Celebrate.
Yep this is the way forward. Too many people get 'down in the dumps' when things get tough. My feeling is, that this is the time for a party and having it all the more.
Why I hear you ask? Simply, it is because things are only going to get better. If you have hit the wall, then typically you have done so well after you should (we are all quite resilient) and therefore things should have 'bottomed out' on your journey. Therefore the future, as they say, is bright.
Whatever you look at - financial markets, house prices, moods, work performance - they all go in peaks and troughs.
What is difficult is accepting the pendulum when you are in it. Being able to see 'the wood for the trees' and recognising where one is at on the trip is difficult. It is really easy to get too absorbed in ones own situation and not see the wider picture.
The beauty of life is the uncertainty. The willingness to embrace this uncertainty gives us a pulse. We cannot control all things and increasingly as we try to, the peaks and troughs (which will happen regardless) push us to not see 'the wood for the trees' and increases our challenge to enjoy the ride.
So - just in case there is any doubt - I am having a party as things are pretty bad right now.
Hope that it is all better with you and if so, leave me a comment to enable me to then prophesies about the grass being greener.
Wednesday, 25 July 2007
Wednesday, 4 July 2007
The real cost of home
Reading the newspaper today, there were a strange couple of articles which got me thinking.
The first was about a 3 bed mobile home near Abersoch (albeit on the beach front) being sold for £500,000 - the same price as a 2 bed flat in Chelsea! (and both would be leasehold and have a hefty yearly management fee - the Abersoch home only has 20 years left on the lease!)
Now there is an arguement which says it would be better and nicer to live in Abersoch than Chelsea, but that is not the issue. This is meant as a holiday home and you could have 10 holidays for the next 50 years (not 20 of lease life) in Barbados for less money!
This is not clever is it?
Then on the next page, was an article saying that 10 years ago, 1 in 5 managers in the workplace did not take their full allocation of holiday due to work pressures. Today this has risen to 3 in 5 managers.
Only a managers salary could consider the luxury of the mobile home in Abersoch, yet they are the ones who are likely not to be able to take a holiday due to work pressures.
Mmmm - what a strange set of values we seem to have.
A thought on property values - the last time values were corrected (in the early 90's), yeilds from the value of the property from renting were about 15%. Currently they are less than 5%!
The first was about a 3 bed mobile home near Abersoch (albeit on the beach front) being sold for £500,000 - the same price as a 2 bed flat in Chelsea! (and both would be leasehold and have a hefty yearly management fee - the Abersoch home only has 20 years left on the lease!)
Now there is an arguement which says it would be better and nicer to live in Abersoch than Chelsea, but that is not the issue. This is meant as a holiday home and you could have 10 holidays for the next 50 years (not 20 of lease life) in Barbados for less money!
This is not clever is it?
Then on the next page, was an article saying that 10 years ago, 1 in 5 managers in the workplace did not take their full allocation of holiday due to work pressures. Today this has risen to 3 in 5 managers.
Only a managers salary could consider the luxury of the mobile home in Abersoch, yet they are the ones who are likely not to be able to take a holiday due to work pressures.
Mmmm - what a strange set of values we seem to have.
A thought on property values - the last time values were corrected (in the early 90's), yeilds from the value of the property from renting were about 15%. Currently they are less than 5%!
Friday, 29 June 2007
Barrels of smoke
I was amused to hear recently that the impending change of law in people's right to smoke has had a surprising effect on a small business.
It is the kind of effect that whilst one should not be that surprised, was surely difficult to forecast.
I (and Eye) particularly relate to this as I think that in the same way the law has forced a fairly radical shift in peoples behaviour, there will be a similar shift in people's priorities and attitudes which in turn will lead to a massive upturn in the demand and desirability of our books.
I am sure that both media and individuals (although am unsure which is the chicken and which the egg) will realise that there is more to life than 9-6 (it used to be 5!) and that contentment comes from being at peace with oneself rather than getting into a scenario of needing money to have expensive holidays etc to hide the disillusionment with life due to the fact it is only filled with work! We do not need to be mechanised and champion celebrities to have fun and we can draw inspiration to follow our dreams by reading about other ordinary people who have followed theirs!
