Introducing Confluence-Let's Start With Brad and Angie

We're going to introduce the new cycle of twelve posts with a brand new term:-'Confluence'. Now this is not a brand new word and it usually refers to when two bodies of water (often rivers) join together to form one larger and stronger body of water. The new current will increase as the water volume increases. In the same way when 'Confluence' is used in 'Life Cycles' terms it refers to two or more people whose lives are conjoined and who are sharing time in their 'significant years' together. This is most easily displayed in primary relationships. So, if you and your partner were born within twelve months of each other or a multiple of twelve or seven then you share some 'Confluence'. For example if you were born twelve years apart then part of every 'significant year' (ie. 12/19/24/31/36 etc.) would see you sharing dramas and challenges. If I was born in say Jan.1980 and you were born in Jan.1987, then in every second 'significant year' we would be 'Confluent'. Don't worry I'll explain more of this later. It can potentially mean greater empathy and understanding of what each other is experiencing.

Let's start with one of the world's most high-profile couples:- Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. Brad was born 18th.Dec.1963 and is 48 (in a 'Year of Revolution') right now. Angie was born 4th.Jun.1975 and is 36 and in her important mid-life 'Year of Revolution' as we speak. What is unfolding? Firstly Angie has had a big year already with her directorial debut with 'In The Land of Blood and Honey', along with being named a Special Envoy for the UN on refugees. She has just been made an Honorary citizen of Sarajevo. But together they have the biggest announcement of all:- they are engaged to be married. This was in spite of Brad's support of Gay marriage rights before his own wedding. It has also been noted that because of Angie he has gotten a lot more involved with hunanitarian work.

It should also be noted that Brad was 'Confluent' with Jennifer Aniston but only for every second 'significant year'. The whole 'Mr.& Mrs. Smith' break up happened when Jen was 36 and now that she is 43 and in her next 'significant year' there has been an announcement of a marriage to be held in Greece. So it seems more 'Confluence' is better in this case, although I should point out that you do not need it for a successful relationship, but it does add an extra element.

I will be exploring more of the world's greatest couples and this unique phenomenon, so keep tuned. Until then:- "may the cycles always bring you good fortune".

The After Party-The Third Lesson

If we reviewed the year you'd see we have a very wide range of people. What happens if I get some of my guests back for a bit of a party. They're all quite different, so who can tell?
'The Donald' Trump (DT):- Well Neil what have you cooked up here? I don't just show up without a few VIP's around. Hey isn't that Freddie Laker over there? Long time, no see Freddie.
Laker (FL) Yes Donald, my old son, last time was at a party at my place, I even flew you over. Say what's that young guy doing in his tennis gear?
Novak Djokovic (ND)Did anyone here see my Wimbledon win? Does anyone here play tennis?
Sachin Tendulkar (ST) No, I don't play tennis much, cricket's more my game, but I am a fan and I loved that Wimbledon win of yours Novak. Hello, is there a person of Asiatic appearance in the corner by himself.
Mr. Arafinto (Mr.A) Oh. I hoped no-one would notice me. I am so ashamed of what I did in Parliament, I have to atone.
Rebekah Brooks (RB) I'm not into atoning myself, but I do feel down in the dumps when they arrested me again.
Steve Jobs (SJ) Hey you people need to see beyond your troubles and develop a proper vision for the future. Isn't that right Cadel?
Cadel Evans (CE) Yes Steve, when I lost that Tour De France as favourite, I just had to pick myself up and train even harder.
Prince William (PW) to Catherine (C) Say who is that woman in the fancy headdress in the corner with the two slaves fanning her?
(C) It's not Cleopatra dear, is it?
Queen Cleopatra (QC) Why are not these other guests greeting me and bowing down after all I am the new Isis.
(DT)Oh, cut the crap! You looked better when Liz Taylor played you. Say I could use you on Celebrity Apprentice. Maybe we should talk.
(FL) You're all invited on the maiden flight of my new airline. Free booze all the way.
(RB) I'm not sure who to schmooze up to the most, but Freddie is the most fun
(QC) Niloth, what are talking about when they say 'a flight'. This is only for birds is it not?
Etc. etc...............

