How to Retire in 12 Months

Today is the 1 year anniversary of the death of my beloved little brother Ethan. 365 days since it all came crashing down.

A few people have noted how well we seem to be dealing with the grief. No bitterness, no blame, no wanting to die like I might have imagined I would, if I ever were to imagine losing my brother and closest friend… well, before it actually happened that is.

It’s such a weird experience to have the people you love the most die; even the terms used to describe death are weird… “passed away” like a second hand shirt or “lost” like a kitten up a tree.

The thing is that however much you analyse the words or appreciate how amazing people have been around me or how other people lack understanding… it doesn’t change a thing… he is still dead. (more…)

Posted on November 22, 2011 in Where are we at? (Tags: Appreciate your family, Grief and loss) 18 Comments

It is time for change.

I can tell by the amount of new challenges I am taking on that I am beyond the grief and back to my old self… Yay!

Finding myself clear headed again I  realise that my business needs to change in ways I didn’t anticipate when I started this journey.

Recently four awesome casual staff came on to help with different parts of the business, this has been a godsend but unfortunately has also highlighted the fact that I am terrible at delegating! But it is nice to know that (more…)

Posted on October 27, 2011 in Dream Lifestyle, Lifestyle, Where are we at? (Tags: Being Creative, Creating change, How to Retire in 12 Months book, Lifestyle, Lifestyle Choices, The year of expansion) 8 Comments

The last three weeks have been a whirlwind and I have much to tell you! I had a gorgeous surprise birthday present when Mum took me to the National Achievers Congress, a three day event that blew my mind and I will fill you in on all the juicy details in the weeks to come.

My brain must have been in overdrive because I was sick for the next week and even missed my birthday!

Anyway I am here now with my birthday blog and wanted to share 32 things I have learned in 32 years, but 32 is a lot! So here are 14 things for your reading pleasure…

Success is all about momentum

It can be very hard to get something new moving, but the momentum that you create with all that work is what will give you the potential for success. Every little bit of (more…)

Posted on September 29, 2011 in Where are we at? (Tags: Giving Value, The year of expansion, Things I have learned) 13 Comments

I have a confession to make. Ever since the launch of the book I have really struggled to write blogs. Now that I have the illustrious title of “published author” I suddenly feel this immense pressure to actually give you something good!

This year has been a rollercoaster and luckily I have an easy going husband! He cheerily informed me yesterday that he can almost predict my cycle of outrageous excitement and meltdown (apparently 2-3 days up, 10 hours down) to the day.

Rather than trying to think of something profound, here is a couple of the (more…)

Posted on August 20, 2011 in Musings and Observations, The Retire Young Course, Where are we at? (Tags: Grief and loss, Joanne Fedler, Writers block) 13 Comments

A lot of people ask me what I do with my time now and after a much needed lull and rest at the beginning of the year I find myself busier than ever!

My head is starting to clear after all the intensity last year and of course at the (more…)

Posted on July 10, 2011 in The Retire Young Course, Where are we at? (Tags: Appreciate your family, Lifestyle) No Comments

I have been doing a book & family tour of NZ and time has slowed to a leisurely, wholesome pace – I seem to be having lots of adventures and yet there is still plenty of time to relax and get things done… I am sure there are more hours in the day here.

A lot has changed since I left ‘the land of the long white cloud’ 10 years ago, and I have a whole new appreciation for my friends, my ever expanding family and how beautiful the countryside is. (more…)

Posted on May 21, 2011 in Dream Lifestyle, Where are we at? (Tags: Appreciate your family, Grief and loss, Lifestyle Choices, Touring New Zealand, Working holidays) 10 Comments