Follow the Yellow Brick Road 2023

SandyShores

Thanks debtfreeoneday.  I rested up today (which seems odd after such a relaxing christmas) but I must have needed it as I feel almost back to normal tonight.  Fingers crossed for a good nights sleep.  Next year I have to prioritise my health and put work in its 'box'.  When I step away I wonder why I get so wound up about it, but its all to do with the style of management which is rushing from one thing to the next/panic mode.  I get caught up in it, but need to step back - easier said than done - and I have a lot of tools and techniques people have share so I have to put it into practice now.

savingholmes

Too many organisations are fire fighting these days. 

Hope you are relaxing now. Very impressive OP to end the year on - and great future plans too.

SandyShores

Thanks savingholmes - relaxing, but have now pulled something in my side (I think), so the relaxation isn't as comfortable as I'd like.  I agree though that everywhere there are staff cuts, but not workload cuts - this isn't great when you are a bit of a perfectionist.  So I will be working on this in the new year e.g. this.  I also need to work at saying no, and not feeling so responsible for everything that isn't my responsibility this should help.  I know the theories, now 2024 is to put them into action.

1. Physical Health / Fitness - make sure this is visibly prioritised
2. Family / healthy work-life balance - see above
2. Environment e.g. decluttering and decorating
4. Financial - 2024 is time to focus on the mortgage
5. Career and Learning - plan in place, just need to put this into action
6. Creativity - art, sewing, knitting etc.
7. Spiritual / Personal Growth / Inner Peace - reached by 1 - 6

KajiKita

Thanks for sharing the ‘good enough’ link. I struggle with perfectionism too, but in my case it leads to procrastination as I don’t know how to start to do it perfectly…..
I am trying to live by a saying that one friend’s mother used: “Sometimes it’s worth doing a job badly.” 😊

KK

FlacosFloozie

I'm another perfectionist procrastinator and its something I really want to improve. Thanks for the link Sandy- really useful reading.

savingholmes

KajiKita said:

Thanks for sharing the ‘good enough’ link. I struggle with perfectionism too, but in my case it leads to procrastination as I don’t know how to start to do it perfectly…..
I am trying to live by a saying that one friend’s mother used: “Sometimes it’s worth doing a job badly.” 😊

KK

I live that saying - that plus 'don't build a rolls royce where a mini will do'

KajiKita

savingholmes said:

KajiKita said:

Thanks for sharing the ‘good enough’ link. I struggle with perfectionism too, but in my case it leads to procrastination as I don’t know how to start to do it perfectly…..
I am trying to live by a saying that one friend’s mother used: “Sometimes it’s worth doing a job badly.” 😊

KK

I live that saying - that plus 'don't build a rolls royce where a mini will do'

Good one 😊

KK

SandyShores

Glad it was useful and its good to know I'm not alone.  I just found this article too - good tips that I'll use when speaking to our Senior Manager about expectations.  Also good reminder re. the Pomodoro technique if you are struggling to get started.

KajiKita

SandyShores said:

Glad it was useful and it’s good to know I'm not alone.  I just found this article too - good tips that I'll use when speaking to our Senior Manager about expectations.  Also good reminder re. the Pomodoro technique if you are struggling to get started.

That’s another really useful article. I have sorted my work heap into priorities, but actually consciously giving some tasks less effort (good enough effort) could be really interesting to try. 

I absolutely LOVE her shut down ritual to help her switch focus at the end of the day - I am SO going to do that! 🤩

Thank you for sharing 👏❤️😊

KK 

SandyShores

At the start of last year I was talking about doing too much at work and how I was going to put a stop to that.  It started out well but the year ended back in the same position - I'm determined to work on that more this year.  Good news on the fitness front though, as last year I had a bit of an injury and put on about 7lbs, but this year I took them off and haven't put them back on.  So I can start the new year with a resolution to lose a bit more.  It doesn't feel like I've achieved any huge things, but I've looked back over the year and I've definitely made progress.  2024 will have more focus on the enjoyable things in life (as well as my list of seven aims from my earlier posts).

Just a few of the things I'm pleased to have done in 2023:
We gave the front garden a make-over ourselves which was heavy going (and cost £650) but was cheaper than having someone in (as MrShores wanted) and turned out great.
We continued work in the rear garden, new plants, a new shelter - all the big things (£ss) done now.
Bought a new sewing machine - something I've wanted to do for a long time and finished a knitting project - woohoo
Attended a couple of weddings - getting outfits and travel sorted was an achievement for me
Purchased a blind for one window - its the deciding that takes the effort
Finally switched mobile provider and cut costs by three-quarters
Decluttered my wardrobe
Running and exercising went well - including running several races and losing that weight/keeping it off
Got through a stressful period at work and kept it together (more or less).
Had £300 PB wins, and a £100 bonus payment from NW
Reviewed my work/salary then asked for and ended up with a lovely one off bonus.

At the end of 2024 I'd like to be able to say I've:
Planned more meet ups with friends and family - near, far and wide
Used the sewing machine and started lots of those purchased crafts
Made another three blinds and bought two sets of curtains
Achieved more at running and had a regular weights session
Got to a place of 51% equity.
Read lots of the books I've bought
Done a few of those social activities I keep on about - crafts, driving, climbing.
Bought as little as possible but sold a lot of stuff on V1nted
Reduced the number of trips to the supermarkets e.g. sorted a monthly Asda c&c (rather than weekly)
Continued shaping the garden incl. veg plot (raspberries/salad are okay in shade).
Replaced a shelf unit in the garage with another set of hooks.
Made a decision on taking one of my pensions e.g. larger lum sum vs larger pension
Got a less stressful job
Won £1m on the PBs (well you can hope).

All within my seven goals:
1. Physical Health / Fitness - make sure this is visibly prioritised
2. Family / healthy work-life balance - see above
2. Environment e.g. decluttering and decorating
4. Financial - 2024 is time to focus on the mortgage
5. Career and Learning - plan in place, just need to put this into action
6. Creativity - art, sewing, knitting etc - some social.
7. Spiritual / Personal Growth / Inner Peace - reached by 1 - 6 


Happy New Year everyone, here we go!


edit - just added a plan for 2024 to get to 51% equity.