This could go on all night and probably will. The other big question. however is "What is the Third Lesson"? What I spent the last twelve posts on? Still not sure? Well it's called the Life Chart. This is where I gather all the evidence I reasonably have on the person's significant years. What are these? They are the 'Years of Revolution' (12/24/36/48 etc) and the 'Years of Broken Pathway' (7/19/31/43 etc.) and get them to tell a story of the linked themes that run throughout people's lives. Life Cycles is based totally on real events and has an uncanny knack of picking out all the right turning points. We're soon to be off on another adventure, but until then :- "may the cycles always bring you good fortune".

The 'Little Master' Unveiled-The Life Chart of Sachin Tendulkar

Hello India! I want to present this Life Chart to all my fellow Indian bloggers,with whom I've had such good correspondence. I also know that in India cricket is a religion and with a current population of 1.22 billion, it means that in the sub-continent cricket is huge. Australian batting legend (and current Test player) Mike Hussey said a couple of years ago :- "God. I've met him. He bats number four for India". This could only mean one player- the greatest run-scorer in the history of the game- Sachin Tendulkar.

Now I imagine many of my readers will never have heard of a Life Chart before, so to put it simply:- I examine a very small number of years in anyone's life to look for significant events. These are called 'Years of Revolution' (ie. ages 12,24 and 36) where upheavals and new eras commence and 'Years of Broken Pathways' (ie. ages 7,19 and 31) where challenges and new directions happen. I subscribe to the idea that we live our lives in 12 year cycles, that are of a similar broad nature. This is a totally new concept, but I imagine it may have some synchronicity to Eastern spiritualism, even though it is not a religion and is based solely on biographical evidence.

With regard to Sachin's illustrious career I am first going to visit the age of 19 . This is his first adult 'Life Cycles' significant year. Does it represent a challenge and a direction change? He already had begun his Test career at 16, so what does 19 hold? Any summary of his most important innings will include the magnificent counter-attacking 114 at the fast-paced WACA in the Fifth Test versus Australia (I apologise to non-cricket fans here....it must sound like a foreign language). India had lost the series and were well behind, when Tendulkar first made a big impression on the Aussies and announced his arrival on the international stage, with this fighting innings. We knew who he was after this. Fast bowler Merv Hughes quipped to Captain Allan Border :- "This little prick's going to make more runs than you AB" (which he did). He now had a reputation to defend and build on. This was his Broken Pathway.

Next we'll travel to his age 24 'Year of Revolution' (23rd April, 1997 to 23rd. April, 1998). Was he now at the height of his sporting powers, as so many other elite athletes are? Was he like Novak Djokovic, Tiger Woods or David Beckham? His biography clearly says that it was the beginning of a period at the top of the batting world, culminating in the Australian tour of India in early 1998. He not only scored three consecutive centuries but terrorised our spin bowlers (including Shane Warne) by charging down the pitch. He also took a five wicket haul in an ODI (One Day International) to steal victory. He also won the Rajiv Ghandi Khel Ratna (India's highest honour in Sports and literally 'Sport's Gem'). Is this enough for you?

Actually there is more that happened in this important year. We look for fateful moments in a person's life that shape the future. Sachin had taken over the captaincy in 1996 with great expectations that his own game would be imbued in other players. However results were disappointing and the prior captain, Azharuddin, took back the role in Sachin's 'Year of Revolution' saying he did not think:- "it was in the small man's destiny." This ultimately proved to be prophetic, as Sachin's second term as captain didn't work out well either and he resigned, with Ganguly taking over in 2000. He also refused an offer in 2007 after Dravid resigned.

Let's now travel to his age 31 'Year of Broken Pathways' (April, 2004 to April, 2005). Was there again a challenge and direction-altering moment? Was it again related to his reputation? I have set up the hypothesis just as any academic researcher would. I only have a window of 12 months to operate in. This is how a 'Life Chart' works. Now who knows their cricket? What am I going to discuss next? Of course it is his tennis elbow injury, which sidelined him for most of this fateful year. I read an article that said he pleaded with God every single day to be able to keep on batting. It could have ended his career and of course reshaped his reputation. He tried everything in the second half of 2004, including delicate surgery and shock treatment. His prayers (along with good doctors and physios), however were answered at the end of the year, when he returned with a double ton against Bangladesh.

