Being Deliberate

[arkjack]

Well, the break from music and focus on accounting at full throttle continues. I did have a quiet time for a couple nights, and I was able to determine that I have finalized three new songs for my next album. I didn't get any recording done on them, but I did a little tax season parody song to the Sam Cooke tune "Don't Know Much". Just have to mix it down and MP3itize it then I'll maybe post it somewhere.I am in my 4th month as an official Former Taxi member. I've been reading a lot of the posts on the threads.... and just plain keeping my mouth shut. It is very hard to not elaborate.Ted, I'm sorry to hear about your frustrations at work or lack thereof. I say if you are unattached by any deep roots, and have some marketable skills, the plan to head for Music City is something you should go for and don't look back. However, I strongly advise against torching the apartment, as that is a felony that will delay you getting to Nashville.... not only that, you're likely to not get your security deposit back.....My goals,.... ?Just have to keep hanging in there and doin' what I gotta do. Focus on the business, sneak in the studio if I get a chance, long-term focus of writing a new album.Let the music play on.ArkJack

[rayzer]

Hey, Arkjack!I'm glad you checked-in .The parody sounds funny. Let us know if you put it up. I think we could all use a laugh at tax time I'll be thinking about you as tax season ramps up, and hope everything stays smooth and sane.Rayzer

[rayzer]

And I thought last month was challenging…There’s been a perfect storm brewing at work this past month (CFO quit at annual statement time leaving me to finish the statement, the same employee didn’t close out the year properly in our accounting package and now our 2008 numbers are in limbo, the state auditors just arrived and want the 2008 numbers from me, the state auditors want reports on every aspect of our technology area including two remote locations that I’ve never been to) and then there’s all my regular work. I think I’ve been giving ArkJack a run for his money this month. I’ve tried to squeeze in music this month, but there really wasn’t any room to do more than do a few exercises in Robin’s book and write down a few song ideas.So, I am humbly reporting to you that I did not meet my (already modest) goal for the month. Because the auditors will be at work for another month, I’m not putting any goals out there for April 15. The only thing I will commit to is checking in here on the next 15th, hopefully with a good report, but I’m not counting on that.I’ve been thinking about all of you and hope you’re doing it.I’ll be back as soon as possible.Thanks,Rayzer

[tedsingingfox]

Feb 15, 2009, 3:18pm, tedsingingfox wrote:ANYWAY, as to last months' list...Will actually POST the demo for "One Step Removed" Don and I will record on the 11th.Will have at least 15 boxes packed and labeled and ready to either be put in storage OR to be packed into the U-Haul. Putting stuff in storage out here (plus the costs of driving out to retrieve it) simply doesn't make a lot of sense to me. I prefer the U-Haul option. Aiming for the U-Haul option. I WILL achieve the U-Haul option. Period. Don't CARE how unemployed/penniless I am right now, I will make it happen.Will actually post either a new instrumental or a new set of lyrics ... SOMETHING new besides the overdue demo mentioned above.Wish me luck. See you here next month.Rayzer!Oh, man. With all the loose ends dropped in your lap, make sure you are taking care of yourself right now. That means good food and plenty of rest. Will be eager to hear things are under control soon.As for me...1) Done. It's posted up in the Peer-2-Peer chapter. "One Step Removed". I'm still VERY happy with it, considering it was a 3-hour demo.2) Done. The U-Haul has been reserved, and I have about $3.00 left in my savings account MORE than it will cost. Those are probably the most meaningful, precious $3.00 I may ever possess. And I finished packing my 16th box just last night. (Lord have mercy...HOW on EARTH did I end up with so much CRAP? Can hardly wait to hold a yard sale after I get settled.)3) Done. They are posted in the Lyric Lover's chapter. "When I Get Back to Nashville". Pretty appropriate, huh?So, for next month...1) Get most of my boxes organized and unpack the ones for the yard sale.2) Attend my first (and hopefully second...) Sounding Board with Pat and Pete Luboff...so I can play them both of the tunes mentioned above.3) Audition for the open Mic at the world famous Bluebird Cafe. Although it's been 23 years (God, I'm old...), I got accepted both of the last times I auditioned, and I'm praying to God this one will be no different.4) Post up at least ONE new piece of something that the new move will motivate/inspire.wooHOO! I hit the road for Nashville in exactly three weeks from today. Dream into Reality, Baby!!!!See you here next month.Ted3)

