End of day reflection

Today 

What went well?

We are delicious food. He n and I co created dinner. Bub went swimming with his pals. We all went for a walk up in Ditchling Beacon.  It was windy and wintery and blew cobwebs away. I printed signed and scanned all tax docs.  So that's done.  And we have much less  to pay than I thought! I booked tickets for the theatre for Saturday and in April.  So we are going to see some live performances.  Def an aim for us this year.  Cleaned the bathroom. Arranged childcare got the week.  Packed a bag for tomorrow.  Bub did violin practice and spelling. Did my plank challenge. 

Could do better.  Tomorrow I am avoiding social media.  It's not doing me any good. Ian getting saddened and depressed and wasting my precious time.  Plus I feel utterly addicted and compelled which feels horrible.  So am stepping right away from it.  

Reflection: What worked? What could be better?

Yesterday.  Was Friday. 

What worked?

Well it was brilliant to go and have a kitchen mocked up digitally at B&Q.  It was fab that Hub was there as we were both able to input into it and see how it would or couldn't work.  We both agreed on the style (who would have thought!) and we know now the layout we want.  ALL FAB STUFF.  So much movement forward on that project.  Its not cheap though (even though they seemed to insist that our preferred style was the 'budget' option.  Cheeky. 

We ate delicious meat from Mr Archers.  We are not eating much meat these days, even Hub is happy to eat lentil lasagne and find it tasty mc tasty.  But we have decided that if we are going to eat meat, its going to be quality stuff from a good farm and a good butcher.  Luckily we have Mr Archer's whose shop is down the road.  Oh my it was delicious.

I managed to send off the last bit of information to our accountant-  who bless her - kept nagging me.  I really appreciate that from her.  I had just forgotten.  (Also the day before she nagged me to apply for married tax something or other - which allows £212 to be deducted from Hub's tax bill for that year - brilliant.  £212 of free money.  And it took me maybe 10 minutes max to apply online.  I hadn't done it as I was afraid it was going to take forever and be a right difficult pain to do.  But it was super easy and quick. 

I did 25 minutes meditation in the evening.  This is really helping.  I am getting overwhelmed by the whole FB politics thing.  I am worried that May will sell the NHS up the Swanee to US big pharma and evil insurance sales folk.  I do not trust that Trump in any kind of deal whatsoever.  He's a lying cheat.   See how much I need meditation? Ha! 

Ted did his violin practice. I think he actually enjoys it.  He is doing so well with it.  I am really impressed.  I sat with him while he did it, and this works.  For me, and for him.  I want to be spending more focussed time with him.

I had a great chat with a client who wants me to devise an activity to help her and her team develop a system to keep track of who is where, what each job entails, and where each job is at.  She wants her team to be involved in creating it.  Very exciting!

What could have been better?

I didn't do my plank task.  Even though I committed to Didi on FB that I would join in her plank challenge. So today  - actually I have already done it.  So already better.

I've lost my fitbit.  Not sure whether to get a new one or not. But it doesn't help with the 10,000 steps goal.  I have no idea if I did it yesterday.  that's a maybe.  I did go to the butchers, school and the dry cleaners.  probably not enough. 

I want to read more of my books and spend even less time on FB.  I am not enjoying the news.  I know I need to do something but am confused as to what I can do.  So I want to spend time in art and culture as a respite and as a way of freeing my brain from being befuddled and overwhelmed.  I am enjoying our Book Club book. 

Kitchen update thoughts.

So we spent about 2 hours down at B&Q designing our kitchen.  Its really cool - the 3D visualisation thing really helped. Hub was there, so it was great for us both to be involved.  Bloody £3500 though.  We are going to talk to our builder chap and see what he thinks.

What is super cool is that we are really clear on the layout and the style and how we are going to fit it all in.  Its a little tighter storage wise since we are losing one side of the L shape.  But we can manage.  If we declutter! or think about where we put the recycling.

But its very exciting. 

