Going to share with you a little about what has been going on with me. Don’t worry, I am not going to share my deepest secrets or open up about my emotions. None of those things are bad, but this post is not so much about those things.
-> I started writing a Blog Post each day. I was going to do it for 30 days and then publish my website. I have added a link to my website to a bunch of public posts and linked to my blog posts from a variety of websites, but not much traction. That means it is time to really put it out there. That might mean that someone will give me a bad review or make a nasty comment. Yeah, I have a stalker or two. People who like spending time pointing out my flaws. My publishing won’t stop them, and it may be a great way to confront those hiding away.
Why did I not do 30 posts, one a day for 30 days? I went back to school! I want to get a certificate in logistics, transportation, and distribution – CLTD. There are hundreds of pages to read. Presentations to sit through, 16 hours a week! A test to prepare for – closed book 150 questions and you must get 85% or higher to pass. No pressure! It is not the amount of material to read, but a real focus on learning what I am reading. That takes time. That takes focus and I a not a person that can focus for 8 hours in a day. I have to take breaks.
-> Wood working! I recently videotaped – why do we even still have that word? There is no tape! – myself building a folding hammock stand:
Turns out, the easy part was designing and building the thing! Editing the video was a nightmare. Why? Because it is the first one I have ever done and most of the shots did not have audio so I am doing voice over work and though I have done some of that in the past, not as easy when it is about your own stuff. All in all, a great experience and I will do it again and then again and then some more. There are a ton of projects to do! It is all about sharing how to do things. Yes, I could build kits, and may do that in time, but teaching others is wonderful.
So, I had to learn how to use a video editor – still learning, have not used all the tools or possible tools. And now, I have been asked for drawings with measurements that people can used to build the thing! Not a problem, right? Well, I can’t do a sloppy drawing, it has to be something that other people can read and understand, so it is time to practice with those tools. I took Architecture and Engineering drawing in School, but it was hand drawing, so tools here I come!
Woodworking is a creative outlet. Everyone should have something that pushes their imagination. I also play guitar as a way to let out that part of me that is not all logic and statistics. Woodworking gets them thinking about how things come together and sometimes how to make something out a bunch of sticks. Creating is a power thing.
-> I am between roles and looking for my next one. Notice I did not say job! I don’t want a job! A job is where you trade your time for money, and I don’t want to do that. I want to have a role in a company where I can help others achieve great things. Where I can help the team build whatever it is we are building and create something out of nothing. I want to leave things better than I found them. Money is important, because it is, but it is not the driver of the experience. It is a tool that allows us the freedom to enjoy those things we desire.
All those things are going on in my life and more, so it has slowed the Blog post a little. But has it? Has that been what slowed it down or is it a priority thing? I would argue that it is a priority thing! I make dinner and have it ready to eat about the same time every day, even with all the other things going on. Why? Priorities! Kids have to eat and 4 nights a week it falls to the older adults (there are a 24, 21 and 17 year old living in this house along with the “older” adults so when I say kids I mean the ones under 25) to make a meal. That meal happens because it is a priority!
And that is what this blog is all about when you really boil it down. What are your priorities? What is that is the most important thing in your day? Is it something that will make your life better today, tomorrow in 5 years? Or is it something to entertain your thoughts and keep you from having to do the really hard stuff like think?
Hope you fill your days with things that will make a 5 year look back feel like a story of change and growth and not a story of repeating the same experiences over and over again just to say you did something. We die once, but we live each and every day! Let’s make sure we never forget that!
Gramatges Consulting 