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Escaping the Cubicle and Getting Off the Corporate Treadmill


Photo by janusz l

This is a guest post from Mark Hayward of the Culebra Blog. Every Wednesday is Simplicity Day on Zen Habits.

Many people at one point or another dream about quitting their job and escaping the cubicle forever. I must confess to feeling claustrophobic many times during my tenure in the American corporate workforce.

Like most dreams and goals escaping the cubicle can be accomplished but you must be willing to alter your mindset and change the way you have been to taught to evaluate success. You must also realize that if you try to remove yourself from the business environment (even if it is to start your own business) people’s perceptions about you are undoubtedly going to change.

Unfortunately, success in our world is based on a person’s wealth and the accumulation of material objects. While working in the corporate environment many friends that I know have let apathy set in and at the same time emphasis on their own goals and dreams has atrophied.

Unlike most people, I do not consider a person’s wealth a sign of success. Rather, I assess whether they are truly content and pleased with the life they are leading. I have nothing against corporate culture at all, especially if that is where a person is truly happy. However, for me I felt that if I were going to succeed and lead the existence I wanted then it would have to be on my own terms.

My feelings were solidified many years ago while attending university and working for a large pharmaceutical manufacturing company. I was going to college to further my “book knowledge” education but at the same time this company was also instructing me that sometimes working for corporations, where the bottom line is everything, can be a hard way to go through life. The final indicator for me came when an older gentleman who worked in the quality control department was let go while his wife was in the hospital being treated for cancer and he lost his health insurance because he lost his job.

Where I come from in the Northeast United States, many people dream about quitting their jobs and escaping to the Caribbean. I think what they really desire is a more simple, less materialistic life. I have always had the combined dream of getting out of the cubicle and off of the career ladder and living in the Caribbean and having my own business.

Certainly, I do not advocate going in to work tomorrow, resigning from your job, and packing your bags for a move overseas. Removing yourself from the corporate world, unless you are wealthy, is more of a gradual process. For example, the goal to have our own business in the Caribbean took my wife and I over ten years to realize.

Changing your life to step off the corporate ladder mentality is not easy. Financial success, as stated above, is programmed into our brains from day one, when truly, happiness based on fulfilling your goals and dreams should take precedence. Trust me, that goal does not come without its challenges.

Whatever you want to do, lose weight, finish school, make a career change, etc., I strongly believe that first you need to believe in yourself. For those of us not born into a life of privilege, trying to achieve certain dreams or goals such as, leaving the cubicle, takes a tremendous amount of dedication, commitment, and hard work. We must also remember that even after all of the effort we might still fail. While trying to purchase our own business during the first year and a half of our hard work we were turned down for a mortgage five times for various reasons. However, because of all the background research we did and effort we put in we placed ourselves in the best position to succeed. We enabled our own success.

For those that would like to escape what the cube represents I would recommend that you maintain a positive attitude, visualize your success, embody your goal, and strike the saying “I can’t” from your memory, and especially do not listen to anyone telling you “you can’t.” I know it is not always easy but you really need to visualize yourself succeeding, whether it is leaving the corporate world or another goal, so that when those negative thoughts creep in you can truly believe in yourself.

Don’t be afraid to go after your goals. Life is short. The one quote I refer back to a lot when I question my own goals states, “If you have not started your life’s work by the time you reach forty then you probably won’t.” However, if you are over forty, don’t let that discourage you! I turn forty next July and I will just change the quote to fifty. I use it as a motivator to let me know that valuable time is slipping by.

Here are the key points:

  • Establish the goal. For example, getting off the corporate treadmill, losing weight, moving to the Caribbean, etc.
  • Visualize your success. Picture yourself enjoying and living a less stressful life.
  • Embody the objective. Tell people you are moving to the Caribbean, or that you are going to start your own business.
  • Change your mindset. Become an optimist.
  • Believe in yourself. Expect people to tell you, “you can’t do that.”
  • Research. If you would like to step off the corporate treadmill and move to the Caribbean start determining where you would like to go and what type of obstacles you will face.
  • Network. Meet people who are where you want to be, or who are doing what you would like to do and don’t be afraid to ask questions.
  • Enable your own success. When the opportunity arises be ready.

