Assessments

As it's a month since I made my goals for theyear, I thought it best to check in on how they are going.

•     Live in a Safe House and Garden, free of clutter

Currently there is a mass of junk, even if it is hiding in storage.  The Garden is full of uncut lumber, and the fences badly need attention.

• ·      Have the financial resources to cover any surprises.

I have at this stage not had to use any debt to cover expenses, so far so good

• ·      Have enacted a financial plan to guarantee financial abundance

I have looked at my assets, and observed how they are performing. Now it is time to see how they can perform better.

• ·      Add maximum value to every gig I do.

I have only had a few gigs, but have remained sober, and prepared the best I could.

• ·      Have full sensory acuity.

My hearing and Sight are still compromised - tinitis and far sightedness.

• ·      Weigh under 78kg

I weigh around 83kg, thanks to a long holiday, but look forward to losing the weight

• ·      Have a strong, flexible, energetic, freely moving body.

My body is strong, but not as flexible as I would like.  Still recovering with my Achilles, but many of my ills have seemed to have gone away! Energy could be better - probably goes along with a diet that helps me lose weight.

• ·      Am an elite athlete.

I seem to manage to come last or second last in every event in which I compete!  Howeve, I wanted to compete so that I could see where I stand with other athletes of my age, and can now prepare for this.

• ·      Live in a 3 dimensional, level three marriage.

I am very happy, but would like to improve the physical side, and be more aware of Lizzie's needs in all things.

• ·      Am guiding my daughter to a wonderful adulthood.

My darling daughter is 12, and growing up so quickly.  It is easy for me to overreact when she acts out emotionally, owing to hormones or other reasons.  She has started High School this year, very successfully

• ·      Use my time to maximum effect, for play and work.

I have planned my week, using RPM.  Look forward to seeing the rewards!

• ·      Am present.

Still let my mind wander - but now I am more aware of it, and am aiming to reduce distractions.

• ·      Am an agent of change in my workplace.

I am making sure that I am doing my job as well as I can, and being positive with other people.

• ·      Contribute to the society around me both financially and practically.

I have already started to become more involved in my daughter's school band program as a volunteer.  Looking to make large financial contributions in general.

• ·      Have effective promotional material for my band.

I want to have a package that explains the band in a matter of moments

• ·      Have found the resources to finance the things I love, whilst growing my capital.

I always seem to use capital to pay for major things, instead of using the income from the capital.

• ·      Have completed my Masters of Music

One thesis to go! Work begins tomorrow, with March 31 as my deadline.

• ·      Am planning an overseas trip for the family.

Keep putting this to the bottom of the list.  Will look at my options this week.

Acclimatizing

One of the habits (or, as Tony says, rituals) that I have been doing has been to shower with cold water. At first you freeze, shudder, and leap around, and then finally you get used to it, and it feels to all intents and purposes like a warm shower.

It occurs to me so often that when we go out of our comfort zone, it's the initial shock that gets us.  But here's the the thing: once we're out there, we get used to it, and wonder what the fuss is about.  It's the thought of being outside your comfort zone i.e. when you're about to hop into the cold shower, and the initial period.  Afterwards we feel invigorated.

So when was the last time you were out of your comfort zone?

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.

 

What's Important

I had a telephone call with a dear friend with whom I did Life Mastery.  After rattling off all of my outcomes for 2014, I listened to her tell me her much simpler, yet meaningful list.  Looking at my list of outcomes, I know that most of these won't make me happy (even if I think they will!).  The main one is to be present.

As is so often the case, the Universe has provided me with a book on mindfulness - I seem to have an aunt who buys me the perfect book for me every Christmas.  I reckon that if I can be Here and Now today, then all will be well.

BTW I have started training again, and tonight I ave my first gig for the year, playing at a wedding.  I hope to add maximum value as promised.

The Gap

So now I know the things I want to do , be, and have.  Now to assess where I am with regards to all of my outcomes:

•     Live in a Safe House and Garden, free of clutter

Currently there is a mass of junk, even if it is hiding in storage.  The Garden is full of uncut lumber, and the fences badly need attention.

