LJN Blog Posts

Comments

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  Hamish July 11, 2009 at 11:30am

  It is nice to think that someone with Cats outlook on life is going to part of a new wave in the banking sector, good news for us all. Best of luck with the move. I also think the Zen method of approaching business is a good idea. I have just recently read a paper about Urban Forestry in Korea - their whole approach comes from Feng Shui, so maybe this is the future for us all.
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  Cat Fereday July 11, 2009 at 12:46pm

  Flower, I know you can do anything you put your mind to! I'm 100% that you are going to come to love living down south - perhaps even one day getting to overlooking flat pints of bitter. You could advance plan some of your blogs - the boot sale at the end of August should be a good one to cover as will trips down to look at gardens (and the houses attached to them)! Don't worry, I know, no shed / garage / storage, no chance! :-)
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  Donny Bryan July 11, 2009 at 4:03pm

  Hi Andrew, great news about Cat's job. I too am married to a high flying career lady. Unfortunately Mrs B became a director statistic of the deep recession in December, but her boundless optimism and enthusiasm for a new challenge is an inspiration to all around her. She's setting up her own business, actively looking for new opportunities, and part of her aim is to spend more time at home - something I will definitely welcome - previously she was away travelling on business a lot & I always miss her dreadfully. Part of her decision was a desire not to uproot my business as to get another similar role she would almost inevitably have to move South (her last office was officially in the South but they allowed her to work from home rather than the office when not on client site). Anway, we look forward to reading all about your adventures and best of luck - especially with the flat pints! Cheers, Donny
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  Andrew Fereday July 11, 2009 at 5:22pm

  Thanks Donny & Hamish. At least I can do what I do anywhere - it would be much more difficult to move if I had to find a new job. It'll be a test for a while and take a bit of time to get established again, but at least I will be able to get re-established. I'm thinking of contacting a couple of garden centres once I get down there, as those contacts seem to be quite effective at generating leads. I've had three of my main gardens referred to me by the garden centre where I worked four years ago - the latest one just two months ago.
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  Sustainable Land Management July 15, 2009 at 2:16pm

  Good luck with the move guys, just make sure the broadband is up and running quickly, Cats blogs are like a shot of decent coffee. By the way I have read the same article, (I think), as the one Hamish relates to. It is absolutely fascinating and I will try and get it up on the LJN. We'll all be meditating for 2 hours prior to a days work yet.
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  Phil Voice July 15, 2009 at 2:29pm

  Can I add my best wishes too.
  
  I went through a very life changing experience when I sold my business and moved to France - all in the same year.
  
  I am sure you will be frightened by the thought but inflated by the challenge and always remember that there is no shame in weeping if things get tough. I am sure you will make a great success of it.
  
  The areas you are looking to live in will be a rich picking ground for work and your talents will be in demand - you pick your clients, don't let them choose you.
  
  I look forward to blogs from the both of you as I am sure will everyone else and remember there is always help here if you need it.
  
  All the very best.
  
  Phil
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  Andrew Fereday July 15, 2009 at 3:49pm

  Thanks Phil,
  
  I'll try to scribble a few words here and there when I get a chance. Nothing's really happening at the moment, so we're sort of floating in mid-air until Cat gets a few more details. I've got over the initial panic about all the stuff that needs to be sorted out and have started the big clear-out. We've been renting our current house for about five years and have more stuff than we know what to do with. The attic is a graveyard for dead pieces of technology (an old PC, dead television, assorted fans, cables of all sorts... the list goes on). The cellar has all my gardening crap in it along with two dead washing machines and one working one (I dont think Cat has ever used any of them - she's got me too well-trained!). Then there's the three expired line trimmers, old back-up lawnmower and god knows what else. I'm glad Cat has agreed to fund a skip, although we're going to need one of the big ones, not just a piddly little thing!
  
  I think what I need to do is concentrate on the here-and-now for the moment though, not worry too much about every little detail just yet. I did panic at first and think that there is so much I need to do, but I don't have to do it all by next week. Anyway, enough wittering, "I didn't get where I am today..." and all that.
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  Andrew Fereday July 15, 2009 at 3:52pm

  Oh, I forgot to mention in the blog title that I didn't literally mean I was going to manage the business by Zen. It's just a phrase I use when I'm winging it (as in "navigating by Zen" when I'm trying to find a new client for the first time...).
  
  I'm much more of a taoist myself. ;-)