I’m Worth More Than $5 Per Hour. What Are You Worth?
Sep

This is a guest submission by Anthony from ManVsClock.com
On a typical day at the grind, I usually have a sinking feeling in the pit my stomach; antsy in the knowledge that the people I am spending most of my time with are the people I care about the least.
The grounding realisation that 70% of my life is whored out, in a futile effort for financial independence, social acceptance and personal happiness also leaves me with the burden of that guilty feeling.
You’ll know the one I mean, the greatest crime and tragedy to mankind – not being true to one’s self.
On July 3rd 2011 I took my usual journey to work on the train, but I had a bit of a more positive swagger in my walk on this particular day. For this was the day I handed in my notice to my boss. Slam! On the desk, how d’ya like them apples? Magic stuff! (Smile, you’ll get there!)
Introduction
Oh where are my manners? I haven’t introduced myself yet! Hello, my name is Anthony and I’m from a small town in the North-East of England. There seems to be a sense of immense pride here about working the grind. Social brownie points are handed out to those who sell their soul the most to make another man rich and we are made to feel guilty for having too much recreational time.
Most people who I know don’t really seem to ‘get’ why I have always wanted to so aggressively escape the rat race, but I believe they secretly do, deep down. I suppose it’s like that saying in the film ‘Fight Club;’ the first rule about feeling depressed and disillusioned is…
The Day I Decided To Take Action (and responsibility)
Back on November 20th, 2010 I simply decided enough was enough. My job was affecting my happiness, social life, relationships and health. I had fallen asleep at the wheel for the 3rd time that month and with risk of sounding dramatic, I was completely miserable! And trust me; November is not a good time to be miserable in North-East England!
I needed a new plan. It seems whining about your life and not doing anything to change it doesn’t actually make it better! On this day I had to take action as I was sick of this smothering feeling of hopelessness. So I made the affirmation; one year to quit my job and leave England on a one-way ticket in pursuit of a feeling of living than merely existing. No excuses. And as if that wasn’t impulsive enough – I started a blog to hold me publicly accountable, affectionately known as “Man Versus Clock.”
I expected to be talking to myself on the internet for a year and didn’t think people would really care about what I was doing. Thankfully I was wrong!
The support I’ve received from like-minded people has spurred me on and made me feel like less of a weirdo for not wanting to work loads of hours for pennies until I’m nearly dead! I regularly receive comments and emails from people all over the world who can relate to my feelings and connecting with them has been an absolute god-send.
That being said, it made me really focus on what I hated about the grind. This last year in my job has been insanely hard on an emotional level and I’ve never really told those around me my true feelings. I don’t like to be the party-pooper. The unsociable hours of work have taken a toll on my fitness – a thing that I have always been so proud of. Exercise was also my vice, and I’m simply going nuts without it! It’s like locking a Border Collie puppy in a basement!
Taking Risks
Because I am so petrified of running out of money, I was initially going to leave my job in October but I honestly couldn’t take any more of the grind. I have £4000 saved up, which is nowhere near how much I wanted and some may say leaving my job is reckless, but I’m feeling psychologically up to the task and I believe it’s because of where I have been focusing my energies.
People often ask me what I’m going to do, how am I going to survive without a steady paycheck? I honestly don’t know the answer yet. Maybe I’ll make some money with my blogs (I have 2 others, sport-related) and get paid for writing about what I love? Maybe I’ll start a business? Maybe I’ll volunteer? Maybe I’ll fail badly? I honestly don’t know. My future is one of uncertainty, but it makes me feel alive.
It’s rather stressful not knowing what’s around the corner and how I’m going to make money to survive, but I’d take nerves and excitement over all of the sacrifices of working in a job I hate any day!
The Importance Of The RIGHT Support Group
I think it’s extremely important to find the right support group when wanting to end the grind. What I mean by that is, take comfort from and mix with those who empathise with your situation but are doing something about it. It’s easy to just log on to Facebook and bitch about your job and although you’ll get the inevitable sympathy – you’ll still be in a job that you hate.
Make yourself accountable, you don’t have to go to my lengths and start a blog but you can find people who will keep you on course. Switch numbers, email addresses and talk on Skype about what action you are taking to quit the grind. This way, when your support group asks you what you’ve been doing to quit the grind this week, you’ll want to give a good answer.
There were times when I took my foot off the pedal and when asked that question, it provided the needed kick up the backside and got me going. As mentioned before, when you do this you will focus even more on how much you hate your job and it will become even more difficult…good!
