Musings about Meaning

I’m the Queen of Procrastination, and there’s only one way I’m going to get anything done – and that’s just by doing it! Sounds simple? It should be!

I’ve learned all the techniques about time management, life management, prioritisation and motivation you can fit into one head – and still I manage to spend hours staring blankly at a computer screen, too scared to write one thing.

That’s not going to get me anywhere!

If I want the world to hear what I have to say then I’m just going to have to say it.

What’s important to me? I’ve asked myself that question so many times in the past few months; you’d think I’d have a really good answer by now. But guess what? I haven’t!

I’ve been reading too many other people’s accounts of what’s important to them, and getting intimidated by all the smart, self-aware people in the world. Why can’t I join them? Do I really not believe I’m good enough? If that’s the case, then I should stop trying right now. If I think I’m going to fail then I will, because I’ll self-sabotage myself all the way to Poverty-Ville!

Positive mental attitude – that’s got to be the answer (yes, I know I’m still procrastinating!)

If I set myself a task, no matter how small, then I’ll have positive feedback in my self-esteem, and I’ll be able to achieve more in future. Or something like that!

So, what’s important to me? Brilliant Boy, happiness, Brilliant Guy, happiness and health. And security. And excitement, and adventure (what’s that?!).

What passions do I have that I can use to make some money?

Travel – I love to travel, and see new places. I should write about my travels, but I’ve never been able to summon the arrogance to believe anyone would want to hear about them – which is probably silly, as I lapped up the book about the gap year in Ecuador, even though my own adventures in Nepal were just as interesting. Maybe I’ll write that book one day....

Horse riding – I was getting ok at it, and I could get a horse to canter, but I never lost the fear of falling off – and that’s probably going to get worse now that I’m a mum... but the feeling when you’ve lined up a horse perfectly for a jump and you fly over it like a dream – that’s quite a buzz, and one I’d like to experience again. Galloping wildly across a field, however, doesn’t really appeal to me, as I like to feel like I’m in control.

Writing – I really enjoy the feeling of letting my fingers do the talking, so to speak. I like the thought that I’m writing things out of my own brain and onto paper or the screen, for other people to one day read... maybe... possibly... perhaps I could make money in some way from that feeling. That would be pretty cool!

Bird ringing – it really is an incredible feeling to be able to hold a tiny throbbing lifeform in the palm of your hand, and know that you’re probably the only person to have held that bird before – it feels like holding a part of nature, that you would never normally get the chance to do. But it doesn’t give me as much of a buzz as I think it should. There’s an awful lot to learn about it, and I’m not sure whether I have the inclination to devote a lot of time to it. We shall see....

Flying... watch this space!

Childcare/parenting/breastfeeding – they say that those who work with children smile a lot, and I can see why – you have to smile to stop the little b$%*#ers having tantrums on you! Of course I’m joking, being a parent is the most fantastic experience in the world, and I’m a very lucky mummy. I’m just not sure whether I could offer anything valuable to other mums, other than a space to chat – and there seems to be a plethora of other forums already out there. I doubt I’d be able to match www.mumsnet.com or www.netmums.com on my meagre budget! J

I guess the moral here is that I need to get more hobbies! Does watching TV count as a passion?!

Escaping the Cubicle

It's time to stop waiting and planning, and start taking action.

I've spent most of the past year reading about and studying ways of becoming "financially independent", and trying to find out what my ideal job might be. I still have no idea, but I can't let that hold me back any longer.
Hopefully, by taking action today and starting this blog, opportunities will come up, and great things will start to happen... That's the plan, anyway!

Let's start at the beginning... 

My main motivation is to be able to spend more time with Brilliant Guy and Brilliant Boy, to laugh and dance with them as often as I can, and to be a good role model for Brilliant Boy as he grows up.

Right now, I spend around a third of my time in an office - which is open plan, so I'm not strictly stuck in a cubicle - doing a job which is uninspiring and uncreative, but pays the bills. I guess a lot of people will be in a similar position, and it would be nice to be able to help others to escape it too.

Another third of my life is spent sleeping - I LOVE to sleep!

And the third third? To be honest, I probably waste more time than I'd like to admit on facebook, twitter, etc., playing games and generally not interacting with the real world. That's a shame, when I've got a beautiful, Brilliant, one year old son who's developing at the rate of knots! (but that's a whole other topic I could write for hours about!)

So, technically, I need to improve two thirds of my life, and I need to do it fast - there's my motivation!

Where to start though?

What is financial independence, and how do I go about getting it? Well, after spending many, many hours researching this topic, I'd say there are probably about as many answers to that question as there are people on the planet! Helpful, eh?

In terms of my own definition of financial freedom, I'd say it would include not having to pay a mortgage any more, and not having to worry about paying the bills each month. I'm not personally interested in owning a mansion or a super-car, or six thoroughbred racehorses (well, maybe that'd be fun!). As long as I can take care of my family and friends, and have the satisfaction of saving the human race some day, that'll be enough for me... did I mention I have a slight God complex?!

Back to reality, temporarily... I'm sure there are many ways of earning six figure salaries, if you're prepared to work at it. Short of winning the lottery, I think the quickest way of getting out of the job-trap is to start your own business.

To me, that's always sounded terrifyingly complicated and impossible, but Brilliant Guy did it 5 years ago, and he's never looked back. It actually seems surprisingly easy to set up a new business using the internet, and there are lots of resources out there to help. I'll add a blog post about that in the near future.

The type of business would depend on your own unique set of skills and interests. 

For example, I've recently been taking a course with AWAI on copywriting, as I've always been interested in writing as a career. The vast majority of writers barely make minimum wage though, sadly, and I doubt I'm destined to make it as the next J.K.Rowling. (But you never know!)

With copywriting, however, the market is vast and ever expanding, as more and more businesses need websites and letters to help sell their products and to reach customers and other businesses. Judging by some of the awful junk we get through our letter box every day, it seems like there's a real need for quality writers out there. And that's where I'll come in - hopefully!

This blog is my way of kick-starting my writing career. Ever since I was told by a primary school teacher that I was a "Brilliant Writer", I've known that I'd eventually become a writer. The tricky thing will be learning how to use those writing skills to motivate people and persuade them to part with their hard-earned money!