Nathan's Insights

It’s been quite some while since my last post and quiet a lot has happened.  Day 3 of my New Zealand trip saw me get back into Melbourne just in time to catch a work flight to Brisbane. What I found out in Brisbane however is my main credit card had been used on an internet gambling website. I’ll give credit to ANZ for picking it up, stopping payments and the quick fix. I haven’t posted a lot as I’ve had a hard time managing my personal life and the stress that causes. I’ve struggled with depression during this time and with the help of some friends I’ve sought professional help which has been very useful. Depression has many negative aspects to it; the biggest is people not understanding it is a health issue that is not always a reflection of your situation in life. For a long time I’ve had mental health issues which I’ve dealt with mostly by myself (I’m a male so stupid pride goes hand in hand). The incident in Paris last year plus a realisation that I’m incapable of getting some things I strongly desire in life obviously weaken my mental health management. You should check out beyond blue website for information if interested. You’d be surprised how many people are affected, and how good most people are of hiding their problems.

Tomorrow I get to make a presentation about the project I’m heading up at work. It’s probably the most important work meeting I’ve been involved in and could, if all goes well, help my career, if it goes badly it definitely will hurt any future promotions in the near term. It’s interesting that stress is really self imposed. Others can try to impose stress on yourself but really it is up to you whether you allow it or not. I write this to remind myself, I’ve allowed myself to get stressed over something which while important in a work context does really matter a great deal. Besides I’ve done my best, I’ve got a good team and we have worked very hard. If others judge us to be off the tracks that’s there call, I know some of my best and most creative work as gone into creating a new SMSF Annual Return and the associated changes to the Tax Office.

The travel side of the project will help me with lounge access on my next big world trip, which is the important thing. I’m rewarding myself with a quick holiday to Auckland this weekend. Seems I still have the travelling bug!!!

Having returned from an extended trip for work in Queensland last week (I was there from Sunday to Friday) I had a chance to reflect on my failing campaign to get my weight back down.   I’ve always known that when I travel I end up gaining weight.  Mostly this is due to bad eating and not doing anything healthy when away i.e. playing sport or going for a night walk. So I thought I’d look back and see how many days and nights I had spent away from home and I was very surprised by how many.

I’ve been interstate at least once a week since 24 April (Tuesday).   In short I’ve done the following:
Tuesday 24 April Melbourne-Sydney Return (1 day / 0 nights)
Thursday 3 May Melbourne-Canberra Return (1 day / 0 nights)
Wednesday 9 May Melbourne-Brisbane Return (1 day / 0 nights)
Thursday 17 May Melbourne-Sydney Return (1 day / 0 nights)
Monday 21 May Melbourne-Sydney Return (1 day / 0 nights)
Thursday 24 May Melbourne-Canberra Return (2 days / 1 night)
Thursday 31 May Melbourne-Canberra Return (2 days / 1 night)
Sunday 3 June Melbourne-Brisbane Return (4 days / 3 nights)
Monday 11 June Melbourne-Adelaide Return (2 days / 1 night)
Tuesday 19 June Melbourne-Brisbane Return (2 days / 1 night)
Thursday 28 June Melbourne-Adelaide Return (1 day / 0 nights)
Sunday 1 July Melbourne-Brisbane Return (6 days / 5 nights)

24 days and 12 nights, during that period, there has only been 52 working days over those 11 weeks.

I have a trip planned for this Wednesday as well but thankfully at this stage no trips planned for the week after (but another 1 each for the two weeks are that).   The project I’m running requires a lot of travel and I’m conscious that my staff located in Canberra, Melbourne and Adelaide (to a lesser extent) are restricted in their travelling which sees me take up the necessary slack.

It’s little wonder I’m struggling.   I have to get my focused of my health; even with this level of travel I can do it.   No more excuses.   I took on this project and it’s going well but I need to ensure my goals are being met first.   Luckily night tennis starts up next month.

Last year I was enjoying a fantastic world trip that included the magnificent South Africa and Europe (including the crazy World Cup).   What it meant however is that I missed watching my team Essendon, have their worst season since I was born (so good timing I suppose).

Since 1st March I’ve been heading up the SMSF Annual return project team.   It’s been high pressure with very tight timelines.   I’ve probably logged more air hours then when travelling the world last year (it feels like it).   However as much professional satisfaction I’ll get from this project you need enjoyable pastimes as well.   Good friends, family, recreation and other interests. Well the boys have given me a lot of joy this year, as well as mini heart attacks.

Last night we won by 2 points to the 2nd bottom team Melbourne.   Our last 4 wins (out of 5 games) have been by 8 pts (really 2 with a goal after the siren), 1 pt, 1pt and last night 2 pts.   The sense of overwhelming joy in a community setting really gets your blood going.   Hopefully we’ll make the finals and Kevin Sheedy will get another season as coach, his 28th year.   I’m not ready for him to leave the club he has been coach since my earliest childhood memory and I’m not ready to give up those times just yet despite my 33 years old age.