Tuesday 16 February 2010

Lent

Today was Pancake Day. Fella and I had our pancakes at the weekend; and no, that isn’t a euphemism. But, as today is the start of Lent I have resolved thusly: to be less crap and get things done. And I’m giving up spending – or at least wasting - money too.

I’m doing this because I’ve been feeling a bit uncertain of myself recently. Worried about my looks, my health, my career, my relationship, my… personality. I’m a worrier, gentle reader. There’s no surprise there and little I can do about it, except meet my concerns head on and do the very best I can.

So, for Lent, I’ve decided I’m going to do the following:

1. complete my Masters application, including my application for funding, by the end of February.

2. Develop and stick to a weekly exercise regime – the first part of which has been to, somewhat precipitately, sign up for a 5k run (in April) with some colleagues.

3. Cut back my working hours to 50 or so a week (ha ha); and within two weeks develop a proper business case for some projects I want to take forward in 2010 and 2011 to win funding and take greater control over my career direction.

4. Replace booze and caffeine with antioxidants and herbal tea; mainly because this Fairy has been so very Cheerful – indeed extremely so on many an occasion - for so long it’s [more than] beginning to show.

5. Make a much more concerted effort to dress well and, you know, pull off the suave sophisticated bit more often. And to worry less when it doesn’t work!

I’m sure that seems a lot, but half of it is stuff I’m doing anyway and it’s six weeks to Easter…

The final part is saving money. Being with Fella these past nine months has been wonderful but it has involved haemorrhaging money and that has to stop. I’m happy to spend money; a gym membership; new clothes; gifts and holidays for me and Fella. But most importantly I am financially a bigger earner than Fella and I should being to act like it, no?

They say (that famous Them, you know) that writing a list and setting targets is a good and cathartic start to getting things done. Sometime I wonder if my problem isn’t planning but finishing what I started. Well, tune in early April gentle reader and see what in my rippling and bling gorgeousness might be seen.

7 comments:

Volodya said...

I really like your Lent resolutions. Running 5k sounds like a damn great idea!

Volodya said...

Did my previous comment get sent? I've no idea. In any case, - really love your Lent resolutions. The 5k running sounds like a damn great thing!

Miguel said...

Excellent goals! Similar to mine last year. I found exercise was hard to keep as routine, but I kinda found a solution that works for me....wake up earlier and go jogging. Not that I love sleep anyway...but every moring betwix 6AM and 7AM, I'm out doing my laps. That way, after the long day....my exercise is done.

You'd be surprised how far smarting up your image gets you in your professional life also...well, amongst the legal profession anyways(the superficial lot that we are!).

The two goals I haven't mastered are cutting down on working hours and alas.... as a result, changeing my single status! But I live in hope, just barely!

Mike said...

Hi V/V; yes as you can see they got through! We start running on Tuesday...

Miguel - if I can do it, anyone can do it; keep trying!

Volodya said...

It's so confusing sometimes, with comments not appearing. Why do you need it - are you attacked by Chinese robots? ;-)

Mike said...

LOL. Not to my knowledge. But I like to read comments before they are published so moderate every one. A combination of vanity; genuine pleasure at what people have to say; and real appreciation for the insights readers have :-)

Volodya said...

Fair enough :-)