Nagging Spouse

"A spouse can be your greatest ally or your most formidable adversary-chose daily which one you'll be."

-Unknown

Having a nagging/adversary/confrontational partner may be forgiven when we're attracted to them but it becomes increasingly difficult to deal with as the attractiveness fades. If a relationship is a boat then both have to row in unison in order to get anywhere.

Does nagging someone ever get anywhere?

Self improvement is one of the most difficult things to do even when we're inspired or encouraged to do so... Do we really believe that anyone can change simply by being angry at them? Change has to come from within and while a spouse can help they certainly can't force anyone, but themselves, to change.

There's nothing wrong with voicing out our concerns but if it's constant then it could be a problem with you.

Clean Mind Clean House

 “Set your house in perfect order before you criticize the world.”

-Jordan B. Peterson

Organizing a room isn’t something that comes naturally to me. It’s not until I started reading on a regular basis that I’ve been able to figure out ways to organize my place better.
There's a connection between messy thoughts and messy rooms that I only found through reading: Organized thoughts makes organized houses. 

It starts from the inside out.

Our minds is like a pile of dirty laundry. With time and dedication we're able to understand it for what it is and sort pieces of it out.

When it comes to organizing a house, the same logic applies. We need to be able to analyze a place and set it up in a way that make sense based on the layout and the things we own. It needs to be setup in such a way that when we require an item in the future we know where to look for it. Books should be on the bookshelf, batteries should be in the box, clothes should be in the closet... each item has it's place and they'll be easier to find if grouped with similar items.

How Much Is Working Costing You

One of the great annoyances of careers is that we often have to move to where the work is and work isn't always in areas where we want to live in. In Canada, those living on the East coast would either work for some time, or move, "out West". While there's nothing wrong with Canada's West Coast, those that move are leaving behind family and friends.

Additionally, a career requires expenses such as:

• Training
• Nourishment
• Transportation
• Child care
• ...

Some cost aren't monetary: 

• Mental/Physical Health
• Relationships
• Life
• ...

The cost of employment can be quite high. One has to wonder whether there's a purpose to it other than to fund a retirement? It's been said that if you "love what you do you'll never work a day of your life" but even if you love what you do there's still a cost to it. Is the quote suggesting that love makes the cost worth it?

Time Will Tell

“Your habits will determine your future.” 

-Jack Canfield

In your early 20s you can't really tell who's following good principles and who isn't. We can't tell because we're all starting out at roughly the same spot: We're all young, full of energy fresh out of school and feeling invincible. 

Over time, our habits will define who we are.

Fast forward 10-20 years and you can see more clearly who has and who hasn't followed good finance/health/relationship... principles. If they continue on the same path they'll have similar result for the next 10-20 years as nothing will change unless they do. A quote related to this, often attributed to Albert Einstein, says "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results".

Those that don't live intentionally are more likely to end up somewhere they never wanted to be to begin with. Always set yourself small goals in any important areas of your life and work towards them.

Same Or Better

Almost 20 years ago now, I attended a leadership seminar where the speaker said we should always leave things the same or better than when we arrive. Since then, I've attempted to use the same strategy everywhere I go whether it be in an hotel, a hockey game or work - when I leave things are either the same or better than when I arrive.

Often this simply mean to clean up after yourself. Sometime it's about insuring that the project is in a better state when you left than when you came in. Before I leave somewhere I ask myself how I can leave the place the same or better than when I arrived?

If everybody did this the world would be a better place. I hate seeing piles of garbage after a show or chair not properly stored after an event. If everyone did a small part there wouldn't be a need for people to pick up after ourselves.