Escaping the Rat Race

[apples_too]

@X2

simple..do something you are passionate about.

if you are not passionate about ,what you are doing, then find something else..

u will even get stressed and burnt out doing the things you have a passion for..not just work, but family, kids..and for that a couple days break from whatever is burning you out helps.

Having passion about your selected profession should be the most critical factor .........Although I admit I didn't choose my profession just because I was passionate about it, there were other factors too.

[TeenDabbyWala]

@sheyn

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BH uss jagay mein loadshedding tho nahi hogi na :@:

Tell me a country like that and i'm ready to move !

Pakistan.

[kakaballi]

Re: Escaping the Rat Race

The alternative is to find something:

1. you like to do
2. you are good at

and make that your profession, money would follow eventually, except that 1 and 2 apply to 'being lazy' but that's not a profession.

Stop listening as soon as a person starts comparing him/herself or you financially to another person. Cover your ears and start singing Noor Jahan. As long as you are comparing, there's always more money and 'status' up for grabs.

[sheyn]

Re: Escaping the Rat Race

Kakaballi…very nicely put ! :k:

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Absolutely if one wants to escape one must first escape comparisons !

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The pursuit of money is a never -ending one , there is always that much more that one can have . I guess its realizing how much is enough and how much one is satisfied with !

[sheyn]

@TeenDabbyWala

Pakistan.

Now U may probably have written what you wrote in jest , but i’ll take it as otherwise !

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***Pakistan is an option ! I do have a certain “game-plan” that would probably be best effective in Pakistan or maybe U.A.E … ***

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Again I have thought out the financial aspect of things and keeping that in mind I think I might have a “perfect” plan …however it would mean putting off the “escape” for another 5 years at least if I were to make this venture successful

[X2]

@sheyn

Well I have in essence tried doing exactly that .

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However like Firenze said these decisons have financial consequences so after a while you have to re-enter the same ol' grind which is what I wish to avoid.

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I guess the answer lies in knowing what is enough for you and which lifestyle is acceptable to you .

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@apples_too

Having passion about your selected profession should be the most critical factor .........Although I admit I didn't choose my profession just because I was passionate about it, there were other factors too.

See the thing is that almost in any area you can find the types of challenges that interest you. I for example was miserable in the banking industry, to a point I was concerned I just had picked the wrong career direction, but then getting into consulting, strategy, globalisation area just gave me the exact types of challenges that I crave, innovate, collaborate, shape solutions.

financial considerations are a factor in our choices but not the only factor. There are many ways to pursue a passion, some ppl try to do soemthing for the environment by joining non profits, grassroots organisatiosn etc. I had chosen to do that by conceptualizing and launching at that time the most comprehensive program to help electronics manufacturers take out hazardous substances for their entire supply chains.

same passion...diff ways of doing it, and yes I was making more than someone who was in some grassroots environmental advocacy group, but then I was makig much less than the VP of SOny americas who was resposnible for environmental initiatives for his company.

good pal of mine a cardiologist, decided that a doctors life was not for him, he liked medicine, liked helping people, but just did not enjoy , so he got an MBA in health care mgmt and is now managing a health system rather than serving in it, with focus on standards of care, capability and capacity development, etc.

[TeenDabbyWala]

@sheyn

Now U may probably have written what you wrote in jest , but i’ll take it as otherwise !

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***Pakistan is an option ! I do have a certain “game-plan” that would probably be best effective in Pakistan or maybe U.A.E … ***

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Again I have thought out the financial aspect of things and keeping that in mind I think I might have a “perfect” plan …however it would mean putting off the “escape” for another 5 years at least if I were to make this venture successful

Actually I was serious. Don’t work for one of those MNCs or consulting companies. Get a regular job and it’s 9-4 for life with no pressure. Jobs in Pakistan are for life, so no worries about layoffs.

[apples_too]

See the thing is that almost in any area you can find the types of challenges that interest you. I for example was miserable in the banking industry, to a point I was concerned I just had picked the wrong career direction, but then getting into consulting, strategy, globalisation area just gave me the exact types of challenges that I crave, innovate, collaborate, shape solutions.

financial considerations are a factor in our choices but not the only factor. There are many ways to pursue a passion, some ppl try to do soemthing for the environment by joining non profits, grassroots organisatiosn etc. I had chosen to do that by conceptualizing and launching at that time the most comprehensive program to help electronics manufacturers take out hazardous substances for their entire supply chains.

same passion...diff ways of doing it, and yes I was making more than someone who was in some grassroots environmental advocacy group, but then I was makig much less than the VP of SOny americas who was resposnible for environmental initiatives for his company.

good pal of mine a** cardiologist, decided that a doctors life was not for him, he liked medicine, liked helping people, but just did not enjoy , so he got an MBA** in health care mgmt and is now managing a health system rather than serving in it, with focus on standards of care, capability and capacity development, etc.

interesting...........heard of this phenomenon before, happens a lot in healthcare. Probably a huge pay cut for him though, but then again at least he is passionate about it.

[sheyn]

Re: Escaping the Rat Race

No i don't think there is a huge pay cut , on the contrary it pays quite well , one of the things i've thought about doing if i do continue to stay back here !

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[FairyTale]

Its hard to escape from this Rat Race but what you can do is :

1- Leave your office at office. Dont bring it to home with you … (look who is talking.)

2- Go on vacation even a short one , once in a year.

