Do you also ask yourself, what is the race? Do you work 2 to 3 jobs just to pay your house rent & car insurance? Just got your paycheck but vanishes instantly because of bill and expenses? Here is an explanation on what really is the rat race.
What is Rat Race?
Rat Race is a way of life in which people are caught up in a continuous struggle for power and wealth.
Basically you are on a competitive routine of chasing money!
Robert Kiyosaki described rat race as a cycle. And most of us working employees are in this phase. Usually as an employee you work hard for your boss in order for you to have a raise or promotion. But unfortunately as your income increases, your expenses increases as well.
This means that your also prone to increasing your debt. And debt leads to more reason why you want to do more job and to get more paycheck. You are forced to work harder for your next promotion to just cope up again with your debts.
This becomes a cycle which is called the rat race. Its like a lab rat that is trying to escape while running around a maze or in a wheel.
Why am I In the Rat Race?
The major reason why you are in rat race is because of these reasons:
1. Education
The school engraved an idea into your mind.
Go to school > Get a good job > Work hard for money > Have Retirement
This scenario is beneficial if you are still in the industrial age which is the time of our grandparents. However the situation now is different. Have you noticed that the higher paycheck you receive, the higher the tax deducted to you? And the higher the position you have in the company, the bigger the debt that you are carrying?
I’m not saying that school is bad. In fact I learned some of my greatest assets in the education curriculum.
However, we can’t deny the fact that they taught us the thinking that If you want to be successful you have to do well in school. From an early age, you are told that you should work hard in school to get into college. After graduating from college, your next move is to find a secure job with generous benefits.
And eventually use this money to buy a house and luxury that we don’t know as we buy this things debts also adds up which is very frustrating, right?
The more debt you have, the longer your “Rat Race” will be and the harder to get out of it.
2. Fear
Fear is another reason on why you are in rat race.
You are afraid to know what is the rat race. We cannot deny that most people are scared of trying and knowing new things. When they get out of their comfort zone, they immediately panic and lose control of things. Little they know that greater things are found outside this comfort zone.
For most employees, their biggest fear is to lose their high paying job. It is because they are used to going to work from 9-5. Doing tasks given to them by their bosses. Even though sometimes there are bully bosses that they want to get rid off, they still manage to finish their work because they are afraid to be fired and not receive any pay check.
3. Work
The last reason why people is still in rat race is because they don’t want to exert more effort in work.
We all know that when we start something new, we need to put more work into it right? And shifting from the active income to passive income needs perseverance and passion. Most of the people which are already in the high paying jobs like doctors, engineers, or even accountants of big companies, find it hard to think that they will start again from the beginning.
They already went to school for 5-10 years and they are now exhausted in trying something else. But think about this, If the time times comes that you can no longer work in the profession that you have chosen, Where will you get your income aside from the retirement plan?
How to Escape from Rat Race?
The first step to do before you can escape from it is to See the rat race and Admit that you are in the Rat Race.
I mean most people usually get a hard time in escaping because they for themselves don’t accept that they are already sank in it. If you can’t see the problem, how can you solve it right? You have to realize that being in the rat race is not to be ashamed of instead should be used as a stepping stone to get ahead and move on.
The good news is that you got yourself into the cycle, which means you can get yourself out of it too.
Personally, I for myself is also in the rat race. I’ve been raced in an environment that what matters most is high grades and lots of medals from achievements. But during my college years, after I read Kiyosaki’s book Rich Dad, Poor Dad, I realized that there is more to merely doing good in school.
That’s why right now I’m currently taking an action on stepping out of the race. And I want to share with you how you can get out from it.
1. Learn the Maze of the Rat Race
What’s the best way of learning? It is through Playing!
When you play you somehow get rid of the boring feeling of learning something new. Compared in reading plenty of articles about how to get out of the rat race, You can just sit, enjoy, and learn everything about. And what sets it apart is you can do it with your family and friends!
The name of the board game is Cashflow 101. It is a How to Get out of Rat Race Game that teaches people on all ages the ways on how to escape from the race.
