Everyone wants to escape the Rat Race.

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Today I’m sharing my top 15 reasons why people remain stuck.

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Here we go.

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1. The Rat Race is a mental game

This isn’t something that happens TO you, and it’s not an environment. You subscribe to the Rat Race — playing by “rules” you’ve observed. Instead, you can be a free agent…right where you are.

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2. We don’t use the 9-5 as leverage

Skills, experiences, relationships, compensation, and company logos. Do you understand how to use these for max advantage? You need systems in place to leverage them for personal freedom. Most people barely scratch the surface here.

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3. Their dream isn’t big enough

You'll stay stuck if you just want a moderately better career and life. You must dream 10X bigger — make it outlandish so that it activates you. Rats play the incremental game, while my Uncaged clients operate in the realm of the exponential.

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4. They’re lacking skin in the game

Half-assed self-investment won’t do jack for you. You need to invest serious money, time, and energy so that your specific transformation (e.g., building a business, being there for family) becomes THE priority in your life. Without skin in the game, you’ll give it no attention.

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5. Trying to carve their new path alone

I’m guilty of trying this for too long. I thought I could build my own path by “absorbing” ideas from others. Ugh…utter failure. Instead, it’s critical to surround yourself with people, strategies, and ENERGY that keep you moving forward toward your north star. Your dream is dead on arrival without community.

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6. They go straight to business-building

A common mistake that corporate pros make is immediately building their business. They believe they’ve got the concept locked down but haven’t even begun the inner work yet. Your journey must start with intense discovery (mind, talents, and market needs). Only then can we intelligently experiment with the business concept. You need a foundation first.

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7. Outdated relationships hold them back

Right now, you’re carrying excess baggage. People (and voices) are infiltrating your mind, and they have no business doing so. We can’t let “default” people (e.g., family, colleagues) influence our dream. It must be one of your own design. Minimize the impact those people have on your mind.

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8. Unclear how career enables desired life

Why are you striving in your career? Honestly, to what rich and compelling end? Until you generate crystal clarity on a life that’ll bring tears of gratitude to your eyes, your professional efforts are highly ineffective. Career enables life…full stop.

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9. Not doing the daily micro-work required

Your “daily work” is an infinite game. It’s about continually up-leveling your goals, abilities, and energy. It might look like meditation, exercise, reading, writing, or networking. Identify what your “work” is and commit to it daily. This is the game of life.

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10. They don’t set personalized “escape” criteria

Lots of people want to FULLY escape corporate life. But you need a clear strategy and plan for this. At the core, you need “criteria'' that must be met for you to qualify for leaving. You must manage risk, especially if you have a family. Escape intelligently, not recklessly.

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11. They think, “I’ve already got X figured out”

Never assume — you’re making an ASS out of U and ME. Disconnecting from the Rat Race is both mental and physical. And it’s f***ing hard work. You’re going to run into challenges and fears you never anticipated. Get the mentorship you need. Empty your cup. Do the work.

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12. They believe it’s all about passive income

This is a trap. People think “the next rental property” and “the next one” will buy them freedom. Yes, passive income is helpful. But it’s a secondary activity to the PRIMARY work of reinventing your relationship with work (and becoming entrepreneurial). Be active, not passive.

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13. Playing “popular” entrepreneurship games

Go scour LinkedIn. Most of your “heroes” have daily posts, newsletters, and podcasts. They play the organic growth game, thinking that ALONE will unlock their dreams. But guess what? Now 100M other people are doing this too. Competition is fierce; the market is saturated. (“Crowd” behavior creates “crowd” results.) Instead, seek out atypical strategies that others are quietly succeeding with.

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14. “Family” or “responsibilities” prevents them from trying

How much is your “freedom” dream worth to you? Most people answer this way to me: “It’s priceless, Matt.” Well, you better not let your so-called constraints get in the way. In fact, use them as motivation (I do all of this for my wife and kids).

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15. Lacking mentors who’ve gone through the fire

This is why I declared war on digital courses. We need personalized help from people that can RELATE to what we’re experiencing. Escaping the Rat Race (per your success criteria) is inherently a highly-custom endeavor. Invest in mentors who can help you avoid pitfalls and accelerate you to your dream.

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All 15 of these perspectives are based on hard-earned experience (my own and my clients). Take them to heart.

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And realize: the Rat Race isn’t “out there.”

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It’s all “in here.”

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You have the keys to freedom, my friend.

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🔥 But know this: the FASTEST & most EFFECTIVE way to escape the Rat Race is to invest in the right mentor.

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Get out of your own way…and do the WORK.

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An entirely new career and life await you.​

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I hope this helps.