My journey from slavery to freedom
Welcome to the Regaining Freedom blog.
I’d like to start off by relating some of my personal journey from slavery to freedom.
I grew up in a low socioeconomic area and the thing I noticed was that other people were very quick to spend their money, whilst my parents saved their income. My first lesson was the value of a dollar.
They raised me with the notion of individual achievement and freedom and valued education and clear thinking. My high school years coincided with the peak of the Cold War in the early 1980s, and I felt strongly about the oppressive governments of the Iron Curtain. I didn’t realise at the time that I was already someone who preferred individualism over collectivism.
When I finished high school, I went straight into university to initially study economics. The focus was on Keynesian economics, but I found the classical school far more compelling. At this point, I was still deciding what I was interested in, but I couldn’t put my heart into economics.
After 2 years, I finished full time study and started at a local bank branch, at the lowest possible level as a clerk. In the evenings, I studied to complete my degree. I found bank work was stifling. The main issue for me that it wasn’t a meritocracy. Whilst my work was valued, I was not seen as someone with a great deal of potential because I didn’t find the mould, so missed out on promotional opportunities.
I gritted my teeth and went towards my goals – to finish my university degree and to save enough money for my own first house. I achieved both goals by the time I was 24.
As time went on, I became a a slave of the system – a convenient tool to be used as my masters saw fit. There wasn’t even any security anymore. My friends started to get laid off as the restructures and redundancies continued, so that I didn’t feel confident in taking on any long term commitments.
I still had a strong desire to get ahead, even if the bank was holding me back. I started to build a few websites and make some money that way. Having my own part time business was great – I loved the independence and was an outlet for the creativity that was stifled at the bank.
Eventually, the redundancies came to my department. I put up my hand and asked to leave. My request was granted. I left the Bank in April 2002, after 16 years and my life instantly improved. The only problem was that I didn’t have a job – it was the middle of an economic downturn and there was little work available.
During my time off, I read “Atlas Shrugged” and it was like a light came on. It articulated how I felt about the bank, but in a far more eloquent way than I could. It encouraged me – gave me the courage to continue to make the changes from slave to free person.
It took me months to get another role, and the pay was a lot less. The job was in the government. It had its moments – I had a great boss and there was actually less bureaucracy than in the bank.
In time, a consulting firm contacted me and I was able to negotiate a better deal with them. For the first time, I felt some satisfaction at work. It was refreshing to be in an environment where rationality was valued.
I began to write some articles about freedom. At the same time, I started to make some moves to increase my own freedom – I took control of my own retirement fund and did well with my investments. I applied for an additional passport – this meant that my movements and residency were less restricted. I investigated offshore investments, and purchased an apartment in Dubai and later sold it at a good profit.
I had considered the possibility of contracting for some time. It took me 2 years to get the courage to make the step, but over time, my confidence increased. Finally the time came to leave the consulting firm and work as an independent contractor. I’m now enjoying the work and the reward for my efforts. I’ve been contracting for three years now. At the moment, I am working at an iron ore mining company. That is another goal achieved, as I wanted to get away from the finance industry.
My latest venture is releasing my first book (available as an e-book) called How to Regain Your Freedom. I have felt for a long time that someone should release information on how to become free, so I’ve written that. It is being released through Seascape Publishing, a new business that I own.
As for my parents, they recently retired and still prospering. That is a result of investing in shares, not “playing it safe” and relying on cash in the bank. Now they are independent, and not reliant on the government as many are.
Looking back, I value the good and bad times. They have shaped and strengthened me as a person. I have learned that freedom and prosperity comes not from holding onto “security” because any security that is offered is illusory – security comes from having knowledge but from having skills that are relevant and marketable and risk capital to invest. I will take a measured risk where there is upside for me.
Another thing I learned is to not to try to work for promotion in an organisation that doesn’t value achievement. It is just a waste of time when they won’t let you climb the ladder. Don’t undervalue your own contribution, and make sure that it is valued now. Don’t settle for a promotion that may never happen. Think about whether you can do better as a contractor or with your own business.
My sense of myself as an individual is stronger than ever, as is my resolve to never again be a slave. I am not sure what the future holds, but I am confident that it will be good for me and my family.
I do wish someone had been there to guide me along the way, but hopefully I can pass on what I have learned to others through this blog. I’d love to hear from you with your own story about how you moved from slavery to freedom.
Tags: freedom, my journey, slavery
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