Something I found while packing (and I talk about it while I avoid packing)
A few years ago, after I had been in Wichita about four months and things were really not going well (or at least, I felt pretty poorly about my situation here) I wrote some things on some note cards to try and remember goals that mattered and some sayings for myself to try and keep things in perspective. I'll jabber about that behind the cut.
I put some dates down and such. I know the dates are about right because I was dating this cute little ice skater and then I went to Europe for the first time. So it's a pretty easy time to remember. I figured I might write out the goals and comment where appropriate;
6 months - December 2007
- Be on schedule with Six Sigma Green Belt Certification (achieved that one, was S. Sigma GB certified by Feb the following year, which was a pretty speedy certification process)
- Be free of credit card debt (didn't happen until October or so of 2008, that could have gone better)
- Own motorcycle touring gear (took about a year longer to have most everything I wanted)
1 year - May 2008
- Be in final stages of S. Sigma GB certification (already completed that a few months before)
- Be a full status engineer at Cessna and not an Engineering Associate (happened that May)
- Own some decent luggage for the VFR (picked up tail bag the year before, nice Givi case & mount that Jan)
2 year - May 2009
- Own motorcycle outright (finally had the bike paid off in late 2008, so got this done early)
- Be involved in active job search (started job searching around May but not very heavily)
5 year - May 2012 (this one is almost humorous now, in some ways)
- "New job, new city" (This is happening as we speak, Sept. 2009, so nearly three years early, my hand was forced on this one)
A lot of things in there mention buying things for the motorcycle. I see that thing as a good hobby, something I've enjoyed, but it definitely requires spending and buying stuff. This is especially true at the beginning. And I've really been glad I had the bike to use as often as I want, even in poor weather or for long trips.
The last card simply contained some ideas to keep in mind, as is titled "Things to Remember". They're a little vague maybe but I thought they were smart to keep in mind. I remember keeping this card in my shirt pocket some days when I'd be having a rough week.
- This thing will change; it will not always be like this.
- Take a moment to re-evaluate, and do not rush this step.
- Will this matter tomorrow?
- Does the issue in question actually impact you?
- Keep your head together.
I'm not sure if I would write those things out exactly the same way today but I remember feeling so overwhelmed and upset about some things in my life, both at work and then at home. Hint: Dating someone with a big difference in age isn't usually a great idea to make you more sane, I found that one out, even though she was a nice girl. Working around people that frustrated me, that's something I need to work on still, but I'm not surprised that the Cessna gig didn't end up going very well. In fact I was pretty sure of the general outcome before I even started. Some kind of lesson in there, when I figure that out I'll share with the group...
I feel pretty good about the above though, I set out with some goals and while some took longer than expected, a lot of them I achieved on time or early. And I didn't miss any of them. Wondering what will be on my next set of cards, it might be about time to brew up another few year's worth of goals.
I put some dates down and such. I know the dates are about right because I was dating this cute little ice skater and then I went to Europe for the first time. So it's a pretty easy time to remember. I figured I might write out the goals and comment where appropriate;
6 months - December 2007
- Be on schedule with Six Sigma Green Belt Certification (achieved that one, was S. Sigma GB certified by Feb the following year, which was a pretty speedy certification process)
- Be free of credit card debt (didn't happen until October or so of 2008, that could have gone better)
- Own motorcycle touring gear (took about a year longer to have most everything I wanted)
1 year - May 2008
- Be in final stages of S. Sigma GB certification (already completed that a few months before)
- Be a full status engineer at Cessna and not an Engineering Associate (happened that May)
- Own some decent luggage for the VFR (picked up tail bag the year before, nice Givi case & mount that Jan)
2 year - May 2009
- Own motorcycle outright (finally had the bike paid off in late 2008, so got this done early)
- Be involved in active job search (started job searching around May but not very heavily)
5 year - May 2012 (this one is almost humorous now, in some ways)
- "New job, new city" (This is happening as we speak, Sept. 2009, so nearly three years early, my hand was forced on this one)
A lot of things in there mention buying things for the motorcycle. I see that thing as a good hobby, something I've enjoyed, but it definitely requires spending and buying stuff. This is especially true at the beginning. And I've really been glad I had the bike to use as often as I want, even in poor weather or for long trips.
The last card simply contained some ideas to keep in mind, as is titled "Things to Remember". They're a little vague maybe but I thought they were smart to keep in mind. I remember keeping this card in my shirt pocket some days when I'd be having a rough week.
- This thing will change; it will not always be like this.
- Take a moment to re-evaluate, and do not rush this step.
- Will this matter tomorrow?
- Does the issue in question actually impact you?
- Keep your head together.
I'm not sure if I would write those things out exactly the same way today but I remember feeling so overwhelmed and upset about some things in my life, both at work and then at home. Hint: Dating someone with a big difference in age isn't usually a great idea to make you more sane, I found that one out, even though she was a nice girl. Working around people that frustrated me, that's something I need to work on still, but I'm not surprised that the Cessna gig didn't end up going very well. In fact I was pretty sure of the general outcome before I even started. Some kind of lesson in there, when I figure that out I'll share with the group...
I feel pretty good about the above though, I set out with some goals and while some took longer than expected, a lot of them I achieved on time or early. And I didn't miss any of them. Wondering what will be on my next set of cards, it might be about time to brew up another few year's worth of goals.