I don’t know about you, but I can’t stand traffic.
Thanks to my lifestyle, I don’t usually get stuck in one, but sometimes, I forget that it’s rush hour time, as I get in my car.
Yesterday was one of those days, and I was on my way to my friend’s, who’s also a business associate, shop to pick something up.
Without looking at the time, I left my house at 5pm, without even a thought about rush hour traffic, I called and told him that I’m on my way and I’ll be there in 30 minutes or so.
About an hour and fifteen minutes later, I finally got there. The traffic was heavy, although as compared to other major metro areas, it’s not that bad.
As I was slowly moving at a pace of 20-25 mph, I’m looking around the busy highway and all I can see is a bunch of people, with a blank look on their face, slowly moving to get home.
I imagine that they go through this routine everyday, in the morning and at night.
By the looks on the faces of most of these people they’re not that excited about this whole segment of their day. And yet they continue to do the same thing, going to the same job they don’t particularly like, working for a wage they feel is too low, driving in rush-hour traffic that they hate. And in our city, most people would say that they’re lucky to even have a job nowadays.
Is this a way to live?
Why do these people allow themselves to stay stuck in this trance of being in a rat race?
There could be a number of reasons, but the main one is they don’t want to change.
They’re actually ok with it.
Oh they may say they want more money, a better job, an easier simplified life. But do they really?
Is there some hidden benefit to staying where they’re at?
I think there is. If there wasn’t one, they would do something about it wouldn’t they?
How about you? Are you stuck in an experience you’re not that thrilled about?
So what are you doing about it?
Are you reading the right books?
Are you associating with the right people?
Are you associating with the right people?
Do you plant the seeds of prosperity and abundance into your mind or thoughts of lack and limitation?
And finally are you taking action, moving forward, and creating the life you desire, or do you just wish and dream about it?
There’s an old story I’d like to share with you.
A traveler walks into a convenience store in a small town to ask for directions. As he approaches the clerk behind the counter, he sees a dog that’s howling on the floor.
The man asks the clerk why is your dog howling, and the clerk says, oh never mind him.
So the man starts asking for directions, and the dog continues to howl a bit louder. He asks once again why is the dog howling, is there something wrong with him? And the clerk once again says, don’t pay any attention to this, there’s nothing wrong.
So they continue talking and now the dog is howling really loud. So the man stops and says, there’s something wrong with your dog, tell me what is wrong with this dog?
And the clerk says, there’s nothing wrong with the dog, he’s just laying on a nail that’s stuck in the floor, and that’s why he’s howling.
The man looks at the clerk with a puzzled look, and says, why in the world is your dog laying on a nail?
And the clerk answers him with a very profound statement. He says, sir, he’s laying on a nail, because he’s not uncomfortable enough yet.
There’s not much more than I can add to this story.
Except that we all need to look inside ourselves for the real reason why we experience what we do.
Have a comment about this? Don’t be shy and speak up.
And also, feel free to bookmark this post so others out there can read this. This maybe a wake up call for some.



July 25th, 2008 at 5:34 am
Vitaly,
This story is so true in society. I especially liked “he’s laying on a nail, because he’s not uncomfortable enough yet.”
Most people don’t “change” until things get so unbearable and by then they could have missed so many opportunities. Other’s say to themselves “I deserve to be uncomfortable” or “it’s too late for me to make a change in my life” and just live with the uncomfortable situation.
This got me thinking about things I’m dealing with and I should accept change rather than fight it.
July 25th, 2008 at 6:29 am
Vitaly,
There are tons of people who actually love their jobs. I am fortunate to work at a company that the employees can’t wait to get to work every morning. It’s like working at Disney if you are interested in animation.
I am dissatisfied with my job and am making a change - but there are a lot of people who take security in their careers. It reminds me of the movie the Shawshank Redemption when the old guy gets out of prison and then can’t cope because he doesn’t know what to do with his newly found freedom.
I think we should teach freedom classes on what to do once you work yourself out of a job.
July 25th, 2008 at 6:46 am
Vitaly,
Good note. You have been putting out some knockout notes lately. Keep up the good work. I shall be conscious of how much real effort I am doing each of my tasks today and see where I usually go onto autopilot. Blessings to you,
Scott
July 25th, 2008 at 7:11 am
There’s a great saying, “you can make excuses or you can make money, but you can’t make both”
Because the majority of people would rather stay in their comfort zone, no matter how “painful” it may be, they make up “reasons” why they can’t or won’t or shouldn’t, etc…
Thanks for your comment Andy.
Best,
Vitaly
July 25th, 2008 at 7:18 am
Good point on teaching about freedom.
I’m not knocking jobs, if someone’s happy that’s great and people should do what they’re happy doing.
But according to my personal observation and 10 years of recruiting people into my business, I know that 90% + of them are not satisfied with what they do, the hours they work, and the money they make.
As for coping freedom, I agree 100%, that is something that a person with an employee 9-5 mindset needs to learn, otherwise they will have to go back to their 9-5, even if they hate it.
I call it having Freedom with Responsibility.
July 25th, 2008 at 7:19 am
Thanks Scott.