An Englishman's Home is his Castle - Planning Relaxation

A relaxation on planning laws is just around the corner; but what do they mean to us?

Well, David Cameron is going to announce that local planning laws are going to go through a year long holiday. That's nice. What's a holiday then? #selfemployed

The fall out of this announcement was splattered all over the Internet yesterday, and many of the comments were generally negative ones. As expected.

"all well and good if you have got the money to extend..", "looking forward to a year of shanty towns being built in people's back gardens"...etc.

So what does this 'relaxation' entail?

Ye Olde Networking [Social & Business]

Being a business owner or perhaps the person who has been made responsible for business development, then you would have probably come across the word, ‘networking’. You can’t help but think of carpeted conference suites and buffet breakfasts when you mention it… but today I have something slightly different for you. 

The High Road has it's own special type of obstacles

In life as it is in business, very often the well trodden path is the route to success for the majority of us.

Obstacles in the way of progress have already been identified and our journey accurately mapped out. 

We all experience life's challenges differently

Teach Yourself How to Run: Part Eight [Boxing Day Families]

During my runs I do a lot of thinking about where I am going in life and business, and how I will manage to get there. On Boxing Day I decided to run my normal route through a golf course and along a disused rail embankment. Usually I pass the odd group of golfers, a man walking a dog and perhaps dodge a mountain bike or two.

Not this time though. In parts, It was like a veritable traffic jam - the majority of my route was heavy with families out having their pre-boxing day lunch walk. 

Whilst running past the walkers headed in my own direction, I noticed that I picked up pace and would sling shot past them. I had experienced this phenomenon before, but on Boxing Day this was particularly noticeable as I found myself running out of energy fast. Once fully passed the family groups, I allowed myself to slow down and conserve energy, only to increase my pace again once another group came into view. 

Gradually I realised that this has been my behaviour whilst running for most of my life. It appeared that it was easy for me to increase my pace whilst I had a target in my sights. Upon passing them, be they walkers, bikers or indeed runners during a race, I only continued at that pace for a short distance afterwards. Then I returned to my 'forever' pace. Conserving energy until the next tantalising target came into view. I would then plan how fast to approach them and how long afterwards I would maintain a top running pace in order to wear them down mentally and physically.

This all became a vivid realisation to me during that run. What's worse, is that I think I have been applying the same strategy throughout my life too. And I can't afford to do that anymore if I want to achieve something cool.

My fear is.... that I won't learn how to change my mindset, and to run at my free spirited pace when I'm not chasing someone else's tail, or when I feel that no one else is looking. It appears that I have been cheating myself at running for most of my life.

I set goals and I reach them, and I guess competitiveness is in my blood. Oddly as it may seem, it is this that is ultimately limiting my horizons. 

With that bomb-shell, I am going to wish you all a very prosperous and happy new year. May you achieve everything that you set your sights on - and more besides.

Engine[er]