8degrees of vaughan rowsell

Are the odd years good for you?

January 1, 2009 at 12:34 pm In Life, Rants, No Comments

We have gone from an even year to an odd year. Does that matter?

I have a little superstition that the evens are bountiful and the odds are hard work. Now that’s not to be pessimistic and expect doom and gloom (gawd there are enough doom merchants around at the moment). No, I actually like the odd numbered years. They are nose down kind of years, and I always seem to get a lot done. Now of course this is all silly superstition.

So what did I plan in 08?

Read more, think more, be more
This is pretty hard to measure, but I have made a concerted effort to spend more quality time reading quality, having more quality thinking time and not feeling rushed. All in all I think I am more effective. So success.

Do more to enhance my way of living without relying on buying crap
We rented no DVD’s in 08. I gave myself a “discretionary spend” budget each week and stuck to it. I did buy a new TV, but my old one was had it, and I bought an iPhone. Neither of these things can be considered “crap”. Oh and I got a boat so I can get away from things that make you want to buy crap. So I think this is a success.

Grow a really impressive moustache
SUCCESS! I thoroughly enjoyed Movember 08 and having everyone ask me if I grew my mo in sub-30 days. Yeah right. I was asked if now I will shave it off. No, I think I will hold onto it for a while. It has become kinda attached.

Avoid marketing
This one was easy. I watched only the TVNZ Freeview channels with no ads, downloaded TV series I like (with no ads), and stopped reading newspapers. Once you pull away from the mainstream media that pretty much cuts it down to mailbox circulars and online ads. Neither of these actually register with me anyway.

Be a better person
Success. I was a notorious work-a-holic and often let my work get in the way of other nuisances like, healthy relationships and lifestyle. I am now a reformed work-a-holic. I still work hard but in measured doses. I left my full time operational role with Vianet, and started part time consultancy which has quickly become a regular thing. I spend more time with my family and love them even more. I have more time for friends, and the community. And most importantly I have more time for me.

Move more
I have lost 8kg in 08. I find it much easier to get off my arse now. It is great!

Love more
I spend more quality time with my family. My youngest daughter spent the first 2 years of her life with a never there dad. And when I was I was always thinking about work. I have discovered two beautiful girls living in my house and they become more delightful everyday.

Eat less
As part of my weight loss, I watch what I eat. I count everything. It is amazing how oblivious I was to the amount of crap going into my body. When you carefully measure the inputs you can get very predictable outputs, and this is the secret to success for most things. If you don’t measure the inputs, how can you possibly expect the right outputs. As Rowan once advised, measure everything!

Hate less
Lastly, as a result of all the above I find I am much happier, and thus don’t hate as much. There is still much that “grinds my gears” but I don’t hate it as much. I find that if I don’t like something, rather than hating it, I provide constructive criticism, and see if I can help them or it out so I don’t hate it some much.

Well what is ahead for 09? I think the above worked so I’m gonna stick with it. But there is one new thing to add. There is a project I have been toying around with as an idea for some time now. Occasionally I tinker away at it. But this year I am going to get it going. I will make a plan (using PlanHQ) of what I want to achieve and then give it quality time. This is a year of hard work you know.

Also I refuse to participate in the recession. I think it is all psycological anyway. Anyone who tries to get me to subscribe to the impending doom will get a quick dose of optimisim and sunshine.