• ·      Have the financial resources to cover any surprises.

I tend to dig into savings which are reserved for other thing.  I must budget for the unexpected (repairs, appliances, medical)

• ·      Have enacted a financial plan to guarantee financial abundance

I have a financial Plan, which according to The exercise in Wealth Mastery, gives me financial survival until death.

• ·      Add maximum value to every gig I do.

I have a tendency to cut corners on gigs if there are a lot, seeing what I can get away with.

• ·      Have full sensory acuity.

My hearing and Sight are compromised - tints and far sightedness.

• ·      Weigh under 78kg

I weigh around 82kg, which is healthy, but I know that being a little lighter will make me faster and less prone to injury

• ·      Have a strong, flexible, energetic, freely moving body.

My body is strong, but not as flexible as I would like, and I suffer from a fair bit of nerve impingement.

• ·      Am an elite athlete.

I seem to manage to come last or second last in every event in which I compete!

• ·      Live in a 3 dimensional, level three marriage.

I am very happy, but would like to improve the physical side, and be more aware of Lizzie's needs in all things.

• ·      Am guiding my daughter to a wonderful adulthood.

My darling daughter is 12, and growing up so quickly.  It is easy for me to overreact when she acts out emotionally, owing to hormones or other reasons.  She is beginning High School this year.

• ·      Use my time to maximum effect, for play and work.

I have a tendency to only do the urgent at the moment, leaving things to the last minute.

• ·      Am present.

Still let my mind wander - I miss out on so much!

• ·      Am an agent of change in my workplace.

It is all to easy for me to let my level sink, rather than being an outstanding example.

• ·      Contribute to the society around me both financially and practically.

I am a regular financial donor, but need to get more involved with the practical involvement with my community.

• ·      Have effective promotional material for my band.

I want to have a package that explains the band in a matter of moments

• ·      Have found the resources to finance the things I love, whilst growing my capital.

I always seem to use capital to pay for major things, instead of using the income from the capital.

• ·      Have completed my Masters of Music

One thesis to go!

• ·      Am planning an overseas trip for the family.

Keep putting this to the bottom of the list.  Time to move it up!

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.

The Power of Momentum

Whilst looking through all of the New Year New Life material, I discovered a document that Mimi Peak , a Results Coach had sent me a few years ago.  Entitled "The Power of Momentum", it goes through 7 steps.

1.    Get Clear.

2.    Get Certain.

3.    Get Excited.

4.    Get Focused.

5.    Get Committed.

6.    Get Momentum.

7.    Get Smart.

I found it to be a great experience to look back at my year (the good and the bad), and then look at what I wanted out of this coming year.  The thing is, I must decide what I am willing to put INTO this coming year before I look for greater results!

I did New Year, New Life, and found that my "wheel of life" looked like this:

Two things are interesting:

1. I have done this exercise in the past, and had the same scores, but my general quality of life was much lower than it is today.  
2. The scores are about the same, going from 5 to 7.

Looking at 3 things that I wanted to concentrate on, I settled on Physical, Emotions & Meaning, and Finances.  I figured that if the body is right, then I will have the energy to improve everything else. I believe that if I get mind, body and soul together, then the rest will follow. 

Looking at the Physical, I have made a booking with a running consultant, Keith Bateman, who is someone who I believe is achieving the results that I desire.

I will look more carefully at all aspects of my life before New Year's.  I am hoping that by making my hopes dreams and aspirations public, I will be holding myself accountable to a higher standard.

2014 awaits!

It's that lazy time of year i.e. Dec 28.  Christmas has been and gone, and I am looking towards a year with Tony again.  By no means is he the ultimate success guru, but he is a very good coach, using methodologies that are effective.

The past year has been good, but I am starting to feel like good is not enough. With that in mind, I watched the video on his website:

NEW YEAR, NEW LIFE,  where he talks about rituals, standards, and compelling vision.  That has motivated me enough to get up and go for a run.  I also found the following, which is a small workbook and audio track, which can really help you get into gear: New Year, New Life .  I have done this in the past, but I think action (running) will do more for me than anything else right now. More planning tomorrow.