Monday, March 19, 2007
Five Interesting Facts about James McGovern
Figured I would share some things that most folks don't know about me...
| | View blog reactions- How many times in a week do you think folks ask me for my cell phone number? The notion of being reachable has always felt diametrically opposed to work/life balance, hence the reason that I no longer own one. If I happen to not be near my desk or at home, then it probably means that I am doing something important and therefore can't be reached. Part of the trap in terms of being reachable is that it establishes an expectation that you can contact me at any time. The one habit that I have developed though is to make myself incredibly reachable via email where I guarantee a faster turnaround time than if you leave me a voicemail.
- I am reasonably happy in my current occupation but dream of being an industry analyst. It would solve for one aspect of being an enterprise architect that is dreadful. The ability to influence individuals on a daily basis is a skill that is mandatory for success but over time gets somewhat tiring in that influence is always targeted at the same individuals with little variety. Industry analysts get to talk to new folks and learn new perspectives on the same conversation, something in which the enterprise lacks. Likewise, industry analysts don't have to necessarily deal with unintended consequences like enterprise architects. It would be interesting if folks such as Jess Thomspon, Brenda Michelson and other industry analysts who made the transition could share their experiences in this regard.
- I have no mortgage which translates into me owning my own home 100%. Being spiritual requires an acknowledgement that our creator gave to us years ago. Regardless of religion, whether you are Christian, Judiasm, or Islam, the respective holy books discouraged the practice of Usury (riba) which I have internalized as the principle of interest is evil and should neither be received nor given. By adhering to this sole principle, it requires me to pay off all debts such as credit cards every single month, have zero for car payments and to in essence live within my means. It likewises requires me to avoid interest-bearing investments such as bonds which then translates into being fully invested in the stock market at all times. If folks adhered to this principle, I suspect divorce rates would drop dramatically.
- While I still have several years ago till I retire, my current plan outlines two different scenarios. The first says that I should retire when I turn 45 to the island of Trinidad where I own several acres and the cost of living for things such as healthcare aren't obscene. If I decide to stay in the United States then I will have to work until I turn 50. Many folks get it twisted and think that I am returning home, which there is some truth to it. For the record, I was born in the United States and so were both of my parents and my parents parents. In terms of my significant other, her lineage traces to Canada and India. Our collective perspectives say that the United States is a great place to accumulate wealth but the morale compass is being lost by our lack of leadership. Ask yourself when was the last time you had an open friendly conversation with your nextdoor neighbors and then the problem exposes itself
- I am neither a democratic nor republican as their is only a dimes worth of difference between them. I am a believer in the notion of Less Laws and hope to in the future start my own political party. Awhile back, I was in court where enscribed on the building was: Laws are made for men of ordinary understanding... where I saw lots of ordinary men who were utterly clueless. If it doesn't feel wrong to an ordinary man then is it really wrong? Maybe the problem is that we have too many laws...
