Hola!

2 years ago I wrote an article about becoming 30. You do the math. (I know, I look a lot younger; balanced diet, rigorous exercise regime…lies!).

Anyway, it’s that time of year again. Time to philosophise, a moment of reflection. I want to comment on what’s happened in between and what’s likely to happen in the future. Not just for me because I’m that narcissistic (not to say I’m not, but that’s not the intention here , but because you may be able to glean something from it.

Last year, I had a fairly quiet birthday. I tend to every year in fact. I like to celebrate other people’s, I’m the first person to party on down when it’s someone elses day.

But for me, I don’t want anything to do with it come my turn. No real reason but I just want to concentrate on 364 days being top notch rather than get too overboard on one specific day. It just happens to be the date you were born; nothing more, nothing less.

By the way, this extends to all ‘special’ occasions. I’m really not one for new years eve for example, but that’s another story. I think it’s the forced nature of it all.

On November 2nd 2011 (the day after my b’day) I moved to Spain. This year (October 31st 2012, the day before) I quit my job. These are quite interesting decisions and resulting actions.

Quite seismic in some peoples eyes I suspect. Great gifts I say.

A quick overview: I was working in an office. I have spoken a little in my ebooks and previous articles but ultimately office work isn’t for me. And as, or more importantly, working for someone else isn’t for me either. I need to be working on my own terms. These 2 combined = not the one.

As far as office work goes this was a good gig. Slightly spicier in the sense it was in another country, a plethora of nationalities and I was (am) a huge fan of the product. I had been on the program I was coordinating on 3 occasions, believe wholeheartedly in it and felt good to be working on it.

There was also some variety, different people in and out the office, a few different tasks and usually a little afternoon out on a Thursday. There was enough to keep me going.

BUT

You can’t dodge your true path for too long. You can try but it will eat you, slowly. It’s an unpleasant way to go. You can play along but somewhere along the line you have to get back in tune with your values, principles, passions and purpose.

Profound but true.

And for me, staring at a computer screen in one place for 8 hours most days is bad news.

Staring at my own computer screen, working on my own projects is another matter entirely.

Having to be at a building each day at a certain time, leave at a certain time and have time off within a designated allowance (which needs to be agreed on), putting in ‘face time’ at the office rather than real productivity. All this adds up to an unsuccessful and unfulfilling life.

I’m not knocking this particular company per sé. This whole 40 hour week thing worldwide is, in my humble opinion, not the best way to do business. ‘Working’ for 8 hours, or rather showing your face for 8 hours does not equal productive, efficient work.

Quite the opposite in fact.

I would guess most people in this kind of environment get about 1-2 hours productive work achieved each day. The time and energy wasted is demoralising. If I were able to concentrate and do my work in the most efficient way, I would have achieved twice as much by lunchtime and we could all go to the bar.

If I had a business, with employees (heaven forbid) then it would most definitely not run on face time. It would run on productivity and output produced. But that’s just me, what would I know?!

This isn’t a rant on working practices…that’s for another day

The conversation

I had already suspected I would be leaving at the end of my contract as it seemed like it would be an appropriate time. The summer is a bad time to go due to it being far busier so the winter was good. Especially as we appeared to be on top of things with staff and systems in place.

I wasn’t quite sure about approaching the conversation with my boss. I’m notoriously bad at that. I’d rather leave quietly out the back door. It was especially (potentially) difficult as I liked my boss. It would be easier to hate everyone and everything and just leave.

I was slightly concerned about how to leave in the most amicable way. I didn’t want all my good work to go to waste and become a bad guy. Persona non grata. I also wanted the door to stay open for potential future work and attending the program we produce as a volunteer as I originally did.

Anyway, I’m pleased to say it all went smoothly. Thrilled in fact. My boss being the true star she is, made it very easy and we parted on great terms. I also received a positive reception (actually ‘reception’ is the wrong word as I was leaving, not arriving, but you know what I mean) from those in charge of the company, with open ties to continue some sort of partnership in some sort of capacity in the future.

Good job all round I say, and we leave with whatever the opposite saying is to ‘leaving with a bad taste in your mouth’. A good taste presumably, perhaps something sweet.

The Future

So, I decided to volunteer on one more program following my departure from the job. This would wrap this particular segment of the journey up nicely. I may well be back in the not too distant future but this seemed a nice way to end it for now…back where it all began at the start of last year.

I have begun to write another article on the Pueblo Inglés program (a follow up to this one). It’s already 2500 words so I may make it into a mini ebook, split it into different articles or edit it vigorously.

As for my next movements, I’ll be chillin’ in Madrid for the next 3 weeks or so, doing a little writing, planning and catching up with friends. I’ll be back to England for Christmas and new year, then off to Asia! In and around Thailand for just under 3 months which will take me up till Easter.

This may well be the last article on this blog. I am unsure how I’m going to use PFB in the future (if at all). It has provided a nice testing ground for some of my work but I feel I’ll be concentrating all of my efforts over at “M2M”. If this is the first you’re reading about my new site, or even if not, please check it out over at:

www.MediocrityToMastery.com

That is where the majority of action will be taking place…in the forums, blogs and between members. A far more interactive community platform that will allow us to do so much more than a static blog can. You can browse the site, download free books and more and set up a profile to get fully involved.

I’ll be documenting a lot of my journey over there, so you can check that out along with contributions from others. You can even add your own blogs, groups, events and forum threads to the discussions, as you please.

I hope to see you over there, but for now, PFB is over and out…

Hasta luego!

The project and website is called Mediocrity To Mastery (m2m) and is essentially summed up in those 3 words. It’s about going from mediocre living to masterful living in whatever way that may mean to you. It’s partly about me and my own journey but far more about you and yours…ultimately, us and ours!

You can read a little more over at the about page.

So, what is M2M and how does PFB fit in?

PlanetFruitBat (this blog) will continue to run. It was more supposed to be a bit of fun. I originally started it as I hoped to be traveling and I thought it could be a good way for friends and family to check in (and anyone else that may be interested). The idea was to post the occasional article along with videos of me partaking in crazy activity…bungee jumping in New Zealand and the like.

There was one little problem; I wasn’t traveling – I haven’t got anywhere near as far as NZ or a bungee jump for that matter – so that was fairly irrelevant. In the mean time, when I sat down to write, I found myself writing more for the personal development standpoint…leaning towards the area of motivation and inspiration. Now, this was mainly for myself. When I write it’s generally for me but if others see it and gain something from it then all the better.

With very little advertising of fanfare I have a few people following the blog which includes friends and strangers alike. I have received active encouragement to keep up the ‘personal empowerment’ work as that has helped people and it is potentially an area I excel at. Even if not, it helps to keep me on task.

So I wanted to make 2 separate entities. Best of both worlds. Double trouble.

