Life Circle - Week 2

So here I am, week 2, giving Kate's Life Circle a go. Have a look here to see the background.

Last week's post had me looking at my Wheel of Life to identify areas which I felt need some work.

This week Kate has asked us to describe how we see our lives in five years, two years, one year and six months. I am not sure if my head is in the best place for this. I am on holiday this week and am just enjoying the moment. Am going to bash this out and see what happens, not too much thinking or editing, lets see what my brain comes up with!

Five Years
I am probably living where I am but the house is beautiful, clean and tidy! All the DIY jobs are done, every room is decorated and its easy to keep it that way, because the kids have moved out! It means we have two 'spare' rooms. One which I'm using as a hobby room/office and the other is a proper spare room, available for the kids to pop back or for friends to come and stay.

I have more time to do the things I want to do, rather than cleaning and tidying! So I'm spending time taking photo's and then using PhotoShop instead of getting MrC to do it for me.

I'm slim and feel healthy and full of energy. I'm doing a worthwhile job I enjoy and love getting up in the mornings to go into work. I am successful and feel fulfilled.

Time is what I have in abundance, time to do all the things I want to do without compromising on the things which have to be done.

Two Years
The house is clean and tidy and the last of the DIY projects have been completed. I am using the yearly bonus money to pay for someone to come in and finish the decorating.

Amy is loving it in London and has just moved into her own flat. James is just going into his second year at University and although the first year was a struggle he has found his focus and can see where he wants to be in life.

I'm going to evening classes to learn how to take great photo's and also how to use PhotoShop to enhance them. I have just been promoted and although things are hard at work, I am loving the extra responsibility. The money comes in handy too! I've reached my goal weight and my family are so proud of me.

One Year
Been a great year at work, and my new boss is pleased with the progress I have made and the changes and initiatives I've implemented. I am starting to look around for the next challenge at work.

James is off to University, so me and MrC have more time to ourselves. The house although not completed is getting there. I am busy but can see real progress in the goals I have set. I feel in control and my life has a purpose. My weight loss is steady and achievable and I feel fabulous

Six Months
It's March and my weight loss is finally going in the right direction. It isn't going up and down, its small regular losses each week and it is sustainable. Half a pound a week is how I want it to progress.

I'm working well with my new boss and she can see I have potential and is coaching me, something I have never had before. I'm learning new things all the time and not just through attending courses. I have volunteered for projects and come into contact with new people and new ways of doing things.

There is a clear plan in place for each of the DIY projects!

I have a plan of what I want to achieve and by when, it is written down and has bullet points and everything! So it must be real!!!!

I am taking control back and am being responsible for my future. I am saying where life is going to lead me and not the other way around.

Well, there you have it, my five year plan. Bit scary! And even though I have just banged it out, it seems to make sense.

What do you think?

Life Circle - Week 1

So here I am, week 1, giving Kate's Life Circle a go. Have a look here to see the background.  Am sure over the coming weeks I'll get more confident in what I am doing, writing and sharing, so apologise now if this first post feels a bit stilted. I know I need to do more things like this, more things to examine me, my life and everything around it. Knowing and doing though are two very different things!

And what is worse, I work in Talent & Development and have done for the past eight years. But I think its a bit like a builders house which always needs loads doing to it, my house needs some work too!

So onto the first task which was to look at the Wheel of Life, score myself in each major area and then blog the results.

This is how my Wheel of Life looks

A bit....I think the technical term is .......wonky!

Health - 9

May seem an odd score, after the last few months, but that's exactly why I gave it that number! Anyone who reads my blog can see I am working hard on improving my diet and fitness levels. I've lost 4 stones, successfully undertaken a 13 mile sponsored walk and joined a gym. Things are good in this area of my life!

Finance - 8

Don't get me wrong, we could always do with more of the green stuff, who can't? But we manage to do pretty much what we want to do. Okay, there are no luxury foreign holidays (actually very few holidays) and the car is over eight years old and won't be replaced for a couple more. But no-one goes hungry, no-one is cold or dirty and we get a few treats every so often. I'm happy!

Environment - 8

Now I took this to mean my home. Again, I'm happy. It's definitely not a show home and I have lost count of the number of DIY projects Mr C has on the go. A couple of the bigger ones are:

• living room with half completed vivarium (18 months)
• hall way with no wall under the stairs as its waiting to be put back up (over a year)
• fitted mirrored wardrobe doors being replaced (3 months)

But its these things which make it a home! It's no point complaining about them, they'll be fixed when they can and when money allows. There are no leaks, things are reasonably clean and tidy and the house is warm. But most of all its home and I feel safe.

Friends & Family - 8

I am blessed with my family, we all get on! My brother has emigrated to New Zealand and although I don't speak to him very often, facebook is good for catching up and he is never far from my thoughts. 

My sister, my best friend, lives in Kent with her family, a good five hour drive from each other. But that's what telephone's were invented for! And I get to see my parents at least once a week, they live 10 minutes away! What more could a girl wish for?

Friends? I don't get to see them as often as I would like, but they are always there for me and visa versa.

Romance - 8

I've been married for nearly 19 years. I'm not saying all those years have been happy, but we are in a good phase at the moment! (come on ladies, you know what I mean!) Marriage needs to be worked at, it needs to be nurtured and cherished. There will always be rough patches, its how you ride through them which makes the difference.

Fun - 6 

I've gotten into a bit of a rut. I enjoy my life, I do the things I would like to do but I'm not necessarily trying new things. I don't go out to party's or evenings out like I used to, but do I really need to? I don't know, maybe something to work on.

Career - 6

I've got a job I love, with a company I love. I'm good at it, but sometimes don't feel appreciated.

I live by the adage, if you don't like it, its up to you to do something about it. Whenever a job hasn't given me what I need, I've either changed it or done everything in my power to get what I needed whether that was volunteering for extra responsibility or going for promotions! You spend too much time at work to be doing stuff you don't enjoy. I think I 'm getting nearer to the point I need to something about it.

Personal Development - 4

Now this is an area I need to work at! Last year I said I was going to join a evening class and learn to do something new. Did I? I want to learn how to use photoshop. Have I? I want to take up my CIPD again. Have I?

What's stopping me? I could say it was time, I could say it was money, but they wouldn't be the real reason. The real reason is me. I need a kick start (literally!) a something....... I've just not worked out what that something will be yet! 

And like all good things, we've come full circle and back to why I'm eager to be part of Kate's Life Circle. I want to join things up, smooth out the bumps! Only I can do that, sometimes though you need a little help from your friends, especially if they are virtual ones.