[rayzer]

Hey Ted,I'm so excited for you I hope this new chapter in your life will be your best one yet!Thanks for checking in. I'll check out your demo and lyrics before the next 15th.Have a safe trip.Rayzer

[arkjack]

Well rayzer, I'm sorry to hear about the mess you inherited. But, when you're good, its the job that nobody else but you can do. So hang in there with it, treat the state guys extra nice, let them know that you are an employee, not a slave. And definitely keep your ethics up to the very top level in everything you are asked to do. My month has been exciting. The brunt of the onslaught of tax season is here and there are six lions breathing down my neck day after day.... SIX Lions!!.... I did some presentations on tax topics for a couple groups with great response and a new client or two from it. I also was notified that I passed the ABV exam, and have filed application for my credential. Should come through any day. It also leads to qualify for designation as CFF, and AEP. I think the extra designations will be helpful in the short and long run in garnering new assignments and projects. Michael had a newsletter recently talking about having to put in 10,000 hours to become really good at a vocation. I did some calculations, and figure that with the hours I've kept in my 29 year career I've logged over 65,000 hours in the disciplines of accounting and finance, and its bearing fruit. I totaled my hours in music over the past 39 years and came up with an estimate of over 20,000. So I guess it ain't all so bad, as long as I keep adding hours to the buckets of things I like to do. I got out for a mid-winter fishing trip off Jersey in the Atlantic on Ash Wednesday going for giant sea bass, porgy and ling. Did pretty well with 36 fish to feed us through lent. Really a unique experience that I look forward to doing again.I did post my "Turbo Tax Song" with my CPA colleagues and everyone loves it. It should be making its way around the internet. No plans for the studio for the month, unless the muse strikes me with a great song. Otherwise, its work work work for the balance of tax season.Best regards ArkJackPS: Congratulations Ted, best of luck with your move. Remember to hide the matches.

[philschon]

Hey all!rayzer... dude, what a mess at work! I'm with arkjack, hang in there. "Keep your work ethic high, you're the 'go to' guy" (hey, there might be a song in there! On my front, I report in with my head hung low. I didn't even come close to meeting my goals. I did finish the one song I wanted to, as much as I can until the drummer reports in. I have nothing new written, but I do have a couple of new things started. I'm thinking I may have set my goals a little high for my first month, so I'm gonna revise a bit. I guess having a couple of smaller goals that I can meet is better than struggling with a bunch of goals and not meeting any of them! I'll be posting my updated goals in a day or two. I took the first Being Deliberate post rayzer wrote, and rewrote it a little to match my life. That way I can put it where I can look at it everyday!

[rayzer]

Ted, ArkJack and Philscon,Thanks for your good words. I can't describe it, but your responses to my post have lightened my load. Thank you.ArkJack,Congratulations on your accomplishments with your business. You're gonna need a bigger business card for all the letters you're adding after your name Sounds like a (cold) but productive fishing trip, in more ways than one. Cool.I hope your TurboTax song blows up on the www. I'm looking forward to hearing it.See you here next month.Rayzer

[rayzer]

Philschon,Thanks for checking in. I know how hard that is to do when you fall short on your goals (like this past month for me), but it's an important step in making this work.It's a trick to estimate how your month will go and how long certain goals/tasks will take, and it's really easy to take on too much. Over-committing and coming up short can suck the air out of your lungs, but just learn from it and move on. BTW, it sounds like that's exactly what you've already done, so I guess I'm just agreeing with you and reminding myself about it. I'm looking forward to fine-tuning this process with you. See you on 4/15.Rayzer

[hummingbird]

I like reasondemon's idea of putting goals in your signature. I'm doin' that too.