Just made me think though.  As I perused pinterest, initially looking for butcher's block ideas.  And then moved on to some of my other boards.  The dream tables, the off grid fantasy tiny houses things.

Its just that time is running out isn't it.  We can spend so much time thinking of these things but not acting.  And time goes by.  We have 10 years left to pay off our mortgage for example.

And there are all these dreams.  And in 10 years we have decided on a layout that my Dad had already suggested 10 years ago.  DOH!

We need to act.  Otherwise we will be too old to enjoy these things so much.  (I guess I am saying this from the ideas for tiny houses on wheels type of perspective)


Also because yesterday I was listening to a webinar and the idea of better questions comes up.

As in - what better question could I be asking myself here?

And as in - in particular - if we forget what you think you could get, what do you really want?

And that - there -  well we want our house sorted and I am ON THE BLOODY CASE. 

Kitchen, garden, spare room  -then the loft and the extension,

Its happening. 

51 wants and wishes for the new year

This is going to be a random mix of reality and dreamland fantasies.  I like to write a wish list.  Because then it sort of becomes magical and if it happens a wish has come true.  I may have some agency in that   - but not always.

I once wished for someone to invite me on holiday for free.  And that did happen the very next week.

I also wished to win the premium bonds.  I actually tried manifesting that from the - what is it called? The field?  anyway, I did actually win £100.  I am working my way up from that.  Though  - for some reason I don't always even bother to try.  Doesn't actually cost anything.  So I will put that out there again.  Premium bonds win PLEASE!!

so 51 wishes.

1. We get a new kitchen and its fab
2. I win LOADS in the premium bonds!
3. it works out for B in many ways and its fabulous  (not saying what that is. can't even jinx that and its not really my business. but I hope it does) 
4. my wild art journaling courses at Ditchling take off and are a great success for everyone concerned. at least 5 people signed up to everything I do
5. The men in my house are the ones who clean the toilet.  They know how to do it well, and they do it every week.
6. All the work I do around the house is appreciated and acknowledged
7. Every time I say I need time to work or do the accounts or whatever I am completely supported and backed up.  
8. I go to Hvar at least once. 
9. I set up all my courses in advance and build a great mailing list
10. I treat myself to a rev and its awesome
11. I do the next lab with FF
12. I get to know everyone who lives on Whichelo Place
13. We set up street play time for the kids
14. We have a summer street party
15. Go to Australia!! and have work there so we can go for ages and get paid loads to do so.  yes!!
16. the CB TS ecourse generates loads of business and shed loads of passive income
17. I develop my own arty messy ecourse - How to be MESSY-  / make time for creativitiy  how to be a startist / title will come
18. I write a book  - maybe about Balance / making time for your creative.  not about titans
19. SO as well as getting work in Australia - we take a trip via Goa and Bub goes to Shilpa's school in India for a term and I run art retreats and classes there for a while and do lots of yoga.  oh yes
20. try new things  -definitely new recipes -
21. go to an improv class - take a course?
22. go climbing
23. go to Avebury.
24. go to Eden Project
25. have summer in UK  or Hvar!
26. have a week at Southwold in the Summer  - remember to choose a week
27. to have regular TS work but never on Fridays
28. To have built up regular art creative sessions 
29. have a regular yoga practice
30. do plank every day all year! (ha!)
31. meditate every day all year (at least 5 mins, ideally 20 mins per day)
32. host a camping party that has fab weather and lovely folk and its ace.
33. have enough regular paying coaching clients who love working with me
34.  I feel fantastic and love my life
35. £5,000 pcm
36.  Hub agrees to loft conversion as business idea and we run a profitable BandB
37. create magic
38.  I feel aware and that meaningful progress is being made on all my goals.
39. Do creative artistic right brain customer journey mapping with Jess
40. Expand my skillset
41. do art journaling and other creative courses in Croatia, Greece, London. Other places.  
42. Work on running innovation stuff for Then Somehow.  How to be more creative. 
43. have / create a fabulous wardrobe.  get clothes made for me that fit and suit me wonderfully. 
44. find the perfect pair of trousers
45. do play streets for kids in Whichelo
46. be BOLD
47. get the loft and the extension done.  by the end of 2017 our house is shimmy shiny beautiful spacious and deliciously wonderfully ready for entertaining, guests, workshops and more
48. LEAD
49. expand my social circle - and keep in contact with my besties and the brilliantests lovelies.  keep on making friends and keeping friends and loving my friendships
50. my relationship with my DB Hub grows and deepens and feels wonderful and supportive
51. I have a birthday party and share my celebration. 

