I've worked for Next on Saturdays for almost four years. I plan to leave at the end of the year. Consequently, completing my MA and leaving Next will signify a big change in my life: The beginning of my entrepreneurship career in earnest! I had been worrying that not having a Saturday job might mean I start slacking off at the weekend. By which I mean that I'd be ...

On 29th December 2006, I made some important goals for 2006. I've already modified and developed them, which is great because it's important to keep re-evaluating, so I'll be doing this once monthly. My big goal for 2007: Escape with Courage In 2006, I said it was Debt-free by December 2007 (excluding student loan). However, on reflection, this is a negative goal because it focuses on something I don't want, ...

I'm still not getting enough sleep. Interestingly, I was listening to another Pavlina podcast in which Erin, I think, asks questions like: Do you hate going to bed because you love doing what you do? Do you leap out of bed because you can't wait to start your day? For me, it's definitely yes to the former, but it's no to the latter because I'm just too shattered. I'm changing ...

Apparently, according to public opinion, today is the worst day of the year (reports vary as to the specific date, but the consensus is it's roughly now; plus, it's Monday today) - due to a mix of bad weather, the likelihood of having broken one's resolutions by now etc. But I'm actually pretty cheerful because I've been focusing on my goals. If you've not been as successful as you'd ...

Lots of people ask me how to be happy. Some directly, for example, many All Things Bright readers. Some indirectly, for example, my friends & co-workers ask me how it is I'm always happy. Incidentally, I'm not always happy; I am human after all. :) As far as I can recall, I first came to the belief that it's possible to make oneself happy when I read that in ...

In talking to two of my classmates about life today, I discovered that it's not just me: My peers want (some areas of) their lives to be settled too. I don't write about romance & related topics on here very often (never before today actually), but I want to note two things: The idea of 'settling down' in the manner typical of most of the world ...

How do I know I can get what I want? Because I am! So can you. For a week, I've been thinking about two things I really want: Pencils and a camera. Specifically, I wanted Ikea pencils because they're free, small and seem to be a little harder than the regular HB grade (and therefore smudge less). I've only actively wanted the camera for a couple of days. So, I started ...

How to re-think your perspectiveKathleen Bright: Not ‘I need’, instead ‘I want’ or, How to get things done, changing your perspective. Don't forget to focus on how much you want to do what you need to do. If you're prone to procrastination, get as much help as you can, including changing the way you think about your goals. David Seah: Productivity ...

I call it Detoxing My Life, Jon Tillman calls it the War Against Stuff. Whatever name you have for it, if you're a hoarder (like myself) you'll recognise the immense challenge clearing out presents, as well as the value of it. I spent all of Friday throwing away stuff (two bin bags full) and sorting out stuff (piles of paper). I found my passport, my locker key and a bag ...

Fear Based Decisions are the Wrong Decisions, Mind Petals I have a choice to make about my education and fear is pushing me towards a decision I know is completely wrong for me. Now I'm doubly terrified, because I'm fearful of making the wrong decision out of fear. Aagh! But how do I have the courage to quote unquote "feel the fear and do it anyway"? Any words of wisdom? Or ...

Lessons from life or, Things I've learnt this year Fear is a motivating factor in many of my actions, or rather, in many of my reasons & excuses not to act. Action points Continue self-awareness of when I'm feeling fear and why. Change goals and actions in the face of rational fears to address valid reasons for not acting. Act in ...

My working & sleeping today First day of the Next sale (it's online too, at next.co.uk, open 6am - 1am). So, today, I worked for over ten hours, in the ladies' shoes department. Ten! Such a contrast with the quiet family Christmas a couple of days before, without which who knows if I could have survived today! When I got home I was exhausted, naturally. I was hungry too. So I ...

...and to all a good night! I've had a jolly Christmas. Massive lunch, lots of comedy television and a night in front of the computer. I'm sure I should write something about the evils of over-indulgence or something, but I'm too smiley. Hurrah for joy!

Today I've been thinking about New Year's Resolutions. I'm not going to make any. Rather, I'd prefer to view my life as something I can start afresh whenever I like. Instead of resolutions, I'll be setting goals. My main goal is to be debt-free by December 2007 (excluding my student loan). This is going to be an interesting one because I love shopping and, currently, saving is hardly amongst my favourite activities. ...

Yes, it's a meme. I'm giving in to peer pressure here; willingly, I should add. Teli tagged me; I'm flattered. I'd love to hear your thoughts on these bits of my life (as well as the rest of my life too). :) I've chosen the theme of Passion to add structure. I need to move out of my parents' house to reach my full potential, but I'm scared ...