During a little brainstorming, one tagline I had came up with for PFB was ‘mediocrity to mastery’ so I thought that could be a good name to use. I checked and the domain was available so I snapped it up, unsure at that stage as to how it would be used. Things are beginning to unfold.

PFB will continue to be a personal blog that I’ll update as and when and how I choose. There will be no definite schedule or pattern…a free flowing entity. It will be leaning more towards travel and shenanigans. As I’m in Madrid at the moment I may talk about events or happenings in this city either coming up or that I or others have been to. It could also go further afield in Spain and worldwide. All served up, hopefully, with a humorous twist.

So; events, people, activities, music, comedy or just mindless ranting on my part. My take and response to the things going on around me. So far, it’s mainly been written articles but videos and maybe even podcasts will be making an appearance.

M2M is more serious. ‘Serious’ being the wrong or maybe misleading word. Serious in the sense of getting shit done, achieving, powering forward etc. But personal development shouldn’t be a pain or a bore or something to ‘get through’ to get to the other side.

No, it needs to be fun.

You need to be having a laugh and doing it all with a smile on your face. It’s as much – if not more – about the journey rather than the destination. Lets keep this spicy, keep it fresh, keep it moving, keep it fun and maybe even a little crazy. Being a little devil-may-care, knowing when to hustle and when to chill. Ultimately, living the dream…

It will be a blog, there will be a forum, you can post your projects, get support. There will be challenges, competitions, online meet-ups, real world meet-ups, email newsletter and much more. It’s a community based forward thinking movement…well that’s the plan anyway!

Now, here’s where you come in…

It is very much a community based movement. Whilst I am generally managing the project it really isn’t about me. I am simply a member as I hope you will be too. The whole is really greater than the sum of its parts so the interest, involvement and energy of good quality people will help to make his whole thing what it can potentially be. The idea itself is far bigger than any of us as individuals and a bigger vision then any of us could really imagine.

So, you can be involved as much or as little as you please. It would be great to get a few of the hard-core elite on board to be a regular part of the team. Other than that, involvement in the forum, blog, spreading the word and fighting the good fight!

If you would like to contribute to the site then that is actively encouraged. Feel free to send me anything that you may think useful or to ask what we are looking for. It could be written articles, videos, podcasts, interviews, inspirational material etc etc. If you are ‘tech savvy’ perhaps you would be interested in helping with web design, logos, ebook graphics, plug ins or anything else that may help make things aesthetically more pleasing along with providing the best user experience.

A new social network is born…

Mark who?

When I initially started writing this article the plan was to make the new site based around a blog, which would have been great. But after talking with a colleague at work about a separate issue I had a revelation and decided to crank things up a notch, up the ante, to raise the bar and transcend to the next level.

I decided to create a social network.

It will have everything my initial idea would have but much more. I wanted to add a forum and this will have that facility. There is integrated blog facility for each member and the site as a whole. Users can create a profile and interact in very similar ways to other existing networks (I believe there’s one doing the rounds called ‘face something’).

There will be a wall to write on, you can update your status, send private messages, add and comment on photos, videos, create groups, events and all the great stuff you’re used to.

The forum alone has several categories where you can post a project and get support and advice, partake in or discuss challenges, talk travel, writing, comedy and much more!

However, you will not be able to play and send me requests for freaking ‘Diamond Dash’. Thankfully.

No apps or silly games, no whingers, pure unadulterated personal development networking and fun. All the crap stripped away and the bare bones of quality features left.

Check out my profile

The future

The site is obviously in its early stages but hopefully you can see the vision from what is there. As time goes on, more content will be added, both by myself and others…along with more people joining the community.

This is the next stage of internet use and online social networking. You may well be aware of the explosion of blogs over the last few years on the web. ‘Back in the day’ there where full websites, but blogs have become more popular in modern times due to their ease of use, regularly updated content and interactive nature. They are also more personal.

Over the next few years you will probably see an explosion of smaller social networking sites that take the whole blogging platform that stage further.

Facebook is obviously a behemoth of the industry and no-one is really going to compete with them (most wouldn’t want to). FB will continue to be the main network people use, but also they will join similar but smaller sites that focus of their specific interests and cut out the general fluff and noise.

M2M is one such community. To be honest I haven’t seen anything similar, certainly not for free anyway!

If you are looking to achieve anything or looking for a community of positive, forward thinking doers then this could be the place for you.

So, come along and jump on the bandwagon and ride the jolly juggernaut…it’s sure to be quite a ride!

www.MediocrityToMastery.com

By the way, all feedback welcome and encouraged! What would you like to see on the site? What could be added/removed etc to improve it? Let me know your thoughts…

This post is just a quick update on me, this blog and other senanigans…

I had a post written and ready to go at the start of the month regarding this month’s ‘challenge(s)’ but I decided not to publish due to not really being able to follow through on the plans layed out. Thing is, July is a crazy month in terms of work and my ‘regular’ job is keeping me more than busy. That coupled with the heat and lack of inclination in the small amount of free time rendered the article fairly pointless.

I will be following up on some of the points contained, sprucing up my diet included. That and other things will all be getting hammered in September.

The article also discussed the importance of health as at the time of writing I had some excrutiating tooth/gum pain. I will still post that at some stage, edited accordingly. I have some other articles lined up too which may or may not see the light of day.

So, I’m effectively taking a break from working on my projects properly (still doing a little, keeping things ticking) until about mid-August. The rest of July is spoken for and about 10 days or so ‘holiday’ back in England. The second half of August will be when I get going again.

I’ll be finishing a book I’m writing (follow up to this one), more writing for this and a new site, powering forward on projects, setting new challenges and generally getting things in order for the next chapter; the unofficial new year that starts in September…my favourite month.

I will be shortly posting an article about my new project, Mediocrity To Mastery, so look out for that if you’re interested…this could prove to be a lot of fun and very fruitful for all of us. I’ll probably add that after I return in August and let you know how you can be involved if you would like to be.

As for the first week of August, I will be back in my home town in England for a folk festival and to catch up with some people. Usually a fun, if somewhat alcoholic experience…cider, folk music, old friends and new…should go with a swing!

I wonder if this guy will be kickin’ around this year…

ra ra ra ra

So until next month, enjoy the summer (whatever that may mean to you depending where you are!) and I’ll catch you later next month…

Cheerio!

This is partly inspired by this blog post by Phil Parkinson, a fine construction of words on productivity, some methods this individual uses and how he doesn’t fritter away his time in the way a lot of ‘normal’ people would do.

Why does he do this?
Why do I do this?
Why does anyone do anthing?

Who the hell knows but I will try and answer these questions and offer some thoughts.

As an aside Phil has one of my favourite blogs on the internet (I read a lot…I’m a digital animal and voracious reader), no ballshit advice served up with a healthy dose of humour. Not necessarily for your grandmother’s viewing but so long as you’re not a complete pleb you should be ok to read it. Based around health & fitness and The Circuit Factory (fitness movement based in Dubai) but offers far more.