With the right attitude, hard work, and some luck you can get off of the corporate treadmill and escape the cubicle. In closing I would just like to state that we all know you can spiral downward into apathy, lethargy, and even depression. However, I emphatically believe that positive energy carries its own inertia and once you start moving in the right direction you become like a snowball gathering steam as you roll towards your goal.

Mark Hayward has a Masters Degree in International Development and Geographic Information Systems. He and his wife, Terrie, recently purchased the Palmetto Guesthouse located in the Caribbean on island of Culebra, Puerto Rico. Mark also runs Culebra Blog, which he uses to provide tourist information about his new island home, and he has been writing about his expat exploits on MyTropicalEscape.

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Brilliant comments (31)

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Steve Says:

October 3rd, 2007, 9:41 am

Great article!! I have recently motivated to learn how to design/create websites that revolve around my interests and at some point (hopefully sooner rather than later) allow me to make a living off of them. What really got me inspired was a story I came across on cnnfn.com that discussed the working nomad/extreme telecommuting lifestyle and the website http://www.workingnomad.com. Great stuff.

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Steve Austin Says:

October 3rd, 2007, 12:31 pm

Superb quest post, Mark. My “can’t” observations:
1) when someone says “you just can’t live on USD$x0,000 these days”, what they mean is “I can’t live on USD$x0,000″
2) when someone says “you can’t just take a chance and go live in some foreign country”, what they man is “I can’t ever leave behind my safe, domestic existence”
Some pithy axioms on success, wealth, and material items:
Success is a measurement of freedom. To untether one’s wealth, one may first dis-accumulate one’s material items. Financial freedom is a vector, not a coordinate (the Euclidean “journey not a destination”).
Steve, thanks for the workingnomad link.

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LK Says:

October 3rd, 2007, 13:13 pm

I have been a regular reader of this blog and I have liked them all… but this particular post truly mirrors my condition.. I am an engineer and had been working for a multinational company and didnt like it there at all… With the help of my brother, and my parents support, I could make up my my mind to step out of the rat race and quit the job… I had been taking a break till now after my job and have mentally prepared myself for new venture..However, I am worried about keeping myself motivated … The “believing in oneself works” but one also needs a good support system to carry on… This blog gives hope that I shall be able to do it too..Thanks..

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Brian Tanaka Says:

October 3rd, 2007, 13:17 pm

People who leave the corporate world should definitely be prepared for the change in people’s perceptions the author mentions. I’ve been working for myself for five years, and I still find that people feel that I’m not on the right track and that I’d be better off back in the corporate world — no matter how much success I create on my own. Be prepared for these voices, and remember to gauge your success on your own terms. If you listen to the voices of concerned friends and family, they’ll tuck you back into your cubical just to make themselves feel better. :-) Good luck!

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Eileen Says:

October 3rd, 2007, 13:35 pm

As someone who dropped out of the banking/investment world, switched careers entirely into teaching, then took a year to travel around the world, and then moved overseas (15 years ago), I found this discussion quite interesting. I’m from Western America, and I found it interesting that people in the East are dreaming about the Carribean.

What I discovered is that when you get to the new place, you still need to make a living, and that there is no escaping the rat race, even in a slower culture. What IS different, however, is that most people still DO have time for their friends, unlike in most of the United States.

Eileen
Dedicated Elementary Teacher Overseas (in the Middle East)
elementaryteacher.wordpress.com

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Camille Says:

October 3rd, 2007, 13:45 pm

Keep in mind that people in the Caribbean also dream of retiring elsewhere.

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Noel Says:

October 3rd, 2007, 13:59 pm

I only spent a few years in the corporate world before getting my MA at a state college. I now teach developmental writing at a community college. Some days, the students and the administration can be challenging. But I remind myself that even my worst day teaching is better than being in a cubicle. Community college teaching gives me a lot of autonomy (no standardized testing like in K-12).

For anyone who wants to teach, community colleges are growing (especially in CA). An MA program takes 2 years. Unlike a K-12 credential which is tied to the state it came from, comm college teachers can move around the US, and even the world. We dress casually, and are encouraged to pursue outside interests. It’s an anit rat race job!

