Monday, April 22, 2013

Random thoughts on a rainy day...


I sit here, watching the rain pitter patter against the wings of the pigeons that waddle along the streets of Melbourne. Fat on Mcdonalds, I wonder if our lives are really much different to theirs? A constant scramble for food…for survival? Establishing a pecking order and sticking to it, until some renegade decides to break it. He will be rewarded in isolation or kinship and heroism. Why are rewards so polar? Or would a better question be –are rewards polar only when we care about them??



People walking by…all lost in their own worlds, with things to accomplish, jobs to do, coffees to drink, friends to meet. When will anyone stop to appreciate the rain? The madness? the beauty of the chaos that is life?

I sit here sipping a coffee that is way too sweet. I shouldn’t drink anymore of it, and yet I feel obliged to. Worth 4$ a cup, I find it hard to justify I bought it to decorate the inside of a garbage bin in misty brown and white. Why do I do this to myself ??




20 Questions

It was a Friday afternoon and I desperately needed to recharge my batteries. I had a battering week, with problem after problem seeming to fall from the sky and the only way I could find solace was in the company of a like- minded friend. So I went to her place to indulge in some senseless chit-chat, delicious food and some much needed pampering.

As we sat and spoke about our lives, our jobs and our ambitions to redefine the world, the topic of growth came up. We both thought it was important that no matter how old you grow...you need to keep learning and consequently keep growing. Stagnation as we observed not only deteriorates your mind but in the long run your relationship with people and objects.

So, to ensure that the two of us never got 'stuck' we made a pact - a pact to check up on each others growth. I came up/found some questions and we decided that once a week, we would catch up and review how we were doing?

Here are the Questions: 

1.What did I learn last week? – If you have trouble answering this question, it’s time for a change.  It doesn’t matter how old you are, you should learn something new every week.

2.What was my greatest accomplishment over the past week? – Reflecting on your accomplishments is a healthy way to raise self confidence and contentment.  It’s also an effective way to track your progress.

3.Which moment from last week was the most memorable and why? – It may open up your mind to new passions and goals, or simple pastimes worth revisiting.

4.What’s the #1 thing I need to accomplish this week? – Everything else is secondary, and should be treated as such.  Nevertheless, this question will also shine light on other noteworthy tasks.

5.What can I do right now to make the week less stressful? – Set reminders in your calendar, get your laundry done, fill the car with gas… organize yourself.

6.What have I struggled with in the past that might also affect the upcoming week? – The idea here is to learn from your struggles and better equip yourself for future encounters.

7.What was last week’s biggest time sink? – Steer clear of this in the future.  Setup physical barriers against distractions if you have to.

8.Am I carrying any excess baggage into the week that can be dropped? – Physical clutter, mental clutter… eliminate the unnecessary so the necessary may shine bright.

9.What have I been avoiding that needs to get done? – Pencil in a time to get these things done.  For any 2-minute or less tasks, consider scheduling them first thing Monday morning.
10.What opportunities are still on the table? – If it’s still available and you want it, make a concrete plan to go after it this week.

11.Is there anyone I’ve been meaning to talk to? – Regular communication can solve problems before they fester. Always keep an open line of communication to those around you.

12.Is there anyone that deserves a big ‘Thank You’? – Take time each week to thank the people who have helped you.  Your kind gesture will not go unnoticed.

13.How can I help someone else this coming week? – The easiest way to get what you want is to help others get what they want.  If you help them, they will remember you when you need help.

14.What are my top 3 goals for the next 3 years? – You’ll never make any progress in life if you don’t setup realistic goals for yourself.

15.Have any of my recent actions moved me closer to my goals? – If the answer is no, something needs to change.

16.What’s the next step for each goal? – Knowing the next step is the key to accomplishing the whole.

17.What am I looking forward to during the upcoming week? – The answer can act as a great source of motivation.  If nothing exists, schedule something to look forward to.

18.What are my fears? – Consciously address your fears each week and slowly work on resolving them.  It’s all about taking baby steps.

19.What am I most grateful for? – It’s a smart way to keep things in perspective, and something you should never lose sight of.

20.If I knew I only had one week to live, who would I spend my time with? – Another helpful reminder… Life is short.  Spend more time with the people you care about.

Hopefully they help you in your quest to be ‘unstuck’