Every man is a damn fool for at least five minutes every day; wisdom consists in not exceeding the limit. ~Elbert Hubbard
Today I'm having one of those days when I feel like I should be doing more to realise my dreams, I should be putting more effort into my writing and my long term goals. It's hard though when sometimes I'm not sure what it is I really want.
My new job has settled into an easy and steady pattern. Gone are the days of stress and anguish, which is refreshing and has been a long time coming. Now we just play a waiting game as we wait for the Board to give final approval for the project, that's not to say we are sitting around with nothing to do. At the moment we are studiously dotting the i's and crossing the t's.
I am fighting a never ending battle with maintaining all project documentation and version control. Not too bad with only 3 of us directly linked with the project at the moment. God knows how I do it once we have 60 - 70 people in the project team. I just want us to get started.
We have a very small window for the implementation partners to finalise the Statement of Work and all the timelines and costings for the project so that we make the November Board meeting, otherwise we don't get another chance until February. It's frustrating when it's not us holding up the process.
We have monthly meetings with our 6 separate Business Councils who all represent different Business Units within our company and I am getting a marvellous opportunity to meet a wide spectrum of people. All people with diverse personalities who are fascinating to sit back and watch. It's intriguing to imagine how all of these people are going to work on top of each other over the 3 year life of the project and not have the urge to strangle each other.
This project will be the best research for a best selling novel that I could ever experience. Don't they say that the best way to discover the true nature of people is to throw them together and impose some form of stress. Well if someone else hasn't said it, I just have.
The girls from my old work sound like they have had a bad week at work according to the chattering on Facebook which is distressing for me. I guess it just makes me realise how lucky I was to get out when I did. I'll catch up with them on Sunday at a jewellery party and get the lowdown. At least they no longer have to tolerate 'Clayton'.
On the subject of Facebook, how's this for a coincidence? 3 weeks ago I read the book 'The Accidental Billionaire', I had no idea what it was about until I picked it up at the library - I was just scouting through business books etc. Next week the movie 'The Social Network' is opening at the cinemas - a movie about Mark Zuckerberg - the creator of Facebook and ironically the same story as the book I read only a couple of weeks ago, how's that for irony.
Cheers
Friday, October 29, 2010
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Mission accomplished!
We must be the change we want to see. Mahatma Gandhi
Mission accomplished! My project for my Business Management was completed at 5pm today, as promised. I have to print the additional pieces off tomorrow and assemble it in a presentation folder and its ready to go. So procrastination shot down once again. Its amazing how you avoid and avoid and then when you force yourself to do something - the relief is immense.
I have written all my goals up in my goals notebook and my action plans for the next week. As the thought goes ' baby steps' will get me there, as long as I keep moving and occasionally all my work leads to a giant step forward.
I also have plans to work on an idea I have for a website called 'Dream it, Believe it, Do it'. My basic philosophy in life and all about goal setting. Lots to do and all about finding some sort of balance.
Short entry tonight, cheers for now
Mission accomplished! My project for my Business Management was completed at 5pm today, as promised. I have to print the additional pieces off tomorrow and assemble it in a presentation folder and its ready to go. So procrastination shot down once again. Its amazing how you avoid and avoid and then when you force yourself to do something - the relief is immense.
I have written all my goals up in my goals notebook and my action plans for the next week. As the thought goes ' baby steps' will get me there, as long as I keep moving and occasionally all my work leads to a giant step forward.
I also have plans to work on an idea I have for a website called 'Dream it, Believe it, Do it'. My basic philosophy in life and all about goal setting. Lots to do and all about finding some sort of balance.
Short entry tonight, cheers for now
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Procrastination
"You must first be who you really are, then do what you need to do, in order to have what you want" Margaret Young
Why is that we do other things to avoid doing the things that we know we have to do? The definition of this 'disorder' is procrastination which refers to the counterproductive deferment of actions or tasks to a later time. We all suffer from this problem from time to time and the reason I write this is because I know that I should be finalising my project for my Management course and I am writing this blog instead.
I have been reading my books on goal setting and journalling over the last week. I went and bought myself a nice pink notebook today to track my goals and my progress (pink becuase I live in house full of mere males who wouldn't dream of touching anything pink!) One thing that I have discovered from reading these books is that I need to stop beating myself up about the regularity of my writing in my journal and I guess this blog as well.
My blog and my journal are for my benefit and should be written in when I feel comfortable not because of what is expected. I write in my journal when it is a private reflection that I am after, my blog when it's more generalised, but when I feel like doing it. They're both tools for discovering more about me and who I want to be. Letting go of the belief that 'I should be writing every day' is quite liberating.
Okay enough procrastinating for today. I will write in my new 'goals' notebook and one of those goals will be to complete my Management project by this time tomorrow night. It's not due until the 11th of November and majority of it is complete, so I'm not truly procrastinating. It just weighs on your mind when you know it should be finished so that you can focus on the next things that you should be doing.
Cheers for now
Why is that we do other things to avoid doing the things that we know we have to do? The definition of this 'disorder' is procrastination which refers to the counterproductive deferment of actions or tasks to a later time. We all suffer from this problem from time to time and the reason I write this is because I know that I should be finalising my project for my Management course and I am writing this blog instead.