It is also true of the challenge set up by the 'Year of Broken Pathway', that it takes several years to resolve. Was this so with Sachin? Yes, he had a poor 2007 World Cup in the West Indies and it was not till he was aged 34, that he fully recovered with Man of The Series Awards and leading run scorer against South Africa, England and Australia. So now this leads me to his last significant year; his age 36 'Year of Revolution' (April, 2009 to April, 2010). How was his new era ushered in? Would it feature retirement and new directions, or would he further consolidate his career as the best batsman ever after Don Bradman (Australian batsman with an average around twice everyone else's). In 2009 he had a string of injuries and mishaps and rested himself from some matches. Although towards the end he amassed 17,000 ODI runs, with a memorable 175 off just 141 against Australia, it was still not enough to win the match. His follow-up form against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in the Tests was solid, but his defining moment was still to come. It was a statement making innings that says:- "I'm here as good as ever".

In the next 2 Test series against South Africa he made hundreds in both, but then in the subsequent ODI's he became the first batsman to score a double century with a very memorable 200 not out. This stands as one of his greatest innings. There is no doubt he was still at the top of his game, just as he was in his last age 24 'Year of Revolution'. He, of course, did not stop and followed this up in the next year by being part of the 2011 World Cup winning team.

This is the essence of 'The Little Master'. He combines the themes of sporting greatness along with the capacity to rise to the challenge of establishing and defending his fighting reputation. This is derived from analysing what happened in his adult 'Years of Revolution' (ie. a peak of greatness at 24 and 36) and 'Years of Broken Pathway' (ie. rising to the challenge at 19 and 31). They are linked themes that run through his life. What's more with 'Life Cycles' you don't have to believe in fate or destiny, you just have to study the biographical facts.

However, if you are inclined towards destiny, then you should know that there is a timetable I have uncovered. Please read all my other copious evidence if you want more proof. Until next month:- "may the cycles always bring you good fortune".

What's Wrong With The Self Development Industry?

We're not going to feature any one single life in this post, rather we'll look at what's good and bad about the Self Development industry and how it compares to 'Life Cycles'. I read estimates of the annual value of this industry as being around $10 billion, so there is no doubt it is big business. There are undoubtedly many sincere and professionally trained practitioners, who are providing a service to those who feel the need for extra motivation. But there are two major criticisms about the books written and products offered.

The first major area of concern is the attempt to link their findings to science and thus the badge of 'unquestioned reputation'. Be wary of any use of the term 'quantum'. I was drawn to this, because at the side of one of my ezine articles on 'Will the World End in Dec. 2012?' was an advert for the latest product called 'Quantum Jumping'. They have taken a pretended association with the great scientific minds of our time and suggested that you can have anything your heart desires by simply 'jumping into a new you in a parallel universe'. This is just an extension of the attempt by 'The Law of Attraction' brigade to suggest there is 'proof' of their notion of thoughts creating outcomes, by attempting to link it to quantum mechanics.

People often simply don't want to hear the unvarnished truth. Life is difficult. Growth takes time, sacrifice, courage and maturity. All of us can expect both breakthroughs and setbacks and sometimes long periods inbetween. We are not all blessed with outstanding natural abilities, that mean we are destined to be discovered and lauded. However every life has meaning and every path will lead to outcomes. I recently saw an interview, where it showed the same people who bought these books/courses etc., were buying more of them at 12 to 18 month intervals. That is because they create a 'feel good' atmosphere, but do not substantially change behaviour. This leads me to my second criticism of the Self Development industry. They have no professional standards.

Anyone can write a book in this genre with a degree of application. You simply read ten books and then combine what you consider are the best sections or ideas. Most of the ideas however, feature some form of instant gratification. Riches and fame and romantic success will all be yours in a very short time, provided you follow/purchase the system. It's not vastly different from the snake-oil salesmen of the old west. Even people within the industry are critical of it's lack of standards. It relies on a natural preference for taking the 'easy path' rather than working hard to reach your goals.

