Hard Work and Results

Due to a number of my experiences both at work and as a singer, I am finding it really hard to maintain a work ethic. Having been hospitalized with exhaustion in the past, I am not a stranger to hard work. I am sure that I can probably recall instances in my life when hard work has generated results, but usually I am hard pressed to do so. Often, I am presented with unexpected results that are usually challenging to deal with, not always just due to the surprise factor. I don’t have any illusions that I am the only one with these feelings, I am certain that there are others out there that have worked hard at something over a long period of time, only to end up with unexpected results, either from supervisors, co-workers, support staff, or just a plain case of missing zeroes in a paycheck. In my rapidly advancing middle-age, I have become extremely jealous of my time and energy. I am determined to work smarter and to detect bullshit at an earlier stage of the game. Contrary to the belief of some, I am a detail person and its how I get paid on the rare occasions that I do see a decent check. It has become obvious to me at this point that hard work is only part of the picture, I think the solution in my case is to apply that technique more skillfully, more strategically. I have to admit there has been a recent occasion where I could’ve worked harder, and I am more than willing to own that when the rare occasion arises. I think that is it, I will call it a skillful hand on the gearshift, to hold that 5th gear in reserve until I am certain its needed. Until then, everyone is on notice, prepare to see a LOT of third gear and you know its special when you see my fourth gear. There may only be a small handful of occasions left in my life where I will deploy my carefully managed 5th gear. I’ll think of it as circumspection in not sparing the Dharma assets, this is good practice for now, pending future updates to the strategy.

All Systems Go

Everything seems to be humming along nicely, I am a little depressed from mailing out the last of the Bel Sogno CDs. Yet, I am excited at the same time, the best bet for me this year is to focus on school. If I really hit it hard this year, I will be an intern next fall and still on track to graduate in 2011. One of the lessons involved in doing the Masters, goal-wise, is that it has been the longest-term project I have done. The Bachelor’s was only hard work for about two years. The Met Regionals and the Marathon were hard work for about 6 months. Martial Arts for the true practitioner becomes a life-style and part of one’s identity, the same with music. Practice and running long just became a habit. So, in a nutshell, the other goals were not as long-term. As much as I hate to realize it, I am one of those people that needs to make an effort to stay focused beyond that two-year mark, into that 3-year range. I think finishing this degree will put me in good shape to look at my investing goals in terms of working hard for one year longer than the Masters, say 4 years to get a good portfolio going and re-fi the first property. I am staying the course, keeping positive at all times. Only positive thinking is productive thinking.