Today has been the first of two days at the “will to act” training. The main purpose is for me to get better at planning, goals, putting aside time to do stuff and around the blocks that stop me from doing things.

I’ve spent the last three years trying to batter some of the sharper edges of my cynicism out of myself. Sometimes it works, sometimes I still feel like the most crusty cynical bloke in the world, but occasionally I can be open minded. So far in this course my cynicism hasn’t been tested too much. But speaking to some of the attendees at the end of the day, that feeling isn’t universally held.

One of my happy revelations has been how amazing the hearing aids are in a group situation like today. There were about 45 people in the room, and I could hear everyone who was talking. I don’t think that I’ve ever been able to hear everyone in a room like that. I remember it being a problem at university and I’m sure that it was before then as well. I appreciate that the ability to hear clearly is nothing spectacular, but for me it’s amazing. I think I was smiling like a maniac for the first 60 minutes until I got used to it.

I was also pleased with my Janathon exercising as well. I spent half an hour this morning using the resistance bands to do some lifting exercises in the hotel room. The hotel gym only opened at 7:30 and the training started at 8:15 so I had to bring the bands and find a different way to do the exercises. On top of that, I was going to get the train from Solihull to Olton where the offices were. When I got to the train station it turned out that the next train was at 8:15. Turns out that I’d checked a Monday to Friday timetable. Google maps said that I could get there by walking and be a minute or two late, so I did that. Half an hour later I was there in good time and felt better for the two and a bit mile brisk walk immediately after the weights. I’m counting both as my exercise for the day.

Tomorrow will be harder. Unless I’m getting up at 5am, I can’t see how I might get everything done. Still, I’ll try. For now I’m in the hotel bar again and looking forward to a pleasant evening.