Avoiding the Rat Race

As I told you in class this week JP, laziness is of the Devil and no one is completely free from its grasp. We all struggle on a daily basis to overcome what I like to call, our natural inclination to be idle and lazy, so don’t feel too bad my friend.

What I learned this week

It’s interesting that you’ve absorbed such an important lesson about sticking it to the man and not falling into what I call the rat race. Prior to attending college, my father gave me a wonderful book titled, “Rich Dad Poor Dad,” by Robert T. Kiyosaki and on the front cover it reads:
“What the Rich Teach Their Kids about Money – That the Poor and Middle Class Do Not!”

The presiding principle throughout the book overall is that we must take risks and step out of our comfort zone if we are ever to succeed in life, so if you haven’t read this book I would strongly encourage you to do so.

Now as for what I took from this week’s material, much could be explained, so I’ll spare you a lengthy reading and break it down into point form.

• Correlation between goals/benchmarks
• Why setting benchmarks are necessary to success in business
• Importance of self evaluation
• Why it is vital to be positive and enthusiastically expressive about oneself
• The value of clearly communicating ones feelings
  

What I still wonder about

In response to your 1st question J.P., It is only worth the pain and stress if you feel that this is the direction your life needs to be taking. In speaking with other students who are in my other classes, I’ve witnessed a lot of confusion regarding the decision to study in this program of business. We all must ask ourselves which path to take and what will provide the greatest reward, but as we know, finding that path is never easy. It is a lifelong pursuit that will teach us the ups and downs of life, and hopefully in the end we will be able to say, I gave it my all and never gave up.

Upon returning home from my mission to Arizona in July of 2005, I was confronted with the need to make a decision about my future. I questioned whether or not school was an option or if I should take up a trade. I patiently sought out an answer and did not rush into my decision to study this program here at OC, which in turn has saved me from the hassle of second guessing my decision. It may have been 6 years since I graduated from high school, but I am so glad that I waited until now to continue my education.

In response to your 2nd question, if it weren’t for these professors leaving their established career’s to teach the rising generation, who would? Let’s just be grateful that those who’ve been successful are willing to share their knowledge.

What I already knew

To me, life has always been about the experiences it provides and not so much the academic, professional, or personal achievements attained. Monetary success in life is a wonderful thing and we should all aim for it, but it is not the icing on the cake. Success can only be measured by the person we’ve become and in how we’ve treated others.

How I participated

I involve myself each week by participating in class and offering my opinion when the opportunity arises, for example; this week I was asked for help by a fellow classmate regarding the renewal of their anti-virus software and though I may not have been the complete solution, I offered my expertise to the best of my ability. There is no question in my mind that I engage myself and make myself available to those in need.

Conclusion

It will be nice to see this semester through and evaluate our performance, but until that time we must work hard and study more than ever. It is not enough to casually live our lives thinking we know best, when working hard and taking risks will lead us to even greater success.

Until next week,

Stevo