Steve Mills - Online Entrepreuership with the SPOKE system

HERE THERE BE MONSTERS

Remember those olds sailors maps from antiquity, the kind you would see in a history book or encyclopedia. People of centuries ago had some pretty detailed maps of the areas that they frequently traveled , especially when you take into consideration the tools and mathematics that they used to draw them.

What really stood out for me though is the areas that weren’t quite as well mapped, or completely unexplored. In these areas, they had pictures of huge grotesque creatures, and dire warnings of what would happen to people if they crossed those waters. “Here there be monsters” “Death for those who enter” etc. etc.

The unknown always has an element of fear, and doing something new, or something that means a lot to you is an intense experience. We are so used to the everyday monotony of work routine, of being on a schedule and told what to do that we don’t quite know how to deal with these different, new experiences.
When we start something new, the voices of doubt and dismay are never far away. There is something inside that says “This is new, scary and different. I am going to come up with 50 reasons why you should stop”

Well you know what… that voice can go and get stuffed.

The manager at one of the places that I am consulting at has a good statement on the wall of his workstation. It reads something like ” As soon as a new way of doing things starts, the pull of the old ways of doing things begin. In the beginning, enthusiasm is enough to override this force, but in the longer term, a more sustainable source of motivation must be found”

We think that all great adventures are fun, are glamorous and exciting and should “feel good” the whole time. But while I agree that adventures should be REWARDING, I also see that the greatest adventures have their scary times, the boring times, the patience trying frustrating times. They have times where you don’t know what you are going to step in when you take that next step towards your goal.

It is my mission for the next few months to break this pattern of thought. To stop looking for the monsters in the uncharted waters, and just keep my ship sailing on course, until I reach new land.
Once I get there, the realise that a) There really weren’t any monsters and b) The journey was well worth it.

I have made some personal inroads with certain projects this year. I have gone into full time consulting, co-founded a businesses that is starting to do things (slowly) and worked on some interesting IT and marketing projects. General entrepreneur stuff, which has been a long time personal goal and has given me a sense of satisfaction.

But, alas, these have all been business goals, and left me with precious little time for working on other things. I want to create and promote music that people will enjoy, that will make them think, that will make them groove. Psychedelic trance/rock/electro/mystical/world music. Music that takes people on a journey.

Till next time…

It’s about the music - further your passion

I have decided to start blogging about my new found love of digital music production, and to showcase my work and the work of my friends.

I am coming to a point in my life where the conjuction of my art, writing and most importantly music has become the driving force in my life. Business is great, but they are just skll stat I have learned, and I will use them to further my passion.

I hope any old readers that want to stick around will enjoy what you hear, and welcome any new comers. 

Simple Happiness Tip 1 : Get Out Of The Office

I am amazed at the companies that I contract for, when 12 or 1pm comes along each day, how few people take lunch.

I mean really take lunch, get out of the office and have a break from the work environment. The vast majority of workers at companies I have worked for, from insurance to engineering to IT, most people eat their lunch at work. Sure, sometimes it’s good to sit at your desk and surf the net, or sit in the lunch room and make chit - chat with your co-workers, but not everyday.

All through my working life I have made the habit of getting out of the office during my lunch time whenever possible and going for a walk, or a drive to the park. Away from the phones and the work environment for a minute I get a chance to clear my mind. I can look at what goes on in the world during the day, and take some time to just be.

I would bet that doing this you will get MORE work done in the afternoon then the small bit that you would done with a sandwich in one hand while you type with the other.

Small habits like this can make the difference between getting to the end of the day in stressed out, meltdown mode or leaving work behind and keeping some perspective on things as you walk out the door. On my walks I generally go towards a nearby park, or along the city streets, picking up a bit of lunch on the way through, walking as I heat and taking in the sites.

I can definitely recommend it because it works for me.