Escape the Cubicle NOW! Five Tips to Help You Get Started
September 4th, 2008
Do you long to be your own boss? Work from home as a freelancer? Or, perhaps travel the world?
image source: carter comics
Don’t worry, I toiled away in a cube for many a year working for the man, but still managed to free myself. And you CAN too!
There is absolutely nothing wrong with the cube life, but for some reason I found it to be stifling. In fact, at the same time we were looking to purchase our business in the Caribbean I was offered a very good federal job in the states. I even went so far as to go (read: fly) to the interview at largely my own expense.
Obviously, you know the outcome because I am in the Caribbean. However, I must say that the clincher for me, when I really knew I would not take the job, came during the interview process. While getting the tour around the office they took me by (and specifically pointed out!) what was to be my cubicle and I knew right then and there that there was no way in hell I would take the job.
What about you?
If you are looking to change your life’s course, do NOT let apathy set in. That’s the easy way out! There are no quick fixes, but by following a couple of the steps below you too can free yourself from the cubicle.
Step 1 – Write Down Your Intentions
As scary as it might be, take the initial first step and write down exactly what it is that you would like to be doing. You don’t have to go into great detail but just get the general idea down on paper. Also, when you are done write an abbreviated version on a sticky note and place it on the edge of your computer or someplace where you will see it everyday as a reminder.
Step 2 – Tell Somebody About Your Plans or Objective
Slightly more intimidating than writing out your intentions, telling someone about your plans can be difficult. What if they laugh at you, or tell you you’re fricken insane? Not everybody believes that you can actually leave a cube (or any job you don’t like) and pursue your passion. Find someone who you trust and is supportive and tell them what you would like to be doing.
Step 3 - Start Saving
Do you want to leave your cubicle to travel the world or perhaps start a new business? If you are going to quit, as a guideline, I always tried to have enough funds to cover three to six months worth of expenses before leaving a position. Some folks I recently met in Nicaragua actually had enough savings to be able to live without working for five years. You need to determine your financial comfort zone and strive to save enough so that you feel comfortable.
Step 4 - Take a Trip or Sabbatical
If you are leaving the cubicle because you hope to live overseas my number one piece of advice is to take an extended trip or sabbatical to your desired local. A one-week beach holiday in Jamaica where your every need is catered to is a much different experience than actually living and working there. Do yourself a favor BEFORE you give your notice at work and take some time to really explore that new city, mountain escape, or island before you start ordering up shipping containers.
Step 5 - Work Part Time On Your New Venture
Are you going to be the next ProBlogger? Or, perhaps you would like to open a bakery? Again, before you quit your job out of frustration, try doing your desired new activity on a part time basis. Owning a bakery sounds quite appealing, but getting up at four in the morning might not be that fun. Likewise, the people who blog for real money (i.e. make their living from it) work extremely hard. If you think you have what it takes then spend a couple of hours every evening blogging for a couple of months first and then say goodbye to your cube.
What now?
The above actions and steps are really meant to take your dream of escaping the cube beyond the thinking stage and help you to get to the next level.
In short, the steps described above will make your plan real and actionable. Once you implement a couple of them I believe that the others will come easily. The difficult part is just identifying and acknowledging that you would like to change. But, once done, the rest is easy and I wish you the best of luck in your quest!
What other steps would you suggest to help people escape the cube?
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September 4th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
My wife left her cube to start her own home business. We’ve had to cut back on expenses but it was definately the right decision. We also knew that if things didn’t work out as we planned it isn’t that hard to find another cubicle. But the idea of having to return is good motivation to keep working!
September 4th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
I escaped the freedom of working anywhere I like in order to work in the cubicle, strange I know. I guess at the time I didn’t see my freedom as anything that special and I’ve done it mostly for the experience.
You’ve actually given me a good idea for a blog post ;)
Cheers,
Glen
September 4th, 2008 at 1:11 pm
I escaped the cubicle and started a career consulting company. I visited my ex-coworkers at their cubicles, and they all looked like robots. Very mechanical and very unhappy. Don’t want to look like that again.
Before you make that move from the cubicle to owning your own business, research the industry. Write a business plan and start checking off accomplishments as they begin to happen according to your business plan. Everyday is a growth opportunity when you own your business.
September 4th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
I escaped cubicle life as well, and the best thing I did before I left was to maintain and invest in my business connections outside of my job. One of those connections became my ticket to freedom and a job that I love. It’s true that it’s not always what you know, it’s who you know.
