the longest journey begins....

....with a single step.

Here is a twenty-question-fact-sheet about yourself to kick start the creative juices flowing...

What is your first name? Were you named after any one? Who? Describe them….do you have any similarities?
Do you have any nicknames? How did you get that nick name?
How old are you? Actually? Mentally? Physically?
Do you have any tattoos or piercings? Where, what and why?
Where were you born? Where have you lived? Where do you live now?
Which of those places do you like best, least and why?
Do you ever hand write anything? Do you like your handwriting?
What is your favourite food? Why? What is your favourite dessert?
If you were another person would you be friends with yourself?
What is your calling card skill?
What is your favourite day of the week? Why?
If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Why?
What is your favourite drink?
Do you prefer summer or winter? Why?
What book have you enjoyed most in the past year?
Do you have a special talent? What is it?
Have you bungee jumped? Sky-dived? Scuba dived? Rock climbed?
Do you untie your shoes when you take them off?
What is your least favourite thing about yourself?
What is your most favourite thing about yourself?

There are a number of tests available online, ranging from simple to more complex, some are useful, some are silly. I will often take the test out of curiosity although, as I mention in my “what dessert are you” test (www.tellmeabit.com/exercises.htm) (or in the July 2011 archive...http://tellmeabit.blogspot.com/2011/07/oreo-cookie-test.html), I more often read the answers first, to see if any of the answers match my “tell me” version of myself.

Here, for example, is a real test given by the Human Relations Dept at many of the majorcorporations today:

You are at the wheel of a car, hurtling around a curve to the left, with a sheer drop-off tight to your right.
To your immediate left is a fire engine, travelling the same direction and at the same speed you are.
Directly and very close behind you is a helicopter, travelling the same direction and at the same speed you are.
Directly and very close in front of you is an enormous pig, also travelling the same direction and at the same speed you are.
How do you deal with the situation?

Answer: get off the merry-go-round right now!

Seriously, several corporations give tests. Several people try and answer the tests with answers they think are wanted, versus answers aligned with their true self. My experience has been the same as with my “tell me”…if I try and project other than who I am, I may fool some of the people, some of the time, but it usually catches up with me. Having worked long and hard on my “so, tell me a bit about yourself”, it now takes too much effort to be other than who I really am.
And by being true to myself, I usually end up in situations where I ought to be. I am not an Apple trying to do a PC’s job.

This test was on a local radio station one morning recently….

THE SHAPE OF YOUR PERSONALITY:
Dr Susan Dellinger, author and creator of “Psycho-Geometrics”, claims your favorite shape reveals the real you.

The 5 basic personality types and their shapes...pick one...are square, rectangle, triangle, circle and squiggle.

• Square – You're an organized, logical and hardworking person who likes structure and rules. Sometimes you have trouble making decisions because you always want more information.
• Rectangle – You're a courageous, exciting and inquisitive explorer who always searches for ways to grow and change. You enjoy trying things you've never done before and love asking questions that have never been asked.
• Triangle – You're a born leader who's competitive, confident and decisive. You also like recognition and are interested in politics.
• Circle – You're a ‘people person’ with lots of sympathy and consideration for others. You listen and communicate very well and are very perceptive about feelings. You like harmony and hate making unpopular decisions.
• Squiggle – You're a creative person who's always thinking of new ways to do things. You don't think in a deliberate pattern from A to B to C. Instead, you tend to jump around in your mind, going from A to M to X.
Hmmm….I would have naturally picked a squiggle, but I a do have a bit of rectangle and triangle in me.