3- Stick to some of your rules and principles that you have followed always. Do not change them just coz you want to adjust yourself in society. It will be good for you if you keep some rules rigid n inflexible.

4- Keep your priorities very clear to you. Your family and your health is always more imp than your business and wealth. World wont stop if you stop working for a day or a week. Stop it there and then when your dear n near wants you. e.g. a colleague of mine was attending a conf. call from hospital when his wife was having labor pains… now this is ridiculous and this guy should not be given Employee of the year award.

Same goes for when its to decide between your Izat and Money or some other worldly thing. Keep your respect/dignity/Izat at top of everything.

5- Do not keep money infront of you as your goal to achieve. Concentrate on achieving Peace of Mind, Satisfaction. If you are not satisfied and your mind is not at peace, you will always make decisions in haste and they ll be most of the time wrong hence more tension.

6- Use your S I C K leaves once in a month, even when you are not sick. You do not get paid for the accumulated hrs by the end of year. So why not to use them???

7- Keep yourself close to Religion. It gives you satisfaction, it reminds you why you are here in this world, it lights your way that you are walking on, it makes easier for you to make decisions, it keeps you growing mentally, it makes you strong, it makes Him happy and last but not the least it will keep you going in life.

8- Respect your parents, respect your elders.

[apples_too]

No i don't think there is a huge pay cut , on the contrary it pays quite well , one of the things i've thought about doing if i do continue to stay back here !

Health care adminstrator vs. the cardiologist salary....I would still think that's a huge pay cut. I know it depends on what kind of healthcare adminstrator, but even the director of any department probably makes less than a cardiologist....maybe unless you are on the board or something.

[sheyn]

Re: Escaping the Rat Race

There are lots of different institutions within the healthcare sector now , that pay great salary for such administrative postions , at least in dubai for sure , i dunno abt here !

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[apples_too]

Re: Escaping the Rat Race

^what kind of doc are you?

[NaMaan]

Re: Escaping the Rat Race

-- Creativity. It keeps you fresh and your brain more active. Its are really easy solution to boredom too. The activities like painting, music, sculpture are really good examples of it.

-- Education. It can be done in any age and anywhere. It keeps you enthusiastic, curious about life and with an optimistic attitude. I think making one's self more religiously strong is a part of it.

-- Food and Exercise. Pretty obvious. Healthy brain comes with a healthy body. This also include outdoor activities and discovering nature.

[hanibal]

Re: Escaping the Rat Race

Duniya key mehfilooN say ukta gaya hooN ya-rub
kiya lutf hay anjuman ka jab dil hi bujh gaya ho

shorash say bhagta hooN, dil dhoodnta hay mera
aisa sakoot jis per taqreer bhi fida ho

mrta hooN kham'shi per, yeh aarzoo hay meri
daman maiN koh kay eak choTa sa jhonpRa ho

Azaad fikr say hooN, aazlt maiN din guzarooN
Duniya kay gham ka dil say kanta nikal gaya ho

[sheyn]

^what kind of doc are you?

Obgyn !

-- Creativity. It keeps you fresh and your brain more active. Its are really easy solution to boredom too. The activities like painting, music, sculpture are really good examples of it.

-- Education. It can be done in any age and anywhere. It keeps you enthusiastic, curious about life and with an optimistic attitude. I think making one's self more religiously strong is a part of it.

-- Food and Exercise. Pretty obvious. Healthy brain comes with a healthy body. This also include outdoor activities and discovering nature.

The thing is after an exhausting day at work anywhere between 12--16 hours ,one does not possess the energy to do anything but to sleep !

[Xenophanez]

@sheyn

A " rat race " is a term used for an endless, self-defeating or pointless pursuit.

**The increased image of work as a "rat race" in modern times has led many to question their own attitudes to work and seek a better alternative -- A more harmonious Work-Life balance. **

Many believe that long work hours, unpaid overtime, stressful jobs, time spent commuting, less time for family life and/or friends life, has led to a generally unhappier workforce/population unable to enjoy the benefits of increased economic prosperity and a higher standard of living.

So my question is how does one ESCAPE THE RAT RACE ?

What are the "ALTERNATIVES " ?

**For those who are still part of it and I suppose most still are what keeps you going ? **

How do you keep yourself from being burnt out ?

There is no straight farward answer to these questions. There are many factors which have direct influence over "rat race".
One's social ranking for example, for some one in higher social order it gets very tricky to get out of this race. He has to maintain a certain standing among his circle or loose it. Loosing it may not be an issue for some people, but we should also consider that this is not an INDIVIDUALS's choice, all the people who are connected to him or are DEPENDENT on him also get affected.
For us it's very easy to comment that certain individual is after a false dream but we don't know that may be he/she has no other alternative.

[Mirch]

Re: Escaping the Rat Race

It is so simple , just do not enter the race , let the other rats participate and you sit back , relax and enjoy the show.

[apples_too]

Re: Escaping the Rat Race

^that's why you plan to live a simple life(your signature). But how not to enter the race? Easier said than done. I guess we could start by not comparing ourselves to others

[Mirch]

Easier said than done.

How so ? What is so difficult about leading a simple life ? What is so difficult about wanting less out of life. There is a difference between wants and needs , init ?
Need is when you need some basic nutritional meal to satisfy your hunger and sustain your existence.

Want is when you want a 6 course meal to satisfy your craving for taste and exotic foods.

It is your choice , init ? You chose to live a simple , happy , fulfilling life or make it as complicated as you want.