It's not a lot, but it's enough

Hey everyone,

I'm sat at home listening to a Ted Talk and its a very interesting one titled "How To Gain Control Of Your Free Time". She starts by telling a story of a woman who had 6 kids on her own and a full time job and she didn't have any spare time. Until there was a leak in her bathroom and over the course of a week she had spent 7 hours in trying to solve this leak. The point of the story? You can find time for those things which are important.

She then gave an example of how to find out what should be important to you by imagining you're having an end of year work review this time next year and 2017 was the most successful in your career so far - what things would be said at that meeting? What 3 things did you do to make it the best year possible?

Lastly she used the example of the traditional letter that is usually sent around Christmas time to distant friends and family which updates them on what's happened since the last time they spoke (probably a year ago). Imagine writing your letter in December of 2017 - what things would be said in that letter? What are the 3 main things you got up to in that year?

Using the above, she suggests writing 3 headings; work, relationships and self, and then filling those with what you want to say by the end of next year and then fill them out further with smaller steps to achieve them. I like that idea. The imagery has struck a chord with me. I'll do some thinking and put something together on here and we'll see where I am in a years time.

Might be a good idea actually louby. I'll put some more meat on the bones and I might just do that

All about priorities Joey, I agree. You certainly sound like you're keeping busy anyway!

It's been a busy and spendy few days. Works Christmas night out on Tuesday which was technically a free night however, my card was used as a tab to be claimed back on expenses. £103 I won't see until January. Didn't think that one through well enough, I'll blame the red wine.

My finger has been off the pulse the last couple of days with my spends. Nothing crazy, I simply mean I've not been recording them on YNAB. So I'm going to try and go for a few NSD's in the build up to Xmas in order to catch up on my statements etc.

I've done some thinking and I think I need to invest in some clothes. I've got shirts that are too small and I don't really have a formal jacket, which is needed as I wear smart clothes to work. Again though, it's the cost. I anticipate I'll get some money for Xmas although the plan was to fire it all into the savings account, I might keep some aside for the sales.

Not got much planned for the next week or so, so I should manage to chill and collect a few NSD's.

Good morning,

Back into a routine today as I’ve returned to work. The place is dead, hardly anyone in the office and I don’t think I touched the brakes on the journey in here either!

Need to get the head down and organise my finances in advance of the new year. Reluctant to start a fresh with YNAB so I’ll abstain from spending for a few days to allow my bank statement to catch up and then check the two are matching. In saying that, tomorrow I have my standing orders coming out for savings which will total £550, a new record.

I was fortunate to be given some money from santa and I decided to buy some much needed things in the sales (online to avoid the queues). The rest has been allocated for future spends. Felt slightly guilty and not just putting it all into savings straight away however as I said, I did NEED some new underwear, socks and shirts for work and if there’s a time of the year I’m allowed to treat myself it should be at Christmas, or more specifically, in the Boxing Day sales.

Today I have a meeting with my boss to discuss my own personal career goals for 2017. He’ll feel grateful for me asking for his thoughts on it, so I’ll get some brownie points, and I’ll also get a better indication as to what he’s looking for me to achieve in the coming year without it being something which he can hold me to as I already have separate targets that I am getting judged against. It’s a win win for me. By the end of today, I should have a clear list of my goals for 2017 and the steps needed to achieve each. I’ll post them up here so I am accountable however on top of that, I’ll print it off and have it next to my mirror so I see it every morning.

I’ve been warned today will be a quiet one in work, what with most people still of work, but as always I’ll keep myself busy and productive. I’ll pop back either tonight or tomorrow.

Happy Thursday.