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k Says:

October 3rd, 2007, 14:11 pm

Although this is the kind of thing I think about often, I was a bit startled by a couple of comments early on in this post:

“Unfortunately, success in our world is based on a person’s wealth and the accumulation of material objects…. Unlike most people, I do not consider a person’s wealth a sign of success.”

I don’t know who these “most people” are. I think the vast majority of people I know - from the rich to the poor, the churchgoing or not, construction workers or liberal academic hippies or otherwise - reject this, and would agree most of their friends and neighbors do, as well.

“Rather, I assess whether they are truly content and pleased with the life they are leading.”

Honestly, I think the majority of people - and myself included - would probably include something else on this list of the true measures of one’s life: things like “do you make life better or worse for those around you? do you treat the people who are important to you well? do you live in accordance with your morals? do you make a positive difference?”

I’m sure you believe and mean these things as well, it just… well, I guess I took it just a tiny bit as someone who’s spent an unusual amount of their time working in high-pressure and high-pay environments that a majority of people in this country at least choose not to spend their life in… who then makes somewhat condescending comments about how they realized something that they assume the rest of the unwashed masses haven’t realized (but which much of the rest of the population would likely say was the reason they weren’t working such jobs to begin with…)

Anyways, probably just my mood at the moment, but I thought I’d share the thought….

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Dimitar Nikolov Says:

October 3rd, 2007, 14:41 pm

Some really great advice there, Mark!

I recently posted an article on the similar topic - The 5 Step Creation Process.

Achieving your goals is something of huge priority in everyone’s life. So that’s why we must plan and execute that plan.

My process of creation and goal realization is different, however. Idea > Best Practice > Setting Goals > Planning Actions > Executing Plan in List. And it’s been working for me for years.

With regards,
Dimitar Nikolov
Life & Business Ramblings

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Mark Says:

October 3rd, 2007, 15:14 pm

Greetings -

I am glad the post has brought a couple of comments, and I would like to sincerely thank Leo for posting the article.

@ksays - you bring up some really good points and thanks for highlighting them! Apologies if you took some of the post as condescending…I blame my own editing and was in no shape or way trying to pigeon hole “most people.” Next time I will change the wording to read, “in my experience” or “the people I have met”

Have a GREAT day everyone.
Mark

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Mark Says:

October 3rd, 2007, 15:44 pm

Leo -

Apologies! I just noticed the link to Palmetto Guesthouse is incorrect and should be:

http://www.palmettoculebra.com/

Mark

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Leo Says:

October 3rd, 2007, 16:16 pm

Fixed the link, Mark … and thanks for the guest post!

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Pril Says:

October 3rd, 2007, 16:39 pm

how do you get over the fear? of letting go of having that “Stable” income.
To branch off and let go of that once you have stuff coming in!

I am in the process of starting my design company! and i’ll be honest I”m so frightened i really don’t think i’m scared to fail but i do know that is some of it!

it is sort of thrilling but when i start to think about it and how great it is going to be. I tend to get tense and weireded out! almost like an overwhelming feeling!
any tips on how to concur that !

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Biggs Says:

October 3rd, 2007, 17:21 pm

Great Post !! Like the key points …its all about belief in my ideas and being committed to my vision and maintaining balance at the same time in all areas of life. It is possible !

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Kare Anderson Says:

October 3rd, 2007, 17:46 pm

After spending most of my career as a journalist for the Wall Street Journal and NBC I am grateful for the discipline of deadlines and miss the “think on your feet’” agility of most reporters as I transformed myself into a speaker/author and explored so many other professions/industries… many with “death by meeting” and other ways to hamper talents.

Stumbled upon your blog through one of my blog readers and have loved reading the pasts.

Kudos you global citizen!
- Kare
Opportunity is often inconvenient.

The fun is in discovering how the sum of us can be greater than apart.

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martha in mobile Says:

October 3rd, 2007, 17:53 pm

I spend a week on Culebra every few years — in fact the slow pace there helped me decide to leave my job to pursue other priorities. It’s a great place to take kids, as it is very safe, the beaches are incredibly beautiful and practically empty (during the week, the weekends belong to the Isla Grande crowd) and the locals are very friendly and helpful.