Yes, it’s a good thing, make sure you use it. USE that fire in your belly to your benefit and get busy working on you. Because the worse thing we can aim for is apathy. No matter how apathetic we claim to be, there will always be that niggling feeling in the back of our mind that we just gave up on ourselves.
So go to work and play the game. Be that good little worker bee that your boss wants you to be. Smile and nod your head and be that good little robot. And when you get home…
… rip off that work mask and start doing something – anything that’s at least a step towards getting out of the grind. Build that support network, don’t be shy! There are people out there just like you who feel exactly how you feel! I only wish I didn’t wait this long to find out.
Anthony is about to leave England for an adventure of uncertainty and awesomeness. He has vowed to focus on doing the stuff that excites him and makes him feel alive! You can follow him at manvsclock.com, on Twitter, or Facebook.

Aaron
Great stuff. Kuddos to you for stepping out and making something happen. Looking forward to seeing how the journey unfolds for you. 75 days left and counting! You can do it. (Maybe start in Turkey). Anyway, great post. Thanks.
Aaron
Anthony
Hey Aaron,
It’s actually 68 days, as the challenge was to beat the clock 🙂
Thanks man! Good to see you on my site, shame my ex boss (who is a good guy) took it as a personal dig! Hmmm Turkey, one of them places I wouldn’t rule out but have never looked into visiting.
Quite rare for a Brit, it’s the 2nd most visited country for us!
Ruth - The Freelance Writing Blog
Power to you! I jumped ship about 5 months ago. And my ‘grind’ wasn’t even that bad – the pay was good, the boss was nice, the environment was lovely, the hours were flexible. But I was ambivalent, at best, about the work. Oh sure, there was pressure to stay – I have five children (one with special needs), and my husband also just left the grind to venture out on his own (ie – no steady paycheck). But 5 months out and it has been so worth it. I’ve started my own freelance writing business, I’m my own boss, I make my own hours…and so far, I’m earning MORE than I was before. Counting my blessings! You can (and will) do it too! Good luck.
Anthony
Hey Ruth,
Wow, that’s a pretty inspiring story! Here’s me fretting about the unknown every now and then, and you’ve managed to support your family!
I know only too well how hard it can be with special needs children (work experience in that field), and I bet being at home makes things so much easier?
I really like your story, very inspiring!
Lindsay
Congrats on escaping the grind!
I always love reading the stories of others who have come to the same realization that I did and have taken the bold step to find a more meaningful life or job.
Good luck on your future adventure!
Anthony
Hey Lindsay,
Thank you so much. I have a long road to go yet, but I feel so much better already!
Steve@Internet Lifestyle
Anthony,
Congratulations! I did not work in the “real” world for very long after i finished college. For much of the same reasons I think you feel.
For a long time I stumbled around without as firm a plan as you seem to have now. But after a couple of years struggling to make it I started to “get it” and have been living a life where I work hard (for myself) but also have the ability to really enjoy my life to the fullest. (including a ton of travel)
Great job man. You can do it! I look forward to hearing about your successes.
Anthony
Hey Steve,
That sounds similar to what I want. I’m far from work-shy and I’d sooner work 100 hours a week on my projects than 40 hours a week on a job I hate.
Thank you for your support 🙂
Justin | Mazzastick
Hey Anthony,
Kudos for having the balls to quit your job. One thing that I know for sure is that one one door closes another one opens for you.
Life may get shaky and uncertain for a while but trust me when I say that it will improve for you.
It serves no one to live a life of misery.
Anthony
Cheers Justin,
Yeah I’m not too much fun to be around when I’m miserable 🙂
Hector Avellaneda
Anthony – way to go, man! You know for most people it’s incredibly difficult to just decide one day that they are going to get up and leave to do something that they truly love.
It’s so hard for most people to do this because everyone out there is trying to be some SOMETHING in the work force. They’ve been conditioned to believe that they have to be something, no matter how much lack of passion they have for it or what it take to do it.
Over time, this becomes their reality and believe that, being SOMETHING is the right thing to be.
They sacrifice their health, time and family to be SOMETHING.
When someone else comes along on tells them theres another way, they become the naysayer’s, even if they know that they are wrong.
I have found that some people are willing to do anything to be right, including being BROKE!
They are willing to be Broke just so that they can be right! Isn;t that amazing?
Kuddo’s to you for taking the leap of faith and following your heart.
Along the way you will find many naysayer’s who are trying to be SOMETHING (I know because I am also working to end my grind and had people like that around me in the beginning).
