Three weeks into the 12-week block

Given that 12 weeks is a long time for this kind of experiment, I have decided to try and break this down into 4 lots of 3-week updates, with this being the first. The nature of this block is allowing for the overlaps, whilst maintaining focus.

The Anchor

Let's go back to the last update. I said I was slightly behind on organizing my 'homework' activities. This too can be broken down into sub-categories:

• Life Admin

• Organizing things at home for optimization in the future

• Family

On the first, life admin, I'm now caught up with myself on what was time-bound. A new month or block means that different admin has been generated, but I am back on track. I shall comment more on the other two sub-points in the next block; however, for now, it would be prudent for me to say that time with family in the context of homework is going well currently, in an intentional sort of way.

The Focus

The finance and paid work part of the portfolio is the focus for the next 12 weeks. Some of the finance element feeds into 'life admin,' and this is where the crossover lies.

Since starting the 6-week block experiment, a happy rhythm that I have now gotten myself into is to track the state of my finances a few times a week. And for now, it starts with a simple question:

*Do I have enough for the next 6 weeks?

This is not coming from a state of poverty nor abundance...simply a recognition that our behavior is driven by circumstances. Get the basics right, and the rest will follow.

In super simple terms, the answer is yes, which therefore gives me a bit of freedom to focus on other parts of my portfolio.

Next, we have the notion of paid work as a focus...having a portfolio career meant that I have a source that we turned on for after I returned from my travels - namely The Inspirational Learning Group with whom I am a facilitator within schools. Once again, for this period, there has been 'enough' delivery work for what I want and need right now. However, going into the next update, this area remains a focus.

The Positive

• With the exception of one weekend that really knocked out my flow, fitness and health remain a constant. This period has included walks aplenty, a trip to the driving range, and

• There has been a fair amount of time spent with family - it's as important to see people when everyone's health is there as well as when health is not. Maybe more so.

• Remembering that income doesn't dry up when you have a portfolio career - coming back to some paid work after a little break traveling was a great way to ease me into things.

The Perspective

• Listening to your body when it comes to fitness. It's fine to schedule this into your calendar in the name of discipline - but recognizing when it is okay to rest or that it in itself may be procrastination is a win in itself. I write this today, having climbed a LOT of steps yesterday and feel it. Whilst I managed a walk this morning regardless, I have other priorities to focus on today, so glad to be gaining back time here.

• Most people welcome the reach out. Whilst I am openly selfish with my time, and therefore recognize that energy can be an issue, riding the wave when I can to spend quality time with [family] is a high-priority item. Planning efficiently works.

• There's a huge amount of synchronicity when you see the dots connect - as is the correlation between fitness, understanding what anchors you, and not worrying about the bottom of Maslow's pyramid.

  
  

The next 3-week cycle (Phase 3 of the year. Part 2 of the 12-week)

More on finances and paid work as a review next time. And an update on whether habit forming with regards to family/home and fitness has been maintained.

How has your portfolio evolved in the last 6 weeks?

*No part of this blog is designed to offer financial advice. The views are that of the author and a perspective on what lends itself to building a portfolio career.