Why do I do this rant? I may even cause some offence by it, although others have said exactly the same thing. Aren't I just some funny extension of this industry myself? I do it for the simple reason of comparison. 'Life Cycles' is based on reasoned analysis of what actually happened in people's lives. It is not science, because there can always be some subjectivity in the interpretation and I do selectively look at certain years, however it offers the kind of proof none of these other systems can. It is 1. New Knowledge and 2. Self Knowledge, but I make no attempt to suggest you can get rich quick or acquire skills overnight.

Let's look together at the evidence presented to you in both blogs in the year 2011. Rosa Parks/James Blake (ages 31/43 almost identical turning points). Napoleon at 43 (in 1812). George VI at 31/43. Donald Trump at 36/43. Prince William and Catherine at 19/24. Mr. Arafinto at 43/48/55. Novak Djokovic at 7/12/19/24 and Cleopatra at 19/24/31/36. Steve Jobs at 19/24/31/36, Rebekah Brooks at 31/43, Cadel Evans at 7/12/19/24/31 and Freddie Laker at 24/31/36/43/48/55/60. Miranda Kerr/Megan Gale/Heidi Klum at 24. Kristian Anderson at 36. Carl Williams/Matthew Johnson at 36. Todd Carney/Anthony Watts/Greg Bird/Katie Milligan/Brett Stewart at 24. Carl Stefanovic/Asher Keddie at 36. Clyde/Kerry and Jamie Packer at 36. Sarah Mamalai/Sharon Cohrs at 36. Judith Lucy at 36/43. Jodie Gordon at 24. Liz Hurley at 36. Demi Moore at 48. John Farnham/John Williamson at 36. David Beckham/Tiger Woods at 24 and during 36.

That's 70 detailed case history examples taken from real life and sometimes quite spontaneously, because they were in the spotlight (like Djokovic, Jobs, Arafinto, Prince William and Catherine and others). I try to be as objective as possible in charting the important turning points in these years, but let's say you are a hard marker and only let me have half these examples. What's the odds of randomly picking 35 consecutive major turning points in this way? If I take the crude measure of a 1 out of 6 chance each time (because I say we have two significant years in every twelve), then it's 1,719,070,800,000,000,000,000,000,000 to 1. That's 1,719 trillion, trillion to 1.

If you're not familiar with my blogs and my posts I invite you to read all my work and judge for yourself. Yet I come to you in 'brown paper wrapping', I don't make false promises and there is nothing else out there like this. The revolution starts this year and as I have been quoted as saying:- "You can't be a quiet revolutionary". Till we meet again next month; may the cycles always bring you good fortune.

Come Fly With Me-The Life Chart of Sir Freddie Laker

You should have known Freddie, he was one of the good guys. He was an archetypal capitalist hero; innovative, adventurous and resilient. More than anyone else he redefined cheap holiday airfares for ordinary people and struck the first blow at over-priced scheduled airfares, with the launch of Skytrain. Now Freddie unfortunately is no longer with us and the likes of Richard Branson have taken over his mantle of independent budget airlines, but we are going to look at his Life Chart, to see the almost perfect sequence of related Revolution and Broken Pathways Years that occurred. Remember it is the linked themes of all these years that makes Life Cycles evidence so powerful. I mean it's no good if I have this template and I can find no reasonable supporting data. I've actually seen some appalling data for some other theories; where either everything is so general nothing gets proven, or worse still it is self-contradictory. No, you've got one determined and disciplined researcher here and good luck if you think I'll disappear off the radar.

