I’m paraphrasing here, from a post that looked like it was a copy of content that was locked behind a pay-for-view service. So this is written in my own words for posterity, and hopefully to encourage the ideas to stick in my head a little better.

1. Don’t be so afraid of the results – change is stress, but the loss is less in hindsight and the world will (usually) keep turning.

2. Listen to your guts – hunches can be good guides and too much rationalizing can bind you up.

3. Don’t drive angry – or devastated, or ecstatic – watch out for decisions made during times of extreme emotions.

4. Wear the other shoe – address the other sides of the issue, not just the viewpoint that is most comfortable

5. Keep your eye on the goal – don’t lose sight of the long term in the face of strange short term pressures (or lack thereof)

6. Don’t slow dance with your skeletons – ok, that’s not original – I borrowed that phrase from a really cool author – search the blog for more about it

7. Examine the options backwards – don’t just settle for the first spin that smells right

8. If everyone is agreeing, very few people are thinking – make sure to think for yourself and not let others do it for you

9. Don’t keep searching for options forever – grab a reasonable set, make a decision, and move forward

After many years of procrastination and excuses, I finally took a big leap. I went back to school.

I do say back to school, because I did take a few classes at a community college. About 12 years ago. Which I mostly dropped. So my highest level of completed education is still High School. Which my grandmother doesn’t let me forget every holiday season.

When I started my current job in 2002, they told me “Go to college – we’ll pay for it.” I made excuses for the next couple years, and every annual review my boss would tell me “Go to college – we’ll pay for it.”

So I finally did.

I’m in my third block of classes at Axia College of University of Phoenix Online. Basically the community college they make remedial folks like me go to before they will let me into a bachelors program.

But I’m doing it! I’m carrying a 4.0 GPA after 4 classes, and I think I’ve got a chance of actually having an Associate of Arts Degree in Business. In about two years.

Maybe then I’ll be able to get some sleep. Or go test for the second half of the Yang short form.

I can! Finally, after five calendar years, and about two actual years, of on and off study of Tai Chi, this weekend I tested succesfully for the first half of the Yang style short form. I’m on my third school, White Birch in Arlington Virginia. I like the relaxed tone, the various angles on form, application, and art that I get from various senior students, all of whom have backgrounds with other teachers and schools as well.

Next goal – 12 months to testing on the full short form. Definately means I’ll need to make it to class every week.

Watch your thoughts; they become your words. Watch your words; they become your actions. Watch your actions; they become your habits. Watch your habits; they become your character. Watch your character for it will become your destiny. – Frank Outlaw

Now why the hell didn’t someone tell me this sooner?

Oh well. Might as well enjoy the scenery while I’m here.