Keep your vision, follow your heart and strive to be NOTHING instead of SOMETHING!
I believe that the lesson to take from all of this is that being right is overrated. Unfortunately, most people will rather be broke just so that they can be right.
I don’t know about you but I rather be wrong and RICH! 🙂
Anthony
Hey Hector,
Awesome and insightful comment there! Hmmmm, I may disagree slightly on one thing – I do want to be SOMETHING, I want to contribute to things that make me intensely happy in this life, so you could say I DO want to be part of something 🙂
That’s just me being picky though 😛
Thanks man! Great words!
Hector Avellaneda
Absolutely! I was referring more to not trying to be SOMETHING in the corporate workforce…
Beverley - Pack Your Passport
Very well written Anthony, a really good post 🙂 Stessing out about a job you hate is much worse than strssing out because you’re not sure where you’re going to get some money from, believe me.
I didn’t realise my boss actually liked me or valued me until I handed my notice in in April 2010 and his jaw dropped. But I didn’t change my mind; I had flights and visa sorted already and that spurred me on hugely.
Yay for you 🙂
p.s. you handed your notice in on my birthday, woop!
Anthony
Hey Hector,
Oh I see, sorry! I’m WELL on your song sheet then haha. Yes, I have always found that a bit disturbing!
Anthony
Hey Beverley,
Happy birthday for then! 😀 Thank you, I did hope to capture my feelings in it while hopefully capitalising on some empathy.
Good on you, I’m going to have a catch up on your life this week on your blog 🙂
Louis egesa
oh bro, nice story u have goes sad then comes good keep ur dream alive reach ur destination in time u have to see hear learn and educate others mate.keep ur vision u have a long way to go as i know its not an easy road, but i hope u will succed, may u live to acoplish ur long journey
Anthony
Hey Louis,
Yes mate it’s always good to end on a positive haha. It’s meeting people like you online who also have passions and dreams that makes it that little bit easier 🙂
Brock Blohm
“The Day I Decided To Take Action”
That’s when it all changes. You said it all right there. Awesome. Congrats. Well done.
Stay focused and you shall be fine.
Congrats, Anthony!
Anthony
Hey Brock,
It really is. It’s hard not to get a little lazy when the grind has got you down, but it’s important to have a little fight or we’ll go mental if we don’t even attempt to escape!
Cheers man, I’m really focused right now. More than ever.
Danielle Lynn
HI Anthony,
Thank you for sharing your story, it’s always inspiring to read about someone making a choice to find a path in life that makes them happy!
What’s interesting is I’m coming in from a similar angle. I’ve been freelance copywriting for a while. I love it, but there’s certainly no certainty on paychecks – I have to keep marketing myself and keep current clients happy.
But recently, I’ve been doing a lot of contract copywriting work for a large company with some very awesome people there. However, my contract is almost up with them – and they’re offering me a very nice position there if I’d work with them full time.
While the certainty of work is very tempting, there’s something almost refreshing about etching out your own way in a world that’s desperately trying to push you into an office – even if that means not being certain about tomorrow.
Will be following your journey – I know you’ll do fine 🙂
Danielle
Anthony
Hey Danielle,
HI 🙂 Thanks very much, I’m happy to share it to like-minded people. I’ve been reading other people’s stories for about 3 years now, so it’s lovely to have one of my own!
Hmmm, so what do you think you’re going to do? I like the word etching in this context and will shamelessly steal it from you for a further post 😀
Anthony
Steve Rice
Congrats on taking that “leap” it is a bit scary, but exciting all the same…plus, it is inspiring. Your story reminds us all of what is possible. Thanks for sharing it.
Anthony
Hey Steve,
That’s exactly what it is – scary and exciting to the extremes! Thanks for reading man 🙂
Deeone
Hiya Anthony,
First and foremost, Congratulations bud. Leaving the grind takes a lot of guts. You should be very proud of the courage that’s within you.
Sure there are going to be some questionable days, but I think you are well on the right track. Surround yourself with like-minded connections that’s headed in the same direction or that have already reached where you want to be.
You’ll be amazed at the people who are watching your every step and finding inspiration in the steps you’re taking.
Well done mate. I wish you all the best in your endeavors.
Cheers! 🙂
Anthony
Hey Deeone,
Thanks very much, I do feel proud for finally doing something about it. I’m pretty much hanging out online and in real life with like-minded people (by choice) and I can’t highlight enough how important it is in this situation.
Chhers for reading, I really appreciate your words – all the best 🙂