what I learned

What I learned in October, and goals for November

As you know, this is my favourite time of the month.

It’s goals review time!

So how was October?

I asked Connor (my 7-year-old) to help me with my review and we filled up almost a whole page with highlights 🙂

Aside from a few days where I was a tad too stressed for my liking at work, it was a great month.

1. A social media fast is really good for me.

I loved praying for people during my social media fast.

We received TWO offers during that week of prayer. We accepted one and now we’re waiting for the bond to come through.

2. I’m dreaming about not paying for two houses

How do people manage multiple properties? The mental load is just way too much, not to mention the expense. I’m going to be really glad when all our money can go towards paying for this house.

3. It feels really good to get things done off my to-do list

This month we automated our garage doors. Game changer. If you’re local and you need someone, I heartily recommend this company. I have not had such excellent service in years. It almost felt like a pleasure paying over the money.

We also did some boring things like get electrical and plumbing work done, and some exciting things like painting our kitchen cupboards. There’s a story to this which I will post about next month.

4. I’m really looking forward to the 5 Love Languages workshop on 19 November.

I’m super passionate about the 5 love languages. May I be so bold as to say even if you’ve read the book, I still recommend that you come to my workshop. There’s a different energy to learning with people, hearing things “live” vs reading from a book. I’ve read both books and attended two workshops – one as a participant and one to get certified as a facilitator.

5. I learned that I’m really quite grumpy if I can’t work from home now and again

I’ve had laptop problems – it basically only worked connected properly to the network with a cable! So it’s been very challenging.

Also, when I work from home, because I cut out commuting time (nearly 2 hours) I get to run a few errands during the day, keeping me on top of my life admin.

6. Intentional friendship is a really beautiful thing

I have all kinds of friends – both local and some that live far away. The far away friends and I often just arrange phone dates which is the best ever.

Or we whatsapp for 15 – 20 minutes and that’s also good. There’s also the option for voice messages which is so nice to get an unexpected treat during the day. I love it.

I also have friends who must have arrangements planned well in advance and some who you can phone up and say, “are you free for tea tomorrow? I’m going to be in the area” and they say yes, always.

7. Muscle memory is a real thing

I thought I wouldn’t be able to learn the complete spanish dance syllabus by exam time and while I’m not completely polished yet, I’ve been practising hours and hours every week, and that’s paid off. Perseverance and telling myself I just need to do it enough and it’ll (eventually) click. And it’s working.

11 days to the exam… and last night I had a dream where the examiner told me we’d run out of time and therefore I couldn’t do the dance, the one I’d been practising for weeeeeeeeeks on end. Ha!

For November I have one BIG goal – and that’s to NAIL my Spanish exams – and one important goal: for each person who comes to the 5 Love Languages of Children workshop to leave changed and understand exactly how to talk their kids’ love languages.

How was your October?

How do you create time for friendship?

Are you joining me for the workshop? If you’re not local, let me know if you’d like to book a 60-minute Skype session.

What I learned during September

Happy October, blog readers. Hope it’s a good one.

Today is freezing cold in Jhb, my absolutely favourite weather, and so I’ve been smiling the entire morning.

I did my Goals Night yesterday morning before anyone else was awake and here are the top 3 things I learned during September:

It’s always better to talk something out rather than to assume things

You all know our house has been on the market for 6 months now and I’ve been stressing about it. I finally made a meeting with the estate agent to talk through why our house is not selling vs other sold signs I do see going up in the area.

Our conversation was a tiny bit awkward but mostly great because I learned a few things I didn’t know.

I always feel better when I take action

Related to the above, nothing seems to have changed but, aside from that meeting, I’ve also taken action on a few house-y things and it feels great to make a few phone calls, check a few things, get quotes on a few other things, etc.

I’m fully aware that it’s a control issue. So be it 🙂

Realise when you’re the only one stoking the fire

I invest a lot of time and energy into friendships generally speaking but someone at work asked me if I was the only one stoking the fire. Interesting concept so I gave it some thought and I started holding back just a bit.

The interesting thing is some friends carried on stoking the fire, and some stopped. I realised it fully in September because I don’t think I’ve had such a month empty of socials.

That’s not to say I’m stopping investing in friendships but I’m now aware that in certain instances, if I want the friendship to continue, I’m going to have to do most of the initiating. I’m prepared to do this but just not as frequently, so where I might have made plans once every two months, every 4 months will have to do 🙂

Some other September highlights:

Kendra and Connor had an excellent term at school. They also both got glasses last week after routine eye checks which they have to use for close work (the opposite of me, but Dion is far-sighted too).
I handed over some high-maintenance stuff at work which I’m thrilled about because this specific responsibility has never been my best work.
Dion and I had a movie date! I think it’s the first one this year (at the theatre) – Bridget Jones’s Baby.
I read 8 books, 3 of them non-fiction. Check out my Goodreads —–>> (the icon on the top right of my sidebar is linked)
I finally finished the series on How I paid off my house in 5 years. Like I said on Instagram, I’m thrilled this is done because it’s done the worst of any of my posts. I want to (secretly) take them down but at least I can now refer people to the blog to read more if they’re interested when we talk in person.

I didn’t intend for this post to be so long, so let’s leave October goals for Thursday 🙂