So I've managed to finish three more books over the course of this week (at some point... gods know if I can figure out when), and I just want to do quick mini-mini-reviews on them before I whisk them back to the library:

The No-Complaining Rule, by Jon Gordon (Non-Fiction, Career Development, Attitude): Much like The Energy Bus, this was a fairly simplistic, but not unenjoyable reminder to my subconscious to keep a conscious eye out for the things that are going well; and if I see things that aren't, to make sure I only talk about them in the course of actually trying to *do* something about them (i.e. the 'constructive complaining' of Landmarkia) - like The Energy Bus, I'd give this one a 7/10.

The Hard Truth about Soft Skills, by Peggy Klaus ( also Non-Fiction, Career Development, Attitude): A quick rundown on the 'soft skills' that are so critical in not just enjoying your job, but in getting ahead in your career as well (e.g. communication, conflict management, organisation, leadership, etc). Reasonably good on a surface level, but it read more like an educational brochure than a book - telling you what skills you need to develop and why they're important, but not actually doing much in the line of teaching you *HOW* to develop them. Probably best used as to conduct a 'soft skill audit' on yourself, with a view to working out exactly what you most want to work on developing, and then going to find other resources to help you develop them. I guess I'd give this on a 6.5/10.


Which now brings me to 54 books finished this year according to my spreadsheet - looks like I forgot to review on at some point - and the next ones on my list are finishing Linnea Sinclair's "Hope's Folly", which is due back later in the week, and starting Joe Vitale's "Hypnotic Writing" all about "seducing customers with the power of my words" ;-)

54 / 100 books. 54% done!

Tags: 100 book challenge '09, action, attitude, book reviews, career development, chick pr0n, non-fiction, romantica
Current Mood: accomplished

OK, enough with the moping. Disappointment officially dealt with.

I got a pretty good night's sleep last night (thank you, O ye Nurofen gods!), and woke up actually able to flex my hip voluntarily to a certain extent this morning (yesterday I could lift my leg *with* my hands, but it really didn't want to move on its own), which suggests strongly that it's not actually injured, it's just coming to the tail end of a well-justified strike action. So this is all good news.

And I figure that since I've organised a blissful full-week stint of R&R off work for myself, the only person I'm hurting or taking from by wasting it letting the moping go on longer than it needs to is myself - and every minute I spend uselessly wishing things had been different or angsting over what I could have done differently is a minute I don't get to spend enjoying myself in the here and now.

So. I have a little unpacking to finish - I thought I'd done it all last night, but forgot that I still had a fish bin of stuff out in the lounge. And after that, there's a Dresden Files book to finish (which - ooops! - I've allowed to become overdue), and frakloads of DVDs to watch. And there's nommy healthy food to eat, and a self to pamper.

So really? It's looking like being a good week :-)

Hugs and more balanced blessings



Starfire

Tags: acceptance, attitude, relaxation
Current Mood: optimistic

( And now, in a shock move, we bring you some GOOD news, without any evident bitching, whining or moaning )

Tags: attitude, optimism, trailwalker
Current Mood: optimistic

( The Power of Healthy Thinking, by Tom Mulholland )

13 / 100 words. 13% done!

Tags: 100-book challenge '09, attitude, book reviews, non fiction, self help
Current Mood: accomplished

( And no, I don't mean of the vampiric variety )

Tags: attitude, trailwalker
Current Mood: content

( Because she who says a thing cannot be done should get the hell out of the way of she who is already doing it! )

Tags: attitude, langauge, self awareness, work
Current Mood: determined

( Yay! The godawful tube is GONE!!!! )

Tags: appreciation, attitude, bcod
Current Mood: calm

( I guess all's well that ends well indeed )

Tags: attitude, work
Current Mood: cheerful

( Y'know, I think I might just be one step closer to believing that this damn cough is beatable )

Tags: attitude, bcod, celebration, health, hope
Current Mood: hopeful

... not cured.

First night interrupted with coughing last night (second night off codeine). Woke up coughing just before 3, and then couldn't get back to sleep (although not because of coughing). Gryphon also says he heard me coughing earlier on in the night as well, although I have no memory of this, so it may have been sleep-coughing. No, I didn't know it was possible either.

And then there was coughing some of today, and a throat that was generally scratchy and irritated. Codeine, I hope, will be my friend tonight. Otherwise, I'm in for a seriously sucky night. Poot.

Trying *really* really hard to fight off the looming depression - trying to remind myself that I had nearly four weeks of uninterrupted nights and this is something to be grateful for.

Not really succeeding, but feel a vague sense of satisfaction that I'm at least trying.

*sighs melodramatically*

Ah well.

Going to go wheedle some hugs out of Gryphon, have some dinner, and then watch some more s4 Atlantis.

So really? Things could be a lot worse.

Tags: attitude, bcod, codeine
Current Mood: tired