T,
You are so right ! I have just looked at my Sweet Sixteen goals and I have done more than I realised, and work/life is so much better than 12 months ago. It puts that dodgy work project of the past six months into perspective
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So, for everyone on Lemon YTST - here is my Sweet Sixteen analysis, and my first draft (probably the only pass through unless I have too much champagne tonight
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) for 2017.
What did I say last year ?
"2015 was a not-nice year for me. Not as bad as 2007 or 2008, but I think I'd put it in the top 5. Looking back, I realise that I lost my ability to focus at work (stress levels etc.) and my home life really suffered from the lack of stability"
And now ? *2016 has been a much much better year. I think I might actually put it in the top 5. My husband said this is the best he has ever seen me in terms of work-life balance.*
I clearly was feeling optimistic 12 months ago
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"I now boldly present my goal of achieving Fellowship of my professional society by the age of 50....will help with a broader reach network and perhaps also with the portfolio career which may want/need to be a priority as employment stability reduces....50s are the prime time for getting made redundant (again) and I want to be more prepared this time."
And the 2016 end of year report is positive here too.
*My new mentor actually suggested I apply in 2016, not wait until 2021. Although my first draft was knocked back, and I am not sure my take 2 in 2017 will get accepted this is underway. I also have been working with a second mentor for post-50s career resilience.*
And then 12 months ago my mind turned to more practical matters:
"I am sat here in my study which is, quite frankly, a tip. There is enough loose paper here to make it a fire hazard, and if it's a reflection of my inner organisation, it's no wonder I have trouble getting things done."
And now, at the end of 2016 ? *Whoop whoop whoop ! It took until Sept to really get going on this but once I started, and with the help of Marie Kondo, I freed my office from the clutter. I so enjoy sitting in this room now*
I also set some practical targets
Home/Work Routine 2016 goals
1) Don't go into work "late" more than twice/month *managed this*
2) Leave the office 5 pm at the latest (this lets me get to exercise classes) *hmmmm, this might be a bit optimistic for 2017, I managed it about 15-20 percent of the time. Will define it as three days/week for 2017*
3) Be in bed lights out by 10 pm at the latest *more focus required on this, probably more like 10-15 percent of the time. Will define as three days/week for 2017*
4) Don't play online scrabble except during the commute *yes, have stuck to this one whilst working. Have binged on scrabble playing during the holidays though
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*
5) Fit in a short daily meditation *yes, managed maybe 25 percent of the time. Will refine for 2017 to be 3 days/week*
I will keep the 5 above for 2017, and add a sixth for 2017.
2017 - Daily (hamstring and more) stretches. 15 minutes total. Be able to get my head to touch the ground when doing a forward bend. Clearly I will be doing as wide a stance - stretching required in a different direction - as I can manage at the same time. Maybe I set the splits as a 2018 target, let's see how I go with this one first
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Professional goals - an end of 2016 review.
1) Complete my CPD plan for 2016, and flow down CPD guidance to my CEng mentees *really nailed this one, got audited and passed on my record, ran CPD mentee groups and more*
2) Approach my professional society for a fellowship mentor *did this, and have enjoyed working with them. Am making progress too *
3) Approach a senior semi-retired person in my field for sector guidance *turned out to be the same person as for 2*
4) Meet people in my network in my home town for coffee and catch up (C, Cl, S, Gl?, R, Ro, S, D, DS, K, Sa, V, I - hope I can remember what all these initials stand for
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)
*I have noooo idea who all those people are
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I think that's a fail ! For 2017, I am replacing it with networking with senior people outside of my employer. Well, first working out how to network with senior people
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*
5) Decide to complete my membership application for the professional society in sector I have just quit. *I ended up ruling this one out in my Sweet Sixteen post, building my new sector career has taken priority*
So, building on 2016, I present my professional goals for 2017
2017 #1 - Fellowship application accepted, with my new sector career developing rapidly towards Fellowship level profile (I have a new fancy job title which will help with that).
2017 #2 - Add a professional Society CPD committee membership to my activities
2017 #3 - Write and publish a CPD blog series in house
2017 #4 - Get a (project) management mentor - and a qualification ?
2017 #5 - Define and start implementing my 5 year "post 50s career resilience" plan
Underpinning all of this is
2017 #6 - Get a good (this is mid band) in my April 2017 appraisal and have my employer continue support my technical and professional development (resources, objectives). Set a potential path towards next band promotion, will including being sponsored to receive management coaching and also secondments.
Review of study and life admin goals from 2016. NB: am keeping them all for 2017.
1) Keep 1 m radius clear around my desk
*yes, yes, yes
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*
2) Put away *at the end of each day* clutter on the desk
*yes, yes, although had a bit of a pre Christmas lapse. Now back on track*
3) Do my tax return *can't get too excited about this, same as for 2017. Have gift aided some of my professional subscriptions so can claim back the higher relief.*
4) File and organise my certificates *done. Hope to add the Fellowship one sometime this year
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*
5) Clear out one storage cube (there are 12, so this is a goal that will be completed end 2016
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)
*It took me to September to get going, but I did it ! 2017
I will add a sixth. This is a big one, it may be at the same level as my CEng registration. It is (cue drum roll) clear out the conservatory (about a day's worth of work) and the garage (about a week's worth of work) and my hubby's workshop (2-3 day's worth of work).
I think that's enough talking from me. I had better sign off before I commit myself to some really crazy stretchy 2017 goals.
Take care all, thanks for the company and support over the past few years. Here's to a Lemony 2017 !
FS101