The typical newbie is…well…new, for lack of a better description. They are generally young and very impressionable. You can spot a newbie quickly, as they have an alertness (bordering on nervousness) about them. They are almost too eager to please, and will agree with almost everything.

A “new-hire,” as they are referred to in our company, is someone who is fresh out of the company’s new-hire workshop. This is a one-week session where new employees must be “oriented” to fit the company’s model. Brainwashing is a better description. This is the beginning of the end for many young people. Individuality, creative thinking, and many freedoms are sidelined as the company rhetoric is pumped up full volume to the somewhat naive participants. The newbie doesn’t stand a chance.

A week later, fully primed with a weeks worth of propaganda, the new-hire reports to work. Most will still have a child-like innocence and are very impressionable and eager to please. That’s why the newbie is usually taken under someone’s wing (a manager, normally) to be molded into the perfect employee. Once this happens, that person will never be the same. They will settle in as a small cog in a large wheel – never knowing what happened to their freedom and individuality.

Most of the office staff will have a standoffish attitude towards the new employee. I don’t know why that is, but I’ve seen it many times over the years. Is it that the more senior workers feel threatened by the enthusiastic newbie? My guess is, yes. Well, that, and the fact that they feel the new employee must earn a bit of recognition first. Office snobbery, I like to call it.

Personally, I am friendly with all new employees. I like to treat them decently, as I can remember walking into a strange office eighteen years ago, and feeling resentment and indifference from most of the people.

Once introduced, I smile and give them a friendly handshake, welcoming them to the “team.” In fact, I feel sorry for our new members. They are being blindsided and don’t even realize it. I still stand there, smile, and go on about how great the company is and how they have made a good choice. Man, talk about hypocritical – but what else can I say? I’m tempted to tell them to run and never look back, but that wouldn’t be conducive to a good teamwork environment. F**k, I hate this place.

This person will feel fortunate to have landed such a great opportunity. Little do they realize they have started down the path of the wage-slave. In the coming years they will bid for promotions, make more money, buy a house, and start a family. They will start paying bills and taxes. They will have an insatiable appetite for the latest consumer junk, and will work so much harder to obtain them. They will maintain an equilibrium of wages versus expenses. The more they make, the more they will spend. They will do this because that is simply the goal set by society. They will allow their careers to define who they are as a person. In short, they will be caught up in the rat race.

Three weeks into the “program”, and I really must say, that this sucks – a lot.

I’m miserable because I’m denying myself the simple pleasures I’m used to. What’s that old saying? “My stomach thinks my throat is cut.” I think I’m going through withdrawals, not unlike a drug addict going cold turkey. I really miss the way I used to eat. It was pleasurable.

Is it any wonder that most diets are short-lived, or fail completely? It really is a lifestyle change. You must think long-term lifestyle change.

I’ve been sticking to my self-imposed misery, though. As I mentioned before, it’s just common sense; I simply stay away from fat, sugar, salt and white bread. I try to eat lots of vegetables, fruit, grains, and drink tons of water.

Exercise still consists of walking. I’m increasing the distance every day (up to about one mile on some days). The key here is routine. I don’t miss a day.

To keep on the positive side, I constantly remind myself that it’s for the best in the long run. Adding extra years to your life is always a good thing.

I have a confession. I walked by an outdoor patio the other day and I happened to glance over towards the bar. Sitting on the end, was this full pint of Boddingtons (cold, with just a bit of foam spilling over the rim of the glass). It had been freshly poured, and I guess the bartender was just waiting for the beer to settle.

As I was walking by, I had this uncontrollable urge to grab the beer and just down it, non-stop. Nothing, at that point in time, would have been more refreshing. *mental note: must treat self to ONE beer after work today, to maintain sanity.* I haven’t consumed any alcohol in three weeks, so this should be interesting.

The only ray of hope is that I might be losing a bit of weight, although it’s such a small amount, I can’t be sure. I could have sworn, however, that my belt is a little looser than it used to be. Could there be hope?

Many months ago I had one dominating thought – by the way, this was prior to my bid to change my life. The question that kept nagging me, day in and day out was: What do I really want out of life?

It’s such a simply worded question, yet so meaningful in many ways. “What do I want out of life?” For once, I carefully considered this. It’s funny how, up until now, a question like that was so superficial. Years ago my answer would have been something like, more money, a high status career, and in general, a higher standard of living.

Well, I don’t know if it’s a sign of maturity, but nowadays, things like freedom and leisure time seem much more attractive. As an example, years ago, I would volunteer for as much overtime as possible. It seemed that making more money was the key to success and therefore happiness. These days, time is infinitely more important. I only work overtime when requested by the boss (and even then, I turn it down whenever possible).

Yes, I certainly value my free time these days. Besides, the government tax on overtime is horrendous.

Ok, so back to the question. Well, I would have to say that what I really want is the ability to choose. I would like more choices. I would like more freedom. Currently, I have no choices. I have worked my way into such a tight corner that I feel I can’t move.

My expenses pretty much equal my pay. I don’t have any money left over at the end of the month. If I had no debt, there would be a chance to save a little, but that’s not the case.

Being in this predicament means that I need every last cent, just to survive. I can’t have any interruption in pay without feeling the effects financially. I am literally two months from living on the street. I hate this situation; it’s very stressful.

The solution? Reduce my expenses – simple, yet effective. Cutting back my expenses will give me breathing room. It will eventually give me more choices and lower my stress level. I don’t believe it’s healthy to be operating at 110% all the time.

Going to work knowing that I’m banking a good portion of my money will be refreshing. Working, knowing that I don’t owe a cent, will seem much less stressful. It’s really a mind-set.

Yes, what I want is to have choices. To work at something I enjoy because I want to, not because I have to. To have choices when it comes to my work and leisure time. To be my own person and make decisions for myself and not the corporation. To reap the benefits of my own talents and hard work. To come and go as I please, when I please.

I’ve spent the last 20 years as a virtual slave to the system. I won’t allow myself to spend the next 20 in the same situation.

How do I plan on implementing this? I’m not sure yet – possibly a small business, a job that I actually enjoy, or maybe just a combination of living off my investments and a part-time job. Once I slash my expenses, the possibilities are endless. Oh, and so are the choices.