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Barbara Says:

October 3rd, 2007, 18:06 pm

This post really speaks to me as I work to do what I am really meant to do in this life. I have already left my cubicle, but still have fears about continuing to move forward. Your comment about Changing your Mindset to me really means changing your thinking in order to alleviate fear of change. I just read a new book on exactly this subject called Fearproof Your Life. Highly recommend it. I found lots of info at http://www.fearproofyourlife.com

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Evelyn Vincent Says:

October 3rd, 2007, 18:30 pm

Terrific post! I’ve never been in the corporate scene, have always been self-employeed - however, I can completely relate to goals and living the life one desires.

I’ve spent the past year getting myself up to speed real fast on Internet Marketing so that I can have an online presence in order to build my business. Unlike in years gone by where I would have taken a storefront and all the hassles and expenses that go along with it.

I’m making strides to get the point that I can live in some remote mountainous region, or perhaps a tropical island and have an income too.

I feel the internet has changed the face of business. More significantly - blogs have created means by which us average folks can get a toe-hold in a society dominated by megga corporations and an ever changing economic landscape in cubicles.

The links to Culebra, the photo’s, though I’ve never been there (yet), brought me back into clear focus in obtaining my goals and dreams.

I recently discovered your blog and I’m loving it - thanks!

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Lea Says:

October 3rd, 2007, 20:16 pm

Howdy Mark…

How funny - we have a small email conversation and then I read even more about you over here on ZenHabits! Nice article…and from our own experiences this year of leaving the UK to travel permanently whilst we run our businesses (which I’m just about to write about & send to you, Leo!!) the one thing I’d add about achieving your desired lifestyle is this….

Take action.

Even if you’re not sure whether it’s the “right” or “wrong” action to take…just take it anyway. It’ll give you a different perspective upon which to base your next move.

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Mark Says:

October 3rd, 2007, 20:55 pm

Greetings -

@pril - I am not sure you can get rid of the fear, maybe we are lucky if we can “manage it.” I am panicked everyday about trying to pay off the mortgage for our business. Do you have any clients yet? I am sure you will be a great success.

@Biggs - I agree with you 100% it’s possible!

@martha - please stop by and see us if you make it back to Culebra.

@Evelyn Vincent - I TRULY envy you if you have always been self employed. Yes, the blog format gives everyone a platform and allows us all to market our interests on an even field.

@Lea - small virtual world…Yes, take action, no matter how small or insignificant it seems!

All the best,
Mark

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Pril Says:

October 4th, 2007, 8:31 am

@ Mark - I have hesitated to call my first client I am going to call him today! Thanks for your encouragement! hopefully i can get this fear some what under control!!!

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Mark Says:

October 4th, 2007, 9:03 am

Pril -

Don’t keep us hanging….let us know how you make out with your client.

Best of luck.
Mark

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greatmanagement Says:

October 4th, 2007, 11:37 am

Nice post.

I believe the longer you are in the corporate world the harder it is to leave it. However, many of my friends have been made redundant and started doing what they wanted to. Often you just need that little push (and a little financial backing). Maybe start while you are still working at a corporate - that’s what I did. I wrote a book in my spare time, set-up my business in my spare time.

One thing which can give you an edge when you start out, is to do something you love with a passion.

Andrew

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Konrad Says:

October 4th, 2007, 14:06 pm

I’d like to mention that although catchy, the phrase “escape the cubicle” creates an implication that cubicle is a confinement to be escaped from.

I am a strong believer that you should always invest your time, as opposed to “sacrifice” your time. If one no longer feels working for a corporation is in fact an investment, he should no longer pursue that type of career.

Switching to a part time shift and gradually allocating more time on the work towards personal business - may be a good alternative.

Thanks.

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plonkee Says:

October 4th, 2007, 15:49 pm

Nice post, but I started feeling sick to my stomach when I read about the guy losing health insurance. This is why I prefer to live in a country with socialized medicine.

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meandering Says:

October 4th, 2007, 17:22 pm

Starting your own business is not always such a great idea, as you might end up doing something very similar to what you were doing before. And now you are competing with corporations like the one you have just left.

