Out of the Rat Race

steveweber · 07-08-2009, 09:29 AM

Two years ago this month is when I finally severed the rat race chain I’d been tied to for so long. I had made up my mind about 6 months before that to resign. I recall how agonizing getting to that decision was. But once I announced it to everyone, the feelings of relief and excitement were better than great!

I recall being TERRIFIED at the thought of losing my insurance, my other benefits, and most of all, losing that monthly check. I, like most people with jobs, think of those as security. It was ingrained in us that having a “secure” job was very important and something that should be greatly valued

Looking back, I can’t imagine that I considered the paycheck I received for my 50 hour, stress filled work weeks was actually “security.” Heck, it wasn’t even that much money from my perspective now. When I think about it now it is like, “I spent that many hours and worked THAT hard for that check?” ...what was I thinking?

When that final drive home came, I felt waves of relief. I knew I had made the right decision. Looking back, I never dreamed at the time just how right that decision was. When I was able to devote all my “work” time to my own business, amazing things began to happen.

My only regret is that I didn’t have a plan and the courage to break out of that Rat Race many years ago. … better late than never I suppose.

falcon_warrior · 07-08-2009, 09:34 AM

Hey

Thank you very much for your story, it's really inspirational to me. I started IM 5 months ago to achieve the same dream: Getting out of the rat race. I've started to see results only a month ago, and I hope that two years later I can look back at this thread and thank myself for starting IM.

Nicholas Chen

steveweber · 07-08-2009, 11:13 AM

Hi Nicholas,

Yes, to get to that point of us both quitting our jobs (my wife quit hers the year before me) we worked a LOT of nights and almost all weekends. It's tough to build a business when you have a more than full time "job" already....but it was so worth it.!

sparrow · 07-08-2009, 11:17 AM

Steve

Congrats, I have been making a go at it for a few years now after having no choice to enter the IM business fulltime, all my work ended up overseas.

But as hard as it is sometimes, I can't see myself ever going back to a job.

Ed

Shane Hale · 07-08-2009, 11:45 AM

Steve, what was the final factor in quitting your job was it affiliate sales,CPA or creating your own product or selling services?
I wrote a article about my current hell working for about 10 years and I have been studying all aspects of internet marketing for 2 years and started to challenge myself with my vlog Cash Flow Ninja Team but really want to know what was the type of IM you were doing that finally broke you free?

Shane Lowry · 07-08-2009, 11:47 AM

G'day Steve,

Congratulations on 2 years of being free.

It's amazing just how hard and how many hours you'll put in when it's YOUR business that directly benefits.

Well, until you can outsource that is

congrats again.
Shane

steveweber · 07-08-2009, 11:48 AM

Yeah, that would be a bad day (having a "j o b" again).
One of the side benefits of quitting the rat race was realizing just how mapped out my entire life and schedule was. Now days, if we decide on the spur of the moment to take off and go to a movie in the afternoon, we go!

...lovin' life here in Oklahoma!

ExRat · 07-08-2009, 12:10 PM

Hi Steve,

Quote:

My only regret is that I didn’t have a plan and the courage to break out of that Rat Race many years ago. … better late than never I suppose.

'ExRats of the world, unite and take over....'

steveweber · 07-08-2009, 01:32 PM

Ha! What a user name!...Love it! It takes one to know one huh!

adiknight · 07-08-2009, 02:10 PM

Nice one Steve,

I found myself falling into the rat race trap after only 18 months - I knew it if I didnt break it now then I would be here 10 years later

Best decision I made this year without question

What are your businesses??

Adrian Cooper · 07-08-2009, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steveweber

Two years ago this month is when I finally severed the rat race chain I’d been tied to for so long. I had made up my mind about 6 months before that to resign. I recall how agonizing getting to that decision was. But once I announced it to everyone, the feelings of relief and excitement were better than great!

Congrats on your decision and success.

The great lesson to be learned here is that once you make that decision, and announce it to the world, everything changes in that direction and you never look back.

Many still can't make that leap from "security" to Freedom.

"Security" is a prison for the Mind.

steveweber · 07-08-2009, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adiknight

What are your businesses??

Thanks! And good move!

Our 2 main sites are Slash The Hype And Steep Learning Curve! and Synflex Liquid Glucosamine FREE SHIPPING!

steveweber · 07-08-2009, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by apc01

Congrats on your decision and success.

The great lesson to be learned here is that once you make that decision, and announce it to the world, everything changes in that direction and you never look back.