My other favourite blog at the moment is from my good friend Daniel Waugh at Just Move Travel. I spent 8 days with this guy on a Pueblo Inglés program…essentially a chilled out Aussie. He also has some very intelligent things to say. His articles are a little shorter than mine and Phil’s (I do like to ramble) but his posting frequency is far more prolific…I think he’s knocking out about 2 blogs a day. All great stuff in the world of health, fitness and travel.

What’s your plan for the weekend?

Anyway, I’m sat here in my room in my flat sweating my…well, sweating. It’s another 30 degree sunny day in Madrid. It’s Saturday…

Only one thing for it – go out and take some beers with friends. That’s what people do isn’t it? Maybe sit in the sun, catch a tan man, sink a few cervezas and see where the day goes safe in the knowledge tomorrow is Sunday and there are no commitments. This is what you’re doing and what I’m going to do right?

Nope.

At the time of writing this article I have the curtains closed, the balcony doors closed (would like the air but the noise from the traffic and occasional weird processions interrupts my flow), my second coffee beside me. This is a writing day. This is also a day to be working on my new website. I could potentially do something later today or tonight so long as I have a good few hours of achieving something, of pushing my life forward in some way. Chances are I won’t and I will try and get even more done.

I was thinking I ‘should’ really go out and catch some sun. But why? I could do with a bit of a tan. At least something rather than the pasty white guy vibe I’ve got going on (fortunately I have a good personality that sees me through ) But this is one of the least ‘bang for your buck’ activities I can think of. So I sit in the sun for hours, for what end?! The ROI (return on investment) is the worst I could think of in the world. Yes, you could read and gain knowledge. You could idley chit-chat with friends which is ‘fun’.

Just because the sun’s out, doesn’t necessarily mean you have to be out in it. Do your own thing. Personally, I’d rather dance around in the rain. But then again I’m borderline.

It’s a funny one. People are obsessed with the sun, well, the weather in general. Facebook never shuts up about it. Facebook’s a prick, it’s not a fan of your productivity and needs to be controlled and used correctly before it kills you off. Anyway, the weather obsession is madness. But that’s by the by.

So I sit out in the sun all day and get a slight tan. I have to do this several times over several days for any real ‘progress’. The worse part about it is it’s really fucking boring. Jesus, the amount of fun you could be having or work you could be getting on with is mind boggling…

Then, it is such high maintenance. You miss some days and you’ll be back to square one, you need to keep it topped up. You definitely have to live abroad to keep this up (apart from the ‘lucky’ few). So if you live in England or move back there then you can forget about all that bronzed Adonis thing.

People do ask when I go home “where’s your tan”. Spain = sun = brown. Firstly winter is winter so there is less of this commodity so don’t expect to see me at Christmas or Easter and see much change in my complexion. Next, summer is the busiest time of year at work. June and July I’m essentially in an office all day and I want to try and use my weekends to get as much done as possible. I’m a bit fucked of a weekday evening and can’t switch off from my regular job to my side projects.

Weekends give me a little time to adjust and get in the zone. This is why I rarely go out on a Friday evening. I occasionally do a Thursday (this ties in with my job, I sometimes have ‘a’ beer with some of the volunteers for the program I help to coordinate). Saturday is miscellaneous. But I want to use Saturday day time as much as possible to write and further my projects. Ideally I use Sunday too for the same purpose.

‘Normal’ Behaviour

In Phil’s article he wrote about ‘normal behaviour’…he also mentions there is no sacrifice when you are going after what you really want. People would say that you should be out partying. Been there, done that, bored. “But you’re in Madrid?” So what, the place is irrelevant.

It’s not to say that I don’t go out, I do, I also drink sometimes and I have some late nights BUT I am ridiculously disciplined. I have specific designated zones for this type of behaviour. When I do go out, I’m out properly and I get involved and ‘on it’, make no mistake. But I can’t be doing that all the time and do the things I want to do.

It’s impossible – make a choice.

Also, we’re not just talking about the hours involved in this indulgement…but the fall out. The recovery is not so pretty and that’s a couple of days gone.

I’m the ‘wrong’ side of 30 now so it’s something of an action time. My time needs to be meticulously planned and made use of. Nothing else will suffice. If I don’t do it now then when’s it going to happen? The time is now!

There’s also the financial aspect…

There is no freaking way on God’s green earth that I will work all week for a couple of chumps for a meagre pay cheque to then go and fritter it away on mindless entertainment. I am squirreling some away, paying for my essentials and I have a small amount that could be used for frittering. Not necessarily but it’s there and it’s designated.

I want to use my time to build something and use my money to grow into more money. Financial freedom should be the number one goal for people until if and when the system changes.

Actually the number one goal should be to live with passion, purpose and enjoyment. But that cannot be reached if you’re not financially independent and effectively a slave.

My Point

So my point is – if I do even have one – is that you may have to live your life differently if you want to achieve different, new or better results. No, you will DEFINITELY have to live your life differently. Here’s a little passage from a new book I’m writing:

“The day you realise that it’s ok to be ‘different’ and perhaps follow a different path is the day you set off a chain of events that will lead you down the path of where you want to go. Here’s the rub: The cold hard fact: If you would like to be successful and achieve different and better results than other people then you will have to think and act differently to those people in order to achieve those results. Fact.”

So, let them do what they like but if you want to do anything noteworthy you will have to develop a system to get you there. I am developing a website and writing book 2 of 4 on this very topic, so there will be more to come on that!

Meditation update

My meditation challenge is in full swing but nothing much to report. I’ve missed a few sessions but have also done a fair few, have a few thoughts on it but need to make sure I do get to it twice a day and not get distracted whilst doing it. I can’t help but think I should be doing something rather than sitting around. But then again that’s the point in the exercise. I will elaborate more at the end of the month but I’ll wrap this article up.

My exercise regime has slackened slightly. I’m still doing something most days but nothing hard-core. My plan for this area is to keep things ticking these next couple of months. Nothing spectacular but keep the ‘wolf from the door’ in this respect. Then, come September I can hit this area hard. That and my diet will be the main focus in September.

One last thing: fake tan, sunbeds. Just a thought, if that is what you desire.

There are always options…and a much more straight line approach. Your time is precious, use wisely…

Ultimately it  comes down to this: What do you really want? What’s more important?

“Before you become an overnight success, you must be an everyday hustler.”

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In the last article I wrote that the target was for 5000 push-ups. Twas a nice round figure along with being something of a challenge without being too hard-core. Well, I’m pleased to say that it has been royally smashed…practically doing it in my sleep along with some other exercises so time to add in some more spice to the mix.

I’ve been doing 200 each and every day. Hardly groundbreaking but, as of writing, I have done 5000 and on course for 6000.