Here are the things that you will learn in Cashflow 101:
- Passive income generators
- Cycle of Business
- How to Pay Commodities
- Invest in Stock and related assets
Don’t think it as an additional expense, Instead think that it is an investment!
2. Learn Another Source of Income
If you already understood the rat race, I suggest you start your way out of it. Start investing your time in learning new things that can sooner of later help you earn a passive income.
Check out My #1 Recommended Passive Income Generator!
By the way, Feel free to post your personal experiences about rat race and how you managed to escape from it.
Comment below your questions and inquiries. I’d be more happy to help and assist you.
Best Regards,
Hi John,
Awesome post on what is the rat race. I think the best suggestion you make to people is to recognize they are in a rat race and then you give them a few educational sources to get out of it.
I think I felt the rat race strongest just by working the 9-5 job that includes an hour commute. It really starts to wear and tear on one especially as we get older and realize that we don’t have the time and resources to do what we want with out lives.
If we can find ways to get ahead of the race through passive income sources (like you’ve mentioned on your site before) and start leveraging this money to grow and work for us, we eventually can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Great post for all those stuck in the rat race and wanting to get out.
Todd
Hi Todd!
Thanks! yes recognizing what is rat race and learning new educational programs like wealthy affiliate university is the key in getting out the cycle. I find it hard to see people still circling around in the maze. I hope they would soon realize that passive income is real and everyone should be doing it.
Best regards,
John
I remember what it was like to be in the Rat Race all the time and there have been times where I have slipped back in. But each time I do it is for less and less length of time because I know how to get out of it quickly. Why would I slip in and out of the Rat Race mode of making money?
Because when you are in business for yourself and you do freelance you often deal with clients that do not pay on time and if that should happen often among more than one of your clients, you have to go chasing for that money while taking on more work to cover the lack of revenue from what you are owed.
Fortunately for me I have learned to diversify my income streams so that one can act as a safety net should the main money maker have a problem. This is yet another reason why I have started developing my Passive Income which eventually will fully support me. Do you diversify your income streams?
Hi Robert!
I agree with everything you said. Being in the rat race is a normal scenario but you should know how to get out of it. Good thing for you that you already have escape ropes whenever you sink into it. About your question, Honestly right now I don’t have plenty of income streams that can diversify. But I am certainly working into it. I am currently working 8-5 in a stone company. But when I get home I do affiliate marketing, and I am now thinking of joining network marketing. Both are very good source of passive income. Only if you give time to it.
Anyways, It’s not too late to build my financial freedom right?
Best regards,
John
Hi John:
I for one know I have lived in the rat race. In order for one to know if they are in a rat race, they need to know what is rat race? As you so well put it, a rat race is a vicious cycle in which you are expected to confirm to societal trends and get a degree for a higher education institution and then get a job working for someone else so that someone else will give you money to help pay off the student loans you inquired while studying in higher ed. Plus, and I love your image, you purchase a car to get to work and go to work to pay for the car, so funny, but so true. Plus, you pay for gas and parking and that too comes from your paycheck every week or whenever you get paid.
One of the jobs I held was an hour and a half commute and I think I spent more money on my car and gas then I actually made from my job. It was a senseless way to live my life.
About four months ago, I joined an online business learning venue called Wealthy Affiliate which helps you to learn ways to earn money while from the comfort of your home. If you have children, it makes sense to begin earning a living while at home instead of paying outlandish fees to a day care center and leave them with the care of a stranger just so you can work hard to help someone else’s bottom line. Why not work for your own bottom line? And escape the rat race.
Stephanie
Hi Steph!
Knowing what is the rat race is the start of getting out of it. Many of us is still in the cycle and find it hard to escape from it. Thanks for sharing your experience how you joined an online business and learned the steps on how to earn passive income. Wealthy Affiliate really helps people to understand the value of making passive income in order for us to have more spare time for our family and friends.
I agree with everything you said. Why work with a boss, if you can be the boss right?
Best regards,
John Rico
Great post! I realized I’m on a rat race and I’m hoping to get out of it through WA. Thanks for this.
Kyle
Thanks Kyle! It’s good that you recognized yourself in the rat race. In that way you will know how you can get out from it. Indeed, Wealthy Affiliate is a legit rat race escape rope. But this wont happen in overnight. You need to be consistent with building the foundation of your online business. And Wealthy Affiliate surely offers help for those who want to get out from the rat race.
