Decisions

Last week I was in more than one mind about if, what, when and where.  This week I feel happier that some decisions have been made.  Moving anywhere is always about what if, and should we really – what happens if and are we sure.  In a lot of ways this is a healthy approach, designed to keep our feet on the ground as we make plans.  I have no doubt that if you are also looking to move then you too will be going through the process of looking at things from every conceivable direction, only to be clear that the world looks just as confusing form all directions.  This week has been looking inwards towards a few key questions.  1) Why are we looking to move? 2) Where are we looking to move to? 3) What do we want to achieve with the move? 4) What is the price we are willing to pay for the move? 5) What are the areas we can compromise on – and what cannot to be compromised?
These questions will come to anyone looking to radically change there life in one way or another.  The questions need to be answered one by one – and you can expect many more to be added to the list.  This week we have confirmed the answers to the most of the questions above.  These answers whilst in themselves are extremely liberating in that a clear idea is a great start – now bring on many more questions.  What do I need to do to get work, is there work, can we afford this, how do we move the pets.  All of these questions will also need to be answered in time, but first make a list of the questions as they arrive, and add them to a list, in the order of what to look at.  There is no reason to look at schools – if you have not decided on where to live.  The flip side of this is that there is no point of looking in an area where you are not happy with the schools – if this is what is important to you.  The solution that works for me is one single list, that I constantly add to, but which the order changes.  The questions are added and prioritized, and the answers are added alongside.  This way we constantly update what it is that we are doing, and at the same time we are able to go back to decisions we have already made, and remind ourselves that they have been made.  This does not mean we do not change the answers as we go through, but it does mean that the answers are either discussed together, and re-agreed – or changed, but then we clearly understand what they are.  This gives us as a couple the freedom to plan within a moving target.  It sets ground rules that we both can live with and it creates a direction that we both move in together.  It is perhaps more formalized than either of us would have ever dreamt of – but it has helped to straighten out our heads – and give us something we can clearly both align to.  This may or may not work for you – but it has given me a clear focus within which to work, and that focus gives us things we can bolt on to.  The list is constantly growing as we think of new things, and if we find that something should be thrown off – we just downgrade it to a lower priority rather than removing it.  This has the effect of keeping track of all questions and provides a fun way to look back at what sort of things you really did not need to worry about.
Until then check back regularly to find out what we are up to and how or plans are coming together, and remember – if you want to get in touch, you can do so by mailing Andrew@andrics.com