Joe Barnes is author of the critically acclaimed book Escape the System and the creator of the Screw the System website.
His story begins in the year 2000 as an undergraduate studying for a Political Science degree. It was at this point, he realised he was done playing The System’s game.
“Study hard at school so that you can get into university”
“Get the best degree possible so you can get a good job”
“Work every hour under the sun to get promotion”
“In the meantime, get married and have kids. Doesn’t matter who with, just don’t be on your own”
“Then work towards your retirement. Earn enough money so that you can see out your last, burnt out years in comfort”
“Die”
This was the path that lay before him. His parents approved it, teachers promoted it, peers followed it and the media reinforced it. Problem was, he hated it. Where was the adventure? Where was the romance? Quite frankly, where was the life?
Deciding he’d rather be dead than follow this path, he realised he had nothing to lose. He had dreams, so why not follow them?
What happened next was a journey that saw him become a tennis coach, hypnotherapist and NLP practitioner and author. He’s taught children who’ve gone on to play national level tennis, helped people stop smoking, lose weight, overcome insomnia and build confidence. Finally, and his greatest achievement, he’s helped people realise they don’t have to stay trapped in The System and, instead, can live the life they want, through his writing, speaking and videos.
It’s been an incredible journey, but as with every great adventure, there have been set-backs. He’s overcome depression, self-doubt and moments where he’s questioned his entire purpose and being. At times, he thought he’d have to return to The System’s path but in these moments, three lines from George Bernard Shaw always gave faith and strength,
“The reasonable man adapts himself to the world;
The unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself.
Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man.”
Related Posts
Tommy Breedlove’s Purpose is to Empower Humans to Build and Live a Legendary Life /Ep2774Tommy Breedlove is a Wall Street Journal & USA Today bestselling author and Atlanta-based business, relationship, and mindset coach who is a regular featured keynote speaker at global events. Tommy started his 20-year corporate career at one of the largest financial
Read MoreYvonne Garris- Yvonne Garris lost most of her sight due to an unexpected illness. Within 3 months she went from having 20/20 vision to having 20/10,000 and sees no color. She compares how she sees like looking through wax paper. Yvonne Garris has developed a passion to help the newly disabled person realize that their
Read MorePatrick Fitzgibbons- Patrick Fitzgibbons is a veteran police officer with approximately 20 years of experience in a variety of roles. He currently works in an administrative capacity in his current department. Patrick holds an MBA in business and MA in organizational leadership and is a lifelong learner. Patrick is a professor of higher education and
Read MoreHans Finzel- Hans Finzel is a husband, father and grandfather. He is also a successful author, podcaster, leadership mentor and trusted authority in the field of leadership. Hans has a passion to help leaders take their leadership to the next level. “Leaders make things happen. When leaders are leading all out, great things take place!”
Read MoreMelissa Smith- Melissa Smith : Four years ago my husband committed suicide and the last three years have been all about rebuilding. First, I decided I needed to get back to me so I moved back home from Georgia to California and spent a year blogging through a book. It was fantastic. During this time
Read MoreAbout Kelly CalkinsKelly Calkins, founder of WellnessWarriors.Care, is a Board Certified Holistic Nutritionist® and Divinely Led Healer who has overcome her own battle with six autoimmune diseases. Now, she helps others find whole-self wellness through a unique and comprehensive approach that combines holistic nutrition, emotion release,… …NLP, comprehensive testing, and organ mapping to uncover root dysfunctions
Read MoreBonnie Groessl-Bonnie Groessl, MSN, is a holistic nurse practitioner, best-selling author, international podcaster and success coach. She is recognized as an expert in helping people attain their goals by focusing on clarity, mindset and identifying the most effective ways to achieve desired outcomes. Bonnie works with holistic-minded individuals to become successful entrepreneurs by creating a comprehensive online presence that reaches people around the world.
Read MoreJill McCulloch – Jill McCulloch has combined over twelve years of coaching business owners with over thirty years of business acumen, marketing experience and qualification to support high potential individuals in defining and projecting their personal brand. By taking their brand fully into their business they gain clarity in direction and decision making which brings
Read MoreAbout Lila VeronicaAs a Speaker, Coach and CEO of The Riverstone Movement School, Lila Veronica helps high-performers, business owners & organizational leaders get out of pain and feel good so they can have a bigger impact in the world, without feeling stressed or burnt out… …Lila has taught mind-body practices for over 25 years and
Read MorePrevious Episode 517 Jason Allan Scott: I am an award-winning Entrepreneur, Podcaster, and Bestselling Author. Various media and social media platforms including Amazon have called me a top influencer on the web, Double Dutch said I am one of the most influential Event Professionals in the world as did Eventbrite. I was recognized as a top
Read MoreAllan Neil- Allan Neil is a Product Management expert based in the Toronto area and host of the podcast Ready Product Radio. Product Management is his “ikigai” – his passion, profession and vocation. When not podcasting Allan enjoys spending quality time with his wife and two adult children. Oh, and he is a determined slow-progressing
Read MoreCindy Zu- Cindy Zu is an Ex-Wall Street investment banker turned Seattle AI techie. She is a Chief Strategist and Biz Dev expert with deep industry connections and proven track record. Cindy is an aspiring CEO with a passion for all things strategy, management, and culture. Her entire career has been to add to her
Read More