Category: Monday Motivation

Some Monday Motivation for you – Consistency is Key.

The key to success. In the book, Atomic Habits, it’s all about consistently doing what you enjoy doing. I’ve got a post it note on my wall..

It’s the ‘little bit every day’ that will ultimately help you achieve your goals. I love to read (as most of you know) and I try to aim for 20-30 minutes of reading every day. The book I’m currently on is called ‘Influence’ by Robert B. Cialdini. Great book,. Only on Chapter 2, but already, it’s giving me ideas on what we can do and how to influence key stakeholders.

It’s a big ol’ book! And I know it’ll take me a while to read, but if I’m consistent with the book, for example, read for about 30 minutes a day (and then make some notes – which I like to do), I’ll have it finished in no time. Sometimes, a big book or a huge task/goal can seem daunting. But when broken down, can be managed.

We all have hobbies and activities we enjoy doing. For example, on the weekends we might enjoy washing the car or playing football. Whatever it is, you could really excel at it if you are consistent.

An element of this is the learning part. You will keep learning. Sometimes from mistakes you make. Sometimes from others you are surrounded by. Sometimes from what you’re picking up and understanding from more experienced people.

Take my football journey for example. Recently, I’ve been watching a lot of football training videos on youtube. Then I was asked by the local grass roots football club Under 12’s to help coach their team. Their form wasn’t the greatest recently. The coaches shared with me that they don’t pass and move enough. A bit static. And some other concerns. So I made a plan, and held a training session. It went really well. Caught up with the coaches after and they said that the kids played really well on the weekend! Took in everything that I had shared with them. I only shared what I’d been watching, learning and taking in on a daily basis around football.

Football is my example.

What is your example?

If you don’t have one, become consistent with an activity or hobby, then share with me in a month or two.

I recently read a great book called, ‘Don’t leave anything for later’.

I’m sure we all have many regrets. And as you grow older, you start to think more an particular decisions compared to when you are young.

There’s different factors in life. Cost of doing/purchasing. The time it’ll take and any dependencies associated to it. Then there’s the quality element (good things come to those who wait).

The mindset shift from when you’re young and you can do anything you want to when you get a little older and wiser, you start to question a few things and then start to ask yourself, do I really need it?

One thing this book made me realise was, if you really want something – then get it. Don’t leave it for another time. It might not be there. You may have missed that opportunity. This also applies to those who are young and second guess everything.

When I was younger, I loved my cars. So much so, at one point, saw a great deal on a BMW 730i V8. I said to my dad, let’s go and see it. It was at a great price. So we went. To Chesterfield. To a pub. And at the back of the pub was the car parked up. The owner said, it’s been parked a for a while and the battery is flat, but we can jump start it. Also, the passenger door for some reason doesn’t open. Other than that, good car. So I checked it out. And yes, it was a good clean car (no dents, etc… ) Full service history. The owner had all the right paperwork. And I bought it.

Some could say you’re mad. In my head, all it needed was a new battery and the door fixing. And it was a good price!

First things when I got home, went and got a new battery. Then, pulled the door card and fixed the passenger door.

Motivation to get it done, maybe?

I don’t know if it’s just me, as I’ve got older, I have more factors and analysis going on when in similar situations. I know, if it was today, I probably wouldn’t buy the car thinking the passenger door could have more sinister gremlins which could end up costing up more money!

It’s about the mind. How it operates. How it’s influenced. How it enables you to make decisions. The thing is, as you grow older, the more experience you have. And it’s this experience that then enables you to add more factors when making a decision.

Take getting married for example. When you’re younger, you’re more likely to have less ‘requirements’ and have more understanding/adaptability. As you grow older, there’ll be things you get accustomed to and the list of what you want in a partner (the non-negotiable) grows.

So, when you find the right person and are debating if you should make a move/say something or you see that BMW v8 you really want, don’t leave it for later.

Anything you wish you hadn’t left for later and then it was gone?

I’ve noticed recently, that I don’t talk about tech as much as I used to.

I love tech. Still do. And it’s a passion of mine. But over the past year, I’ve noticed there are so many people who have more time than me to review, promote and share the latest and greatest tech.

Whilst that’s what I used to do, I’ve noticed, I just have the time. And is it that, tech is now going at a rate that it’s hard to keep up?