However, why I am saying this rather than tell you the about the idea is beyond me. The fact you are at this blog means that you know and more likely than not, agree with our ethos and therefore you are probably bored of what I am saying and want me to tell you about the Barrels of Smoke! (Although if my assumption is right, then please buy more of our books and spread the word so we have our own barrels of smoke analogy sooner rather than later.)
Right - the news is that a company that specialises in selling barrels of beer to households has over the last 2 months sold more barrels of beer per week than it had in each of the previous 24 months! It is purely being put down to the fact that people are starting to open up their front rooms as bars to allow their chums to hang out and still smoke there rather than have to endure a smoke free environment! I can imagine people having drinking dens and before long B&Q or some such outfit will be selling the actual bars that will house not only the barrels of beer, but mirrors and spirit dispensers! Am sure it will also start a whole underground scene and people gatecrashing of people's front room for parties.
Thoughts on a postcard please (or int he comments box) as to the next fad the follow from front room bars.
It is the kind of effect that whilst one should not be that surprised, was surely difficult to forecast.
I (and Eye) particularly relate to this as I think that in the same way the law has forced a fairly radical shift in peoples behaviour, there will be a similar shift in people's priorities and attitudes which in turn will lead to a massive upturn in the demand and desirability of our books.
I am sure that both media and individuals (although am unsure which is the chicken and which the egg) will realise that there is more to life than 9-6 (it used to be 5!) and that contentment comes from being at peace with oneself rather than getting into a scenario of needing money to have expensive holidays etc to hide the disillusionment with life due to the fact it is only filled with work! We do not need to be mechanised and champion celebrities to have fun and we can draw inspiration to follow our dreams by reading about other ordinary people who have followed theirs!
However, why I am saying this rather than tell you the about the idea is beyond me. The fact you are at this blog means that you know and more likely than not, agree with our ethos and therefore you are probably bored of what I am saying and want me to tell you about the Barrels of Smoke! (Although if my assumption is right, then please buy more of our books and spread the word so we have our own barrels of smoke analogy sooner rather than later.)
Right - the news is that a company that specialises in selling barrels of beer to households has over the last 2 months sold more barrels of beer per week than it had in each of the previous 24 months! It is purely being put down to the fact that people are starting to open up their front rooms as bars to allow their chums to hang out and still smoke there rather than have to endure a smoke free environment! I can imagine people having drinking dens and before long B&Q or some such outfit will be selling the actual bars that will house not only the barrels of beer, but mirrors and spirit dispensers! Am sure it will also start a whole underground scene and people gatecrashing of people's front room for parties.
Thoughts on a postcard please (or int he comments box) as to the next fad the follow from front room bars.
Wednesday, 13 June 2007
It is like the end of the week - and everyone is feeling the same
Is anyone else feeling as though today is Thursday? Not sure why, but I am. I can only assume that I have gotten used to the fact that May is full of Bank Holidays and therefore 4 day weeks.
It just goes to show that a) we get used to nice things too easily and b) when we do, and loose them, it is hard to adjust back to the initial state we were previously used to.
Not sure if that makes total sense, but all in all, it feels like it has been a long week.
Actually - it has been quite a challenging week and perhaps that is it and it has nothing to do with Bank Holiday's and 4 day weeks at all!
The only other excuse I can think of (and I do need to compute these things and sell them to myself or I get distracted) is that the weather is good and the sun is out and I do not want to be in the office.
Either way - bring on that weekend and lets hope that the sun stays out.
Whilst on the subject of sun, it makes me think about my recently turfed lawn. I managed to turf it a few weeks back, but made the careless error or turfing it before having a suitable way of cutting it. As with all things in life, it is how well they are looked after at the outset that can set the tone and as a result of neglect, am struggling to save my turf from dying. The blades of grass that grew initially swamped the smaller blades and therefore having now finally sorted out a cutting solution and having cut the tall blades back, I have revealed barren land beneath. Lots of analogies about that. Planning - rushing into without thinking and due care and attention. Big people bullying little people. Corporates taking over the world .... Hmm that weekend does need to come.