Best regards,
John
Hi John,
Another great and enjoyable read!
My husband and I both yelled, ‘we’re in the rat race’!
How long would you estimate people should give themselves to see the transformation of getting out of the rat race? As from previous experience, people get nervous if things don’t take off quickly!!
Thanks, Hayley
Hi Hayley!
Many of us are in the rat race. Also me, I am also in the rat race. But the good part is we admit the we are in the race.
As for your question, There is no specific answer on how long you will see the transformation in getting out of the rat race. Each person is different from another. It solely depends in your passion, dedication, and consistency in making your way out of it.
But one thing is or sure, I know one online training program that can escalate your way out of the rat race. If you want, Check out my review about the #1 Rat Race Escape Rope that I recommend.
Best Regards,
John
Definitely a different way of analyzing ones life these days. Great job!
Dave
Hi dave! Thanks! Asking to yourself what is rat race is the start of you escaping it. If you have further questions on how you can escape from rat race. Just comment it and i’ll help you.
Best regards,
John
Hi John, thanks for sharing this great post, I understand completely about the rat race, I feel like I have been racing for years until a couple of years ago when I decided to take some action and put in even more effort, but for me and my families future and build my online business, which is doing great!! I did this out of hours, although I felt buggered when I was putting in my 1 – 2 hours a night, I could see such potential and had enough of living in that rat race. I can really appreciate what you are explaining here in your post!!! I have come across WA before and believe it or not this is the company that has taught me everything I know about a successful online business, what I loved about it so much was all the information that is available to you. WA is a very genuine community.!! 🙂
Hi Justine!
Everyone of us has a story to tell about what is rat race and how you managed to escape from it. Although it’s hard and takes time, Every effort you do will all be worth it. Wealthy Affiliate indeed offers great community especially to those just starting to get out of the rat race or for someone that doesn’t know what is rat race.
It also gives easy to understand training that will surely help anyone understand the basic of having business online. If you want to learn more about Wealthy Affiliate, Check out my review about it.
Best Regards,
John
Hi Dave!
Thanks for sharing your insight about what is rat race and how you managed to escape from it. Truly the game gives you a wider view on what the real world is which unfortunately was not taught in the school. The best part about the Cashflow 101 game is that it doesn’t only teach you how to invest, it also gives you an opportunity to have a quality time with you family friends through the board game.
Indeed, Passive income is the key to getting out form the race and start building financial freedom.
-John
What is rat race, great topic. My whole life seems like it’s been a rat race. Working 9-5 jobs for several years just to make ends meet. I finally started my handyman business about 10 years ago and my life changed. What is rat race changed after that to. How about your life, has it been a rat race? Jeffrey
Hi Jeffrey!
Me for myself is still on the rat race. I work 7:30am-4pm everyday from monday to friday. And it’s quite tiresome to do this every single day. I’m just starting my internet business right now and so far everything goes well.
Knowing what is rat race really helps for you to escape the cycle. That’s why I recommend to everyone to learn the maze of rat race as soon as possible.
Best Regards,
John
I agree with your thought about school. However, in my opinion, you don’t need school to teach you how to be wise and not to involve yourself with bank loans/borrowing money from people/friends. That’s when the so-called debts started at first place. As you grow up, you should have developed a mindset like don’t do something you know yourself couldn’t handle it.
So true! For some people, getting theirself out of the cycle isn’t as easy as getting into the cycle. Perhaps by playing this game could spark an idea on how to get out of it. By the way, is this game similar to the Monopoly game?
Hi Meina!
Indeed, debts can be frustrating but need not to be scared of. Instead develop the mindset of how you can prevent from gaining bad debts.
About your question about the game, Basically Yes because it uses a dice and a board to play. But in terms of the excitement and fun, its far way more better. Aside from the fun part, the vocabulary used in the game is the one used in real world so for those of you who really need to improve your vocabulary on investing or have a strong desire to move from the real “rat race” to the fast track, Cash Flow 101 can really help you get started.
Best Regards,
John