Not the Getting Things Done version – James Clear’s version of down-scaling habits so you just do something of the habit you want to build, for only two minutes. Do that until you’re the kind of person who identifies as doing that sort of thing, and then it’s a whole lot easier. Break it down, make a start. Don’t worry about the big picture and … Continue reading The two minute rule
I didn’t feel I had the energy or the time to do some rearranging of things after work, and before going home. Recognising how strongly I wanted to make progress though, I told myself I’d do just one pomodoro. So I made a commitment of only 25 minutes and got started, actually wrapping up nearly an hour and half later. Taking a small step is … Continue reading One tomato, two tomato
I started writing this blog when I was in a pretty dark place. I knew I needed reasons to keep going and I also knew that helping others is my biggest motivator. Sharing words that could help another in the same spot, I felt, would tap into that motivation and also shine a light for me to walk with. Over a year later, I’m in … Continue reading Committing for longer
This will pass, things will get better. It’s a common reassurance given to people experiencing hardship. It’s well intended, but to me it feels a little hollow. There’s no guarantee and so we cannot merely hold on and hope, confident that better will arrive soon enough. But, things definitely CAN get better. Hope is a key part of that happening. Optimism isn’t a failure to … Continue reading It may, it will, get better
Because it’ll be easier to get up, and to fight through. You can make a difference. Believe in yourself. Keep going. . (Photo by Shane on Unsplash) Continue reading Believe you can
In my mid-twenties I received an evaluation that was very positive about my effectiveness, but noted I was ‘emotionally naive’. I was a little stunned and felt insulted. Over the years since, I like to think I’ve done a lot to address the shortcoming that (now) I’m pleased to have been made aware of. Right now I feel like I did back then. So much … Continue reading Emotionally naive
I can’t remember where I read it now, but I made half a note at the time as I liked the thought: Responsibility. Formally bestowed, or informally shouldered. Some of our formal leaders are clearly failing. Other, greater, leaders have no authority vested in them – they’re just stepping up and moving us forward. We can all make a difference. . (Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash) Continue reading Responsibility
I helped a friend get a ludicrously large plant pot into his garden today. When I say ludicrous, I mean this thing was easily a metre wide and the same tall. It weighed, we reckoned, probably about 250kg. Their garden isn’t easily accessible. It’s on one of the steepest roads in Sheffield, which is a hilly city. The steps to the garden are cut into … Continue reading Big problems
Sometimes You Learn 