Nathan's Insights

Recently the UK Government commissioned an independent report into the effects Climate Change will have on the economy.   They choose Sir Nicholas Stern a leading economist.   His report has created lots of press and is worth a read.

The report makes the conclusion that climate change is real and happening.   It also talks about the long term cost to our economies and how we are running out of time to effect these changes while reducing the cost. The really sad part of the report is that the Howard Government (I can’t call them the Australian Government anymore) is still in denial about what is happening.   Their continued short term (blind??) view on the bottom dollar is and will have a major negative effect on our lives and future generations.

Today’s dollar is worth more than people in the future.   I don’t, as a rule, believe in voting against someone, it’s negative, you need to vote for something.   However the next federal election it’s time to make an exception, put the Nationals last (they are worst which is hard to believe in a party that supports farmers i.e. the land) and the Liberals second last on every ballot (I’m only talking national, state level Liberals seem to be better). I’d rather any of the other parties (including Family First!!) get my and your vote first.   We are killing the environment.   There has not be one major report that has been independently reviewed for the past 10 years that says otherwise (I know certain parts of the media make you think otherwise).   Now we even have an economics report that talks about the major cost (lives and financial) and yet we still do nothing, it is close to criminal. Some people go on about the Americans re-electing George Bush and blame them for a lot of what is happening in the world.   Well it’s time to look in our own backyard.   Some Howard Ministers are saying we would sign up if everyone else does something.   They are missing the point; we need to be leaders not the last nation forced to comply. Get active, do something to make a difference.   This is not a left or right wing issue or Labour and Liberal.   It’s about long term planning to ensure the best outcome for future generations.   Are we so selfish and materialistic that we don’t care?   It’s time right now to demand action.

These days I put a lot of effort into learning more about myself and why I do things.   This knowledge will hopefully help me break out of patterns that don’t bring me the long term desires that I believe will make me happy. Over the years I’ve taken different types of personality tests and I find them useful as a way to look at who I am at that moment.   The most famous test is the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (or test).   So what are my results?

78% – Introverted
38% – Intuitive
12% – Feeling
11% – Judging

The percentages mean how much you are into one of these characteristics.

This makes me an INFJ, which apparently is a little rare to quote just one section:

“INFJs place great importance on having things orderly and systematic in their outer world. They put a lot of energy into identifying the best system for getting things done, and constantly define and re-define the priorities in their lives. On the other hand, INFJs operate within themselves on an intuitive basis which is entirely spontaneous. They know things intuitively, without being able to pinpoint why, and without detailed knowledge of the subject at hand. They are usually right, and they usually know it. Consequently, INFJs put a tremendous amount of faith into their instincts and intuitions.”

This is something of a conflict between the inner and outer worlds, and may result in the INFJ not being as organized as other Judging types tend to be. Or we may see some signs of disarray in an otherwise orderly tendency, such as a consistently messy desk. ”

So it seems I’m in conflict with myself which is something I can definitely relate to.   I recommend you give it a try and let me know your personality type.   A good friend thought I might be an ‘INFP which I actually appreciate if I’m seen that way.

On Wednesday I attended my first job interview in over 4 years.   A long time to go for someone who has been encouraged to take the next career step by people I admire and trust.   The interview was one of my steps or goals for the next 18 months, a chance to push myself a little. How did it go?   I don’t think I really sold myself as the must have person.   I was applying for a job in a different Government Agency so as an outsider you really need to make an impression which I’m not sure I did. The real or primary purpose of the exercise was to start believing in myself and my abilities a little more.   I know that I come off to many as very self confident but in reality the opposite is the truth.   It’s the reason that I put way too much value in opinions others have of me.   It’s no fun finding out your limitations or what others perceive to be your limitations.   This was a small step in starting to believe in myself, regardless of if I get the job or not I believe that I have the abilities to do it and that is a positive step in the right direction.

I’ve now been back home for just under 2 weeks and I’m really not sure exactly what has happened to the time. Adjusting back can be difficult however I’d have to say I still haven’t since I think I need to actually return to work to say I’m back (which will be this Monday). When I returned I had lots of really good ideas about what my future holds, I’ve felt that I finally have some focus back in my life and that I also have some self-confidence. While I’ve been very lazy these last 2 weeks I have on occasions started doing some of the necessary steps to begin this next stage. I’ve been thinking about these goals and if I’d share them with others. Unlike previous goals these ones are either more personal or far more likely that I’ll fail them. After having dinner with my good friends Adrian & Natalie I’ve decided to go the whole way.

I basically have 6 interlinked goals that I want to achieve by February 2008:
Get down to a healthy weight (82 kgs – currently 95 kgs)
Get promoted (I’ve put this off for a long while now)
Win a tennis tournament (links to getting healthy)
Complete a marathon (a girl on the trip inspired this one)
Get in a serious relationship (I have someone in mind actually)
Stop worrying about what other people think (except the people I love)

I’ve always found myself making excuses not to go after these particular goals and I’ve even put obstacles in the way (like life doesn’t make it hard all by itself!).   Basically I’ve been too afraid to go for the things I really desire, mostly afraid of failing and what others would think. Change is very hard, but behaviour can be learned and unlearned if required.   The next week or two are very important to commencing on the path to happiness I believe I have found.