On the Slow Track: Just in Time for the Rat Race

On the Slow Track: Just in Time for the Rat Race

• Posted by COACH KRISTINE 

I finished the “old formula” on time. I followed everything that was advised to me by my employee parents - Go to school, study hard, get good grades (with honors for that matter) and find a safe and secure job. 15 days before my graduation march in April 20, 2005, I was already accepted by a bank under the Ayala group to work for them. After 15 years in school, I was “on track.” I happily signed a contract with a fair basic salary, medical benefits, quarterly bonus, night differential, uniform and medical allowance and the promise of promotion after 2 years. Slowly, I went up the ranks then came a life-changing event. (Of course, I won’t be discussing that in this entry.)

What is reader-worthy in this enumeration of events?

This is a typical scenario for most of the fresh graduates every year. It’s so easy to fall into the trap of the fear and greed cycle a.k.a the Rat Race. This trap greatly contributes to the comfort that employees take in receiving regular (meager) salaries – living from one paycheck to the next. I’ve had the chance to have a fast-forward glimpse of my life through the Cashflow101 game. Even if you don’t have the time for the game, just look at the people in your field older than you. What makes you think that you’ll have a different ending from theirs if you follow the same path and you do the same things?