But it was never about the push-ups. The specific exercise and the amount was arbitrary. As I alluded to in the last post, it was all about getting in to some sort of routine due to a lack of one on the exercise score. Anything. Just consistent action to get in some sort of physical activity for several weeks then go from there. I’ve done that so now time to crank things up a notch.

A quick note on my choice of exercise and what could be for you too if you want to get going again (or to start). I am a fan of bodyweight exercises. I made a brief reference as to why in the last article but there is another massive reason and a major plus for this format.

Low barrier for entry. Low risk.

Let me explain…

You want to put as few obstacles in between you and actually getting the workouts done (this applies to any endeavour, not just exercise). At least to start with. You don’t want any reasons or excuses getting in the way. Some people may be a little self conscious about others seeing them work out, not an issue if you’re working out at home on your own. Equipment? Non necessary. No trainers or running/gym gear. Just you and a about 6×3 feet of space and you’re done.

If you have a wooden floor like me then it might be an idea to get an exercise mat but that’s it. Just a pair of shorts, music on, get it done. The only problem with working out alone is the motivation of another person or people. If you need that then maybe join an exercise class for the communal spirit apart from anything else. Personally, I like to do my own thing and when I commit to it, it essentially means I’ll hardly be coming up for air for 30 minutes.

The bodyweight workout at home can be as easy or as hard as you want to make it so don’t you worry about that. If you are  a ‘larger’, unfit specimen you can take it easy to start with and just try and complete some basics and work from there. If you are ‘Mr Elite’ twitching your guns and buttocks then there is still plenty to keep you occupied too. Then there’s the time factor. ie. it doesn’t have to take up much. There’s no traveling involved, just jump to the floor. You can give yourself the run around in 15 minutes.

If you are so unfit that you can’t do a single push-up (for example) then you can build up over a few weeks and then you will be fitter and slightly less embarrassed to show yourself at a gym, exercise class or park. I was hoping to start a martial arts class but as anyone who has ever attended such a class will know that they are generally quite grulling. It’s not the sort of thing I want to walk into when I’m at a fairly low fitness ebb. I want to work up to a reasonable level before I get involved.

I know, chicken and egg scenario but I feel I could give more and get more out of it (and look less of a weaner) by being at a reasonable level. The more astute may point out that I would reach that level and beyond faster if I bite the bullet and go to such a class immediately whilst at the low fitness ebb. Swings and roundabouts.

There’s also a financial element to it all. I’m not a fan of spending money on things that I could effecively do for free and on my own terms. I’ve assessed the situation and I have no desire to use a gym. I will join a martial arts class in September if I’m still here or wherever I am if I’m not (busy summer so can’t commit). I may do the odd session in the park…I definitely would if I had a park or similar closer to where I live. Mindlessly running around the streets with cars, traffic lights and pedestrians is not the one. We’re all about efficiency here. That’s not it.

Ok, so enough about that. What about next month?

From Monday the main ‘challenge’ will be meditation. I will do this the rest of May and through June. This will probably one of those that I will continue with, make an ongoing habit…a lifestyle rather than 30 days or whatever (which is what exercise should be – a lifestyle, not a fad).

I think this is a great thing to do for many reasons. I’m not about to go all spiritual and woo woo at this time but it is certainly something worth considering and trying out for yourself. I have tried on occasion in the past but never consistently so I think this would be a great opportunity to do it for a month and probably beyond.

I also found it quite difficult when I tried…but I think that’s the point, it needs to be overcome and sitting still shouldn’t be an uncomfortable experience where you can’t relax but quite the opposite and open the door to realisations, insights and all manner of things.

So I’m thinking 10 minutes in the morning on awaking before anything else and 10 minutes in the evening just before bed. If I have the time an inclination to do longer or more then I will do but that’s the benchmark and the minimum. If I can’t do 10 minutes then I’ll devote what I can do. This will obviously require waking up at a suitable time to make sure this is done.

There are some more things that I will be working on but I’ll leave that till another day. My main focus will be the regular meditation. Part of me thinks it could all be a bit pointless but another part wants to explore the very real possibility that it could be THE key. I have heard nothing but positive things and reasons to make this a regular practice.

I think the main key to contentedness, happiness, enlightenment, success is to be able to stay present and in the moment.

Any depression, stress, anxiety, worry, guilt or any negative emotion exists in the past or future. What has happened, what is going to or might happen. All joy, excitement, enthusiasm, relaxation and positive emotions exist right here, right now. Ok, we can be excited for the future but I think you get the gist. We need to keep present and stay in the moment and be 100% there at any given time. Certainly as much as possible.

You may think it’s all a bit ‘hippy trippy’ but I believe meditation (along with other things) is one route to that, if not the main route.

So not only can you become more present, centred etc during the actual meditation session but that will eventually emanate outward to the rest of your life. You will eventually feel that way more intensely and more often…and you are on your way!

I imagine there will be some resistance at first as your mind always wants to be doing something, especially if it is somewhat manic but – like anything – that will improve with practice. Who knows what awaits the other side and it will hopefully become a smoother experience with less resistance.

(By the way, I won’t be forgetting the exercise. I will be continuing with a mixture of exercise. 10 minutes in the morning, 20 in the eve. Job done.)

I encourage you to get involved and try something for 30 days. Don’t exercise? Do it for a month, or do a particular health or fitness challenge…cut out the booze…eliminate caffeine, sugar, dairy…always wanted to learn an instrument or a language? Do it now. There are thousands of things you could do…why not eh?!

I’ll report back on my findings. Please join the facebook page. I have been fairly quiet there recently but hope to add more regular content, updates & general shenanigans so do get involved.

I have a very busy summer, what with my regular job, some writing projects and perhaps a little time off it all too. Consequently, my projects will still be simmering quietly over the next few months but expect to see a lot more of me come September. I’m talking updates to the PFB blog, a new website, a book or 2 and potentially a new twist in direction for me.

Anyway, best be off…please like, tweet, share, +1 etc

Ciao!

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit” ~ Aristotle

Just a quickie today to let you know what I’m doing in May in regards to 30 day challenges. As you may or may not have read in a previous article my March wasn’t up to much…I had many things I was going to attack but didn’t do any of them! April, I had no plan of attack whatsoever but it all seemed to pan out nicely and set me up for the year.

As for May, my main priority is fitness & exercise. By which I mean getting back into some sort of routine before upping my game considerably in this area.

Now, a brief overview of my recent exercise history. Over the last few years I got into a consistent pattern of exercise. Nothing groundbreaking or elite but solid and continuous nontheless. I became ‘someone who exercises’ rather than just the occasional sporting activity.

I centred around bodyweight workouts at home. Sure, I’d add in other shit but that’s my basis. I believe it offers everything I (and anyone else for that matter) needs. I used weights a few times and they have their place for sure but not really for me. Nor is long slow cardio…mindlessly jogging around.

