The year of being 43 was meant to be the Year of Disciplined Execution, drawing from the Sean Covey book, namely : focus on the wildly important, act on the lead measures, keep a compelling scorecard and create a cadence of accountability. Looking back it is fair to say delivery on this was middling at best, with both high and low lights, summarised below:
Highlights
- Daily Bible App story helped me maintain a semblance of devotional life
- Highest ever plant performance ranking at work in several categories, increased recognition at the plant of my M&C skills with several key solutions delivered
- Good earnings supplemented by decent performance in the stock markets
- Greater clarity around the next type of role for me: stay in Upstream M&C Corrosion Management, not necessarily projects etc
- Offered roles at bp and Shell after rigorous interviews, great boost to the morale that I can still mix it with the good guys
- Bonding with L, despite the distance and intermittent visits from me
Lowlights
- Weight stayed high, didn’t manage to bring it down to the low 90s as anticipated
- Health was middling, a number of developing issues to keep a eye on as I transition into my late forties
- Beginning to feel like I am in a rut at my current job
- Didn’t blog/ write as much as I would have wanted
44: Legacy
For the next run around the sun, the word which has bubbled to the fore of my mind is Legacy. It is one which has guided the core of my activities and decisions over the past few years albeit without being explicitly expressed. In a sense, it is a continuation of the Year of Disciplined Execution, as Legacy and its underpinnings should drive the definition of what is wildly important which is then executed in a disciplined manner. Legacy is also inextricably linked to the three interaction clusters of my life plan, personal, professional and public. Of particular importance for me in this context then is being healthy in every dimension of my life whilst adding value in each of those three clusters.
In addition to the above, a number of specific reasons come to mind as to why Legacy should be important for this next run, including:
- Age: I will be 45 in a year. A life expectancy of 81.77) suggests over half my reasonable expectation of life is already spent.
- Paying it back: I have benefited extensively from older, wiser heads in both personal and professional lives, part of the legacy I want to leave is to similarly help others
- Health: Whilst not expecting to keel over tomorrow, a number of emerging health issues suggest that reaching 81.77 requires significant improvements to lifestyle and others. A legacy of good and healthy habits is therefore one I would like to leave
Key annual objectives are:
- Get healthy and stay healthy
- Resolve spiritual malaise
- Develop my Netzero - corrosion and materials skills: New role?
- Develop data science skills: the PhD?