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Living Differently – 6 Ways To Escape The Rat Race
Do you realise that each time you have the opportunity to meet up with your friends, most people can't stop talking about work?
This is especially true in Singapore where we are brought up to study in order to get a job, to earn money to fulfil the 5Cs. It is hard to think about pursuing your passion and not worry about money.
But are we able to strike a balance; instead of tolerating a job for the sake of money, do something we like but earn a little less?
Here are 6 suggestions of how you can live differently:
1. Alternative Careers
If you are a little more daring and have a back-up plan in place, a career switch to something that gives you more time to pursue your passion can be an idea.
However, it requires you to take a little leap of faith, and to acquire the skills needed if you decide that's the way you want to go.
2. Freelancing
You need to choose a skill set where you are at least above average. This can range from providing photography services during events, producing a wedding video or writing a press release for companies.
Freelancing gives you lots of free time on hand, but be prepared for irregular schedules. You may need to work weekends or nights, while your afternoons can be spent idling by the swimming pool.
If you love flexibility, this is a cool option.
3. Teaching A Language
If you are thinking about living for a short while in another country, teaching a language you are familiar with can be a lucrative option.
You might need some sort of certification if you are looking to be employed full time in another country, but if you intend to backpack a little and teach a little, it's more worthwhile to look online.
You can homestay in exchange for teaching your hosts' kids, volunteer in a poor village or 'exchange' language skills with someone who can teach you a language you want to learn.
4. Start Your Own Business
More and more people are taking this route here, which is evident by the number of start-ups in Singapore. Many people dream of being their own boss – no more Monday blues, tiresome bosses or office politics.
However, many underestimate the amount of work and effort needed to get there. You most likely require resources such as money and expertise. You will be missing out on the camaraderie of good teammates.
Most of the time, you end up working more than you would if you were working for someone else.
But you only live once, so if you take a calculated risk, do your market research and have high endurance, go for it!
5. Volunteer Overseas
Have you always wanted to do social work but are too tired on the weekends? We understand. After working a 40-60 hour work week, you probably want more time for yourself to rest and relax.
But at the back of your mind, you always knew you wanted to do more to help the world. Why not do something meaningful by planning an overseas trip to volunteer full time?
No one ever regrets that, because no matter what hardship and poverty you went through, you know you have made a difference to someone else's life, and you will come back to your reality with new eyes.
6. Trading And Blogging
Ever wished you could travel around the world, without missing a day of work?
Between 2007-2008, I did just that, for a year, while trading forex and blogging about it on my then trading and investing blog GraceCheng.com, which over the years has evolved to the current GET.com.
No one had done it before - so it required some streak of madness, but also really meticulous budgeting and planning to make sure we maximised every dollar spent and had internet connection wherever we went, whether it was in Easter Island, the most remote island on earth, or the Galapagos.
Even though it was only for a year, it was the best thing I've ever done in my life.
How About The Finances?
The only major concern will be if you have an existing debt to service, such as a home loan, or a family to support.
Otherwise if you are living with your parents and saving and spending the rest on yourself, you can always do something to limit your spending to finance your 'break'.
What we are advocating is not to impulsively quit your job tomorrow, but to live your life fully and not be over-burdened by the desire to keep earning money before it's too late to enjoy the one life you have.
This article was originally on the GET.com blog at: Living Differently – 6 Ways To Escape The Rat Race.
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