Bodyweight exercises (of which there is huge variety and you can mix things up and increase intensity far beyond what you will ever be capable of), hill sprints, skipping…this type of stuff is where it’s at and you get the most ‘bang for your buck’.

“The first wealth is health” ~ Emerson

It is also good for you in terms of decrease risk of injury and better for your body all round (for example your body isn’t just muscles, it has the small matter of ligaments, tendons and internal organs that need to be taken care of. Miss these things out, if they fail, your muscles go to the dogs anyway. And as for long slow cardio…not good for the body over a period of time in a number of ways).

Anyway, I’m no fitness expert or personal trainer (check out www.circuitfactory.ae for the best advice out there for health & fitness) but I have enough knowledge about the subject but more importantly how the subject integrates with me to put out these ramblings. It may be different for each person of course, but there are some core basics that tend to apply across the board.

Anyway, my point. Did I have a point? No, so I’ll continue…

Before I moved to Spain I slackened a little and since in Spain I have barely exercised. It’s been sporadic at best. So this month will be about getting back in the daily practice.

I want to exercise everyday but I wanted to do something specific, ie put a number to it rather than anything else. So here’s the deal -

5000 push-ups.

Doing the Math, it work out at 166.66 per day based on 30 days.

Now, this may sound like a lot or very little depending on your perspective. Personally in general terms it’s not a lot. I was doing over 250 most days along with about another thousand other reps (sit-ups, squats, tablemakers mainly) so this is a little less than that. BUT it is a lot right now as I haven’t been doing any recently…about 6 months of virtual inactivity! The amount itself isn’t huge for a single day (depending on your fitness level) but it’s another matter entirely doing it over a period of time.

“The higher your energy level, the more efficient your body. The more efficient your body, the better you feel and the more you will use your talent to produce outstanding results” ~ Anthony Robbins

I will look at doing 200 a day to get ahead of myself. I may try and do 100 in the morning which will have numerous benefits. Not only will I get ahead of myself and set myself up for smashing the target, it also gets me moving and in the right frame of mind and will affect my day positively. It also means I have that in hand in case anything comes up in the evening. I will still look to do 200 in the evening anyway but 150 will do just fine in this case…or even 100 will cover me which is pretty easy just a matter of doing them.

Here’s the thing; I won’t be limiting my workouts to push-ups. For example I plan on skipping most days to get my cardio up to scratch (in fact, I was going to do a skipping challenge but I am a huge fan of the humble push-up and I didn’t want to confuse matters doing more than one challenge in the same area). I will also do some other bodyweight exercises and maybe some other bits. But having said that, push-ups are the priority. So if I haven’t done anything yet on a given day then I’ll be getting down and banging out 100 there and then.

So at the very least this month I will have 5000 push-ups under my belt so I will be able to add some other things next month and onwards and more importantly, be back in a routine.

The great thing about push-ups (other than physical benefits) is the fact they can be done anywhere at any time, no excuses. They’re also a good all rounder for fitness, strength etc. You can also mix it up with varieties, not just your standard… Hindu, handstand, one arm, arm/legs close together or far apart, on fingertips/knuckles…or any variation possible, very versatile and very affective.

Ok, that’s the main focus. I’ve got other things I will be working on. Next month I will continue with the fitness journey although the challenge will be non fitness/exercise related. I’m thinking meditation as I want to give that a bash for reasons I’ll go into then. I may make it an intense month of learning Spanish (should really, whilst I’m here ).

I’m also writing a book so in addition to my push-ups I will try and get the first draft written this month.

I’ve got a busy few months coming up so it’s muy muy muy importante (very important) to get the mind and body right. Hence the exercise regime, for routine, to get the body moving and for a mind that has clarity, focus and is stress-free.

“Those who do not find time for exercise will have to find time for illness” ~ Earl of Derby

I’ll update on the facebook page so get involved over there. If my postings on this blog become a bit sporadic or spaced it will be mainly because I’m concentrating my efforts on other writing pursuits as I believe that is more where it’s at for me, writing books and the like…but I’ll still be posting fairly regularly. My plan is to make this more into a video blog with hardly any writing and my writing will be going into ebooks etc along with any freelance stuff I might try and sniff out.

This article wasn’t quite so quick after all…over 1000 words again. One of the reasons I’m leaning towards books

So what are you up to this month? Let me know, comment below!

Edit: 2 days in, on course…400 down…

Hello…

I feel like I’m starting every blog post with why I have been absent. To be fair you won’t have noticed or cared necessarily but that’s not the point and I did have the intention of upping the regularity and consistency of my posting. I do still have that intention by the way and I will follow through eventually. In the mean time please enjoy my occasional ramblings.

Firstly my so called power month was a mitigating disaster. As far as power months go it wasn’t very powerful, it lacked power, powerless, military medium…powder puff. Funny thing is, not only was it not anywhere near power month status, it was actually a little more dire than an average month. I should have really kept my mouth shut. Although I will say 2 things – 1, the concept still stands and shit happens, and 2, There’s always next month and the month after

Let me explain my plight…”excuses excuses” I hear you cry!

The first week of March was a stressful one at work. Jeez. This set things off on the wrong foot and it wasn’t recovered from. It set the tone. April on the other hand is going quite swimmingly. Had a nice Easter break in England, saw some old friends, met some new and caught up with family.

So back in the Spanish capital, writing again and exercising again every day. Got the fire back…emerging like a phoenix from the flames…time to cash in whilst it burns nicely. Saturday I wrote about 5000 words for a new book. Sunday I wrote this article.

Thing is about the whole ‘travel thing’ in general, including the short breaks and longer excursions, like I always say, is 2 fold. One (and most obvious) is the experience of visiting a new place, meeting people, different things, the adventure. Secondly (and perhaps more important) a rekindled ‘love’ (or a strong like or at least an appreciation) of the place you have traveled from, ie. your home (or what is home for that time).

Living in a town in Devon with not enough breaks away is not the one and living abroad wasn’t just a nice idea, but a necessity…at least for a time. England bored me. The people, the places, ‘Britishness’, politics, the transport system…anything and everything. Now when I go back I love it. I love the people, the places, ‘Britishness’, politics, the transport system…anything and everything.

The quirky little exchanges I have with people at a shop or the train station or in a lift for example that I can’t really have in Spain. England is a fascinating country, you just don’t want to be stuck in amongst it not being able to see the wood for the trees.

You notice the difference as soon as you go through passport control at the airport. “Welcome back guv’nor”. What I saw before I left as a fairly unfriendly country with boring, non achieving “it’s the taking part” people became quite friendly, quirky, comforting and humorous on this occasion. Have THEY changed their ways? For sure not.

It’s perspective. It’s always perspective.

I also like to have conversations that consist virtually solely of the word “cheers”.

Hello = cheers
Goodbye = cheers
Thanks = cheers
A toast = cheers

It can be used for even more than this when used with the appropriate body language. I would like to engineer a situation where all other words are obsolete. Cheers is a great word.