The difference is that you are now solely responsible for all the areas your colleagues were covering. You have to do the marketing, selling, customer service, etc. I have found that I am not the born businessman and am very happy to fulfill a role in an organisation where other people are taking care of the cash flow.
So think properly about what you are trying to embark upon.

Yes, change your mindset. Try to break out of the corporate system. Don’t kick the ratrace by moving to the country, becoming a veggie grower and then trying to supply supermarkets. Won’t work!

Having said all this, keep your dreams alive and work on developing and expanding them. Be true to yourself!

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Perfect Life Project Says:

October 4th, 2007, 20:32 pm

I believe that the solution to getting off the corporate treadmill is largely based on our perception of our work and positions. Instead of seeing your job as something you have little control over and just has to be done, look at it as funding for your dreams. As Mark suggests, set your dreams or goals and then pursue them. if you are just turning up to work every day without any long or medium term goals then you are on the treadmill.

I recommend planning mini adventures or retirements. If your are planning for a trip overseas or some personal challenge then going to work can seem so much more acceptable as it is funding your dream.

Don’t just dream about going to the Caribbean, actually book a trip there. Once there you might actually discover opportunities that will allow you to return or even live there.

With a bit of planning your employer may even allow you to work remotely so that you can generate income and live / travel in the locations of your dreams.

Don’t just turn up to work. Set your goals and dreams then let work fund them.

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Jacqueline Says:

October 4th, 2007, 21:48 pm

There is something really rewarding about being self-employed, whether it’s freelancing or owning your own company (and for those of who have started or are thinking of starting technology-related startups, check out the link in my name).

Going off your own might be more difficult than a comparatively stable corporate job, but the risks are worth the rewards. I second all the previous commenters who are telling people to follow their dreams and take control of their destinies (apologies for sounding totally cheesy, but it’s true!)

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Mary Rose Says:

October 5th, 2007, 18:51 pm

Mark,

I found this blog through “The Shane & Peter, Inc.” blog. Glad I was able to catch this entry. It speaks exactly to what I am doing right now with my life.

I am not young but a very adventurous “fortysomething” who is finally pursuing her dreams. However, as a creative, I have found that focusing on only one thing wasn’t enough for me. My interests are varied and I convinced my husband to allow me to try to cobble together several of my passions in order to truly make a living, not just make a paycheck.

And so I developed two websites - one for my digital scrapbooking business of teaching, writing tutorials, and offering professionally designed digital albums. Another site is for my passion to help others improve their communication/presentation skills. I speak professionally, but it’s not enough at this point to support me full-time. And finally, I am a direct sales consultant for kitchen/cookware company because I love to cook and talk to others about food.

I wasn’t trained to be an entrepreneur, but always wanted to be my own boss. Doing it is risky, but as I’ve told countless younger people - working for any corporation today is risky. You never know when you’ll be given a pink slip and for what reason.

I am making a little under $1000 so far per month but can honestly say I’ve never been so happy in my life. I am doing what I love to do and trust that in time, the money will come.

Good luck with your tourist attractions. It sounds quite lovely!

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Andrew Says:

October 10th, 2007, 7:05 am

Thanks very much Mark.

I’m glad to hear that you had the courage and persistence required to turn your dreams into reality.

I agree with your comment under point three, that you should share your dreams with others. However, I feel it is important to be careful exactly who you share your dreams with.

I like to share my dreams freely with friends and family members who have a positive and open minded approach to life. These people will give you support, inspiration and encouragement. We all like that.

In turn, I also like to hear about the dreams of others and encourage them.

On the other hand, I try to avoid sharing dreams with negative or small minded people unless I absolutely have to. These people will often discourage you and even ridicule your dreams.

I find having such negative influences around does not help me in any way to accomplish my dreams. Personally, I don’t need that.

Cheers

Andrew

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Mark McClure Says:

January 27th, 2008, 4:42 am

@meandering’s comments are worth adding to the planning mix well before you set sail.

This is probably the best reason I know for cubicle dwellers to first moonlight as a way of finding out which roles you suck at and/or take up too much time.

They’ll probably still suck when you go full time… so, if you want to pursue your dream, take time to learn how the best corps outsource and handle vendor resources while you are gainfully employed. This can help make the day job more interesting too…

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