Comments on: Escaping the Cubicle and Getting Off the Corporate Treadmill http://zenhabits.net/2007/10/escaping-the-cubicle-and-getting-off-the-corporate-treadmill/ Simple Productivity Fri, 16 Oct 2009 00:14:22 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Mark McClure http://zenhabits.net/2007/10/escaping-the-cubicle-and-getting-off-the-corporate-treadmill/#comment-24969 Mark McClure Sun, 27 Jan 2008 08:42:55 +0000 http://zenhabits.net/2007/10/escaping-the-cubicle-and-getting-off-the-corporate-treadmill/#comment-24969 @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... @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…

]]> By: Weight Loss and finding the Motivation to follow through so you can shed pounds « Essential Oils… more than basic Aromatherapy http://zenhabits.net/2007/10/escaping-the-cubicle-and-getting-off-the-corporate-treadmill/#comment-16088 Weight Loss and finding the Motivation to follow through so you can shed pounds « Essential Oils… more than basic Aromatherapy Sun, 21 Oct 2007 14:42:33 +0000 http://zenhabits.net/2007/10/escaping-the-cubicle-and-getting-off-the-corporate-treadmill/#comment-16088 [...] of Leo’s more recent posts, Escaping the Cubicle and Getting Off the Corporate Treadmill, I found quite inspirational even though I’ve never worked in a corporate setting - the [...] [...] of Leo’s more recent posts, Escaping the Cubicle and Getting Off the Corporate Treadmill, I found quite inspirational even though I’ve never worked in a corporate setting – the [...]

]]> By: Andrew http://zenhabits.net/2007/10/escaping-the-cubicle-and-getting-off-the-corporate-treadmill/#comment-15233 Andrew Wed, 10 Oct 2007 11:05:27 +0000 http://zenhabits.net/2007/10/escaping-the-cubicle-and-getting-off-the-corporate-treadmill/#comment-15233 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 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

]]> By:   links for 2007-10-09 — Conceive, Believe, Achieve http://zenhabits.net/2007/10/escaping-the-cubicle-and-getting-off-the-corporate-treadmill/#comment-15171   links for 2007-10-09 — Conceive, Believe, Achieve Tue, 09 Oct 2007 12:22:06 +0000 http://zenhabits.net/2007/10/escaping-the-cubicle-and-getting-off-the-corporate-treadmill/#comment-15171 [...] Escaping the Cubicle and Getting Off the Corporate Treadmill | 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. (tags: lifehacks simplicity happiness Career life Work inspiration) [...] [...] Escaping the Cubicle and Getting Off the Corporate Treadmill | 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. (tags: lifehacks simplicity happiness Career life Work inspiration) [...]

]]> By: The PHA : links for 2007-10-06 http://zenhabits.net/2007/10/escaping-the-cubicle-and-getting-off-the-corporate-treadmill/#comment-15131 The PHA : links for 2007-10-06 Mon, 08 Oct 2007 22:03:37 +0000 http://zenhabits.net/2007/10/escaping-the-cubicle-and-getting-off-the-corporate-treadmill/#comment-15131 [...] Escaping the Cubicle and Getting Off the Corporate Treadmill | zen habits I know, I know, I know… [...] [...] Escaping the Cubicle and Getting Off the Corporate Treadmill | zen habits I know, I know, I know… [...]

]]> By: Mary Rose http://zenhabits.net/2007/10/escaping-the-cubicle-and-getting-off-the-corporate-treadmill/#comment-14989 Mary Rose Fri, 05 Oct 2007 22:51:37 +0000 http://zenhabits.net/2007/10/escaping-the-cubicle-and-getting-off-the-corporate-treadmill/#comment-14989 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! 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!

]]> By: Jacqueline http://zenhabits.net/2007/10/escaping-the-cubicle-and-getting-off-the-corporate-treadmill/#comment-14922 Jacqueline Fri, 05 Oct 2007 01:48:15 +0000 http://zenhabits.net/2007/10/escaping-the-cubicle-and-getting-off-the-corporate-treadmill/#comment-14922 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!) 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!)

]]> By: Perfect Life Project http://zenhabits.net/2007/10/escaping-the-cubicle-and-getting-off-the-corporate-treadmill/#comment-14917 Perfect Life Project Fri, 05 Oct 2007 00:32:52 +0000 http://zenhabits.net/2007/10/escaping-the-cubicle-and-getting-off-the-corporate-treadmill/#comment-14917 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. 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.

]]> By: meandering http://zenhabits.net/2007/10/escaping-the-cubicle-and-getting-off-the-corporate-treadmill/#comment-14906 meandering Thu, 04 Oct 2007 21:22:49 +0000 http://zenhabits.net/2007/10/escaping-the-cubicle-and-getting-off-the-corporate-treadmill/#comment-14906 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! 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!

]]> By: plonkee http://zenhabits.net/2007/10/escaping-the-cubicle-and-getting-off-the-corporate-treadmill/#comment-14896 plonkee Thu, 04 Oct 2007 19:49:58 +0000 http://zenhabits.net/2007/10/escaping-the-cubicle-and-getting-off-the-corporate-treadmill/#comment-14896 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. 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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