Personal Power Day 1:The Key to Personal Power: Decision

I started my day with "15 minutes to thrive".  This is a routine that I have done in the past, but I have let fall away.  It was really good to give thanks and to envision - really set my day up well.

The program now swings over to Personal Power, and I need to make 2 decisions now, and take action.

The first one is to commit to doing my eye exercises daily. My near sight is not as good as I would like it to be, and juggling glasses is a bore.  If I can reduce my need for them it cannot be a bad thing!

The second one is to learn how to use Garage Band on my mobile phone - commit to spending some time on it every day.

NB. BOTH of these decisions are in line with outcomes.  To have full sensory acuity, and a hit recording.

So excuse me - I have to do my eye exercises, then tutor myself on garage band!

Every Moment Precious

Today we went to pick up our daughter, who had been staying with dear friends of ours.  They showed us around Lake Conjola, we had lunch, and all too soon we parted, as they had to get back to Sydney.

The things that I walked away with is that every moment with loved ones is precious.  There is no point in inwardly bemoaning the lack of time we sometimes have - Every Moment is Precious.  Every smile, laugh, touch, is precious.  Our lives are moments, so we might as well enjoy each and every one.  As we know things are considered precious when they are in demand, especially when it outstrips supply.  So now, every time I think of peoples of whom I would like to see more, I just need to remember:

Every Moment Precious

First Steps

So I've been really wanting to improve my heath and fitness.  Today I went for a 45 minute run, and did 45 minutes of Yoga.

Bottom line was that the idea of doing them excited me, but the reality of starting each of them did not thrill me. Having said that, within 10 minutes of starting each of these activities, I was enjoying them.  The more present or in the moment I was, the more I enjoyed them.  I love the saying that to achieve happiness, you must happily achieve.  Being present really helped make that happen.

I've also been working on finding out more about what is important to my wife.  What I am discovering is that it''s the way in which things are done that is just as important as what it is that is being done.  Lizzie has certain ways of working, and if I take the time to do things in a way in which she feels comfortable, then it has a much higher chance of pleasing her.

Only took 17 years to work that one out!

What is it really worth?

Yesterday I looked at a balance sheet, toting up assets and Liabilities.  The end result was very encouraging - I have a net worth of about one and a quarter million dollars!

But then I had a look at things more closely.

Most of the things that were of value were not really assets.  I have a house, but it does not earn me any money (although the fact that it is Mortgage Free means that it is saving me rent!).  My car does not earn me money either.  Both in fact COST money for upkeep.

I looked at my various investments - my retirement fund is growing at 10% PA, but is inaccessible for 14 years. I have money in an index fund, and it is growing (and earning franked dividends which I am re-investing). I have money in an online account, which is earning 3.75% PA, and a term deposit, which is earning 3.8% PA.  All in all, I could liquidate everything and have $1.25M, but in its current form, my assets earn me a grand total of $5000 PA (before tax!).

Looking at this in the cold hard light of day, I am getting a return of .4%.

I know that I want to get more out of my assets, and grow them exponentially.

In other news, my body is responding to the training, and my heart rate is staying lower, whilst I am running faster.  The dog is starting to find it a bit harder to stay with me on the run!

Footnote:  After looking at my finances yesterday, a cheque for $95,000 arrived in the mail!  ENergy flows where focus goes.  I have given myself until July to work out what to do with it.

 

Progress

I managed to workout yesterday, and slowly but surely my achilles tendon is healing.  I have been running for 50 minutes preceded by 5BX, which is a great form of calisthenics.   Still running very slowly, but feeling better every day.  I have 4 weeks until my next race, and hope to be running at full speed by then.

Today I plan to look at where I am (and that means we) regarding finances.  It is easy for me to let things slide, because there is no immediate pain - we are financially pretty secure, being free of debt, own our home, and have some money in savings.  I have realised with true certainty that leverage is needed for serious wealth creation, and have not yet come across the formula that fits for me.  I also think that in the past I have always wanted the drama of big wins + losses (futures trading), rather than some (perhaps less thrilling) steadier methods, with less drama.

I have also managed to blow money on things as soon as I get a next egg together - usually courses on how to become wealthy! I get the feeling that learning how to get wealthy, along with the vicarious thrill of the success stories, has more appeal than the hard work (and patience) required.  Wealth creation is simple:

1. Spend less than you earn.
2. Invest The Difference.
3. Reinvest the profits(income).

But simple is often not easy!

Because I;

1. Hate to tell my family I don't have the ready money for anything.
2. Do not invest properly.
3. And usually have very little to reinvest.

I have a study groaning with books on wealth creation - the above message in every one - and am far wealthier than ever before (often from expected and unexpected sources), so some of it must be sticking!

Outcomes for 2014

Had a quiet moment to think about what I wanted out of 2014 - consequently, I will need to plan what I  am willing to put into 2014!  I have always found it better to express things in the present.  I wonder what everyone else wants out of 2014?

In 2014 I am so grateful that I..

• ·      Live in a Safe House and Garden, free of clutter
• ·      Have the financial resources to cover any surprises.
• ·      Have enacted a financial plan to guarantee financial abundance
• ·      Add maximum value to every gig I do.
• ·      Have full sensory acuity.
• ·      Weigh under 78kg
• ·      Have a strong, flexible, energetic, freely moving body.
• ·      Am an elite athlete.
• ·      Live in a 3 dimensional, level three marriage.
• ·      Am guiding my daughter to a wonderful adulthood.
• ·      Use my time to maximum effect, for play and work.
• ·      Am present.
• ·      Am an agent of change in my workplace.
• ·      Contribute to the society around me both financially and practically
• ·      Have effective promotional material for my band.
• ·      Have found the resources to by finance the things I love, whilst growing my capital.
• ·      Have completed my Masters of Music
• ·      Am planning an overseas trip for the family.

January Downunder

For me, January is 3/4 holiday. This means that in terms of actions, the year starts slowly. However, in terms of planning and envisioning, January is a great time. I get to look at the past year, enjoy the triumphs, learn from failures, and generally make and mend.

Most importantly, the start of the year is when I get to spend large chunks of time with family and friends. If there is anything that I am proud of and grateful for, it is the people I love.

Today though I did start a simple 15 minute yoga routine which I shall persist with for the next 6 weeks, to see if I can get any improvement with my shoulder (it hurts now even as I type). I am also making sure that I get 30 minutes of aerobic exercise 6 times a week. This is what they recommend from UPW. With my diet, I am simply aiming to eat unprocessed foods, and moderating any chocolate and alcohol consumption.

Most of today was spent doing household things. The Christmas decorations went down, the lawn was mowed, amongst other things. Its good for me sometimes to stop thinking about taking over the world, and think more about making a beautiful house for my family.