a small daily update

I had a really good day.  I had some really interesting conversations, talked about goals, dreams, planning, methods of planning, the role of the disruptor, discomfort and growth, the value of making time for what you really love. 

And I had a nice lunch.

I met someone new who is very interested in my work and she asked me to send her stuff about it.  And so I asked her if she would like to go on my mailing list.  I like my mailing list.  Its going to be snail mail.
 

And I read a very important legal document (which I was really afraid of, but turned out to be short and clear)


I went to see Rogue 1.  And we ate delicious falafel before hand.  Rogue 1 is very exciting. 

We went to Bub's school to see his art work.  His and all the art work was really endearing  - they all care so much for a better world where the planet is safe and all the animals are safe.  And weird random things like Pokemon and Batman are at peace.  

I did my 10 thousand steps and some today.  And the plank and 20 minutes meditation.  I know its new year, but I took these things up before Christmas. 

Christmas was AWESOME this year for me.  I loved it.  Kind of sad to take the decorations down.  But that's good.  That is why its so exciting to put them up. In a way.  It has to be a bit sad that its over otherwise it would just be normal.

Am dreaming of some good stuff for this year.  And getting to know the folk on our street.  Really up for that.  In that regard by the way I met 2 neighbours  - borrowed a futon guest bed thing and got both their phone numbers.   My mission is to know everyone on the street - have their phone numbers and know their names and something about them.  Not in a strange stalker kind of way - but in a building a community kind of way. 

Good day. 

 

daily update and thoughts

I am currently working on the long list of 51 things I would like and wish to happen in 2017.  Its a mixture of dreams and plans.

I haven't finished it yet.

In the mean time

I realised this morning that  - OK this is the first day back.  Its January 4th and Bub has gone back to school. I have a shed load of things to do today. 

And one thing i realised this morning.  Was that I need to get my shit together earlier in the day.
I am not giving myself a hard time.  But this morning I got Bub to school and then came back and ate breakfast. 

Tomorrow that is happening before he goes to school.  Its the little things huh.

All is going well.  I got a shed load of things done  - during the holidays! - that I really needed to get done.  And I am pleased with what I did.

I have a load of other things to be done.

Today - may not do it all today.  but here goes

1. set up mailchimp for the email things
2. send out cards to the WAJ list
3. write and introduction and conclusion to Build Your Capacity
4. write and record a small summary to "buiding a system"
5. UMEUS proposal
6. set up Brighton dates for WAJ
7. filemaker
8.  wickes for kitchen design

hmm.  lots.  can't do all that today.

mail chimp = priority.  off I go!

what was a struggle last year?

I struggled to focus - as usual.  This is my thing.  I prefer to wildly off in many directions starting things and thinking of ideas.  Getting down to business.  Especially new stuff.  Like writing.  Was HAR D.  for me.  I discovered new ways to procrastinate.  I am the queen of procrastination. 

On the upside I discovered that Pomodoro is the BIZ in tackling it.  As is perseverance.  I kept going and I am discovering that I am getting there.  I can do it. I am getting quicker and better at it.  The last piece I just wrote I am really pleased with and it took way less time. 

Being in a close relationship can be hard.  And communication sometimes falls down. I'd proclaim that its NOT MY FAULT as DB refuses to talk to me because I am 'so annoying'.  Apparently.  S(can you feel my indignation and the way I throw my hands up in the air with a WTF.  Yes, well - obviously he needs to stop getting so annoyed about nothing and communicate....... etc etc.