I have been reading my books on goal setting and journalling over the last week. I went and bought myself a nice pink notebook today to track my goals and my progress (pink becuase I live in house full of mere males who wouldn't dream of touching anything pink!) One thing that I have discovered from reading these books is that I need to stop beating myself up about the regularity of my writing in my journal and I guess this blog as well.
My blog and my journal are for my benefit and should be written in when I feel comfortable not because of what is expected. I write in my journal when it is a private reflection that I am after, my blog when it's more generalised, but when I feel like doing it. They're both tools for discovering more about me and who I want to be. Letting go of the belief that 'I should be writing every day' is quite liberating.
Okay enough procrastinating for today. I will write in my new 'goals' notebook and one of those goals will be to complete my Management project by this time tomorrow night. It's not due until the 11th of November and majority of it is complete, so I'm not truly procrastinating. It just weighs on your mind when you know it should be finished so that you can focus on the next things that you should be doing.
Cheers for now
Friday, October 22, 2010
The Road Ahead
"If you don't know where you're going, any road will take you there" – Lewis Carroll
I am starting to map out my next 3 years in terms of goals and career progression. If the project gets board approval, we're looking at possibly 3 - 4 years. I have that time to not only soak up every piece of information I can on the project, but also that time to add to my education so that I am in the right position to take the next step up the ladder.
This project has helped provide clarity and has also confirmed what I already knew deep down. Communications is where I want to go and not Human Resources. I loved my former job but there were parts of it that I really disliked and was not comfortable with. The communications aspect and this leading into change management was the angle that I enjoyed and is definitely where my strengths and passion lie.
So having said that, I am following through on advice that I gathered from a women's networking forum the other day and investigating my next education goal. The other thing I learnt from our speaker the other day, which I know is going to be my greatest struggle, is learning to shut my mouth and just listen and absorb. Far too often I open my mouth, not that bad things or stupid things come out, but I just need to listen.
I will finalise my Diploma of Business and Certificate 4 in Project Management by the 3rd December in terms of final assessments and then in the new year I plan on starting a Certificate 4 in Communications and Media. I've done some extensive research on the type of job roles I want to aim for and the qualifications required. I considered a degree, however the cost is prohibitive when a lot of what is covered I have already covered with my Arts degree and my Management course.
As a result of the Women's Networking Forum I am a part of, my company is also offering the option of mentoring, which is something I'm thinking I should take advantage of. Why does this fill me with trepidation and discomfort? Obviously because it will force me to step outside of my comfort zone, huh and I've never had to do that before. Stepping outside the box is the only way forward, followed by planning and more planning, followed by simply doing it and not just talking about it.
Cheers for now.
I am starting to map out my next 3 years in terms of goals and career progression. If the project gets board approval, we're looking at possibly 3 - 4 years. I have that time to not only soak up every piece of information I can on the project, but also that time to add to my education so that I am in the right position to take the next step up the ladder.
This project has helped provide clarity and has also confirmed what I already knew deep down. Communications is where I want to go and not Human Resources. I loved my former job but there were parts of it that I really disliked and was not comfortable with. The communications aspect and this leading into change management was the angle that I enjoyed and is definitely where my strengths and passion lie.
So having said that, I am following through on advice that I gathered from a women's networking forum the other day and investigating my next education goal. The other thing I learnt from our speaker the other day, which I know is going to be my greatest struggle, is learning to shut my mouth and just listen and absorb. Far too often I open my mouth, not that bad things or stupid things come out, but I just need to listen.
I will finalise my Diploma of Business and Certificate 4 in Project Management by the 3rd December in terms of final assessments and then in the new year I plan on starting a Certificate 4 in Communications and Media. I've done some extensive research on the type of job roles I want to aim for and the qualifications required. I considered a degree, however the cost is prohibitive when a lot of what is covered I have already covered with my Arts degree and my Management course.
As a result of the Women's Networking Forum I am a part of, my company is also offering the option of mentoring, which is something I'm thinking I should take advantage of. Why does this fill me with trepidation and discomfort? Obviously because it will force me to step outside of my comfort zone, huh and I've never had to do that before. Stepping outside the box is the only way forward, followed by planning and more planning, followed by simply doing it and not just talking about it.
Cheers for now.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
The Karma Bug
~ Karma moves in two directions. If we act virtuously, the seed we plant will result in happiness. If we act nonvirtuously, suffering results. ~ Sakyong Mipham
The kids have been burning up our internet allowance with the XBox, so my computer is as slow as a slug today and will be for another 4 days, until the next month's allowance kicks in. Hubby has tried to ring our provider and raise our allowance only to continually be put on hold and even when they promise to return phone calls, it's to no avail. We have also considered moving to the provider that we have our mobile phones with - only they don't have the plan we want, in our area - not enough lines apparently.
I read of another example today (http://devonellington.wordpress.com/) that good things do come to those that deserve them and it got me thinking about the whole karma thing. An old boss of mine always used the term 'swings and roundabouts' which in essence meant what goes around, comes around. I used to love this saying, because I believe it's true. If you do good in the world then eventually the good will come back to you. Same said with doing bad, it comes back to bite and usually twice as hard.
