How Times Have Changed

Wow, its been 6 months since my last post. I started working full time while still in full time university education and as you can imagine that left little time for thought provoking blog posts.

Well times have changed, and thus blog has served its original purpose perfectly. Reading old posts and seeing how my life and personality have changed is an extremely positive experience.

In the last 6 months I have:

• Found an amazing woman
• Got a 2:1 degree in Economics
  
• Gained a graduate scheme placement with one of the largest companies in the world
• Been to the most amazing town - Huron, Ohio
• Seen the Atlanta Falcons play, live, in Cleveland, Ohio

"Self-reflection is vital to a nourished life". Apparently. According to a plastic mechanical physic at a Dave and Busters in Cleveland, Ohio. I have just been there on vacation with my girlfriend to visit some family friends. In 10 days I witnessed everything I want from life and fell in love with the entirety of the town. From firing a shotgun to watching ESPN all day, this is what I want. That's a powerful luxury and a great motivator.

Regarding self-reflection and motivation, if we look back to my last self absorbed post (all of them....I know) on goal setting; it makes terrific reading.

• Get a place on a Graduate Scheme - CHECK
  
• 5 Goals at the end of the season for D&C Athletic - ALMOST CHECK
• Rent my first home - CHECK
• Visit a city I have never been before - CHECK
• See the Atlanta Falcons play - CHECK

Granted, the last two I owe to my girlfriend and her unbelievably gracious contacts in Huron, Ohio but I'd call that a successful 6 months. Maybe I should be aiming higher?!

So, for the next 6 months:

• Get back to Huron, OH
• Make some sort of progress at work IE. promotion
• Have a second published article
• Start writing a book
• Become financially stable

Lets see how it goes this time, but I hope to be back in writing fashion from now on. Depends how the new job treats me!

TO

Challenging Yourself.....Again

As some of you may know, I like to check in at seminal (always loved the way the word means important but also 'containing semen') moments in my life.

About every 3 months I've checked my goals and see if I'm anyway near them or if i'm realising them.

August 2009

January 2010

My short term goals for 2010 were:

• Get a place on a Graduate Scheme
• 5 Goals at the end of the season for D&C Athletic
• Rent my first home
• Visit a city I have never been before
• See the Atlanta Falcons play

I'm in the process of getting on a Grad scheme at my current work, but thats not in the bag yet. I've got 3 of the 5 goals I need. I'm looking into moving out, and I better start saving for a trip to Atlanta in september for the new NFL season to cover the last two!

Here's one more I want to add to the 2010 list:

• Get my CBT Motorbike license and possibly a bike

"And if you come up from under that water and there's fresh air, just breathe baby, God's got a blessin' to spare. I know the process is so much stress but it's the progress that feels the best. I came from the projects straight to success and you're next, just try, they can't steal your pride, it's inside. Then find it and keep on grindin' 'cause in every dark cloud theres a silver linin'; I know."

Dwayne Carter

TO

High School Musical

Insomnia strikes. Bluergh.

Anyway, something I've noticed of late.

Life, post 21 years of age, is like high school reversed. The people who spent their high school lives being adored by many and terrorising classmates, now find themselves (admittedly according to 'Facebook') desperately unhappy about something different everyday. That or pregnant.

Then, at the opposite side of the spectrum, you have the geeks of the playground. Due to years of subject to either bullying or social exclusion, these guys actually did some work at school and boy is it paying off! These guys are well on their way to the best graduate jobs, earning the top money and hell, even some of them have blossomed into a deadly combination of brains and beauty. That or they're funny. Everyone knows to be funny you have to be clever and odd looking.

Finally, you have the middle runners. These guys flirted with both sides of my spectrum, and which ever they spent most of their time will dictate their future.

Personally, I did pretty well out of it. I wish someone would have sat me down as said "TO, if you sacrifice ALL this, in the future, the power you will gain from being more intelligent than all of these people you know will make you very happy" I would have jumped even further in the geek sqaud.

Knowledge is power people.

TO

Challenging Yourself

With it being the start (a bit late I know) of the new year I wanted to bring your attention to a post from 23rd August 2009 (wow, time flies). I discussed goals and ambition, and as with every prediction; some has changed, some is scarily close to the truth and most is cringeworthy.

http://toheadspace.blogspot.com/2009/08/today-in-football-training-i-attempted.html

Of the short term targets I have already achieved one and well on course for the other three. I have, however, noted the time scale for the medium and long need to be extended greatly, its a marathon not a sprint. Trying to achieve everything too quickly is a sure fire way to achieve nothing, good things come to those who wait, apparently.

So here are my updated targets, just for 2010:

• Get a place on a Graduate Scheme
• 5 Goals at the end of the season for D&C Athletic
• Rent my first home
• Visit a city I have never been before
• See the Atlanta Falcons play

As you can see they aren't unreasonable but still quite testing and will require me to work hard to attain. Thats what all goals should be. For me, 2010 is a consolidation year. A year for me to continue to develop and build who I am so I can achieve more in the future.

You have to build the foundation before the house.

TO

Nothing is Predestined

Today, In football training, I attempted a very audacious shot and failed miserably. But I felt no shame. As I turned to meet the mocking cheers, I said to my friend Atem (http://theatembomb.blogspot.com) "If you don't attempt greatness, you won't achieve greatness".

At the time it was just a decorated way of saying "it was worth a go". However, when I got home and started to day dream the words seemed to resonate (so much so i'm thinking of getting it in welsh as my 21st tattoo).

As with a lot of people I know, I talk a very good game.

This is necessary but not sufficient. You have to deliver. The words resonate that anyone can talk about greatness but it's all about the 'attempt'. For many years i've said it's not my time, i'm waiting for the next stage of my life...well it's coming.

I've always viewed from the end of university to my 30th birthday to be when I have to make things happen, and i will. To ensure this happens I decided to sit down today and publish my short, medium and long term goals. After all there's no motivation like potential public humiliation.

Short (<1year)

• Score 3 goals and win 3 M.O.M's for D&C AFC this year.
• Earn a 2:1 Economics degree.
• Have my second published article.
• Earn a place on a graduate scheme.

Medium (1year-5years)

• Watch the Atlanta Falcons play in person.
• Watch LeBron James play in person.
• Watch Usain Bolt sprint in person.
• Have an article published in a National Newspaper or article.
• Buy my first property.

Long (5years+)

• Earn my first $1,000,000 paycheck.
• Write a novel.
• Appear in a film.
• Own a majority share in mutli-million dollar company

Many of you may think these are unreachable, but I would say to you "don't hate, dont underestimate".

:$

TO