Many still can't make that leap from "security" to Freedom.

"Security" is a prison for the Mind.

Thank you! Yes, it is so obvious now to me that the monthly security blanket I thought I had was actually a bed of nails...hehe.

Yes, decide and tell your spouse, your friends, your family and your dogs...just do it then!

Gclunis · 07-08-2009, 03:01 PM

congratulations Steve

its always nice to see stories like these from the veterans. I just recently started IM however I am only 17 so I guess my hope would be to never have to enter the rat race in the first place :P. For now this is my alternative to the standard teenage job. And the best part is that its alot of work, but its work that I actually believe is worth it.

Stephen Saha · 07-08-2009, 03:12 PM

Congrats Steve for taking the Freedom plunge!
And now you are swimming freely for two years.
Great!

Stephen

ryanzona · 07-08-2009, 03:21 PM

Congrats! that is really a major accomplishment. Even more so that you've been able to maintain that independent status. Its certainly inspiration for those of us who are on that path.

07-08-2009, 04:20 PM

Awesome!! Congrats...i will join you soon....i know it

-Sheila

Troy_Phillips · 07-08-2009, 05:20 PM

Now Steve quit being so modest . You are forgetting to mention all the people you are helping get to the point of leaving the rat race also.

stgga · 07-08-2009, 05:24 PM

this is encouraging! we can succeed and this forum helps us discover teh good ops from the scams and that shortens the learning curve.

Michael Franklin · 07-08-2009, 05:26 PM

Congratulations, Steven!

Ironically, true security comes when you no longer have to depend on that secure, steady paycheck.

I hope other aspiring IMers take note of your story and get inspired to stay the course!

It really is the best feeling in the world! Again, congrats!

Demond Jackson · 07-08-2009, 05:27 PM

Hey Steve thanks for the inspiration. I remember working those 50+ hour weeks all too well. Congrats on your remarkable success.

Eric Transue · 07-08-2009, 06:03 PM

Congrats Steve very inspirational!

jendoe · 07-08-2009, 06:12 PM

Hi Steve -

It IS inspirational to hear your story (I can't wait to go check out your sites). I'm just getting started learning about IM - and it can be completely overwhelming for a newbie. But I'm in that place of hating the job (feels like it's killing me) - so I have to try. Hearing that others have been there and really, truly "get it" helps.

Any thoughts on what helped the most in getting you to the point of making the leap?

Thanks

tj0575 · 07-08-2009, 07:36 PM

CONGRATULATIONS!!! it is my goal to leave the rat race myself!!! see you on the golf course

steveweber · 07-09-2009, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shane Hale

Steve, what was the final factor in quitting your job was it affiliate sales,CPA or creating your own product or selling services?

Hi Shane, at that time our real bread and butter was our retail site at CactusCanyon. That was our main focus and what really started the ball rolling for us.

steveweber · 07-09-2009, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Troy_Phillips

Now Steve quit being so modest . You are forgetting to mention all the people you are helping get to the point of leaving the rat race also.

Hehe...thanks Troy. I believe in Zig's saying that in order to get what you want, all you have to do is give people what they want.

steveweber · 07-09-2009, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jendoe

Hi Steve -

Any thoughts on what helped the most in getting you to the point of making the leap?

Thanks

Hi Jen, If you have a full time job and you are trying to replace it with an online income while you still have the job, it is way way tough. Just accept that fact in the first place and be prepared to go the long haul with it. It took us several years of hard work to get to the point of ditching both our day jobs.

My best advice: If you are married, make SURE your spouse is on board with you during those difficult times....that's a must. Next, you just have to have faith in yourself. If someone is willing to give you a paycheck, you then are surely worth that much (and a lot more) to yourself. Too many people don't think about it like that.

Anjanette Fountain · 07-09-2009, 09:19 AM

Congrats Steve! I also have an exit strategy implemented. I am sure it feels great to be out. Many of us will soon join you.