Ironically the roles had reversed before this Easter trip home. Madrid was feeling a little stale even though I had only been here a few months. It’s not a crazy, long weekend city break, it is now your life. Job, apartment, routine. I haven’t been out of Madrid since I’ve been here (for a short break away within Spain for example).

Madrid should be enough I hear you cry. Surely it has everything you need, it’s a major capital city. Yes, no and that’s not the point.

You could be in Madrid, London, Sidmouth (my home town), Exeter (city near my home town) or anywhere else in the world but it’s how you feel at that given time. All of those places and more are both equally great places to live and to visit…they just need to be used correctly. Am I saying Sidmouth is comparable to Madrid? Yes, absolutely. Have I lost my mind? Again, absolutely…but it’s rumoured that I may not have had it to begin with which makes the loss easier to bear.

My point is that you could be in the smallest, most ‘nothing’ village in the world OR the most exciting, bustling Metropolis in the world and either could be perfect and either could be terrible.

They need to be used correctly and appropriately for a given person at a given time. Once again…perception.

If you want a beer and some weird food in the middle of the night or to meet many different and new people, attend concerts, regular transport, protests…that’s city time. If you want a bit of peace and quiet, hear the sound of birds (even a dirty seagull), see a friendly face and proliferate conversations with the word ‘bugger’ then the town back home is the place for that. Although the ‘bugger’ part may just be me…there be some strange people that dwell in that there valley

One of the biggest pluses of a town is that everyone knows everyone. One of the biggest negatives of a town is that everyone knows everyone. People are simple, but people are small minded. Simple folk are great as they remind you to keep it real but at the same time they don’t really know what’s real so best not get too caught up in it for any length of time. Have fun on the outside looking in…get involved…retreat.

Anyway, long story short, my affection for Madrid has returned. It is what it is and will serve me well. It’s not the ideal place for me…I can’t help but think I want to move but it is certainly a great place. For me, best to visit for long weekends rather than live. I would like to be by a beach ideally. I’m not a big beach bum but I do like to have the option and there’s something nice about being by the sea, a tranquility if you will. I think there may be a deeper psychological thing here of having an escape on one side rather than being trapped in the middle of a land mass.

A city is also appears to have an underlying stress that isn’t obvious and at the surface but rather a constant drain that may manifest itself in some sort of burn out if you’re not careful. Every time a person gets in your way on the metro and you smile it off and keep on walking. Each time that happens can just grate that little bit further until you’re all having a Michael Douglas “Falling Down” episode.

We are all a few steps away from Jim Carrey in “Me, Myself & Irene”.

Anyway, I was slightly ‘under the weather’ for this so called ‘power month’ but fortunately I am back over (?) the weather. No, I am the weather…and the outlook is good.

So, this past weekend I got back on the writing buzz. I’m writing a second book in the ‘Mediocrity to Mastery’ series – download the first here – and I’ll be updating the blog as and when (no promises this time but weekly is the plan).

I plan to start adding more videos to make it more interactive and personal. Sometimes videos only (instead of a written article) but more likely as an intro/accompaniment to the article. I’ll take you out on location around Madrid and wherever else I may be. I might start an occasional video newsletter…we’ll call it “Mad Musings”…MAD being the city code for Madrid rather than anything insane…although lets not rule it out!

As for the power month. A month is a long time so this little concept is a tricky one to execute. The best month for me is October as it comes after the summer and before Christmas (with November having a few birthdays including my own). January is another good one but a little too obvious, so you’ll be joining all the plebs with their dopey ‘new year’s resolutions’ so you might have to fight with them for the first 2 weeks of the month at the gym but they’ll be gone soon enough.

Seriously, the new years resolution is as pescy and as pointless as the infamous and dangerous ‘diet’ concept. Please do not go on a diet, make a lifestyle change and stick with it. Similarly scrap those ‘things I will do for a month tops then go back to old ways cos I was high on new year’s eve but had cake and booze on the evening of January 1st’ and set out some goals, plans and take some action. Something tangible. Sure, you will slip up but so what?

Think about my so called March power month. What a joke. But April has been infinitely more powerful. As for May and the rest of the year, who knows, but it will certainly be interesting.

That’s re-framing baby.

I will be re-visiting the idea of the 30 day challenges. I’ll probably start with something exercise based but we’ll see. Ideas are welcome.

So, live with power, get involved, join the fb page, download my book and subscribe to my newsletter and you’re golden. Please also use the social icons below to share if you got anything from this article…

See you next time!

“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive and then go do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive” ~ Howard Thurman

Power Month

So continuing on from the last article where we discussed the power hour and the power day.

Powerful stuff.

Here we talk about the power month in general and March in particular…

The March power month – or MPM

Here’s the thing. March is a pivotal month for everyone so you better take heed. Forget all the nonsense new year’s resolutions that you may or may not have made and/or kept. Doesn’t matter…forget it and move on. But whether the first 2 months of the year have been good, bad or distinctly average, now would be the time to get on it and get your affairs in order. You don’t want another year to slip-slide away like the last and the one before etc.

You don’t want to be running around in November trying to salvage something…anything and end up depressed or just an empty shell and then make new false promises for 2013 that last 3 hours. As you are aware, the older you get, the quicker the year (and years!) rolls by. So we will be at that stage before you know it and the months will sneakily tick by. Summer may be a loss for some people…fun for sure…but not necessarily where you make great strides to where you want to be (and should be).

My point is – now is the time. In fact it always is but right now in particular. This could have a huge impact on the rest of the year and any future years for that matter. With all that said lets get in to some practicalities…

This is how my March is going to pan out…

(worth a glance at this article for chit-cat on 30 day challenges and the like)

Exercise

This will be my main focus and will precede all else. Fact. I’ve let this slide in recent months and have lost my fitness and muscle tone. No particular challenge, just the full month of working out. Once every day, some more vigarous, some may be a bit more chilled but making sure they get done. This will get the routine back on that score. I may well go to the gym and other things (sprints, skipping) but mainly 20-30 minute bodyweight workouts. This is more than sufficient to kick things into gear…

So exercise is the bedrock of this month. More about getting back into a routine than anything else. This isn’t the only thing I’ll be hitting this coming month – here are some other things that have a front seat priority boarding pass…

Spanish

I’m living in Spain at this time but have barely worked on my Spanish. Yes, I am in the country but can generally get away with very little due to my job and being a lazy bum. I have just started an online course, will be integrating some formal lessons (hopefully one-on-one for best effect, although more expensive) along with the occasional intercambio (language exchange, where you meet with someone of the other language and spend half the time speaking in each other’s language). Basically progress every day and get more involved in the conversational side of things rather than getting away with the bare minimum!

