Why Not?

Roughly 3 months since my previous post, and I thought just as much as you did that I've jumped ships once more and gave up writing. Or blogging at least.

So much have taken place in the past couple of months, and the effect of them all has been overwhelming to say the least. Not necessarily in a bad way, but I have been insufferable at times, and those are the very moments that I've felt inclined to write and whinge about my pitiful state to cyberspace.

But I resisted. Yet here I am once more - with a slightly more purposeful entry! (sort of)

xxx

As I've mentioned, the last few months of hiatus was a result of lotsa turns of events , one of which being my employment status. I have since evolved from being a casual employee of RGIS, to being a casual employee of RGIS and an unpaid, status-unconfirmed employee/contractor to another company! Things have been pretty bumpy so far, and I have been constantly questioning my ability and approaches to the extend of almost giving up. =/ But if there's anything I picked up from this endeavor so far is to believe in the power of perseverance, hard work and a whole shit load of optimism. That last bit being the hardest of them all, especially for a painfully pessimistic dump like myself.

So the big idea, as highlighted at the start of this entry - to seek a greater purpose. I've had the opportunity to attend a TED talk last weekend, and the common ground that most of the speakers subscribed to is to serve a bigger purpose outside one's self. And I'm not referring to a more ethereal, out-of-this-world purpose (i.e. God, although I respect the merits of that too); but something closer to home. Extolling changes to the world, one person at a time.



One of the videos screened was of Simon Sinek's Golden Circle model, which attributed some of the world's greatest leaders and success stories to a simple methodology of "Why, What, How" in that respective order. While his talk focused mainly on a marketing perspective, I think the message rings true for most aspects of life.

In order to succeed, you need to be a 100% certain of your goal and purpose, and have all your actions be consistent with it.

Sounds simple enough. But a lot harder to achieve. If it was then we would all be internet billionaires and/or history book-worthy revolutionaries. Yet we're not, because most of us (who aren't already content with their lives) are stuck in a rut, knowing that plenty more can be done but we're just not cut out for it or simply can't muster up enough strength and commitment to do it.

And that is exactly where I am at the moment. So right now, I'm gonna start by identifying what it is that ruffles my feathers (is that a valid saying? Sounds like a valid saying), and hopefully make something out of it. It's a bit hard to identify what truly rocks my boat to its deepest core and what is just a passing cause that I'm concerned about.

Why?

What is the reason that gets me out of bed every morning (or early noon) and not feel like the world has just punched me in my face with my alarm phone?

8 miles

First and foremost, a Happy Spanking New Year to everybody! :) Hope you have had a lovely Chrissie and NYE celebration; or at the very least, enjoyed the back-to-back long weekends.

Ever since I legally could, both Christmas eve and New Year's eve celebrations for me had more or less involved one or more of the following: 1) drinking; 2) out partying; 3) counting down in a packed and noisy place; 4) drinking some more. 8 years on, I've finally hung up my party shoes and quietly ushered in Christmas and New Year with my family and loved ones. :)


:: And with nary a drop of booze! ::

8 years, holy crap. 8 years since I was finished with high school. 8 years since I shed those hideous turquoise uniforms and relished the new found freedom that came with college and a driving license (and subsequently, my own car). 8 years since I've first pursued my dreams, realized it was the wrong one, and found the courage to pursue another despite several rather impressionable objections.

And here I am, 8 years on - still living, still writing, and still determined to pursue contentment. Yes, it took me 5 years of tertiary education, thousands of dollars and plenty of self-doubt to realize that my dream is to be contented with life. Not just any mediocre offerings in life of course; but to at least have given a shot to everything I've ever set out to do so I'd be able to look back and go, "Hell yes I've done that. TWICE." Or you know, something to that extend.

2010 had been a progressive one for me, both emotionally and financially. Mostly the former (and not enough of the latter); SO FOR THIS YEAR, I've dusted my apron free of moping and general whinging, and will focus on getting specific things done. No vague and ambiguous goals, I'm listing out the Must Do's in detail:

1) Get re-acquainted with the arts - Must complete at least 1 book a month, watch at least 1 complex media-studies-esque movie a month, AND attend at least 1 stage performance every 2 months (because it costs a lot more than the other two, ok?). If I miss another epic concert I will shoot myself. AC/DC shall be my final regret.

2) Try something new... as and when possible. By the end of this year, I must have learned or picked up at least 3 new skills/hobbies/languages/habits/abilities etc.

3) Balls up with the job hunt. The WA market has had a boom over summer apparently, so let the engineers and accountants be rightfully placed in their respective roles, and leave the creative comm business to the likes of me, thankyouverymuch. A reward system will be put in place to motivate self.

4) No hesitations. Yang if you're reading this, anytime I set out to do something but chicken out at the last minute, I give you authority to use all means to force me back on track. Even if it's something stupid and pointless.

5) Be frugal! .... as and when possible. Think of Greece every time I'm about to succumb to temptation.



And there you have it, my resolutions for 2011. And to the rest of you, here's to a blessed, shiny new year full of surprises, love and no hesitations. :)

Happee 2011!