Nicholas Bate:

Small Wins, 32: Notice what is working well.

Small Win 1: Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Small Win 2: Read four pages of a classic novel every day. Small Win 3: Have a Day of Rest. Small Win 4: Keep your key personal goals visible. To you. Always. Small Win 5: Accept graciously when the universe out-manoeuvres you. Small Win 6: Make every other beverage a drink of water, pure and simple. Small Win 7: Take a moment to walk barefoot on planet earth, every day. Yes, even when it's chilly. Small Win 8: Thank your barista, tip generously and wish them a lovely break. Small Win 9: Par-cook the potatoes today for more effective roasting, tomorrow. Small Win 10: Write with real paper and pen and post thank-you notes to the grand-parents. Small Win 11: No more cake until February. Seriously. Small Win 12: Take it one day at a time. Small Win 13: Re-boot a New Year's Resolution today. It's the doing not the date that is critical. Small Win 14: Have some fun. But don't spend any money. Small Win 15: Eat a portion of green vegetables every day. Rain or shine. Small Win 16: Find a piece of real, relevant news today. Small Win 17: Don't read about the weather. Go experience it. Small Win 18: Be on time. Every time. Small Win 19: Enjoy More Analog, Less Digital Saturday Small Win 20: Wash by hand your wool walking socks while listening to Bowie, Rebel, Rebel. What could be nicer? Small Win 21: End the day with fewer e-mails in the in-box than when you started. Continue to zero. Small Win 22: Write the opening sentence of your great novel. Now relax and continue tomorrow. Small Win 23: Write a list before you go into the supermarket. Stick to it. Save money. Small Win 24: Create a corner where you can sit and write your poetry. Small Win 25: Sharpen all your pencils for the day while coffee is brewing. Do a 1 minute sketch on the hour every hour. Anything. Small Win 26: Tidy your top desk drawer. Small Win 27: Learn 5 new words in the language you are studying: Spanish, Mandarin or Ancient Greek. Small Win 28: Stop and think. Small Win 29: 9: Start. Don't worry about anything else. Just start. Start. Small Win 30: Look after the customers you have. Small Win 31: Re-shuffle your 'to do' list by pay-off rather than urgency/who's shouting/easiest. Do the new number 1.

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Why We Love The Beatles (v2) 1 of 100

Way back in 2008 and this blog was still finding its way, I wrote a series Why We Love The Beatles. As with much on this blog it was me exploring my own thinking. On a recent car journey listening to news filled with evil, destruction and eternal analysis, a switch to a Beatles play-list brought calm and hope and possibility. And maybe that's it.

I thought I'd re-run the series with updates and fresh reflections.

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Because those guys knew how to tell a story and we all love a good story. They told a story at two levels; firstly via their songs, starting with the simplest expressions of romance in Love Me Do through entire cultural summaries in Penny Lane, alternate realities in I Am The Walrus and back to the essential simplicities of Let it Be and Across the Universe. Every one a cracking good story.
And secondly, their own lives made and makes a story we cannot fail to enjoy. Of Northern English towns. Of four lads 'done good'. Of changing pop music for ever. Of re-invention on a mind-boggling scale.
That's one reason we love The Beatles.

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David Seah

updates his key task planner.

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Daily, Delivered to Your Door

the blog to which so many of us aspire: Michael Wade.

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Burning Pine

and the best stories.

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Totally, Totally Global Inc, The Novel: mini chapter 20

Previously on Totally, Totally, Global Inc. Sales are down. Morale is low. Strategy has been neglected. Jo has a breakthrough and develops a saga. Jo finds the first person to join his elite team. The 3 point plan. The Saga begins. Jo recruits Hemel. The plan unfolds. The first team meeting. Jo recruits Mary. Searching for Mission HQ. Finding the perfect spot. Trying to pitch to 'the man'. The man says 'do it!'

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Text to Frank

Frank we are on. I have go-ahead. Can I meet tonight to bring facilities guy to sign? Say 1800? Let me know.

E-mail to facilities

Sarah

We are urgently acquiring budget for mission-critical off-site premises for 12 month top-secret need-to-know basis project. Tim has given go-ahead. Can you chat with Penny re appropriate protocol but otherwise help me get this signed off by 1700 this PM. Thank you.

Text from Frank to Jo

Great news. See you at property 1800.

Text to Hemel

We’re on. Meet 0900 our new premises this Monday morning. You are no longer beholden to any other meeting nor goal. Address to follow.

Text to Mary

We’re on. Meet 0900 our new premises this Monday morning. You are no longer beholden to any other meeting nor goal. Address to follow.

Text Mary to Jo

Fantastic (I think!). See you there. Need me to bring anything?

Text to Mary

No: just you

Text Hemel to Jo

See you there. I need this. Thank you.