For example – take AI. For those not using it, are getting left behind. I use it a fair amount for a variety of tasks. Such as, a few weeks ago I was in Rome. And prior to going to Rome, I asked AI to help plan my trip. Which it did. It helped me save money too! I was going to buy some tickets for the Vatican museum and pay around 200 bucks for tickets and a tour guide. AI suggested, you don’t need a tour guide because everything is labelled and the tour guide will be going through it at it’s own fast pace rather than you going at your pace. AI recommended buying tickets directly from the Vatican website. Gave me the link. And even suggested times it’s quiet!

Saved me alot of money! And guess what…. it was right! By the way – absolutely loved the Vatican museum!

That’s just one example of how advanced, and how quick, tech is advancing. But there’s so much more.

And that’s where I’ve thought I’m going to pivot my blog slightly.

From just pure tech reviews, promotions and just sharing, I’m going to pivot to talking more about the how.

How to use tech.

How to understand what it means.

How to enable it to help you save time, money, etc..

Rather than… everybody, this is some new tech, I want to talk more about this is how you can use it. I’ll still continue to moan about tech in all it’s various forms. I’ll continue with my Friday Thought’s – and keep them about being better people. And there’ll be the odd post about motivation, growth, etc… but will connect them to tech.

If you have any topics you think I should cover more, please let me know! And as I do this small pivot over the next month or two – I’ll also do a slight re-design of my blog page. Always open to ideas!

As always – appreciate your support and thank you for reading!

I promise I won’t do this that often. Moan on a Monday.

But this one, I really do have to moan about!

So recently, I thought I’d sign up for one of these insurance packs from the bank. You know the ones, where they offer you travel insurance and road side assistance all in one package. It’s like £14 per month. So I did my maths, and it works out cheaper than me having my AA (which is around £150/year) and then my family travel insurance (which is around £180/year).

So, I enroll via the bank app. But then I pause half way through the process. It asks me about additional medical needs and sends me somewhere else, where I complete that and have to pay an additional £30. That’s fine, still working out cheaper.

Pay that. And then, I thought that’s it. Process done. All complete. I have a letter come through saying I’ve paid my additional £30 and I’m insured to travel!

Woohoo!

But….

I actually wasn’t.

You see, in the process, this was another step, parallel step, that needed to be completed and I wasn’t brought back to complete the registration.

So on Friday, I rang them. Now, let me tell you – that’s not easy. Because, I spoke to 4 people. Pushed from pillar to post. One lady asking me to restart! (I did laugh, because I know in IT… we tell people with their laptops to turn it off and then on!)

Finally, got through to someone at the insurance company (not the bank), they said, you’ve paid but not completed the process. So she kindly refund my £30 and said do it all over again and make sure you do this, that and that, and wait for the green tick.

Why wasn’t I provided with this information at the start?!!

Over an hour wasted for something that should’ve been 5 minutes.

I thought in this day and age, we’d have slicker processes, identified areas where failures could occur and addressed them. Even speaking to people – help me, don’t pass me around!

And yes. It did cross my mind to put it all into chat GPT and ask it to figure out what’s happened and what I need to do.

Maybe, this could be my first and last Monday Moan… Chat GPT/AI to the rescue next time!

It’s getting colder. Darker earlier, in the evenings… and with prices of a number things rising, we’re heading into the festive period where we are having to be that extra bit careful when buying.

I’m not a financial advisor – so I won’t suggest what you do with your money. I’m a tech guy who understands what’s happening around the world and what the future, with regards to technology, is heading.

Technology has always been a passion of mine. From the young days of plugging various cables in the back of my parents hi-fi system… and when it worked, I’d take all the credit. It was logical thinking to me. And that’s why I focus on design thinking. When something is designed, how should it be, so that the person using it can do so without any issues.

Many of those who fulfil their passion believe in themselves. Believe in the task ahead. Prepare themselves mentally – so whatever this week throws at you, believe you can….

I’m not sure why everyone dreads Monday… Ok, yes – it’s the day after your restful weekend – yes, it’s first day back to work… yes, it’s the first of five days before you can sleep in or do something that you want to…

But does it have to be like that? – would be interesting to see how many people whom read this love their Mondays! –

Actually – you should love everyday… even Monday’s! – Do something that you love… will change your perspective on the first day of the week….

Happy Monday! – And if you’re in the UK… Bank Holiday Monday!