have gotten. If you want to get different (better) things out of life, then you need to put different things into that same life, else where you are now is where you will stay”
I’m thinking the world has moved on from a normal 9 to 5 job. It’s nice for security but will never give us the life we want.
Become a visionary, I say.
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I totally agree we have been travelling full time since 1998 and it is the best thing we have ever done.
We all know what we have been taught and like the mind set that we put our selves into makes this site good for reading as well it shows that a lot of minds think the same untill a person like this writer brings it to your attention. have read. http://tinyurl.com/lldke9
Sean ,
You inspire me further every time I come in contact with you or read your messages from the heart, they are moving to say the least. I for one have been released from 40 yrs of slavery as a result of your teaching and inspiration, and am truly looking forward to part 2 of your story.
You are traveling the road less traveled my friend, as there are not all that many other Entrepreneur’s who commit themselves to helping others escape the modern day slavery. You are going to change so many lives in the future and the world needs to clone you my friend.
Allen Sentance
Fisherman
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Sean,
A man after my own heart, it’s amazing how the distractions we are enticed with lead us to believe we live in freedom when in fact we are trapped by the very things we strive for. A good job, a house which is usually mortgaged, and the trappings that come with it.
The people who previously enslaved me actually paid me to go. What a bonus that was, its helped build our business which in turn puts us on the path to true freedom.
Cheers
Damian
Surfer and Entrepuneur
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great post. It is scary traveling on a different road, but it sure is worth it. Looking forward to part 2, and great to read about your experiences with giving up slavery. My Husband David has set a goal to give up work by September 30 this year, as he too is tired of missing out of his boys moments in life:)
Thanks for your inspiration, it was actually after listening to your speech in Brisbane that he decided enough was enough and to set a goal of giving up work.
Cheers
Lisa from woodys.gomangosteen.com
Yes Sean
I totally agree with your views…
I still cant get my head around the smart systems function in Brisbane yet…
I myself am trying break out of the rat race…
Look forward to further to part 2..
Regards
Chris
Yeah it is scary! I can tell you that some days I wonder what the hell have I done giving up a career, job security and predictable income for – my own businesses, me the boss and freedom to succeed!
Yet when I consider my goals for the year – I see so many achieved in relation to my friends and family, travel, new friendships and mentors!
I am in this for the ride now!
John
alias the Greenfalcon
It’s a funny thing about taking that first step, it is a strange and exhilarating feeling to be suddenly free. It is also the point at which you realize that your life and your future are no longer in someone else’s hands…but in your own! For most of my life, outside of a stint in academia, I have either worked for myself or have worked on straight commission, meaning if I didn’t get out of bed and make things happen, I didn’t make any money and those who depended on me would suffer. Funny how when the dynamics of dependency shift from being dependent on someone else for a paycheck, slave wages, to having to make it on your own, you suddenly become aware of just how powerful and amazing working for yourself can be…and how the stress of it either locks you up or frees you. As an employer, I am struck by the single most asked question when interviewing prospective employees, “What are the benefits?” Followed immediately by questions concerning days off and guarantees. Incredible but true! My answer? “The only guarantees are between your ears!” I have had many tell me they weren’t interested, I have also met some amazing “stars,” as Ebe Pagan calls them.
Great article Sean!
Professor John P. J. Zajaros, Sr.
The Internet Marketing Quest Revealed
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It’s “Eben Pagan” not “Ebe!” Sorry Eben!
John
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Thanks John
Being accountable for your own results certainly makes you more motivated (or inspired) to make your results happen.
Yep! I’m one of the 96% who can’t presently self-fund my own retirement but with 10+ years to go I am determined to turn that around. That;s why I am a devotee and student of internet marketing. I know that’s where the future is and although I haven’t got the magic formula worked out yet I am learning every day and applying that knowledge.
The road less travelled certainly is more interesting than the freeway of life. There sure are some interesting twists and turns and pot-holes along the way. But hell I thoroughly recommend it. Since changing my life in 2003 I am so much happier and so much wealthier in life’s experience although considerably poorer due to the Family Law Act. But now I can be true to myself and I have the freedom to explore my own horizons.
One of the biggest freedoms I discovered was when I decided not to care what others thought of me. Self doubt is such a killer.
Hi Sean,
Once not so long ago children were asked very early in life, what they wanted to be when they grew up. Boys especially were asked and usually said “a fireman” they had to be ready with an answer when asked (by well meaning adults) or risk at an early age being considered a loser. Point is, it can be easy to accept a lot in life and not change away from a secure job.
Many people work in a dead end job because they are afraid to leave for fear of not getting another one. They are slaves without even realizing it! Myself included, for a long time I worked at a dead end job to pay the bills. At the end of the day I was no better off financially than if I had been on the dole.
Not anymore, I now work for myself at internet marketing.
Jill.
Hi Sean
You were right to preface the story with saying that it doesn’t apply to everyone – but thanks for having the courage to tell it how it is for a helluva lot of people. You’ve said before, and I can quote you on this, that you’re not afraid of waking people up.
Good on you.
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Hi Sean,
The road less traveled is the only way to go. Before I stumbled onto this road, I worked 12-14 hours a day; sometimes 24 hours a day, 6 or 7 days a week. I was always just a phone call away from work. Days off, holidays, it didn’t matter. Work came first.
The only reason I even went looking for the road less traveled is because I sustained an injury that no longer allowed me to do my job. So, it was find something else to do or starve to death.
Essentially, I was well and truly stuck in the rat race. I will be forever grateful for having found Sean and his wonderful forum. It has changed my life.:)
I am definitely on my way to escape the Rat Race (also playing CashFlow 101 and 202 online) and I will be in the top 4% once I reach that age. And I after I found a great online Mentor (thanks Sean) I have definitely taken up speed!!!
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