Got a Plan

Tim Ferriss, what an absolutely fascinating human being. I’ve listened to his podcasts for years and have started reading Four-Hour Work Week. I wrote several months ago about using curiosity to find help find your passions, but Tim paints a different picture, suggesting that excitement is the key. I love this. What excites you? What a wonderful question. I get really excited about landscapes, about travel, photography, about engaging human beings (to learn from and help develop them) and about starting new ventures. I love comedy and stories, the personal tales that bind us together, I love film and stories of motivation that drive people to unspeakable achievements . . . well, unspeakable, but then talk about them, so . . . ahem, onwards! I also love technology and how it betters us as human beings. However, here is where the analysis has to start. Let’s work backwards.
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​I love technology but to a limited degree. I like a good laptop for my writing and picture editing, a drone for fun and picture taking, and a good camera to pursue my hobbies. I don’t have the passion to delve deep into development code or wire up my house to automatically turn the lights on and off. I don’t have a smartwatch and don’t give a shit about the latest smartphone releases. Indeed, I use my phone to write, read and take photos (again, photography). Phone calls and text messages are usually related to work or conversing with the same four or five people. So, do I really love technology or do I just get a small buzz out of the little things I have? Probably the latter. Let’s move on.

​Film, comedy and stories. I have tried writing some scripts and enjoyed it but it is a hard graft when writing multiple characters alone. So that goes on the back-burner (I have a friend that has shown some interest in writing together, but it can wait). I love the escapism of films and the plot turns, admiring the writing and style (again, the writing). Comedy is a constant though. I watch and study comedians: the timing; the loops; the observation; the absurdity; the anger and frustration; the situations to induce a full belly-laugh. Let’s keep going. 

Which leaves travel and photography. I almost become sad when seeing something spectacular and not having a camera to capture that instant forever. But am I good at photography? Probably not. I do receive compliments from friends but am I making the best out of it that I could? No. As too with language. I enjoy writing, I enjoy the art and dedication needed to weave a well-crafted sentence, but would I enjoy it so much if I were to receive a deadline every week to complete a task on a given subject with the conclusion already provided regardless of the narrative? Absolutely not. I write because I enjoy it, no more. I believe the same with travel because it is exciting. When travelling for a year I was exhausted after 6 months. Ten years later when travelling for 4 months, I was exhausted after 3. Can I travel all the time? No, I don’t think so. Doing it sporadically is what makes it special.

And so, whirlwind conclusion time:

• Taking positives, I am happy and proud that I write this blog, the motorcycle articles and I’ve published a book, and I help my friend develop his motorcycle company. I am also proud that I am starting another book, but know it will be a slow undertaking. I do though admit I need to study my writing and other peoples to become better it to engage my audience (look at me thinking I have an audience!) and make stories that I enjoy. I can do this from reading (I don’t read enough, which is effectively studying) and taking writing courses. I need to get out of my comfort zone to learn more about the craft – read more blogs, read more books, read more.
• Some of the photographs I take are brilliant. Others, maybe not! I love photography and want to become better at it. To do that, I must learn not only more about my camera and what is possible, but different techniques. Again, do I read about photography blogs and things to try? No. I once joined an on-line camera course but that’s about it. But in this blog are the pictures from my weekend!
• Thirdly, I am passionate about leadership. I love taking an idea and making it happen, not for me but watching someone flourish. Seeing others develop is important to me and so I will invest time in myself and other people. For a long time I have said to provide help and advice on interview technique, leadership and being your best self i.e. promoting yourself as a brand. In turn, I need to do this for myself as I’m a terrible marketeer. Time to put into practice what I preach.
• Lastly, I need to relax and do the simple pleasures that relax me and don't drive my girlfriend into a coma of worry. Getting out for breakfast on the weekend, falling asleep on the couch in the fading sunshine, walking roughly 15,000 steps a day to keep moving and in shape. These things are paramount to keep my brain intact.

​Since actions speak louder than words, I will search for some medium-level photography courses, some English writing courses and place an advert for free advice on interviews, development and leadership. None of the above I feel I will pursue individually as a career apart from that in leadership and developing others. But combining them all? Yes, it can be done. I could relate stories of my travels, showcasing my photography to illustrate them and write about them in the context of learning, development and leadership. Standing up in front of an audience of 200 and exposing myself (steady) in terms of vulnerability of what I’ve learnt in terms of my limits and mental health, making terrible jokes and relating good stories? That scares the shit out of me if I’m honest, which is why I think I should do it.