The school system is designed to teach us how to be employees – doctors, lawyers, specialists – but it was never about becoming a leader or an employer. Have you ever wondered why most graduates are trying to find a job but rarely consider becoming entrepreneurs? It’s because our education system is built that way.
Have you ever asked yourself why most middle-class employees don’t have any savings to invest elsewhere? It’s because our education system doesn’t teach us money management. Our education system teach us to run with what we have to achieve what we don’t. But it never tells us be happy with what you already have and don’t be sad for what you don’t. At this point, you might be thinking that I’m going to talk about the education system today. But I honestly have no intention of getting into this.
What Is Rat Race
In this new world, people are always in a rush. They are constantly engaged in a never-ending race. In school, we were taught that we had to achieve good grades; otherwise, we couldn’t get into a good college. After school, our goal was to do well in college – because without that, we couldn’t apply for a good job. Do you think the race ends once we get a job? No, it’s just the beginning, only with a new face.
Rat race is a term used in economy. But it has spread widely into every part of our life. The term rat race is used to describe the act of running blindly with a competitive mindset without any clear purpose. After graduation, we need a job. Once there’s a job, then comes the need for an apartment, a car. Then, a bigger house. After getting a car for our own we then need a bigger car for the family. This constant chasing just to meet our needs – without ever stopping to ask how much we actually need exactly is, refers as the rat race. As soon as we achieve one thing, we become desperate for the next. Just a few months after buying a flagship phone, we start feeling restless about getting the newer version. Instead of being happy with what we have, we feel sad about what we don’t. All day long, we’re bombarded with advertisements, and in our minds, we’re constantly making a list of the things we don’t own. We’re always comparing ourselves to someone who’s in a better economic position than us. But does it ever comes to our mind that this is a never-ending journey, and we will never win the race?
How it impact in our life?
“We buy things we don’t need with money we don’t have to impress people we don’t like.”
― Dave Ramsey, The Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness
Have you ever felt sad because you couldn’t buy a $7,000 Omega “No Time To Die” watch? Or felt upset in front of your rich friends because you don’t wear a $4,000 Versace jacket? Or felt hurt because you couldn’t afford a $15,000 Cartier wedding ring for your beloved wife? I know the answer is yes. But you’re not alone. Every person in this world carries some unnecessary sadness like this – sorrows that we could easily avoid if we truly wanted to.
Just think for a moment – do you really need a $7,000 watch? You could just as easily buy a $350 Japanese Seiko watch and use it for the next ten years. What you truly want isn’t the functionality; it’s the brand, the show-off vibe. You want your friends to notice your expensive watch, your clothes, your jewelry. You want to stand out. You want to feel valued through those things. And this is exactly how we get trapped in the rat race.
We start chasing unnecessary luxuries thinking they are our needs. And in doing so, we lose our happiness. Because while running in this sick competition, we fail to give time to the ones we love most – even to ourselves. In the pursuit of a secure future, we end up losing the most precious thing: the present.
A 2017 economic study found that 78% of American employees are barely surviving, just managing to cover their basic needs. Americans call this “living paycheck to paycheck.” In the United States, on average every people are in credit card debt. Do you think all the loans spent to fulfill the needs? The answer is no. People spend their valuable money to buy unnecessary things just to get a sale offer. Isn’t that hilarious?
What is the solution?
The solution is very simple: control your greed. You don’t have to buy everything you see in television advertisements. You don’t need to get a new flagship phone every year. You must learn how to manage your money and distinguish between needs and luxuries. And every time you feel the urge to buy something new, remind yourself: “Not everything you want is a need.” TV advertisements constantly tempt you to buy something new. They work hard to convince you that material possessions are the ultimate goal in life and the true measure of success. The more wealth you accumulate, the more society will see you as successful and treat you with greater respect. So, if you want to hold your head high, you must chase after riches. But the truth is, in our pursuit of wealth, we often lose the people we love. At other times, we find ourselves overwhelmed by the burden of heavy debt.
Don’t borrow money from anyone or buy things on EMI. If you can’t afford something, don’t buy it—or at least wait until you have enough money to do so. Remember one thing: “Debt will make you a slave for a long time.” Focus on learning how to earn money and how to spend it wisely. Save diligently and invest for the future. Stop comparing yourself to others – everyone is unique. Be content with what you have, love and spend time with your family and friends, and teach your children the same values.
Life is beautiful, my friend.