It just goes to show that a) we get used to nice things too easily and b) when we do, and loose them, it is hard to adjust back to the initial state we were previously used to.
Not sure if that makes total sense, but all in all, it feels like it has been a long week.
Actually - it has been quite a challenging week and perhaps that is it and it has nothing to do with Bank Holiday's and 4 day weeks at all!
The only other excuse I can think of (and I do need to compute these things and sell them to myself or I get distracted) is that the weather is good and the sun is out and I do not want to be in the office.
Either way - bring on that weekend and lets hope that the sun stays out.
Whilst on the subject of sun, it makes me think about my recently turfed lawn. I managed to turf it a few weeks back, but made the careless error or turfing it before having a suitable way of cutting it. As with all things in life, it is how well they are looked after at the outset that can set the tone and as a result of neglect, am struggling to save my turf from dying. The blades of grass that grew initially swamped the smaller blades and therefore having now finally sorted out a cutting solution and having cut the tall blades back, I have revealed barren land beneath. Lots of analogies about that. Planning - rushing into without thinking and due care and attention. Big people bullying little people. Corporates taking over the world .... Hmm that weekend does need to come.
Tuesday, 5 June 2007
Singing out for the Summer
Thank God that the summer is here and the nights are long. I was looking at some book the other day and it was talking about the numbers of people who clinically suffer from lack of light and good weather. I was amazed how high it was, and assume that this must have been worldwide and including places that stay dark for 24/7 (see www.eye-books.com/siberiandreams/home.htm). Not sure if it is the weather or the fact that am now in the swing of things being light in the morning and light late at night, but I seem to get so much more done. Perhaps this is why people feel better as we all feel better when we acheive.
Talking of acheiving - one of the things I have started to do since the weather has improved is to cycle more. This is also in part of the fact that we are publishing a book about 50 quirky bike rides around England & Wales. It has the longest ever title for a book, but will become part of a series which we are calling Bizarre Biking.
Have felt for a while that I needed to do more excercise - have also felt that it is good to do sommething to help ease congestion in this smelly city of London and finally thought it is a good way to justify eating lots of BBQ's in the sun!
It is amazing what it shows. The distance each way is about 11 miles. The options to get here are drive (and pay congestion zone), tube or bike. (There are others such as walk or bus, but for the sake of this am giving only the 3 obvious ones that are the quickest). It takes about 35 mins to drive, 40 mins to bike (and I get to go through the park) and 50 mins by tube. Therefore not only does it acheive what I want, but it is also time effective too!! Brilliant.
Watch this space for Bizarre Biking - it is great and will hopefully encourage all of us to get on our bike.
Wednesday, 30 May 2007
My Gran is right about sorting out your draws
We have had a slight spring clean in preparation for an 'Arts Unwrapped' event we are hosting at our offices (8th-10th June for anyone who wants to come along free and fun and lots of great art and books on offer).
The last time we did this was pre Xmas which again was for our annual Xmas Fair (again free for all and mince pies and mulled wine for free!).
It is amazing what an effect this can have on the mood and feel of the office generally. It somehow gives people a slight spring in their step - rather like the weather can. The fact that this 'spring in the step' is evident despite the recent bank holiday weather just proves that my Gran was always right.
She used to always say that whenever you got yourself into a 'tiss', you should go to your room and throw out all of your clothes from the draws onto the bed. Then simply put them back in again. By the time you have done this, you will no longer be in a 'tiss'.
It creates a sense or order or balance. It makes one feel in control and able to tackle other more important things knowing that the basics (clothes being accessible) are in place.
So - for all those out there who find themselves in a 'tiss' go empty and refill your draws. It feels great.
The last time we did this was pre Xmas which again was for our annual Xmas Fair (again free for all and mince pies and mulled wine for free!).
It is amazing what an effect this can have on the mood and feel of the office generally. It somehow gives people a slight spring in their step - rather like the weather can. The fact that this 'spring in the step' is evident despite the recent bank holiday weather just proves that my Gran was always right.
She used to always say that whenever you got yourself into a 'tiss', you should go to your room and throw out all of your clothes from the draws onto the bed. Then simply put them back in again. By the time you have done this, you will no longer be in a 'tiss'.