Try this test, which is supposedly given by the Human Relations Dept at many of the major corporations today. It helps them get a better insight concerning their employees and potential employees. As always, when building your “so, tell me a bit about yourself”, be honest with yourself.
1. When do you feel your best?
(a) in the morning (b) during the afternoon & early evening (c) late at night
2. You usually walk
(a) fairly fast, with long steps (b) fairly fast, with short, quick steps (c) less fast head up, looking the world in the face (d) less fast, head down (e) very slowly
3. When talking to people you
(a) stand with your arms folded (b) have your hands clasped (c) have one or both your hands on your hips (d) touch or push the person to whom you are talking (e) play with your ear, touch your chin, or smooth your hair
4. When relaxing, you sit with
(a) your knees bent with your legs neatly side by side (b) your legs crossed (c) your legs stretched out or straight (d) one leg curled under you
5. When something really amuses you, you react with
(a) a big, appreciative laugh (b) a laugh, but not a loud one (c) a quiet chuckle (d) a sheepish smile
6. When you go to a party or social gathering you.
(a) make a loud entrance so everyone notices you (b) make a quiet entrance, looking around for someone you know (c) make the quietest entrance, trying to stay unnoticed
7. You're working very hard, concentrating hard, and you're interrupted. Do you..
(a) welcome the break (b) feel extremely irritated (c) vary between these two extremes
8. Which of the following colors do you like most? (a) red or orange (b) black (c) yellow or light blue (d) green (e) dark blue or purple (f) white (g) brown or gray
9. When you are in bed at night, in those last few moments before going to sleep, you lie
(a) stretched out on your back (b) stretched out face down on your stomach (c) on your side, slightly curled (d) with your head on one arm (e) with your head under the covers
10. You often dream that you are (a) falling (b) fighting or struggling (c) searching for something or somebody (d) flying or floating (e) you usually have dreamless sleep (f) your dreams are always pleasant

Now add up the points for your answers:
POINTS:
1. (a) 2 (b) 4 (c) 6
2. (a) 6 (b) 4 (c) 7 (d) 2 (e) 1
3. (a) 4 (b) 2 (c) 5 (d) 7 (e) 6
4. (a) 4 (b) 6 (c) 2 (d) 1
5. (a) 6 (b) 4 (c) 3 (d) 5 (e) 2
6. (a) 6 (b) 4 (c) 2
7. (a) 6 (b) 2 (c) 4
8. (a) 6 (b) 7 (c) 5 (d) 4 (e) 3 (f) 2 (g) 1
9. (a) 7 (b) 6 (c) 4 (d) 2 (e) 1
10. (a) 4 (b) 2 (c) 3 (d) 5 (e) 6 (f) 1
Now add up the total number of points.
OVER 60 POINTS: Others see you as someone they should "handle with care" You're seen as vain, self-centered, and who is extremely dominant. Others may admire you, wishing they could be more like you, but don't always trust you, hesitating to become too deeply involved with you.
51 TO 60 POINTS: Others see you as an exciting, highly volatile, rather impulsive personality; a natural leader, who's quick to make decisions, though not always the right ones. They see you as bold and adventuresome, someone who will try anything once; someone who takes chances and enjoys an adventure. They enjoy being in your company because of the excitement you radiate.
41 TO 50 POINTS: Others see you as fresh, lively, charming, amusing, practical, and always interesting; someone who's constantly in the center of attention, but sufficiently well-balanced not to let it go to their head. They also see you as kind, considerate, and understanding; someone who'll always cheer them up and help them out.
31 TO 40 POINTS: Others see you as sensible, cautious, careful & practical. They see you as clever, gifted, or talented, but modest... Not a person who makes friends too quickly or easily, but someone who's extremely loyal to friends you do make and who expect the same loyalty in return. Those who really get to know you realize it takes a lot to shake your trust in your friends, but equally that it takes you a long time to get over it if that trust is ever broken.
21 TO 30 POINTS: Your friends see you as painstaking and fussy. They see you as very cautious, extremely careful, a slow and steady plodder. It'd really surprise them if you ever did something impulsively or on the spur of the moment, expecting you to examine everything carefully from every angle and then, usually decide against it. They think this reaction is caused partly by your careful nature.
UNDER 21 POINTS: People think you are shy, nervous, and indecisive, someone who needs looking after, who always wants someone else to make the decisions & who doesn't want to get involved with anyone or anything. They see you as a worrier who always sees problems that don't exist. Some people think you're boring. Only those who know you well know that you aren't.

A group of investigators got together and analyzed the personalities of well known and modern cartoon characters.
The information that was gathered was made into this test...
Answer all the questions with what describes you best, add up all your Points (which are next to the answer that you choose) at the end and look for your results.

1. Which one of the following describes the perfect date?
a) Candlelight dinner (4 pts.)
b) Fun/Theme Park (2 pts.)
c) Painting in the park (5 pts.)
d) Rock concert (1 pt.)
e) Going to the movies (3 pts.)