I've just finished reading a book by Tom Bay, called 'Look Within or Do Without - 13 Qualities Winners all Share'. I found it easy to read and understand and it has lots of exercises for journalling. He lists four qualities he believes are integral to self-esteem; living consciously, responsibly, purposefully and with integrity. I believe these are also qualities of people worth having in your inner circle. He states:
1) People who live consciously are mindful of how their actions affect other people. e.g these disciplined people don't drink and drive.
2) People who live responsibly are accountable for their own behaviour. e.g they strive to do their personal best and could never seel shoddy merchandise.
3) People who live purposefully believe in giving 100%. e.g they are committed to excellence in whatever they do.
4) People with integrity stand behind their words and actions. e.g they follow through decisively on their promises.
What do you think?
The kids have been burning up our internet allowance with the XBox, so my computer is as slow as a slug today and will be for another 4 days, until the next month's allowance kicks in. Hubby has tried to ring our provider and raise our allowance only to continually be put on hold and even when they promise to return phone calls, it's to no avail. We have also considered moving to the provider that we have our mobile phones with - only they don't have the plan we want, in our area - not enough lines apparently.
I read of another example today (http://devonellington.wordpress.com/) that good things do come to those that deserve them and it got me thinking about the whole karma thing. An old boss of mine always used the term 'swings and roundabouts' which in essence meant what goes around, comes around. I used to love this saying, because I believe it's true. If you do good in the world then eventually the good will come back to you. Same said with doing bad, it comes back to bite and usually twice as hard.
I've just finished reading a book by Tom Bay, called 'Look Within or Do Without - 13 Qualities Winners all Share'. I found it easy to read and understand and it has lots of exercises for journalling. He lists four qualities he believes are integral to self-esteem; living consciously, responsibly, purposefully and with integrity. I believe these are also qualities of people worth having in your inner circle. He states:
1) People who live consciously are mindful of how their actions affect other people. e.g these disciplined people don't drink and drive.
2) People who live responsibly are accountable for their own behaviour. e.g they strive to do their personal best and could never seel shoddy merchandise.
3) People who live purposefully believe in giving 100%. e.g they are committed to excellence in whatever they do.
4) People with integrity stand behind their words and actions. e.g they follow through decisively on their promises.
What do you think?
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Dream Big
Goals in writing are dreams with deadlines. Brian Tracy
I must be getting old, lately I've been thinking of all the things that I want to achieve, see and do. My working life has powered ahead in the last three years, but I want so much more. I feel like I left my start so late in life. It frustrates me when my 15 year old MM messes around at school and wags classes, get it done while you're young I tell him.
I went back to school at 23 years old to complete year 12, all because I was too busy socialising in my teen years. I went to university at 30 which was when my children started school and then I took six years to complete my degree part time. Working and children took up the rest of my time. Now I find myself six weeks away from 39 years of age and I am annoyed that I took so long to get to this stage in my career.
I have been reading a lot of self improvement books lately, not that I don't read a lot of them normally, but I've been really absorbing what they say and considering where I want to be and what I want to do with my life. Yes, I've left my career run later than some but it's like a quote I read recently "The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is today" In essence, no use worrying about what I should or could have done, but get on and do it now. Better late than never as the saying goes. So what do I want to do, where do I want to be, most importantly who do I want to be?
I must be getting old, lately I've been thinking of all the things that I want to achieve, see and do. My working life has powered ahead in the last three years, but I want so much more. I feel like I left my start so late in life. It frustrates me when my 15 year old MM messes around at school and wags classes, get it done while you're young I tell him.
I went back to school at 23 years old to complete year 12, all because I was too busy socialising in my teen years. I went to university at 30 which was when my children started school and then I took six years to complete my degree part time. Working and children took up the rest of my time. Now I find myself six weeks away from 39 years of age and I am annoyed that I took so long to get to this stage in my career.
I have been reading a lot of self improvement books lately, not that I don't read a lot of them normally, but I've been really absorbing what they say and considering where I want to be and what I want to do with my life. Yes, I've left my career run later than some but it's like a quote I read recently "The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is today" In essence, no use worrying about what I should or could have done, but get on and do it now. Better late than never as the saying goes. So what do I want to do, where do I want to be, most importantly who do I want to be?
I've pulled my journal out of hiding as well, I haven't written in it since we went to Bali in May. I need to be writing my goals and dreams down again and tracking my progress. Things have been a little crazy since we got back from Bali, what with all the carry on and stress at work. I'm not making excuses, co's I know I'm to blame. I guess that life goals are a bit like a project, you've got to have contingency plans for when life gets off track, because it's a given that there is never going to be a perfect time to achieve our goals - if I wait for a perfect time then I will never do anything.
Very deep and philosophical tonight aren't I? As you can tell, I've been doing some serious thinking. Now I just have to create a plan for how I'm going to do all these things that I want to achieve, and ensure that I have a contingency plan as back up. Wish me luck
Cheers
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