It creates a sense or order or balance. It makes one feel in control and able to tackle other more important things knowing that the basics (clothes being accessible) are in place.
So - for all those out there who find themselves in a 'tiss' go empty and refill your draws. It feels great.
Wednesday, 23 May 2007
The Power of size
Is it just me, or is everything becoming driven by size - celebrity power and corporate power.
The irony is that we as individuals are driving it. By us always opting for the easy option, we are making it harder for freedom and choice. We all know that the things that are the hardest to get and are the most rewarding, yet we now have a massive middle class that expects and needs to keep up with 'The Jones' and wants things on demand. This creates a massive Tesco and celebrities running the world. It will be hard, but try and stay with me on this .....
It was my brothers birthday recently, and I gave him a pasta making machine that my sister had given me. I already had one. I was totally open about it. I told him that I had been given it from her and that she had said she wanted one and therefore if he did not want it, then to give it back to her for her birthday in a couple of months. He did not want it, and was telling me not to worry about getting a replacement.
We then started to talk about how hard it was to buy presents. It used to be the case that if you wanted something, you would have to wait until a present opportunity to get it. This built a sense of excitment and also cemeted the fact that you actually wanted it. Nowadays, when you want something you get it. You do not wait, we are living in a world which is all about immediacy and therefore when birthdays and Xmas comes along, you do not need/want anything. This makes the days less special and the people's jobs who want to buy presents hard.
Everything has become disposable or not valued. This increases demand as people buy without really knowing if they want. Producers try to encourage this (maximise sales) and therefore make things cheaper which in turn sqeezes margins, which in turn decreases quality of product and means greater economies of scale are needed which in turn means that Tesco will take over the world.
Same with celebrity - we no longer really read or take time to consider. We are satisfied with receiving news and information in an immediate fashion. We have short attantion spans pictures and images become replacements for words. Rather than taking time to appreciate, we want speed. Entertainment is immediate and this means the deliverers of this become powerful. We empower the celebrity and in turn with this power loose any freedom of speech. The individuals voice becomes less valid and can be quashed by money which is in the hands of the celebrities or Tesco.
What ever has happened to the Schumacher 'small is beautiful' vision. Arrhh!!
The irony is that we as individuals are driving it. By us always opting for the easy option, we are making it harder for freedom and choice. We all know that the things that are the hardest to get and are the most rewarding, yet we now have a massive middle class that expects and needs to keep up with 'The Jones' and wants things on demand. This creates a massive Tesco and celebrities running the world. It will be hard, but try and stay with me on this .....
It was my brothers birthday recently, and I gave him a pasta making machine that my sister had given me. I already had one. I was totally open about it. I told him that I had been given it from her and that she had said she wanted one and therefore if he did not want it, then to give it back to her for her birthday in a couple of months. He did not want it, and was telling me not to worry about getting a replacement.
We then started to talk about how hard it was to buy presents. It used to be the case that if you wanted something, you would have to wait until a present opportunity to get it. This built a sense of excitment and also cemeted the fact that you actually wanted it. Nowadays, when you want something you get it. You do not wait, we are living in a world which is all about immediacy and therefore when birthdays and Xmas comes along, you do not need/want anything. This makes the days less special and the people's jobs who want to buy presents hard.
Everything has become disposable or not valued. This increases demand as people buy without really knowing if they want. Producers try to encourage this (maximise sales) and therefore make things cheaper which in turn sqeezes margins, which in turn decreases quality of product and means greater economies of scale are needed which in turn means that Tesco will take over the world.
Same with celebrity - we no longer really read or take time to consider. We are satisfied with receiving news and information in an immediate fashion. We have short attantion spans pictures and images become replacements for words. Rather than taking time to appreciate, we want speed. Entertainment is immediate and this means the deliverers of this become powerful. We empower the celebrity and in turn with this power loose any freedom of speech. The individuals voice becomes less valid and can be quashed by money which is in the hands of the celebrities or Tesco.
What ever has happened to the Schumacher 'small is beautiful' vision. Arrhh!!
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