Poverty by design

Xavier Savage
Jun 8
4 min read

Updated: Jun 10

How You Were Trained to Be a Poor and Obedient Rat – According to Robert Kiyosaki

Have you ever felt like you're on a hamster wheel, working hard but never truly getting ahead? Robert Kiyosaki, author of Rich Dad Poor Dad, argues that this feeling isn't accidental. In fact, he posits that society, through various systems, actively trains us to be financially dependent and obedient – much like a rat in a maze.

This isn't some conspiracy theory; it's a dissection of the ingrained mechanisms that shape our perceptions of work, money, and success. As Xavier Savage from DXTheTrainer, I'm here to break down Kiyosaki's key points and, more importantly, provide you with a DX strategy to dismantle this "training matrix."

1. The Training Matrix: Compliance Over Curiosity

Kiyosaki points out that our traditional education system often prioritizes obedience over autonomy. Think about it:

Schools focus on obedience, not autonomy. Raise your hand to speak, follow instructions to the letter, and fit within the standardized curriculum. Individuality and independent thinking are often stifled.
Standardized testing enforces compliance, not curiosity. Success is measured by the ability to regurgitate information, not by the ability to question, innovate, or solve real-world problems creatively.

The result: Graduates often enter the workforce seeking the security of a paycheck rather than pursuing their passions or building something of their own. They've been trained to follow the manual.

DX Framework: This aligns with the Hero’s Journey. To achieve true financial freedom and personal fulfillment, you must be willing to break free from the "known world" of societal expectations and forge your own path.

Self-Reflection Question: Where in your life are you still following someone else's manual instead of writing your own rules?

2. The Rat Race Trap: Endurance Over Creation

The traditional employment structure, according to Kiyosaki, often traps us in a "rat race":

Work quotas teach endurance, not creation. The focus is on putting in the hours and meeting targets, often at the expense of innovation and personal growth beyond the job description.
Paychecks become lifelines, not tools. We become reliant on a regular income, which can limit our ability to take risks, pursue entrepreneurial ventures, or invest in assets that could provide true financial leverage.
Career paths often reward staying “in lane,” not forging new ones. Deviating from the established corporate ladder can be discouraged, hindering those with a desire to create and lead on their own terms.

DX Framework: Kiyosaki's Cash Flow Quadrant is crucial here:

E = Employee: Trades time for money.
S = Self-employed: Owns a job and is often heavily reliant on their own efforts.
B = Business owner: Creates and manages systems that work for them.
I = Investor: Makes money work for them through investments.

True liberation begins when you consciously shift from the E (Employee) and S (Self-employed) quadrants to the B (Business owner) and I (Investor) quadrants.

Self-Reflection Question: Have you actively mapped out your strategy for a quadrant shift, or are you still just running in the same direction hoping for a different outcome?

3. The Wealth Reframe: Leverage Over Labor

Kiyosaki emphasizes a fundamental shift in how we view money and wealth:

Financial literacy is not optional. Understanding how money works, how assets are built, and how investments grow is essential for breaking free from financial dependence.
Money isn’t just salary—it's leverage. Your income from a job is limited by your time. True wealth is built by leveraging your money to acquire assets.
Building assets (businesses, investments, real estate) beats trading hours. Assets generate passive income and appreciate in value, providing a path to financial freedom that simply working for a wage cannot offer.

DX Framework: The core distinction lies between an Asset and a Liability. An asset puts money in your pocket, while a liability takes money out.

Ask Yourself: Does this expense generate future income or increase my net worth (asset)? Or am I simply consuming and feeding the training matrix (liability)?

4. The Path to Sovereignty: Unlearning and Building

Breaking free from this ingrained training requires conscious effort:

It begins with unlearning. Challenge one belief about money, work, or success each week. Question the status quo and seek alternative perspectives.
Mentors matter—find people who’ve walked your desired path. Learn from those who have successfully transitioned to the B and I quadrants. Their experience and guidance are invaluable.
Entrepreneurship isn’t chaos—it’s a systems game. Building a successful business involves creating scalable and efficient systems that can operate independently of your direct involvement.

DX Framework: This resonates with the Inertia Over Inspiration philosophy. Momentum, built through consistent daily action, is far more powerful than fleeting moments of motivation.

Tactical Next Steps:

Audit a month of your time. What activities are truly earning you money or building assets? What is draining your resources and keeping you stuck?
Identify one skill that will directly move you toward the B or I quadrant. This could be sales, marketing, financial analysis, or building a specific business model.
Calendar one dedicated weekly block for self-education. Listen to relevant podcasts, read books on finance and entrepreneurship, or take online courses that expand your knowledge.

Self-Reflective Questions:

Which system (education, employment, cultural norms) has most convinced you to stay silent, compliant, and comfortable in your current financial situation?
What small act of rebellion against this training can you schedule for yourself this week? This could be researching a new investment strategy, reaching out to a potential mentor, or brainstorming business ideas.
Who in your real-world network embodies the "Rich Dad" mentality – someone who understands wealth building and financial leverage? How can you learn more from them?

Kiyosaki's message is clear: the training is intentional. Breaking free from the rat race and achieving financial sovereignty requires conscious resistance and a commitment to unlearning and building new habits.

Remember, Xavier Savage from DXTheTrainer believes you are not a rat destined for obedience. You possess the potential to be the architect of your own wealth, your own mindset, and your own destiny. It's time to step out of the maze and build your empire.

– Xavier Savage, DXTheTrainer.com