It’s 7.30 in the morning, your alarm clock wakes you from your slumber, and you wearily climb out of your bed and into your usual routine. You shower, you eat breakfast, you give the dog a quick walk around the block, and you then get into your car.

For 30 minutes or so, you struggle with the daily commute, narrowly avoiding those cyclists who tend to get in your way, and contending with those other car users who are as fed up about the prospect of work as you are. A few beeped horns, angry scowls, and raised fists later; you arrive at work to begin your day. With a hefty sigh, you resign yourself to your daily to-do list and buckle down to the work that is before you.

After what seems like forever, the hands on the clock finally hit 5.00, and you are finally allowed to leave the rigors of your job. Getting back in your car, you hit the roads again, battle the rush hour traffic, and finally arrive home. Again, you walk the dog. You eat dinner. You watch a  bit of TV. And then, weary after your busy day, you fall into your bed and dream of a better life, a life that isn’t such a strain on your sanity and stress levels. These happy thoughts are then rudely interrupted by your blasted alarm clock, and that 9 to 5 grind starts again. Bah!

Sound familiar?

If you’re forever stuck on a treadmill that is giving you nothing but stress and negative feelings, then perhaps it’s time you stepped off it. But how? What can you do to escape the 9 to 5 grind that you are currently dealing with? Well, here are just a few suggestions that we hope will be useful to you.

#1: You Could Start Your Own Business

Now, starting your own business isn’t necessarily easy. And there will be days when you might work longer hours than you do at the moment. However, you will have the opportunity to work from home, so you needn’t suffer that dreaded daily commute. You will also have the opportunity to start a business that is more closely affiliated to your personal passions, so despite the hard work you will have to put in, you might actually enjoy the tasks that befit your working day. And because you will be your own boss, you will have the flexibility to shape your own working hours, and if you work hard enough, perhaps have the opportunity to have extra days off too.

So, if you have ever considered starting your own business, read our linked tips, and think about the possibilities ahead of you.

#2: You Could Look for Investment Opportunities

With the right investment, you might not have to work at all if you start to become rich from your endeavors. You would then have more time for yourself and your personal interests, instead of slaving away in a job that you may or may not hate.

An obvious way to make money is to invest on the stock market. Of course, there are risks here, as you could just as easily lose money too. Still, by starting small, and by learning more about the stock market, you might be able to reduce the risks of any financial losses.

Or what about real estate? You could buy a fixer-upper, renovate it, and then sell the property you buy for much more than what you bought it for in the first place. Alternatively, you could rent your property out to others, and then live off the income.

You could invest in land too. Should you buy a piece of land in a much sought after area, you could rent it out to local community groups, or lease it out to local telecommunications companies, and make money from cell phone tower rent.

We have loads of articles on investing on our website, so read what we have to say, and then consider the investment opportunities that you are interested in. As we said, if you make enough money, you will never have to work again. You will be able to relegate your alarm clock to the bin as well!

#3: Consider a Change of Job or Career

If you are stuck in a job that holds very little purpose for you, then it’s understandable that the 9 to 5 grind will get you down eventually. So, if you resent getting up each morning, and if the work you are doing offers you no satisfaction, then get out of there at your earliest opportunity.

The first thing you need to do is consider the type of job you might enjoy. It could be something affiliated to one of your hobbies, and it could be something that you once considered before your life took a turn in the wrong direction. So, search deep within yourself and ask yourself what you want from your career. If you need to go back to school to gain more qualifications, and if you need to start on the bottom of a career ladder again, then so be it. At least you will be in a job that will grant you more personal rewards.

The second thing to do is consider a job that is outside of the 9 to 5 grind. So, you might be able to find a job that has more telecommuting possibilities than your current role, as you will then have the freedom to work from home. Alternatively, you might want to look for a job with more flexible hours, or that is part-time instead of full-time if you can afford to make the transition.

We know leaving a job can be risky, and we know that it isn’t as straightforward as simply handing in your own notice and waving a less than fond farewell to your boss, but if you are in a rut, you should start to create an action plan to help you make a successful career change. You will one day be happier if you do.

#4: Speak to Your Boss

Of course, you might be happy in your job. However, if the hours are getting you down, and if you are missing out on a healthy work-life balance, it might be that you can ask your boss to let you telecommute. Using the suggestions in the linked article, he or she might be open to the idea, so don’t be afraid to arrange that all-important meeting with them. If they agree, you will have the option of working from home, and you will have the added benefit of saying goodbye to your daily slog of a commute to and from work.

If telecommuting isn’t an option, your boss might be able to arrange a more flexible working week. So, rather than working eight hours a day, five days a week, you could work four ten-hour days instead and have an extra day off each week, for example. Sure, you will have to contend with those longer days, but that free time you will get in between might make the change in hours more than worth it.

Finally

So, don’t put up with the 9 to 5 grind forever. If any of our suggestions appealed to you, start to put into action a plan to lift you from your drudgery. You will become happier if you do, and you will no longer feel like that hamster forever spinning around on a hamster wheel, and you will no longer feel like a fitness fanatic who is forever walking miles on a treadmill.

We wish you success and happiness, whatever you decide to do!