We are decorating, and therefore deciding what to do with the house. The only decision of merit, is to give more of our old hoarded trinkets away and live simply.
We realised we were very happy with our lot, and so it begins. Charity shops and freecycle groups be warned, we are about to unload!
Whilst at University, I meditated daily. In fact, for six straight years, I went through a ritual every night, of clearing my mind and meditating for about 40 minutes to an hour. It helped, it really did. Even if I got home at 1am after a night out, I spent 40 mins in deep meditation.
Then came the middle period of my career. And for the next 8 years I went through the motions of ladders, knowledge grab, long long hours and no exercise. Many times I worked six days a week. Many times I worked over 24 hours non stop!
And now I am suffering for the lack of mental clarity. For the past 12-14 months I have undergone more physical injury and trauma than ever before in my life. Yet here I am, more affluent and loved than ever. So what’s wrong?
I conclude, rightly or wrongly, it starts in my mind. I am not clearing the madness, the noise, the stress, the fear away from my thought process. As a result I lose balance, strength, thinking and end up in/out of the doctors due to years of neglect.
Trying to break the cycle, I went for a run on my birthday. Then for a few days thereafter – with January doing really well. A woeful 9 minute mile though. Not great for a first time half-marathoner that did it in 1.47 – solid 8 mins per mile without fail. Since then – I’ve scraped my skin off in a football accident, I’ve gained concussion in a freak bang of my head, and now I’ve a torn calf. I’ve missed my Ninjutsu training for about 9 months now.
So in a desparate attempt to get back in control – I turn against my own mind. Its me against the voices in my head. So from now, this wise owl is turning back the clock. Forty minutes every night – without fail. Let us see what benefit that brings.
The usual dilemma of how to get things done when there is chaos around, both at work and home. Many systems exist, and at present am getting back to using the simple GTD system. However that relies on blocks of ‘doing’ time, when @computer, @desk, @phone etc.
My issue remains the fact that work is entirely unstructured, and people, well frankly people these days are not willing to commit to anything that has even an iota of risk. Due to the current economic climate we are living in a risk-averse world, and yet there are persons like me that are insisting that greatness comes from the edge-of-chaos, where risk must be calculated and taken.
Fail fast, is a motto I learnt at a firm I worked at – notably it was a West Coast firm. The question is, how do the West Cost professionals, get things done these days? Inbox Zero? Use of Alpine? Love to hear your thoughts…
PS yes I know the valley is built on boom-and-bust, but thats where the edge-of-chaos is, variety and the chance of survival increases.
Weekly musings from a confused mind. This blog, and all posts within it, are just ramblings. They are in no way affiliated with any past, current or future employers. Neither do they represent my deep felt views, or those of my friends or family. Seriously, enjoy life, ignore this blog, and views within it.