Juggling

I read yesterday an interesting article where an Ex-CEO from Coke says something along these lines: life is like juggling balls. You have the work ball, the family and friends ball, the physical health ball and the spiritual health ball. There is only 1 difference... The work ball is made of rubber, if you let it drop, it will bounce back later. All the other ones are made of glass... if you drop them, it will harm them, scar them, or even break them.

Approaching new year: time to reflect and plan

We're quickly approaching new year, after a nice Christmas.
Economic ambiance is depressed, strange and ficicult to predict. It's now not only a finantial crisis but also an economic one and the outlook is pretty dim. Most reputed analists say 09 and 2010 will be tough years.
Though, if you go out to the streets these days, most people are taking advantage of sales and heaviliy shopping! Hardly the picture you'd expect to see in times of deep crisis. People still have money on their pockets and have a job...
What's going to happen?
Will we go through a couple of difficult years, with companies tightening their belts and stock markets further correcting with recovery in 2011?
Or will it be really serious with more layoffs, unemployment and 5-7 years economic depression?

As the end of 2008 approaches, I'm taking a few days off. These days are great to just stop for a bit, look back and look forward.
Look back to see what I have done and achieved, what I'm proud of, in which ways and where I have evolved. You gain a lot from doing this, as most times in day to day you just press ahead focusing on what you want, never congratulating yourselve on what you've achieved. End of the year is a great time to look back and write your balance sheet! Write down how you feel about the year ending.

This will help you understand what you really want for 2009. Write it down as well. Write clear smart goals, that you fully want from the bottom of your heart and being. Objectives help you act smarter and more effective/efficient. They will be my guiding light throughout the year.

This period between 08 and 09 is a great time to do it, personally. As Christmas is gone and the mood is good, I'm off work and it's easier to truly listen to my heart. I'm more relaxed and it's a good time to reflect.

Hey ho

Hey!
Lot has happened in the last few days.
Went out to a wedding abroad of a very good friend of mt girlfriend. It was... demanding.
I had to travel quite a bit by myself to get there and then argued quite a bit with the girlfriend. Still need to figure out what happened and how I feel about it. It was tough though, specially with not a lot of sleeping.
What I do know is that I felt really undervalued and generated quite a bit of insecurity.
We were close to splitting up and - this made me realise how my life is empty?! She is quite important to me, if we would split up, I would struggle.
Action:
- balance my life, I am definitely over-investing in work! Need other things, friends, sport, that I will value get more balance into my life!
- Work on purpose! What do I really want out of life. I have been thinking about this for such a long time - it really is time to start doing things about it, taking ACTION! Someone said there are a few characteristics of successful people: a VISION and TAKING ACTION are definitely among them.
- discuss and define next step with my girlfriend: we are living in different countries, it is probably about time we have a clear plan on what to do, next steps, etc
- above all, bear in mind: Whatever life throws at me, I will handle it!

Then got back and spent loads of time preparing a strategy review to the board, again working really late, not getting enough sleep...