07-08-2009, 09:29 AM	#1
steveweber Steve Weber War Room Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Southard, Oklahoma, USA. Posts: 668 Blog Entries: 2 Thanks: 8 Thanked 68 Times in 39 Posts	Out of the Rat Race - 2 Years Later Two years ago this month is when I finally severed the rat race chain I’d been tied to for so long. I had made up my mind about 6 months before that to resign. I recall how agonizing getting to that decision was. But once I announced it to everyone, the feelings of relief and excitement were better than great! I recall being TERRIFIED at the thought of losing my insurance, my other benefits, and most of all, losing that monthly check. I, like most people with jobs, think of those as security. It was ingrained in us that having a “secure” job was very important and something that should be greatly valued Looking back, I can’t imagine that I considered the paycheck I received for my 50 hour, stress filled work weeks was actually “security.” Heck, it wasn’t even that much money from my perspective now. When I think about it now it is like, “I spent that many hours and worked THAT hard for that check?” ...what was I thinking? When that final drive home came, I felt waves of relief. I knew I had made the right decision. Looking back, I never dreamed at the time just how right that decision was. When I was able to devote all my “work” time to my own business, amazing things began to happen. My only regret is that I didn’t have a plan and the courage to break out of that Rat Race many years ago. … better late than never I suppose.
	"Tired Of Beating Your Head Against The Wall?"

07-08-2009, 09:34 AM	#2
falcon_warrior HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Singapore Posts: 175 Thanks: 25 Thanked 18 Times in 12 Posts	Re: Out of the Rat Race - 2 Years Later Hey Thank you very much for your story, it's really inspirational to me. I started IM 5 months ago to achieve the same dream: Getting out of the rat race. I've started to see results only a month ago, and I hope that two years later I can look back at this thread and thank myself for starting IM. Nicholas Chen

07-08-2009, 11:13 AM	#3
steveweber Steve Weber War Room Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Southard, Oklahoma, USA. Posts: 668 Blog Entries: 2 Thanks: 8 Thanked 68 Times in 39 Posts	Re: Out of the Rat Race - 2 Years Later Hi Nicholas, Yes, to get to that point of us both quitting our jobs (my wife quit hers the year before me) we worked a LOT of nights and almost all weekends. It's tough to build a business when you have a more than full time "job" already....but it was so worth it.!
	"Tired Of Beating Your Head Against The Wall?"

07-08-2009, 11:17 AM	#4
sparrow UnderGround SEO Guy War Room Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: MA. Posts: 2,355 Thanks: 32 Thanked 92 Times in 73 Posts	Re: Out of the Rat Race - 2 Years Later Steve Congrats, I have been making a go at it for a few years now after having no choice to enter the IM business fulltime, all my work ended up overseas. But as hard as it is sometimes, I can't see myself ever going back to a job. Ed
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07-08-2009, 11:45 AM	#5
Shane Hale Ninja Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Anderson, South Carolina , USA. Posts: 467 Blog Entries: 11 Thanks: 104 Thanked 57 Times in 40 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Out of the Rat Race - 2 Years Later Steve, what was the final factor in quitting your job was it affiliate sales,CPA or creating your own product or selling services? I wrote a article about my current hell working for about 10 years and I have been studying all aspects of internet marketing for 2 years and started to challenge myself with my vlog Cash Flow Ninja Team but really want to know what was the type of IM you were doing that finally broke you free?
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07-08-2009, 11:47 AM	#6
Shane Lowry Advanced Warrior War Room Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: USA. Posts: 703 Thanks: 11 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Out of the Rat Race - 2 Years Later G'day Steve, Congratulations on 2 years of being free. It's amazing just how hard and how many hours you'll put in when it's YOUR business that directly benefits. Well, until you can outsource that is congrats again. Shane
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07-08-2009, 11:48 AM	#7
steveweber Steve Weber War Room Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Southard, Oklahoma, USA. Posts: 668 Blog Entries: 2 Thanks: 8 Thanked 68 Times in 39 Posts	Re: Out of the Rat Race - 2 Years Later Yeah, that would be a bad day (having a "j o b" again). One of the side benefits of quitting the rat race was realizing just how mapped out my entire life and schedule was. Now days, if we decide on the spur of the moment to take off and go to a movie in the afternoon, we go! ...lovin' life here in Oklahoma!
	"Tired Of Beating Your Head Against The Wall?"

07-08-2009, 01:32 PM	#9
steveweber Steve Weber War Room Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Southard, Oklahoma, USA. Posts: 668 Blog Entries: 2 Thanks: 8 Thanked 68 Times in 39 Posts	Re: Out of the Rat Race - 2 Years Later Ha! What a user name!...Love it! It takes one to know one huh!
	"Tired Of Beating Your Head Against The Wall?"

07-08-2009, 02:10 PM	#10
adiknight Active Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 48 Thanks: 20 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	Re: Out of the Rat Race - 2 Years Later Nice one Steve, I found myself falling into the rat race trap after only 18 months - I knew it if I didnt break it now then I would be here 10 years later Best decision I made this year without question What are your businesses??

