Wikipedia defines the rat race as an endless, self-defeating or pointless pursuit. This is exactly how I felt when I was still an employee. Inside my office cubicle, I would always surf the internet to find distractions while wishing that I was somewhere else doing the things I like. Most of the time, I would come home from work feeling tired and guilty because I haven’t been spending as much quality time as I want with my family and friends.

For several years, I was living like that, until I realized that I’ve already wasted so much time daydreaming and without really doing anything to pursue the life I imagined for myself. I was tired of running in the rat race. It was time for me to step up and move up.

3 Things You Can Immediately Do If You Want To Quit The Rat Race

1. Prepare yourself mentally.
You are about to change your life. It will take a lot of patience, focus and self-discipline if you want to be successful. Quitting the rat race is much more difficult than staying in it. So be prepared and get ready to feel more stressed and tired than usual. Don’t worry, it will all be worth it in the end. You can start by challenging yourself with simple tasks and see if you can perform consistently. I started by coming to work early and at a precise time every day (I was a habitual late comer back then); this did not only made me look good to my boss but also gave me self-confidence to pursue more difficult tasks.

2. Live within your means.
Set some time to evaluate your current financial situation. How much is your average total spendings in a month? How much is your regular monthly income? Are you living within your means? If not, then better track your expenses and find ways to cut back. Simplify your life and get rid of the things you don’t really need. I stopped riding a cab to the office and started regularly taking the bus. I learned how to make sandwiches at home and brought them to work so I don’t have to buy snacks.

3. Build your savings.
The easiest way to save money is to pay yourself first. If you have successfully done this, then find ways to earn more by doing more work. A second job is optional but I recommend doing some freelance work. Yes, if you want to do this, be prepared to have less free time. During this point of my life, I said goodbye to my favorite TV shows and spent less time hanging out with friends. This is probably where most people get disheartened and quit their pursuit for financial freedom. With perseverance and determination, you will be able to go over the hill and succeed.

These pointers are just the beginning of your long road to financial freedom. There are still more things to learn and do. I started my journey four years ago and I’m still inside the rat race. I have accomplished much but there is still a lot of goals to reach. I hope that someday, you can finish this adventure with me.

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Photo courtesy of Money Rat Race