While on the way back from spending my second-last buck on a final Xmas gift and 3 food items, I got to thinking about financial recovery in the new year. I know that between now and then I'm going to have to tread very carefully in order to make it through to January's (inevitably late) paycheque. I've got a double insurance payment coming off right after New Year, there are still cheques for schooling and car services that are going through, and we need to keep the car's tank topped up now and then (unless I go with horsepower for a few months). I haven't even thought about things like school books for next year, or school shoes (the old ones are now completely kaput). Fortunately the same uniform applies for both high and primary school for boys - and the kid's still fitting into most of it.
With careful planning we'll be OK - but then I started to ponder my plans to get business off the ground and head toward self-employment. With capital basically non-existant what are my options?
Well - I have two. Sell products, or sell skills.
Products I've come up with and sold in the past. They need an initial cash injection though (the old adage "you have to have money to make money"), and it's often hard to find that niche to fill that means your products are sustainably in demand.
Skills on the other hand can be expanded, developed, sold for a price. That's going to take an injection of confidence and putting a value on what my time is worth - things I haven't been too great at in the past. But there is no real capital needed, I can simply build on what I'm good at, what I enjoy doing, and let my work speak for itself.
Upping the skills does fit into my plan for the year ahead, and that will help make some things I already do more marketable. My main issue seems to be folk who are interested in what I have to offer, but who then never get back to me once intial contact is made! I've had that happen in two different areas recently, both of which I'd been investigating for a business start-up. I could aggressively push for their business, but that's not me. I've never been a good salesperson.
Anyway, as I tend to do, I thought I'd blog this while it's still on my mind - adding to aspects of life that are getting a whole lot of consideration.
Showing posts with label ramblings. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ramblings. Show all posts
Post-day Thoughts
It's been one of those Days today - one I hope will not set a trend for the next year! I was busy all day, but not the kind of productive busy. Nope, most of the day was spent caught up in meetings. Ones that either went around in circles, or in which I didn't have too much to contribute. Such are some working days...
But it's a hot one too, and I have to admit I debated whether to go walking after work or not. As I started out, I debated what route to take - I ended up doing the long one, and sure suffered for it! A small breeze right at the end was the saving grace that got me home. I really need to get a swimming costume so I can hit our half-Olympic size pool on days when it's too hot to walk. Mine has perished elastic in a few vital spots and I wouldn't want to flash the locals. At least I got up and going today though, heat or not. And feeling better for it too.
One thing that made me sad was the discovery that an Olive Thrush had been flattened by a speeding car while I was walking. I've seen the same bird every day, and had gotten to the point where I didn't frighten it off when I passed. But it's territory is in a blind spot for cars motoring up the hill, and many of our drivers don't care for birds and lizards. I only hope it didn't have a nest full of young to care for.
As the day winds down there's still so much I would have like to accomplish. But if I've learnt anything, it's that sometimes you gotta let things slide (though not too often), and realize you're not superhuman. If you get some sleep, eat, work, play... then you've done well for your allotted 24 hours. You've lived - even if your to-do list is as long as when you started.
Since I've had a watch on my arm again, I've been struck by time and how it goes by whether you like it or not. If I'm leaning my head on my hand, there's the sound of seconds disappearing, right near my ear. It's made me stop and think more than once - how have I spent these past few seconds? OK, you don't need to crowd them with activity all the time, but it's good to think now and then on what you are doing as life ticks by. Living those dreams? At least working toward them? Appreciating your surroundings and the feeling of aliveness coursing through the veins? Or merely existing in a nothing-space?
Thus said, I think I'll go spend a few more seconds in the great outdoors, toes in the sun on the little wall around my verandah, appreciating my summery surroundings.
But it's a hot one too, and I have to admit I debated whether to go walking after work or not. As I started out, I debated what route to take - I ended up doing the long one, and sure suffered for it! A small breeze right at the end was the saving grace that got me home. I really need to get a swimming costume so I can hit our half-Olympic size pool on days when it's too hot to walk. Mine has perished elastic in a few vital spots and I wouldn't want to flash the locals. At least I got up and going today though, heat or not. And feeling better for it too.
One thing that made me sad was the discovery that an Olive Thrush had been flattened by a speeding car while I was walking. I've seen the same bird every day, and had gotten to the point where I didn't frighten it off when I passed. But it's territory is in a blind spot for cars motoring up the hill, and many of our drivers don't care for birds and lizards. I only hope it didn't have a nest full of young to care for.
As the day winds down there's still so much I would have like to accomplish. But if I've learnt anything, it's that sometimes you gotta let things slide (though not too often), and realize you're not superhuman. If you get some sleep, eat, work, play... then you've done well for your allotted 24 hours. You've lived - even if your to-do list is as long as when you started.
Since I've had a watch on my arm again, I've been struck by time and how it goes by whether you like it or not. If I'm leaning my head on my hand, there's the sound of seconds disappearing, right near my ear. It's made me stop and think more than once - how have I spent these past few seconds? OK, you don't need to crowd them with activity all the time, but it's good to think now and then on what you are doing as life ticks by. Living those dreams? At least working toward them? Appreciating your surroundings and the feeling of aliveness coursing through the veins? Or merely existing in a nothing-space?
Thus said, I think I'll go spend a few more seconds in the great outdoors, toes in the sun on the little wall around my verandah, appreciating my summery surroundings.
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