Welcome to “The Looking Glass”, a weekly newsletter journey of personal growth into mindset, meaning and mastery in work.
#25 – 14 Oct 2022
Hello friend,
Thanks again for being here!
Here’s an insight, a question, and a quote I reflected on over the last week.
💡 Read, read, read
Wisdom comes from unexpected places.
I started listening to the recent Roger Waters interview on the Joe Rogan Experience Podcast.
I have always been a big Pink Floyd fan, and when I was living in London, my wife and I saw Roger perform his hits at Hyde Park. It was one of the best concerts I have ever seen, and it totally blew my mind.
Roger is an interesting guy for a “rock star”. He is exceptionally well-read and doesn’t mind sharing his perspective on political and social justice issues, which often lands him in hot water.
The topics Roger is passionate about are beyond what I am focusing on in The Looking Glass, but there is one insight that he learnt from his mother, which really struck me as important:
“Read, read, read. Learn everything you can about the subject that’s troubling you. And very important, look at it from both sides.”
And then:
“Do the right thing”.
In today’s social media climate, we can all take this on board:
1. When something is troubling you, go deep into it. Where can you start? Read. What can you learn?
2. But most importantly, and this often gets overlooked: consider both sides of the argument.
3. Then, once you have done the above: utilise your knowledge to do the right thing.
We can all relate to that frustrating manager at work who doesn’t operate under these three principles, and all they do is erode trust and authority.
Don’t be that person.
Be the thoughtful person who inspires.
❔ How well do you know yourself?
I have something fun for you this week. Which hopefully brings you some insight.
Since my career background is in accounting and finance, “marketing” does not come naturally to me.
And being an introvert, putting myself out there in person has always been a struggle, so the idea of “sales” is intimidating.
Not ideal weaknesses for someone starting a business, right?
Well, maybe not. Maybe my different perspective could be my greatest strength if I better understood how to tap into it.
So in recent months, I have been deep-diving into all things sales and marketing as I plan to grow my coaching business.
In my research during the week, I came across this personality test, 16Personalities. The marketing idea is that by better understanding my personality type, I can better speak to my ideal customer in my marketing.
My ideal customer is the person I could best help, based on my unique interest and experience – the “me” of two years ago. They are mid-career professionals who have climbed the corporate ladder only to realise it wasn’t the ladder they wanted to be climbing. It was someone else’s ladder. They have tremendous motivation and passion for making an impact in the world. They yearn to be more creative and positively help others. Still, they are not sure where to start and are left feeling overwhelmed and stuck procrastinating.
Now, I’m not affiliated with 16Personalities, and I do not understand the scientific rigour behind the test. So tread wearily, as I remember once hearing the actual Myers-Briggs test didn’t stand up to scientific validation. This one says it is based on the “Big Five personality traits”, the most commonly accepted test in modern psychology. But hey, if we as the user still get some value out of it, who cares!
Anyway, I completed the free personality test and found it very insightful. It really spoke my language and gave me some clarity and understanding of what is unique about me.
My result was “Mediator” (INFP-A):
“Although they may seem quiet or unassuming, Mediators (INFPs) have vibrant, passionate inner lives.
Idealistic and empathetic, Mediators long for deep, soulful relationships, and they feel called to help others.
Few personality types are as poetic and kindhearted as Mediators (INFPs). With their unique gifts, Mediators can overcome all sorts of challenges and obstacles – and brighten the lives of those around them in the process.
Mediators’ creativity, imagination, and kindness prove to be invaluable in many areas, including their own personal growth.
Yet Mediators can be tripped up in areas where idealism and altruism are more of a liability than an asset.
Here’s the truth: knowing and accepting yourself is the first step to moving forward and making positive changes in your life.”
It also names some famous people and characters you may relate to in your category. For example, two of mine were J. R. R. Tolkien (author of Lord of the Rings) and William Shakespeare.
The experience here helped me make sense of why I have recently gone so deep on the poetic and mystic side of “the path” in finding meaning and purpose in life. And why I have this new love for writing online and helping people on their Hero’s Journey. I see this as a potential to develop further.
How in touch are you with your personality?
I encourage you to do this free, 10-minute personality test for some fun. Maybe it has some clues into your own Hero’s Journey.
And if you do, please reply to me with the insights you discovered.
Exploring how our uniqueness can be the key to our success is fascinating.
💬 A quote to ponder – Our work shouldn’t feel like a straight-jacket
“We can live our life straight-jacketed by what we think we should do and be, or we can live a life true to who we really are. A life of authenticity and fulfilment.”
Ian Sanders
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Cheers!
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