Timelines don't make a whole lot of sense to me.
I get that planning for the future usually requires some sort of base to build the plan on.
And the default seems to be a linear view of time dotted with sequential milestones.
I, like most people I know, grew up with this understanding and use of timelines.
Time-based linear schedules while in school, when you go on overseas travel tours ("We'll meet here in 1 hour!"), or when you try to plan your days / weeks out.
And they are easy to use both because they are ubiquitous, understood by most people, and straightforward (note the use of 'straight' and 'forward').
The issue I've always had with timelines is that, once they project a certain distance into the future, there are practically no guarantees that any of it will pan out "as planned".
Perhaps it's my disposition towards going with the flow or my preference to observe that leads me to plan my life around events as opposed to time.
And I know that it's not an easy concept to "get" for people who've always planned around time.
I suppose I'll have to dig a bit deeper and elaborate on this some time in the near future, because it isn't something I've explored that much yet.
If you have any thoughts on this, I'd love to hear from you.
What Have You Been Doing With Your Life?
Every 1st day of the month, at 12 noon, the Public Warning System in Singapore plays a chime reminiscent of church bells.
When I was much younger, I wondered which church it was that was able to do that so loudly and so close by.
These days, I refer to it as the "What have you been doing with your life?" bell.
And, in the past year, I can't say I have a very good answer.
It's been quite a roller-coaster ride, and I'm not a fan of roller-coasters.
Some day soon, though, I will have a great answer to that question.
And I look forward to it.
Even in Terrible Situations, There Are Some Who Shine Brightly
When a market unfairly stacks the deck against sellers, you're certain to end up with sub-standard products and services, all to compete in a race to the bottom.
When the sellers actually play along and, in turn, plays the same game with their contractors / sub-contractors, you know you have a really problematic industry.
And then you take a step back and realise that this is tried in almost every industry, but there are sellers and providers out there who fight back.
These are the ones to learn and take inspiration from.
Thank you for showing us that we don't have to take unfair treatment, even if they are policies, and even if they seem like unsurmountable obstacles.
Last-Minute Changes: Boon or Bane? Depends on You.
Last-minute changes can really throw you for a loop.
Especially if it happens without warning.
Now, you could complain and stubbornly try to stick to your guns as you ride it out, or you can purposefully look for opportunities to learn, grow, and test yourself.
One attitude will keep you resentful and wary of the future.
The other will keep you positive and excited for what's to come.
I know what I'd prefer to be.