September 4th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
Mark:
Great post! I have been away from the office cubical for more than two years now. I was pretty much traveling for 15 months in the past two years. Now, my living room with big screen TV is my cubical. I get to watch Oprah show while working from home. :-)
As a self-starter entrepreneur and dream to be a life-style entrepreneur, I have to find a way to balance my work and enjoyment. I work hard like entrepreneur, but I also play hard almost like billionaires do.
No matter what you plan to do to get out of office and create your own freedom, action is a must. There is no perfect plan, so don’t wait until you feel it’s right time to do it. You will change your plan and change your lane from time to time. Without the action, you are not going anywhere and to find your freedom.
One way that force me to get out of cubical is to meet with people offline. Don’t even think about social network online. You are giving yourself an excuse not to get away from cubical (computer).
Meeting with local people gave me a lot of motivations and encouragement. I realized that how many people try to get out of their small boring life and become someone else. They forgot that they have to be themselves.
The more people I met, the more confidence I earned. I met few people for years now. They told me they will start their own journey few years ago. Now they are still saying the same thing to everyone they met. Why don’t they? They are just planning, talking and complaining. There is no action taken.
So if you want to escape from cubical, start now.
September 4th, 2008 at 8:54 pm
Hi Mark - I don’t work in a cubicle but I really want to move to another country - hopefully Australia or Canada. So this advice has been brilliant.
We are thinking of selling everything, rather than fork out shipping expenses. Do you know of anyone who’s done this? Is it a good move?
September 5th, 2008 at 5:03 am
Mark,
I think the key to any move towards your dreams or freedom revolve around clarity of lifestyle and cleaning up loose ends.
Many people leave their life a mess and wonder why they feel stuck.
If you can start to clean up some of the clutter in your life you can start seeing your options more clearly. I have posted a link below, hope that is not over promotive.
http://www.expertintherough.com/clean-sweep-building-momentum
I personally left cubicle nation for 4 years and chose to go back. I now have the companies largest office so I kind of graduated from the cubicle lifestyle. I will eventually move on again once I figure out how to monetize my blog and writings.
thanks,
Brian
September 5th, 2008 at 8:57 am
I am currently in my cell (cubicle) and trying to escape. Another thing to consider before breaking free from the cube is freedom from debt. As you said save but also pay off as much unsecured (credit card debt or the infamous x months same as cash)debt as possible.
Dave
September 5th, 2008 at 9:00 am
Another thing to consider before breaking out of the cell (cubicle) is freedom from unsecured debt. Credit card debt and the infamous 12 month same as cash loans can eat you up. Get these paid off and as you said save..save..save.
Dave
September 5th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
Great post. I personally love my job, in part because I have the freedom to work at home some of the time. As long as I teach my classes and have adequate amounts of office time I can spend time at home. Currently, I work from home 3 half days a week.
I am a big fan of point number 4. I’ve lived for 5 week stints in both China and Turkey. I know that I could live in Istanbul, Turkey and enjoy it. I could love in China, but not enjoy it as much! :)
September 6th, 2008 at 9:27 am
Sorry I am late here Mark and thank you for linking my page with ‘Trust’ :)
Can’t believe most of the commenters above are not in cubes :)
Leaving a cubicle life is very tempting but before taking a plunge, some of us really need to be realistic as you pointed out in #5.. making money from blogging and freelancing isn’t as easy as it seems… And before quitting your job, you not only need to be willing to work extremely hard, you also need to have at least 6 months to a year of living expenses in the Bank (actually a pretty good emergency fund considering you might need health insurance which is very expensive in the US) to survive until a steady flow of income.
September 7th, 2008 at 7:08 am
Hi Mark - if I was a manager of a cubicle farm, I’d be very scared of this post! This is great advice. I really like the first two since they make us committed to change.
September 7th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
Mark,
I quit working nearly two years ago after purchasing my third hotel. I now manage my hotels full time. It’s great feeling to be my own boss.
Shilpan
September 9th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
Mark,
Thanks for the inspiring post. I’m currently in my first ‘cube’ after working in hospitality my whole working life. I’m working on getting out, though - by writing a screenplay each night that I hope to sell, and by taking courses and reading everything I can get my hands on about Freelance writing. It’s not a matter of if for me, it’s when. It’s amazing how many people are negative when I tell them my plan, but maybe they’re just jealous? Luckily I have learned over the years to filter out the bad stuff and focus on the passion I have for my writing. Thanks again for the inspiring words, keep it up!