Introduction - Enough about me

 A little about me....

I've run my own business since 2000, here in the UK.  I've been through ups and plenty of downs, but generally, I lead a fulfilling life and enjoy what I believe to be the relative freedom that most people strive for - perhaps without being fully aware that they strive for it.

I'm 46 going on 30 and whilst I still feel 30 in my mind, I am aware that life is cruising along and it's time to set those goals, meet those goals and set enjoyment as a top priority.  I don't consider myself an entrepreneur - I went into Architecture from school and have followed that career path since - but I do intentionally pursue that entrepreneurial mindset and believe everyone would benefit from thinking more like one.

I'm not a millionaire, and I don't drive a Lamborghini.  I do have to be financially aware and have not had anything handed to me on a plate.   I have to work for my living but my living entails days off at my choice, sailing, relocating to my dream location (emphasis on 'my' - Wales won't be everyone's dream, but as sailing is my pastime of choice, a home by the harbour ticks my goal! - Location and freedom is something I will cover in more depth.)

Life in 2022 is tougher than ever for most people, but whatever our status, we are all in relative control of our lives.

Getting rich and becoming a millionaire has become akin to the school child telling their teacher they wish to be an astronaut.  Although there are many who still set this as their primary goal, general trends have shifted towards a favour for valuing time more than money.  Happiness doesn't necessarily relate directly to financial wealth.  Now more than ever, almost everyone (hopefully) can recognise that mental health is one of the hot topics, and rightfully so - in a world where work and life have changed so much since COVID, and are suffering further pressures for a multitude of other reasons - the financial climate, the Ukraine war, resulting energy crisis, to name but a few.

There are many things we cannot control in our lives - but if we have a tight grip on those things we can control, then we stand a fighting chance of improving our lives - mentally, physically, financially - or in any specific way that you want to see measured improvement.

I've suffered immense stress from the life pressures we all face - money, deadlines, family, personal issues, and mental health - but thankfully I have the mindset to tackle things positively rather than allow myself to be affected.  It does take effort but to me, the alternatives to a positive mindset were just not an option. 

As a result, I have read pretty much every self-help book going and have learned a great deal.  I hope that Smart-Thinking will provide a clear and concise vehicle to pull some of these learnings together to share with you - with a particular emphasis on normal life within the UK.  No Lamborghinis or Rolexes - just contentment in life.  Or put more simply: enough.

Enough money to allow you enough time to do enough of what you enjoy.  To me, this is the key.  Nothing more - just enough.



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Productivity — The simple system I’ve settled upon having tried them all

Image
I’m sure I’m not the only one who has become obsessed with productivity in recent years. To the point that I’ve read every productivity book going, and have turned over every last stone from every last dark and dusty corner of the internet — all in search of the ultimate productivity tips. I think the obsession arises because we feel we’re not alone — when thousands of people are contributing to productivity hacks and systems, we realise the problem is not just our own and occurs on a wider scale. Productivity guidance becomes a following, a source of comfort knowing that there are solutions to the problems that keep us awake at night — tasks overdue, workload piling up in an overwhelming bottleneck. Once the productivity hacks / books / articles are exhausted, we have an app store bulging at the seams with apps that promise the answer to our problems. Ironically (and I'm sure I'm not the only one) we find ourselves spending much valuable time on researching the productivity pr...
Read more

Apple broke up my 10 year love affair with Android — but will I stay?

Image
My current home setup Working in Architecture, I’ve been a Mac user for over 10 years and couldn’t even look at a Windows PC without wanting to vomit. Phone-wise, I’d always been the opposite and had every version of Samsung phone going. Last year, after 10 great years with my Macbook, I thought I’d try a Samsung Galaxy Book — running Microsoft Windows. I fancied a touch screen and have been a big fan of Samsung Notes. Syncing notes from my Samsung phone & tablet to my PC was a big selling point. So my current working setup is as follows:- Samsung Galaxy Book 360 Samsung S8+ Tablet iPhone 15 Pro Max BenQ Main monitor and Samsung secondary monitor After a few days of using Windows, the small annoyances had faded and there were several features that came flooding back which were actually of great use. I could CUT AND PASTE! I don’t know if Apple has since introduced cut and paste in its file management.) I also noted that Samsung has a link to windows which was a selling point. I can...
Read more

Days stolen through indecision

Image
  Summer Solstice 2024 — Anglesey, UK (My photo) I struggle with the late summer nights and extended daylight hours. The extra light beyond the normal working day pressures me into getting out and making the most of the extra time – after all, the summer solstice of June 20th has already been and gone and days are already getting shorter. I’m often happier when the weather is bad. The decision to go out and exercise or walk or whatever is taken out of my hands. But when the sun shines, my problems start. I think having a ‘you only live once’ attitude doesn’t help — feeling like life is ticking away quicker than it actually is. Not a bad notion to keep a focus on, but it can get in the way of simply relaxing and doing nothing which is essential from time to time. When this pressure to use the day presents itself, a mixture of irritation and demotivation arises from complete indecision. 10am becomes 2pm. Discussions turn to what’s for tea. The evening arrives in no time. So make a de...
Read more