Money and possessions

Somehow John Mayer's "I'm Yours" is still #5 in the country though it must have been released as a single when I was still in college. In the song he says "There's no need to complicate." That line came up today while driving. I do a lot of thinking when I'm driving. Hearing this line on the road reminded me that money and possessions have the ability to complicate, moreso possessions; money is just the catalyst. As I've become immersed in my studies in the last week I feel like I've come into a feeling of clarity. With a huge test on the horizon and immense curriculum to learn, my responsibilities are fairly simple. Work, study, and take a break every now and then to not burn out. I don't have to sit around anymore wondering what to do, the clarity is there, I should be studying. Clarity brings focus. Clarity makes things simple.

Along those lines, during my drive today I thought a little about some advice I received yesterday to "Change the way you think." I think I need to simplify things where less is more (I acknowledge that in some instances less is, simply, less). One of these things is possessions. I have way too much crap. I own four pairs of jeans. There are only two days a week I even have the opportunity to wear jeans. I can think of lots of examples such as this where I have too much. It's a waste of time. I could expand more on this subject but I think this is sufficient. Less is more here. See what I did there?

The answer's in the question, I should have known that all along

The fact that I go one month without an entry and then follow up with entries on consecutive days transcends the inconsistency in my life. If life were a final exam you would see me constantly switching writing utensils while skipping all over the Scantron. Tie that off with the fact that there is an emerging "question" motif to the entry titles. I swear to you that was not planned, as you might deduce below, as these entries are not related.

I came to a bit of a realization this evening while driving in the car. I spend a lot of time searching for answers. Trying to find solutions. I think I've come to find this mindless toiling is wasted when a critical step is missed. As important as solving problems and finding answers is, it's critical to also be asking the right questions. So that's where I'm focused right now. I'm focused on making sure I am asking myself the right questions so that I work for the right answers and solutions. I need to work to answer the questions where the answer is clear, and there is no mystery, where it's all laid out for me and I just have to be willing to walk down that path.

Too emo? probably.

I question myself

At this point my lack of motivation makes me question myself. I ask myself how bad I want this. Because right now my actions have not shown that I am willing to make the sacrifices necessary to obtain the CFA Charter. Maybe in the last week I have become a bit more dedicated. And maybe I have been putting in a lot of time in the office. But flat out, successful people make time to achieve their goals, and they are cognizant of the limits of their bodies and the energy they have. It kind of sucks to say this but I have been having too much fun lately. Going out too much, hanging out too much, and wasting too much time. Too much time spent on Facebook and too many late nights in bars. I can't go completely into a shell to get the job done, but I need to be more selective about my outings. Bars do not align at all with my career or personal goals. Maybe I should plan my acceptable distractions:

LOG meetings
LOG select outings
Running/Fitness
Movies/Dinners

I know I want this. And I do not want to not pass this test. I know I will be a Charterholder someday, but I'd rather it sooner than later. Class starts this week. The time is now. Amen.