Quiet

Psychology has fascinated me for years not only in my focus to help others through fitness training, but also in my own self improvement. It is interesting to know why people act in certain ways, why they sabotage their own improvement and how some can enact change as easily as changing clothes.

Recently I have written about the book “Quiet” that I have been inching my way through slowly. Having finished this excellent read it has helped me to better understand my own personality, answering multiple questions about why I act the way I do. Catherine has often said I am different at work or when with work friends compared with when I am with her. This makes more sense to me now after reading “Quiet” and understanding the deeper reasons behind that personality change.

I firmly believe that we don't always show our true characters in our everyday lives. When at work we may act more confident than we feel, showing an extroverted personality that is actually at odds with who we truly are. If we have a personality that leans toward the introverted end of the scale then this extroversion will be draining and require time to recuperate.

Personally I exhibit a level of confidence and exuberance that I don't always feel. I may enjoy talking to people and learning about them, but I find it draining, even more so when it's in a group setting. As a result I talk less after work and need quiet time to read, listen to music or write. Provided I recognise the warning signs and keep consistent with addressing the balance then I maintain good mental health.

For many people this may sound like a lot of deep drivel and that's ok. I don't really write to explain a deeper level of thinking to people, but merely to raise an awareness of it. So many of us don't take the time to think things through in life, whether that is thinking before we speak or thinking before we act. I know that I have always been guilty of the latter when it comes to my life and have begun to change that. Slowing down and considering what we say and do should not be a negative, but it often loses out to speaking first with unwavering enthusiasm.

Here's to slowing down, thinking and quiet.

T :)

Movember and on

Movember is over for another year and we are fast approaching Christmas. After setting a fundraising target of $200 I reached over $1300, which was fantastic. I'd like to say a big thank you to all of you that donated and helped men across Australia and the world defeat depression as well as prostrate and testicular cancer.

Since finishing Movember my wife is now smiling at me again and life has returned to a less hairy norm. Despite it only being a month without shaving I was shocked when I shaved my top lip and revealed my face clean shaven. Next time it may be the handle bars and an ultra marathon run to raise money, just to take it a step further!

My target of publishing my handbook is close at hand and I am still busily working on it. Originally I had planned for it to be a master piece of literary scrawl, but after a few beers decided it best to just publish the damn thing. I've simplified my approach and condensed what I want to say in this first edition in order to help men (and women) learn tools to manage depression. It is not a scientific, research backed book per se, but one that comes from my approach of learning and trialling the tools I come across and with that in mind it is a project that will never be complete.

I am currently finishing off the book Quiet. It is a great read if you are interested in the mind and personality types. I've found it an education in why we do the things we do and how we can present ourselves differently throughout our lives. It is also fascinating in understanding those closest to us who may well have the opposite personality, which in turn improves relationships.

Only a few weeks until Catherine and I return to the UK for Christmas, so I will try and post a little update soon.

Keep on keeping on,

Tom