07-08-2009, 03:01 PM	#14
Gclunis Millionaire By 21 War Room Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: New York, NY Posts: 540 Thanks: 93 Thanked 64 Times in 49 Posts Contact Info	Re: Out of the Rat Race - 2 Years Later congratulations Steve its always nice to see stories like these from the veterans. I just recently started IM however I am only 17 so I guess my hope would be to never have to enter the rat race in the first place :P. For now this is my alternative to the standard teenage job. And the best part is that its alot of work, but its work that I actually believe is worth it.

07-08-2009, 03:12 PM	#15
Stephen Saha Senior Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: City of Joy! Posts: 1,023 Thanks: 7 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts Contact Info	Re: Out of the Rat Race - 2 Years Later Congrats Steve for taking the Freedom plunge! And now you are swimming freely for two years. Great! Stephen
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07-08-2009, 03:21 PM	#16
ryanzona HyperActive Warrior Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Chicago Posts: 154 Thanks: 24 Thanked 18 Times in 18 Posts	Re: Out of the Rat Race - 2 Years Later Congrats! that is really a major accomplishment. Even more so that you've been able to maintain that independent status. Its certainly inspiration for those of us who are on that path.

07-08-2009, 04:20 PM	#17
simba999 Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Out of the Rat Race - 2 Years Later Awesome!! Congrats...i will join you soon....i know it -Sheila
simba999 Guest Posts: n/a

07-08-2009, 05:20 PM	#18
Troy_Phillips Senior Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: North Ga. Posts: 1,676 Blog Entries: 2 Thanks: 947 Thanked 505 Times in 325 Posts Social Networking	Re: Out of the Rat Race - 2 Years Later Now Steve quit being so modest . You are forgetting to mention all the people you are helping get to the point of leaving the rat race also.
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07-08-2009, 05:24 PM	#19
stgga Brick & Byte businesses Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Atlanta Posts: 18 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Contact Info	Re: Out of the Rat Race - 2 Years Later this is encouraging! we can succeed and this forum helps us discover teh good ops from the scams and that shortens the learning curve.

07-08-2009, 05:26 PM	#20
Michael Franklin Senior Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Walled Lake, Michigan Posts: 1,717 Thanks: 12 Thanked 381 Times in 197 Posts	Re: Out of the Rat Race - 2 Years Later Congratulations, Steven! Ironically, true security comes when you no longer have to depend on that secure, steady paycheck. I hope other aspiring IMers take note of your story and get inspired to stay the course! It really is the best feeling in the world! Again, congrats!
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07-08-2009, 05:27 PM	#21
Demond Jackson HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 252 Thanks: 60 Thanked 44 Times in 43 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Out of the Rat Race - 2 Years Later Hey Steve thanks for the inspiration. I remember working those 50+ hour weeks all too well. Congrats on your remarkable success.
	Internet Marketing Kalamazoo Defense Attorney Atlanta Commitment is the difference between people who "have potential" and people who have results. Demond Jackson

07-08-2009, 06:03 PM	#22
Eric Transue HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 190 Thanks: 39 Thanked 47 Times in 17 Posts Social Networking	Re: Out of the Rat Race - 2 Years Later Congrats Steve very inspirational!

07-08-2009, 06:12 PM	#23
jendoe Active Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 72 Thanks: 52 Thanked 10 Times in 9 Posts	Re: Out of the Rat Race - 2 Years Later Hi Steve - It IS inspirational to hear your story (I can't wait to go check out your sites). I'm just getting started learning about IM - and it can be completely overwhelming for a newbie. But I'm in that place of hating the job (feels like it's killing me) - so I have to try. Hearing that others have been there and really, truly "get it" helps. Any thoughts on what helped the most in getting you to the point of making the leap? Thanks

07-08-2009, 07:36 PM	#24
tj0575 Be Phenomenal Everyday! Join Date: May 2009 Location: Maryland Posts: 90 Thanks: 20 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Out of the Rat Race - 2 Years Later CONGRATULATIONS!!! it is my goal to leave the rat race myself!!! see you on the golf course

07-09-2009, 09:19 AM	#28
Anjanette Fountain Active Warrior Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 46 Thanks: 7 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Out of the Rat Race - 2 Years Later Congrats Steve! I also have an exit strategy implemented. I am sure it feels great to be out. Many of us will soon join you.
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