Getting Off the Planation

Getting Off The Plantation

Are you sick and tired of being sick and tired? Tired of just having enough money to get by on, to pay your bills with, or to have some sort of social life while trying to be happy. Well, in this issue we will discuss the possibility of you, the employee, getting off the Master’s Plantation and becoming free. This will lead to mental, physical, material and spiritual prosperity. When I say get off the plantation I mean becoming your own boss or being in control of your life in such a way that you really only answer to yourself. So many of us are walking around with no plan or direction. This leads to stress, depression and unhealthy lifestyles that affect us in so many ways. Jawar of The Music Industry Connection states, "YOU MUST HAVE A PLAN AND THEN EXECUTE THE PLAN IN ORDER TO ARRIVE AT THE GOAL." How many of you have a plan to survive if you were to receive a Pink Slip today with no warning? I am sure it would not be too many. This just happened to me about a month ago. For those of you who know me, you know what I am talking about!!!! By the good graces of God I had money stashed away and was able to continue my normal lifestyle so that I did not fall by the way side. The first thing that one must understand is that a J.O.B really means Just Over Broke. If you are like so many black folks you are just living pay check to pay check. I am going to give you some suggestions that you may use to advance and begin to create small steps toward getting off the plantation. In no way am I a licensed professional, but through my experiences I have been able to learn some things that may help others who seek and desire the knowledge that will allow you to get the chains off your hands and feet.


Step 1 1. Create a nest egg while at the job three times your monthly income. For example, if you make 3,000 a month and you bring home 2,500, after taxes, then you want to have 7,500 dollars stashed away. That way if you were to lose your job then you could still maintain your lifestyle while you position yourself to get back on your feet. If saving is a problem because of your current situation or income, then begin to by taking small amounts out your pay check (example $50.00 a paycheck) and put it to the side so that you can begin to grow a small nest egg. Another way is to work on your credit so that you can have access to capital if needed. You should have at least a 5,000 to 10,000 credit limit option so that you can maintain a comfortable lifestyle and not go homeless. Just keep in mind that you have to pay back the money you borrow from the credit card, so its best to try to save 3 times the monthly income. Step 2. After completing step 1, then begin to setup weekly goals that you can reach at the end of each week. After setting up weekly goals, then move on to monthly goals, and then start long term planning 3 to 6 months out. These small steps will help you see where you came from and where you are going so that you can begin to gradually remove yourself from the Rat Race. Step 3 Finally, there is something called Application. John Dewey stated, "That ONE Must learn by doing for he thinks he knows but doesn't until he tries!" You have to be willing to fail in order to succeed. How many times did Micheal Jordan miss the last second shot? It was probably more than you care to remember. The point is that the reason we can remember the ones he made is because he was willing to try to hit the last shot. These are just a few suggestions that can get you started on a road to getting your life back while you achieve some small level of success for yourself. I will discuss some things in more detail in the next issue of “Planning and Freeing Yourself From The Rat Race.” Also, when your boss starts tripping on you, instead of you bitchen you can look him/her in their eyes and say loud and proud KISS MY ASSSS!!! (NOW THAT IS FUNNY). Just remember to work the plan. Corporations plan out five to ten years of what they are going to do, so why can't you?


In the next issue we will expound further on the topic of getting off the plantation.