A few things for 2009, sort of a new year’s resolution but more of a 2009 roadmap:
Become more financially stable
At the moment the UK economy is dying. People are getting poorer at an alarming rate, food prices are rocketing and the pound is losing its value in the global marketplace. I need a new game plan in 2009 to survive and to support the other things on this list.
Clear student loan: A lot of people tell me you should never pay your student loan off on account of the low interest rate. However, these people are the ones who are necessarily always in debt. It’s not the best ROI for me (the next point is) to clear the loan, but it is achievable to make a dent in 2009 and is one less thing to worry about.
Dent mortgage: Another tricky decision. The way the economy is going and the way the housing market has crashed has put me not far from negative equity. I easily foresee this happening by Q2 2009. On the one hand, I can pay something off and reduce my interest charges, on the other hand, the rates are ever reducing anyway and when it all goes bang, will I have thrown my money away? I’m going to look into this and make a decision early.
Improve skill set
I like learning, I like new things, it’s important to be valuable. Next year will see me improve my skills with something new and something old.
Learn to fly: This is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. It’s been a while since my interest was last sparked but I’ve worked hard this year to put myself in a strong position to make 2009 the Year of the PPL. I have a medical booked 2nd week of January and aim to start the weekend after. A life-long commitment which wasn’t taken lightly, however, once I start something, it’s all guns blazing.
Continue piano lessons: I’ve been learning the piano for a few months now. Perhaps I should say I’ve been learning classically for a few months now, with a teacher. Before that, I taught myself using my parents’ piano and finally bought my own early this year. It hasn’t been going too well due to time pressures. I just don’t have time to practice or study the theory. In 2009 I’m bringing the project management techniques I’ve championed commercially to this area of my life. I’m going to restructure my time and lessons to allow me more time to learn.
Improve health
I used to be fairly active, still chunky but a good weight. After too many chocolates, cans of coke and crisps at Christmas (and for the latter part of the year) it’s time to step up a gear.
Get fit: I used to go swimming twice a week when I lived on my own. Now, living back with parents is a drain on the independence I need to do this. It also seems harder to go, especially when it’s cold and I find myself increasingly more tired after work (see final point). I’d like to pick up swimming again. Hopefully the local pool will announce some discount schemes to entice those feeling guilty after Christmas. However, in the crashing economy, this might turn into a money drain which is why I’m reading Zen Habits to start an exercise regime at home.
No junk food: I eat a lot of junk food. When I lived on my own, it was easier to eat healthily. If you buy your own food you can choose not to buy crisps and coke and find something better to replace them with. Back with my parents (who have 50 cans of coke stacked in the corner and a cupboard bursting with crisps) temptation is harder to avoid. I will cut down on crisps and coke in the new year. I’ve already made improvements at work where bringing my own food in not only saves money but avoids the chips and pizza options which form the limited choice from the surrounding shops. Must make sure this continues.
Improve work environment
This is a big must for me. Work forms the majority of my time and if work is stressful and tiring, so is the rest of my life. Like the Kung Fu Panda, I eat when I’m upset, and if I’m upset my vision is clouded which means I can’t keep a sensible eye on finances and can’t learn effectively. Work needs to be fun, exciting and productive to support the rest of my life.
Improve the company: Recently I changed my attitude towards work. Up until now I always assumed that good would prevail and the machine would begin to fix itself. After all, everyone at the company is clever, cares about their work and generally seems interested in improving. Everyone is as stuck as I was. If you don’t improve things, no one will. My posts on Overloaded Operators (a coding blog I run with a friend and co-employee) have changed tone recently to reflect this. A few weeks ago I ran a presentation written in my own time which aimed to introduce a new technology to the company and improve the developers. It had good attendance and I’ve received positive feedback. This is the way forward. In 2009 I will continue my efforts to improve the company by any means necessary. Eventually it will pay off for everyone and most of all, for myself.
Improve myself: 2009 will be a very busy year. With new skills planned, new exercise regimes and working even harder, it’s going to be difficult to fit everything in. A software developer by trade, I find it harder to find time to develop using cutting edge techniques at home so I can improve my skills commercially. As part of the previous point, I will foster an environment of continuous improvement where I will be able to bring new technologies into the workplace and provide time to investigate cutting edge techniques. This will allow me to improve my own skills during work time.
There we go, that’s my 2009 roadmap. A busy year ahead! Lets see how it goes :)
