Introduction

Today, as I was preparing to write this post- rat race experiences and lessons, I remembered the book, I read some time back—Do More Great Work, by Michael Bungay Stanier. “How to Stop the Busy Work and Start the Work that Matters.” I pondered on the questions Michael asked. Where are am I? How did I get here? Where am I going? Is there a better route? Could there be a different destination?

These questions are examined in the rat race perspective under: what is the rat race and the experiences with it? Plus, the lessons learnt from these experiences.

The Rat Race Experiences and Lessons

Oxford Dictionary defines rat race as: “A way of life in which people are caught up in a fiercely competitive struggle for wealth or power; an exhausting, usually competitive routine.”  It can also refer to anyone who feels stuck in a routine and frustrated with no time for his/her own wants and hobbies.

So, there are two forms of rat races;

First, is being in a continuous state of continually working hard but never getting enough to meet basic necessities keeping you strenuous and wearisome. In this state, any salary increases and consumption loans keep you around square one needing basic money to keep you moving.

This largely focuses on the scarcity of resources. Robert Kiyosaki notes that “the lack of money is the root cause of all evil”. This may raise Pandora’s box questions. The fundamental issue here is that if we don’t have basic money (income and cashflow coming in uninterrupted), then, we cannot afford the basic needs. The failure to meet the basics will either make us beggars or wrongdoers.

It is known that monthly salary income is targeted to specific monthly expenses and yet, whether we are working or not, we have to spend and this is the reality we have to prepare for.

Second, mankind by nature always wants better and more things. Thus, the more money a person makes, the more he or she feels the need for more. If one worked hard and even prayed to put up a two bed-roomed house, by the time he or she completes it, the desires are for a four bed-roomed house or if you drive a Toyota Corolla right now, sooner than later, you will feel you deserve better, perhaps a more luxurious four-wheel drive vehicle. This is to with a mindset of continuous desire for more. Let me illustrate:

Navneet Kumar’s Rat Race Experiences and Lessons.

There were two childhood friends who met after a long time and found time to discuss their successes and failures in life.

One shared his successful education career with good grades and a good job but was kind of regretting that he did not have enough money to give his children a secure future. He was concerned that if they followed the same path, they will have the same insecurities.

Then, the other, started, I belong to business background and always inclined to money. I am one of the richest people in this town, my money keeps working for me and my children are financially secure. But since my childhood, I wanted to be a scientist like you and I don’t feel good when I meet friends like you, in fact I feel insecure.

There was some silence from both of them each wondering about each other’s rat race stupidity.

I know there are many of us in the situation of the two childhood friends rat race box.

The most painful part is that most us live like this. It is partly a mindset matter of human desire to earn more and more money to sustain ever-changing lifestyle desires.  As from school, one studies to move from one class to another, struggles to improve on the marks attained in each subject, works to upgrade from diploma, to first degree, to masters and then to PhD, to many this becomes the rat race journey for everything in life.

Bill Holland mindset Rat Race Experiences and Lessons.

He lived most of his life believing in the American Dream: bigger house, better paying job, possessions, if ten was good then twenty must be better. Owned twelve homes, made over $100,000, had the toys, nice cars, all the trappings of life”.

How was he trapped!

In order to fulfil his American Dream, he was compelled to work ridiculous hours, neglect mental, emotional, and physical health, and focus solely on THE DREAM. He was, quite frankly, trapped, sinking by his own making. And as unhappiness set in, his best thinking told him that he must not be working enough, or not hard enough, or he did not yet own enough, so he picked up the pace, and the unhappiness continued. There are many Bill Holland-like personalities.

Life Shouldn’t be a Constant Tug-of-War.

Our daily routine is often divided into activities that pull our attention and time. And, because time is scarce, you will have to give up something in exchange for another.

Hence, you may excel in your job but neglect your family. You may accomplish more in a day in exchange of sleep and your long-term health. You may appear successful but you may not have paid attention to the things which truly matter.

Work-life balance is one of the rat races we routinely run into by always choosing between either work or life. It is one of our greatest battles unless we address some of the work-life changes.

But these situations can be changed.

The Rat Race Lessons

First, did you know that happiness is a feeling, nothing more and nothing less? Theodore Roosevelt observed that you need to — “Do what you can, with what you have, right where you are.”

Look around and ask, what are the key resources that I can tap to create the value and happiness that I need.

The most crucial ones are time and knowledge. Most of the people who have escaped the rat race, start with good use of time and commit to learn and take action with consistency and determination.  Remember, no one can do it for us and our greatest power is the ability to choose what has meaning for us.

Second, submit yourself to the race, meaning, make a decision to go in and take action. Go in the race that you understand, do not follow other people’s races, they may stop along the way and you get lost or they may run very fast that you may not be able to see where they are.

Dive in with Texas spirit, that’ “It is not the size of the dog in the fight; it is the size of the fight in the dog.”  Because, as you move, there will be times when you feel tired, worn out, angry, in doubt and so forth.

But, if you choose your pace, rest and fun times, it will not matter how much time you put in. The joy will be from the value in the time you put in. You may need to start today before many rats’ surround and restrict your ability to move.

The journey will in no doubt involve hills, valleys, anthills and so forth. With courage, strength, patience, commitment and persistence, you will pull them off.

Conclusion  

I would like to leave you with The Rat Race for fun. Hope you enjoy it.

Remember, these questions in any situation you find yourself in: where are am I? How did I get here? Where am I going? Is there a better route? Could there be a different destination?

Regards

Dr. Charles Barugahare