But  I have learned that if I just hold my tongue and leave it, he will stop.  And if it goes on overnight then DEFINITELY the next day he agrees with me (mostly) or at least is totally fine and we can then communicated fine about whatever.  So getting better.  OTHER PEOPLE eh? 

I am also assuming that my communication aint so clear either so working on that. 

50 Things I did Last Year

A little late to the party.  But I saw this on FB (thanks to Kat Sevloki!) and thought  -that's a good idea.

50 things I did last Year

1. Did a course in coaching and got EMCC accreditation as a Business & Leadership Coach
2. Went to Florence and Lucca for the first time
3. Climbed up the Leaning Tower of Pisa
4. Road in a horse and cart around Florence
5. Got an unsolicited 50% raise on my daily rate
6. Discovered I am not at all bad at writing
7. Helped organise a street party
8. Went to practically every street during Hanover Advent Calendar and loved it
9. Drove from Barcelona to France 
10. Climbed a mountain on a proper trail
11. Organised a holiday to Barcelona and France
12. went on a nature art retreat in Dorset 
13. opened up for Suffolk Open Studios
14. Sold a painting
15. Organised a whole Wild Art Journaling course for 2017
16. did a R.E.A.L approach communications course with Lis Cashin
17. made a new friend in Brighton
18. signed up for Xero and then signed out of it again
19. got the house painted (Flourpot charcoal) 
20. finally got a new door (victorian, painted PINK!) 
21. got our windows fixed
22. finally got the hallway ceiling skimmed 
23. repainted the hall way
24. did a day long Wild Art Journaling course at No 45
25. joined Viv Lambert's group 365 declutter on FB and  decluttered MASSES of stuff (15 bags and 6 x car boot loads  - so far)
26. got hired for illustration work (see the animals here!)
27. finished training and coaching with Bristol City Council
28. learned DISC profiling
29. coached 5 clients of my own, 
30. got involved with running the Brighton & Hove Coaching Circle
31.  Went to a Saxon Village (recreation of one!)
32. organised a 50th birthday camping party for close friends and family
33. wrote and recorded many sections for an e-course (overcoming fears on both those counts!)
34. coached my first academic
35. coached Bub through violin practice and witnessed him being able to read music and play in a strings orchestra.
36. went to many free Dance classes - which I absolutely LOVE (again FINALLY I am dancing more in my life!)
37. went to Findhorn ( for work!) visiting FIndhorn community and village.  
38. Drove from Glasgow to Findhorn through the Highlands & Avimore
39. Ate at the Ubiquitous Chip in Glasgow
40. Hung out with the Australian cousins (G, J and E. and met Baby B. for the first time ever!)
41. went to my first gay wedding.
42. had a stylist go though my wardrobe and talk about what suited me and what not to buy
43. discovered I am a completely different bra size to what I thought I rebought my entire underwear selection.
44. went on several Yoga Days.
45. taught yoga
46. I hired a vegan chef to come to our house and teach Bub (and Hub and me) learned to cook a vegan enchilada lasagne style
47. had many discussions with various people about the extension, loft and kitchen (JW, HP, VL, a surveyor, 2 x loft conversion folk, my parents, Hub, 2 x builders - yup not kidding!)
48. got a Fitbit
49. went to Kew for a picnic with many friends
50. became a (part) holiday home owner to a house in Croatia (Hvar) - got the key.

This was hard, and then now that i have got to 50 there are lots of things I can add in on top of it.  But its good to see a lot of things that were "finally".  So good to be getting this work on the house done.  Its a been a long time coming.  And DANCING! yes! I love dancing so much!! and get me, a new qualification, which in no small part earned me my pay rise I am sure of it.

I also learned that MY business - is my art and creativity business.  Yes I am a coach, but i want to focus on innovation and creativity.  And helping creatives get focused and motivated.  Right Brain stuff is my bag.

Next post will be about what 51 (it goes up huh) things I want to do in 2017.

And SOD the politics.  I am taking it local.  Do What you CAN ,  with what you have, WHere you ARE!!!