Writing

This is something I’m returning to after some months in the doldrums and will be continuing with. It’s something I enjoy once I get going and is fairly energising. Whether I am any good at it is another matter entirely but it is certainly something I should be doing on a regular basis, almost daily in fact. I know this but I didn’t write for a while. This I will try to do every day in March and continue onwards, aiming for 6 days a week. Doesn’t always have to be amazing quality every time and the amount of time will vary but the point is doing it. I can bang out a pretty tasty article in an hour so, so those will add up. This could be content for my blog, a book, possible script writing or general ramblings that could be made public or not!

***

I was considering giving up the old sauce (alcohol) for the month whilst I got on top of the above (and save on cash) but on reflection it doesn’t really matter so I’ll just leave it as is. I’m no stranger to quitting for a month or so having done it at least 5 times over the last few years. But I don’t drink a huge amount anyway and it’s nice to have the option. The reality is that when you hammer things like exercise and writing you naturally gravitate to clean living anyway. Plus the lifestyle in Spain is a little different so it may be that I want to take a few cañas (small beers) when out rather than miss out completely.

If you live in Britain or other binge culture than giving up booze for a month is a great idea. You may only really ‘get on it’ at weekends but it’s fair to say you don’t hold back. Not only would your wallet and health perk up but you would have gained 3 weekends and got all sorts done as that may be your only break from work. You can always become an alcoholic again next month. That particular estranged lover will always welcome you back into their bosom.

I also want to get in to meditating twice a day so we’ll see about that. That’s somehting that can be expanded on in another article perhaps. It’s also important to step up my game in terms of my diet. So a little tweaking there will be in order and then onwards and upwards on that score…

This is also the month I want to step up on certain projects. This blog for one and other things I may have in the pipeline…

I will be reporting back on this blog along with regular updates on the facebook page so please do get involved. I hope this has inspired or motivated you to try something yourself or to up your game. Perhaps not. Let me know what’s going on in your world this coming month!

Please comment or add to the discussion in the comments below, fb page, twitter…or email me about this article, the blog or anything else for that matter!

Please feel free to share this article using the icons below, or any other methods!!!

I have much planned for April and beyond…join me!

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure – Marianne Williamson

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What is the Power *unit of time*?

In a nutshell this is where you absolutely hammer it, whatever ‘it’ may be…a sustained, consistent, productive onslaught over a given time period but usually a short term one. I think a year would be a little long as it is not really possible to keep up the pace and things happen. Also, where does it all end…the power life?! Maybe some people have that but lets not go too far…

Power Hour

Ahh, the infamous power hour. Say you have things to accomplish in a day. You may have many things but usually it comes down to 1 or 2 priorities to make the day a success. Quite often you may have scattered focus and be doing several things at once, you may even think you’re multi-tasking but you’re not being productive or efficient.

What you do is dedicate an hour to one thing. I mean 100% focus, no distractions and you don’t stop doing it until the hour is up. You may think that’s quite a pathetic and simple concept. But most things are simple, we just complicate them…it’s probably one of the ‘secrets’ to success.

Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication – Leonardo da Vinci

Say you’re a writer – or need to write – you would just have your Word document (or whatever) open, no internet browsers. Phone off, no people, no noise, no TV etc (for some people, music helps but generally that’s not a good idea as you are distracted. Use music to inspire and motivate then get on in silence. Although perhaps there are certain kinds of music that may work for some people? But I digress…)

An hour isn’t a long time, very manageable and you can stop when the hour’s up…or continue should you so wish but that isn’t the purpose. You may think you already do this when you are putting 5 hours in on a project…that it’s a power 5 hours but I can almost guarantee it isn’t unless you are a true focused animal…a productivity machine.

Still put in the extra 4 hours of wishy-washy where you are getting some stuff done mixed with a little time wasting but then you have your power hour where the true magic happens and you will have achieved far more in that time than the rest put together.

This can of course be applied to any endeavour. The point is that you need to be 100% involved with that thing at that time at the expense of everything else. You can re-join the world and its myriad distractions in an hour…it will wait patiently and be happy to see you.

I have even seen this applied in a social setting. It has been known that people who like to take the occasional alcoholic drink may step up the pace for an hour whilst at a bar in the name of fun and intoxication. It may be a 60 minute stretch where the odd tequila or sambuca may make an appearance! This isn’t the point of this article, and being a moderate, controlled drinker myself I wouldn’t necessarily endorse the behaviour but you do as you please

Power Day

The PD would be the same concept but extended…yep, you’ve guessed it, a day. Although a slightly different approach. You dedicate a day to absolutely hammering it. If you have a ‘to do’ list that you have been putting off or other projects etc this is the day to get super pumped and slice through it. You may say just do this every day but it doesn’t quite work like that.

It’s not sustainable for the average person and you’d simply give up. But if you have designated that particular day and you are feeling fairly energised you can dedicate yourself 110% to being mightily productive and go back to your slobbish ways the next day if needs be (although you will be slightly more motivated to continue in that way…perhaps not another full on power day but a semi-powerful one nonetheless).

So, you get up early…you go to bed late and you don’t stop in between. This is where you attack everything you have decided on the day before…no Simpsons, Soaps or Celebrity Silliness, no trashy mags, no pub, no idol gossip or aimless surfing the net. Your life will have taken a whole leap forward at the end of that day. Just 24 hours but a whole new world potentially!

It’s all about the hustle.

Do I use these concepts and do they work for me? Yes occasionally and yes occasionally. Each time I have dedicated my time accordingly is when I have achieved the most. Not long ago I wrote an ebook which was essentially written in 3 days in 5 hour sessions each time. There was some time between that and when it was ready due to leaving it to one side for a few weeks then a little editing and tweaking but the basis was effectively done in that time. And that’s how it will always be with most people and in most situations.

Time management and priorities. That is all.

Ok, this was supposed to be one article but it is starting to get a little substantial and you have a life to lead so I will post the second half on Wednesday. I will discuss the ‘power month’ and my plans for March. Have a think about what you’re going to do…this article may help – 30 Day Challenges.

Ciao for now!

¿Qué pasa?!

Ok, so about time I updated this blog!

I’m going to try and keep this fairly brief (which probably means it won’t be!) or I may do a follow up article if I start to ramble on…

So what have I been doing these past few months and what of the future…both for myself, this blog, projects and the world? Big questions, sure, but this article will attempt to answer such ponderings and far more…

Firstly…

Escape from Alcatraz (well, England)

Back around the end of August/start of September I was coming off the back of a reasonable summer…nothing legendary but passable (of course it had its moments) but as ever at that time of year it’s time to put the next phase into action or at least do some solid planning. I didn’t have a job, money or any of that great stuff that helps facilitate big plans. I did have something as valuable…a little vision along with my ‘Google docs’ packed full of ideas. What more does one need?

