Don't Panic #riots

DON'T PANIC :) We are living in interesting times! What we seeing, as I have been babbling on about for a while now, is the death (or should that be transformation) of the prevalent ideologies of consumerism and capitalism and a transition to a new period in human history (which tends to happen every 3 generations), more than likely we are entering a period of a technologically controlled Totalitarian dystopia. It is our 'Fin de siecle', brought on by having more stuff than we know what to do with and no worth or value from our peers, leading to boredom amongst the youth and celebrated decadence promoted at the norm. The lies fed to us by politicians and I am sad to say the media are so transparent that they induce cynicism in the populous. We are witnessing a change in the balance of power, a change in value systems, and a change in the basic humanity of large parts of the population. The false gods of commerce and entitlement are crumbling! (I'm not a socialist by the way, just a realist!)

Criticism and happiness

Why do we do things that make us unhappy?

Hmmm this is a difficult one. I am stuck here, as I have been for several months (years) trying to finish my PhD thesis, and I am sat here wondering why am I going against everything I talk about on this blog, about turning around things that make us unhappy.

Now this is a really tricky one. I am a huge advocat of not doing something which makes us tragically unhappy....hey we only have one life right? But maybe sometimes we have to force ourselves to do things we don't want.....maybe time for some back story

How did I come to be doing a PhD in the first place, well on reflection, for all the wrong reasons. I hated my job, and I mean hated my job, I wanted to break free, I had realised there was more to life :) and an opportunity arose, to apply to do a PhD in a subject which was very dear to my heart. Given my age, career to that point and a variety of other factors, I knew that the descision was likely to go against me.....but...well it didn't! I had escaped my job, left my career behind and embarked on something new. I have learnt a lot during my journey, but ultimately we still end up sometimes being stuck with a lack of confidence. It is that which is really preventing me from finishing. The knowledge that no matter how hard I work, I am letting myself in for being criticised! So the lesson is accept that whatever you will do in life, you will be critised and the lesson is how you cope with the criticism, because ultimately the person critising you, the one who is making you feel unhappy (as I am now), is only doing it because they feel they have to, or to make them feel superior, or because the genuinely want to make your work better. Ultimately you will never know, but if you approach it with the attitude that it is to help you grow and move on then it might make you happier and less worried! It is what Seth Godin calls the lizard brain, conquer that and you will be free!!

(Note since I wrote this post, I have submitted my PhD and passed my viva!! It was worth it in the end!!)

Weekly Quote

“…don’t live someone else's idea of what your life should be…” – Anon

Linchpins by Seth Godin

I have just finished reading Linchpin: Are You Indispensable? How to Drive Your Career and Create a Remarkable Future and I have to say that it is always so amazing to read a book which reinforces your own view of the world....to hear someone else say the things you have been thinking in the past. Of course that doesn't mean everything within the book, but some of the key points are issues I have thought about and 'feared' in the past.I can safely say that this book isn't just a business book, it is a life affirming book. I would say it is essential reading for anyone who is unhappy with their career or even life and wants to make a change. Put the 'Lizard brain' behind you are truly achieve what you are destined to achieve. It isn't an easy ride, but it is worth it in the end!PeaceNeil

Exploring the world

Here are some pictures from a recent trip to Morocco, always refreshing to travel and explore the world, and see it from a different angle!http://tinyurl.com/3e5ogvt

5 tips for New Years Resolutions

So that time of year is coming, that time when we look back at the previous year and plan ahead for the future, and for a lot of us (if you are anything like me!), we make unachievable goals for the new year! Well, that and the inevitable pressure from others to have mammoth life changing New Years Resolutions! Been there, got the teeshirt! So how do we set goals (or resolutions) that we can keep and achieve?Here is my top five guide to achievable New Years Resolutions1) Do Something you want to doChoose something that you really want to do, not something you feel pressured into by peer pressure, or something that everyone else does, i.e. do you really want to give up smoking? I mean do you REALLY want to do it, or is it something you feel you should do, because everyone else is doing it at that time of the year? The First step is do something because YOU want to2) You can do it, no matter what it isFollowing on from Number 1, if you really want to do something, no matter how hard it is, you can do it, and you have to believe you can do it, if you want to give up smoking, change your career, climb Mount Everest, swim with Dolphins, jog more, paint whatever, YOU CAN DO IT!3) It's okay to lapseFollowing on from Number 2, no matter how big your goal, or how small, you must break it down into managable steps. Some people can just quit smoking on the 1st of January, or start a gym course, or give up chocolate and never eat it again through sheer will power. But for the rest of us, having a bar of chocolate on the 3rd means we have broken the resolution, and revert back to normal. The key is, if you lapse, it is okay!! Just realise that it is a lapse and say to yourself 'I lapsed', but I am carrying on.....4) Small is the new bigReiterating the notion that you need to set small goals, you can change your life in an instant, but only if you decided to do small things. You can't change your career overnight, but you can put in place the decision to change your career in an instant....it is that instant that you decided that you want to look for something else, the moment you start investigating something else, that is the moment of change and then everything else will follow, it is the same for other resolutions....the moment you decide not to have a cigarette, is the moment of change, you just have to build on that....and refer back to point 3!5) It's is yours...you own itDon't worry what other's say, if it is what you want to do, you should do it. Remember there will be those who encourage you, and those who will taunt you, listen to both, but ultimately ignore both. Listen to your voice, listen to what you want, it's your goal, your resolution, you own it, don't be swayed from the path!Good luck out there!Peace!

Don't fear the fear

Just think for a second...what is actually stopping you doing the things you want to do? Is it the little voice in the back of your head saying...you can't, you aren't ready, you shouldn't, you aren't qualified, what will the neighbours say etc etc. Well that is a primordial brain response that is telling you that you are fearful.But why? Well it is your brain telling you that you shouldn't do something just in case you get laughed at, or mocked, or fail....and that is it.....the thing that may be stopping you really living your life, doing what you always wanted is a little niggling brain response. But if you are doing what you want, enjoying every second, feeling fulfilled...who cares if someone is laughing at you (because no matter what you do, someone will always try and put you down)....because ultimately you are having the last laugh!Silence the fear, but just doing it!Peace