Last month I tried updating my Now page at the start of the month and writing a description of what had occurred, and what is coming up. It’s kind of a “monthly review” for me.

So here’s my November 2018 Now and Then Update

Then

Goals My goals for last month were a mixed bag Spend time with my daughter

  • I caught up with the copyblogger course I’m doing and now just need to submit some work.
  • I did nothing for “the ninja project” and it’s probably on the back burner unfortunately.
  • I read very little more of On Writing Well but I did read some. I’m hoping to slowly continue this month
  • I did try a couple of calligraphy styles, but the main thing I did was investigate the Pentel brush pen by doing Inktober only using that pen. It was a really fun challenge to try an unusual and different pen. I kind of want to do something similar with a different pen next month and see what comes up.
  • My writing portfolio still needs a bit of an update but it’s coming along well
  • I did nothing for NaNoWriMo but I’m going to start free writing everyday, it may lead to a book, or not. Hopefully it will stick beyond just November.
  • I didn’t plan to, but I ended up completing Inktober and I’m going to put a micro.blog post with every image.
  • I spent far too much time considering what new phone I should get. I had placed some limits and requirements to stop me upgrading sooner and they were now all met. However, I didn’t want to blindly follow my gut but really check and make sure I was making a good choice that reflecting a suitable use of money. At times like this I like to review why I don’t use certain products and consider what it would be like to switch system as well as the pain points. In this case I really considered getting an Android phone. There are certainly some advantages but I’ve happily decided against doing so, I placed one last restriction on myself to give myself time to make sure I was happy with my final decision and so in a week or so, I should upgrade.

Key Events

  • My parents visited and met their Granddaughter
  • My in-laws visited again and we prepared some great food.
  • We went to a wedding in Lublin
  • I had a major project at work that was a great challenge, but quite stressful.

Unexpected delights

  • Starting reading Atomic Habits by James Clear
  • Getting back in to exercising after some illness
  • David Sparks Omnifocus field guide provided some really interesting ideas.
  • I’ve really got back into Jazz music again.

Now

Last time I talked about goals, this month (inspired by James Clear) I want to focus on habits instead.

  • Daily writing first thing (instead of browsing and searching the internet)
  • Playing some Jazz guitar at the weekend
  • Personalizing a couple more Siri Shortcuts so they are more useful
  • Going through a couple of courses I signed up for in the past…and did nothing with!
  • I’m looking for a better way to manage quotes.

Upcoming events

  • My wife’s birthday
  • Some national holidays (1st November and 11th)