So I got the ubiquitous boring office job. The benal, bone idol, dopey hamster wheel, rat boy pile of nonsense. It was ok, the money was so-so, some people were not bad but all a mound of steaming crap nonetheless…and no-one I could pick out that had any similar ideals to me. I sat there in the interview giving the usual stellar acting performance, making out I was looking to stay with the company for a long period of time (ie. not to bugger off asap), speak positively about the particular industry and why I wanted to be involved and what I wished to contribute.

I had to sit there and listen to these two oafish women talk (although knowledgeably) a load of twaddle and have to nod along in the right places, whilst adding in the occasional comment or question. One of my favourites is just repeating what they just said with a slight twist as if I fully understand and have some sort of valuable insight. I don’t . Not on this occasion. I just wanted a job for a couple of months in order to facilitate the next phase…

They told me although the job is was quite a hectic and there is a lot of work to be done, it’s not all serious. After all they do have ‘dress down’ on Fridays and also on Fridays they order in bacon sandwiches. Wow. What a massive seller, that had me skipping down the stairs and into the street as I left. That makes up for everything. Wearing my actual own clothes one day a week that I should be able to do at all times anyway and having a food product that I could also obtain at any given time, healthier versions too. People think this is normal.

Meanwhile operation Spain was simmering. Although slightly depressed, partly due to lack of time but more in inclination to exercise along with a fairly stressful job for no real reward along with a manager poking her head into your business asking about ridiculous reports. There were a few good people there who unfortunately they got sucked in by chance at some stage but there were several with no redeemable features and a few that I would gladly remove from society if given that power.

***

As mentioned, I planned to move to Spain, in particular Madrid. Why? This was the plan earlier in the year as I had some contacts and an agenda of sorts so I was still hoping to continue with that idea. I had been there earlier in the year participating in a couple of Pueblo Ingés programs, made some contacts and had some ideas, learning Spanish being amongst them. Where better than Spain hey? I also wanted to stay in Europe for now before traveling further afield again in the future.

So I did some half hearted pro-active job and flat searching (which actually turned out to be enough), booked in to do another Pueblo Inglés program in November and the stage was set. ..

Enter Spain…

Once back in España, I had a busy day or so before being away in the Spanish countryside for the next 8 days. Namely sorting the flat and job which I had half organised in England…thankfully that stage went fairly smoothly.

My interview here was in some contrast to the last one in England as mentioned earlier for a number of reasons. Not only was it a far more pleasing interview and interviewer, but also a better vibe along with being with a company I actually wanted to be involved with.

No pointless dress down Fridays, it was more of a case of wear what you like at all times within reason and instead of wittering on about bacon sandwhich crap she mentioned that she would show me where to get good lentils. Interesting contrast I thought. I’ve not had these lentils I speak of as yet but the point remains a valid one!

I’d like to make an important point at this opportunity – 1, because it’s a very valid one and 2, this is a public blog and they are my current employer, you get me – even though this blog is largely about obtaining personal freedom, there is nothing wrong with working the 9-5 or doing an office job per sé if it is something you have chosen to do rather than something you have fallen into, an industry and company you don’t care for, just to pay the bills.

If you have picked out an industry or company you would like to work for, the day to day keeps you enthused and those hours actually suit your lifestyle and routine perfectly, then it’s all good. Ultimately you should never have to wake up to an alarm clock or work for anyone else but there is some  room for negotiation!

(Btw I am a huge fan of the ‘product’ of the company I work for so it’s great to be involved, however, over  time I would like to negotiate my position and tweak things a little…a wait and see scenario!)

Playing with monsters

So, job was 90% sorted…next phase of the adventure was going to Candeleda (a town about 2 hours west of Madrid) for the aforementioned Pueblo Inglés program. I won’t go into details about it here as I have mentioned it in a previous article. This particular program was slightly different in the sense it was a specialist teachers program, ie. all the Spanish participants were teachers and most of the English speaking volunteers were too. This particular group of Spaniards were from the Balearic Islands…mostly Ibiza and Majorca.

This was my third experience with the program and more than lived up to expectations. It’s a curious thing; most teachers in Spain appear to be women. This was rather neatly displayed when I got on to the coach in Madrid…cheeky chicas as far as the eye could see! Could be an interesting week I thought…

All great people including the 2 Spanish guys who were excellent value. The majority of the ‘Anglos’ were great people too, a fascinating mix of characters once again and a good laugh in with the bargain!

The infamous NIE quest

So, back from that program and back ‘with the program’. Called in to work to make sure the job was 100%, no mishaps whilst I was away…all was well so obtained my social security number (easy) and started a few days later. There are a couple of other bits of paperwork to sort before being allowed to work officially in Spain.

I still haven’t obtained a NIE. This is essentially a national insurance number for foreigners and the freaking system seems to change by the day. You’re supposed to get one of these within 3 months if working…not sure what happens if not but might just find out soon. The reason I mention this episode is the infamous quest to the same place on 2 occasions, queue for hours and be given a slip of paper at the end of it all with a website address to do it all online. This is particularly hilarious second time round.

My personal favourite was on the first occasion to this place which involved joining several different queues, sitting in a holding area, being sent to different desks, ultimately culminating in a woman with apparent Down syndrome burping in my face…nothing against people with disabilities or chromosomal conditions but this was just a bit much…

Fortunately I have an appointment booked so it should be sorted soon..

Future/projects etc

So what of the future? For me, for this blog and potential new projects?!

I’ve been a bit slack with various projects…partly due to moving to a new country etc and all that comes with it. Also, I’ve been without a laptop for some time but hopefully now I can get things moving again. I have also wrestled with the ‘why’ of it all. What’s the point?

I lack a little fire and question if it’s the best use of my time writing a blog etc. The answer of course is yes, not least for the people who gain value from it…which includes me of course! I also have one main goal for this year – to become financially independent. That is to say, work for myself and entirely on my own terms in 2013 and if I do work with or for anyone else then it will be because I choose to not because I have to. I also have other goals and routines I want to integrate, so I’ll be writing about that…so hopefully that will be inspiring or entertaining or maybe even useful!

This blog will continue to be a mixture, mainly personal development and travel type stuff, a personal blog for one and all. It will be written articles along with some videos and perhaps podcasts. I will look to update at least once a week, maybe even twice. In between I’ll be updating the facebook page with more great stuff on a daily basis…quotes, links to other good blog posts, random ramblings, videos etc etc so get involed over there! You can also follow me on twitter.

I also have another project that I will be working on in due course so stay tuned for details of that!

For those of you that haven’t already and are interested, I wrote an ebook a few months ago that you can download for free here – entitled Take The Red Pill, Quit The Quo! - just enter your name and email in the form on the right near the top and you will receive that along with some other juicy goodness in due course! If you want more info on the book please go to the ebook page…and for more info on me and the blog check out the about page.

Last but by no means least please use the share buttons below if you got any value out of this or any other article and spread the love…

Talk soon!

“The snow falls, each flake in its appropriate place” – Zen saying