Want to get out of this rat race soon ...
So here's the thing. I'm 4 years into my SWE career & have realised this field is not for me for long term. I seriously want to get out of this rate race early. But I don't have any skill or talent other than SWE which can earn me decent money. Since SWE pays well my lifestyle has become of higher standard and I am now used to this lifestyle and don't want to compromise on this lifestyle by leaving the well paying SWE field. I have around 50 lakh of savings invested and interested in some business of my own but don't have a clue where to start. Please give me ideas of how I can get out of this rat race early ?
Everyone has the same story. Even I does. It takes guts to open business not money. Not everyone is capable of handling pressure so they stuck in this rat race.
@splender Yeah man, I feel like in SWE there only handful of engineers who are doing work which is interesting and has an impact and enjoying their work. Rest of them like us are just maintaining and supporting the existing systems and services which is not an as fulfilling work as one would think. It is quite mundane in my opinion.
LooseGoose
Stealth
a month ago
You don't need to spend more than 2-3 lakhs to setup a basic trading business bro. Need to stop thinking and just take the plunge if you want to be an entrepreneur. Thinking too much will make you paralysed with options and decisions.
It's a simple numbers game. 10 startup ideas you will work on, 2-3 might be successful, rest will fail. Each attempt will take a year or two or three. You can reduce failures by working with other entrepreneurs and founders who can tell you common mistakes to avoid.
Decide on a product or service, see if there's competition or not and study it if there is, then launch a better offering.
I'm discussing a bunch of ideas with people too, feel free to DM.
There are two options:
1. You continue in the rat race for long enough so you can save and get out of it. Don't think this ever works.
2. You change your approach. Be okay with lesser comfort, more happiness. Change how you've thought about it all this time.
Otherwise you'll anyway always be stuck, always be unhappy
4years 50lakhs Savings is huge. Thats really huge and i would say you better stay working there. Dont overperform or underperform your work just do what you are paid for. Only when you want to over perform you feel you are in rat race.
Let me ask you politely? These are my genuine questions which I would like to discuss and not something to oppose or argue.
Why are we calling this rat race?
And even if we are, why portraying as a bad thing? Is it really bad?
I wonder whenever life feels stagnant, this exact thought strikes the mind. That I should get out of this and do something different. But how come that is not a rat race?
Shouldn't I ask what exactly I want? For money, everything I do, job, business etc can be termed rat race after all. If its happiness, then change of mindset might be required along with finding hobbies, aligning work with interest and reading spiritual texts to truly understand happiness or purpose. I don't know, I have not been able to get clarity yet.
Just looking back a generation, I see that they were completely fine with the jobs, infact longed for sustainable one. Is this because we have now more social security or just more exposure to social media which forms our opinions unknowingly. Again, I dont know.
What do you think?
Absolutely correct.
It is all in mindset. We should learn enjoying with what we have.
Whether SWE or a business, we should learn every day and better ourselves, that's when life is interesting.
Rat race with 50L of saving is worth it. I'm into rat race from 13 years and could only save 35 L roughly. Current savings only 10 Lakhs.
What about SWE do you not like>
People move to PM, Biz, Ops kind of roles
Have you ever explored those? Eventually a shift is possible.
Had a friend who moved from FAANG PM to design (at startups), successfully, and killing it
LamePlot
Stealth
a month ago
same bro same. And I'm not even good at my work. I'm only decent at cracking interviews and hence getting paid well.
I have a solid idea about a tourism business in North East India. I am a north eastern myself. Let’s plan out something together. Myself looking to get out of the rat race and start my own business. I like to live a nomadic lifestyle, so want to start a business that will enable me to that and the only space I can think of is travel and tourism and food
Totally on it bro.i am from North East too and even I feel that area needs a tech boost and we can make a good money out of it
This part has a massive scope for tourism blended by its unique geography and culture. We can make a good business by incorporating technology. From what I have seen- outsiders want to come visit the places but they don’t have an intermediate person/business who can guide them. We can bridge the gap and make a business out of it
Take your time, research and talk to a lot of people doing businesses and then slowly dive in.
Why do you think this is a rat race ?
Even in business also same you have to do race and even have to pay rents for property+ employee expenses.
It won't give you return from starting it takes time like a year or 5 years even. And it may happens due to some unknown reason you face loses also.
It means to make more money you have to take more risk and risk means tension.
I have tried and telling you from experience.
So r&d about business and take leave for 10-15days and try it, you will understand what reality is.
Admit that it is always harder than it look. Identify the problem first. If you are blaming something which doesn't actually a real problem to you, you will endup in a much worse situation. Don't believe the false propaganda. If you think something is worth your effort and makes you feel satisfied, go ahead and do it, it's all about experiences.
In case if you want to start a business, prepare for a Rollercoaster of challenges and surprises. We can discuss it further if you want 😅.
Here are some things you may wish to get your hands into and may motivate you to stay in Rat Race:)
1.Invest and own a house.
2.Travel lesser known India and support tourism.
3.Support one orphan girl child throughout her life.
4.Volunteer 2 hours during weekends.
Above mentioned will make you realise your potential and rat race effect.
Waiting for your experience updates if you try any of the above.;)
Flysky
Stealth
a month ago
Get an MBA. You’ll get one year break and maybe me fun in college. It could accelerate your wealth creation plan so you can get out forever.
This definitely wont work in this case , for this person post MBA salaries will be way lesser than what he/she can actually earn after 2 years in SWE.
I am in ditto same position. It's like as if some one has written my story. Please let me know how to get out of this
WhiskeySour
Stealth
a month ago
I am running a boostrapped profitable business for 5+ years now & still clueless coz apni skill bhi kuch rahi nahi.
Maybe pick up a hobby just to clear your mind, talking & meeting people with different aspects help as well.
The thing is most people I know hate their jobs. They all agree that one needs to earn well. What I have learnt is you can either manage your boss or your work. You will always feel that you could have managed your boss better and got that crucial raise. Or feel you could have managed the project better. Worse things also happen - a project matures you worked your ass off at the inception phase and know it in out, boss feels he must get the limelight. I’ll bring the newer folks in and slowly you’re redundant. Easier said than done, my friend. Feelings around work is something you learn to deal with. All the best and learn to give responsibly and consciously at work. Because the decision to retrench is taken on the excel sheet with the profitability figures not quality, not who is more talented.
Kushinagar
Stealth
a month ago
Same situation as you, here's what I have decided since, I like psychology I am pursuing masters in it, I will be on my IT job until I have developed a good number of counselling contacts through friends and colleagues, once I have the network I will say goodbye and start my own practice. It will take time but soon I will be out and be my own boss.
MulticoloredPatentee
Stealth
a month ago
if you don't mind. can you share in what tech stack you are working on ?
@MulticoloredPatentee It has been a mix of bunch of things but mainly Java.
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