2. What is your favorite type of music?
a) Rock and Roll (2 pts.)
b) Alternative (1 pt.)
c) Soft Rock (4 pts.)
d) Country (5 pts.)
e) Pop (3 pts.)

3. What type of movies do you prefer?
a) Comedy (2 pts.)
b) Horror (1 pt.)
c) Musical (3 pts.)
d) Romance (4 pts.)
e) Documentary (5 pts.)

4. Which one of these occupations would you choose if you only could choose one of these?
a) Waiter (4 pts.)
b) Professional Sports Player (5 pts.)
c) Teacher (3 pts.)
d) Police (2 pts.)
e) Cashier (1 pt)

5. What do you do with your spare time?
a) Exercise (5 pts.)
b) Read (4 pts.)
c) Watch television (2 pts.)
d) Listen to music (1 pt.)
e) Sleep (3 pts.)

6. Which one of the following colors do you like best?
a) Yellow (1 pt.)
b) White (5 pts.)
c) Sky Blue (3 pts.)
d) Dark Blue (2 pts.)
e) Red (4 pts.)

7. What do you prefer to eat?
a) Snow (3 pts.)
b) Pizza (2 pts.)
c) Sushi (1 pt.)
d) Pasta (4 pts.)
e) Salad (5 pts.)

8. What is your favorite holiday?
a) Halloween (1 pt.)
b) Christmas (3 pts.)
c) New Year (2 pts.)
d) Valentine's Day (4 pts.)
e) Thanksgiving (5 pts.)

9. If you could go to one of these places which one would it be?
a) Paris (4 pts)
b) Spain (5 pts)
c) Las Vegas (1 pt)
d) Hawaii (4 pts)
e) Hollywood (3 pts)

10. With which of the following would you prefer to spend time with?
a) Someone smart (5 pts.)
b) Someone attractive (2 pts.)
c) Someone who likes to party (1 pt.)
d) Someone who always has fun (3 pts.)
e) Someone very sentimental (4 pts.)

Now add up your points and find out the answer you have been waiting for!

(10-16 points) You are Garfield: You are very comfortable, easy going, and you definitely know how to have fun but sometimes you take it to an extreme. You always know what you are doing and you are always in control of your life. Others may not see things as you do, but that doesn't mean that you always have to do what is right. Try to remember, your happy spirit may hurt you or others.
(17-23 points) You are Snoopy: You are fun, you are very cool and popular. You always know what's in and you are never are out of style. You are good at knowing how to satisfy everyone else.
You have probably disappeared for a few days more than once but you always come home with the family values that you learned. Being married and having children are important to you, but only after you have had your share of fun times.
(24-28 points) You are Elmo: You have lots of friends and you are also popular, always willing to give advice and help out a person in need. You are very optimistic and you always see the bright side of things. Some good advice: try not to be too much of a dreamer. Dreaming too big could cause many conflicts in your life.
(29-35 points) You are Sponge Bob Square Pants: You are the classic person that everyone loves. You are the best friend that anyone could ever have and never wants to lose. You never cause harm to anyone and they would never not understand your feelings. Life is a journey, it's funny and calm for the most part. Stay away from traitors and jealous people, and you will be stress free.
(36-43 points) You are Charlie Brown: You are tender, you fall in love quickly but you are also very serious about all relationships. You are a family person. You call your mom every Sunday. You have many friends and may occasionally forget a few Birthdays. Don't let your passion confuse you with reality.
(44-50 points) You are Dexter: You are smart and definitely a thinker... Every situation is fronted with a plan. You have a brilliant mind. You demonstrate very strong family principles. You maintain a stable routine but never ignore a bad situation when it comes. Try to do less over thinking every once in a while to spice things up a bit with spontaneity!

Here’s one final test:
During a visit to a mental asylum, a visitor asked the Director what thecriterion was that defined whether or not a patient should be institutionalized.
”Well,” said the Director, “we fill up a bathtub; then we offer a teaspoon, a teacup and a bucket to the patient and ask him or her to empty the bathtub.”
”Oh, I understand,” said the visitor. “A normal person would use the bucket because it’s bigger than the spoon or the teacup.
”No,” said the Director, “A normal person would pull the plug. Do youwant a bed by the wall or near the window?”

For other useful information, please visit www.tellmeabit.com