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 ...

Please take one step towards your goals and resolutions Do it now You cannot act in the past. It is only a memory and it may be mistaken. You cannot act in the future. It is only a dream and it may be wrong. You can act now. You can only act now. You owe it to yourself too. In this individual movement you can choose to continue reading. You can choose to ...

In June 2006, I started writing & publishing a blog dedicated to documenting my entrepreneurship mistakes so that others could learn from them and so I could remind myself that it's important to make more mistakes. In October 2006, I had to take a break from Make More Mistakes because I didn't have time to continue with it. I promised to return to it in January 2007. January 2006, Make ...

Well, Apple announced their brand new iPhone yesterday. Since I wrote an entry about it on 6th August 2006, when I thought it might be about to come out, I decided I'd better do a mini follow-up: Not to jump on the bandwagon, rather, to redirect those who've searched for 'iPhone' and landed here. So, without further ado... My personal opinions Before it became reality, my favourite things about the iPhone ...

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 ...

Steve Pavlina & Paul Graham have shed much light on the myth about money being evil. Money is not evil, but neutral. See my entry - Speedlinks: Money - for links to their articles & more, plus my mini-reviews. As part of my dream to be financially independent, I have the goal of changing my attitudes to money. One important thing I've learnt over time is that it's easier ...

Enjoy reading All Things Bright? Then you might be interested in my plans for it this coming new year, especially as you have the power to change things here, just by leaving me feedback. On 11 December, I asked for your help with considering changes for All Things Bright, what kind of design & content you'd like here and what you think of teasers (i.e. excerpts of entries). I made ...

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. ...

I was planning to write an insightful article about money, financial management and such the like. However, I'm feeling distinctly unqualified to do so, due to one of my banks 'robbing' me of £60 today. It's partly their fault (unreasonable charges, unclear policies, senseless bureaucracy) and partly mine (stupidly forgetting dates, spending too much, opening a savings account when I'm too poor to do so, being a stereotypical student). Anyway, ...