From One Year to the Next

As each year draws to a close, we can’t help but think - where on earth did that time go.

What was accomplished with the road blocks that we had to navigate through, fog on the path of uncertainty, unintentionally prompted into problematic situations.. and helping each other swerve through the mud to a classic glass raise at the end of the term.

I’ve had a year, as have we all. But in reflection, there were great highs amongst the lows.

Personal growth and achievements, getting engaged was the highlight, and having a party to celebrate with friends and family was a night we won’t forget.

I got back into student life with a diploma in psychology, with counselling & mental health certificates - whilst maintaining a busy and bustling full time career. I didn’t read as many books as I wanted to, nor did I managed to run the miles I had planned on doing. I failed to achieve the financial goal I had, missed out on doing a pottery class and didn’t buy that surfboard I wanted.

I think I had a bit too much on my plate.

I was recently reading an excerpt from Cal Newport’s book “Slow Productivity - The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout”.

A simple 10 page preview, Cal touches base on a lad by the name of John McPhee, a writer for The New Yorker.

A man who lay under the trees in his back yard for two weeks straight, pondering the thoughts of fears and desires, whilst in the process unknowingly went on to write some of his best pieces.

In a nutshell, a philosophy for organizing knowledge work efforts in a sustainable and meaningful manner, based on the following three principles:

1. Do fewer things.

2. Work at a natural pace.

3. Obsess over quality.

I thank Cal for doing the heavy lifting for us, as going into 2024 I will be applying these ideologies.

I have my papers to finish by mid year and a wedding to have in December. Perfect.

Those two feats alone will propel me to an academic, physical and mentally stable place of accomplishment.

The rest will fall into place.

Thank you for being with me this year, be safe over the New Years period.

SBG