When Freddie was in his first adult age 24 'Year of Revolution' (August, 1946 to August, 1947) he began working for a new aviation group-London Aero and Motor Services in Dec, 1946 at Sansted. They had six Halifax bombers converted for civilian use and a young Freddie, working as a Flight Engineer, saw the potential in all this. Soon after, in Oct. 1947, he set up his first company, Aviation Traders, with a loan of some 38,000 pounds from a rich friend. It wasn't long before the Soviet Blockade of West Berlin provided almost a year's worth of work for all his aircraft and he made his first fortune. This was his first new age/direction. Next we come to his important mid-life age 36 'Year of Revolution'. What was his new age then and was it related to the same theme of entrepreneurship and aviation? He was getting frustrated by his inability to gain entry to mainstream aviation, however in this year (August, 1958 to August, 1959) he sold his three companies to the Airwick Group for 800,000 pounds (around 20 million today). This group then merged with Hunting-Clan in the next year and he became Managing Director of the new entity-British United Airways. This consolidated his finances and gave him a more important reputation. He had 'burst upon the scene' as a major industry player, as so many people do in one way or another in this important mid-life 'Year of Revolution'. It was clearly his second adult new age/direction. His company became half the size of British European Airways.

Now let's progress another twelve years and set up a further hypothesis. What happened in Freddie's 48th 'Year of Revolution' (Aug. 1970 to Aug.1971) to show evidence of new beginnings? On 15th June, 1971 Laker Airlines submitted an application to launch the first daily low-budget transatlantic service between London and New York. This was to prove a difficult task and with various delays took a full seven years before it got up and running. It was definitely the ushering in of his next new age/direction, even though it did not happen overnight. His eventual main reputation with Skytrain was linked to this and became the template for others like Richard Branson.

Let's try his age 60 'Year of Revolution' (Aug. 1982 to Aug. 1983) shall we. What happens if we set up the same hypothesis? Remember each time it is increasingly more difficult to find supporting evidence. What would be the odds of these events happening by chance alone? Just before his 60th birthday Laker Airlines went spectacularly bust with debts of 264 million pounds. The last flight was on 5th Feb, 1982. Undaunted, Freddie immediately hit back with public support and a relief fund, which managed to raise over 1 million pounds and was backed by the band- The Police. It became obvious however, during his 'Year of Revolution', that ten major airlines (including B.A. Pan Am and Lufthansa) had plotted his downfall. They then threatened McDonnell Douglas that they would buy elsewhere it if re-scheduled Laker's debt. This led on to Freddie suing them and years of legal wrangling and negotiations, with an eventual out of court settlement ensuing. In this year Laker retreated to live most of the rest of his life in the Bahamas. It was definitely the beginning of his new age/direction at this time. He had now effectively 'left the stage he had been upon'.

Oh, and by the way, just for good measure I can show an obvious challenge at each and every 'Year of Broken Pathways'. That is at ages 31, 43, 55, and most probably 19 and 67 as well. At 31, he began his second airline venture Channel Air Bridge, flying cars and their owners from Southend to Calais. At 43, he resigned from British United to form his own airline -Laker Airways- initially flying charter flights with a pair of turbo-prop planes. At 55, his long running application to get Skytrain working was settled and the first London-New York flight happened 26th Sept. 1977. Can't you see the obvious similarity in all these 'Years of Broken Pathways'? He begins the challenge of initial flights or new and spin-off business ventures. In each and every 'Year of Revolution' he begins a new business direction, that is not always of his own making. If that friend hadn't lent him money in 1947 or if he hadn't been offered a position following the merger in 1959, or submitted a transatlantic application in 1971, or been driven out of the UK by the 'big boys' in 1983, he wouldn't have had a new age/direction.

Think about the power of 'Life Cycles' analysis. Then think about this. No-one has done anything remotely like this before. I'm one voice. Should you listen to me? There's plenty of 'great pretenders' out there. Just remember that. Until next month:- "may the cycles always bring you good fortune".

News For The World-The Life Chart Of Rebekah Brooks

Now we are going to explore a new aspect of the Life Chart. We are going to ask a seemingly simple and innocuous question :- "If we just have a twelve year cycle to describe all lives, then what is it that makes it a true cycle?" I mean if we were to take the Cadel Evans 'Life Chart', featuring the mountain biking/BMX era ushered at 12 and then the road racing era ushered in at 24, why do I contend he's simply repeating the same cycle and not simply entering a brand new 12 year cycle? Surely it's enough that I can supply highly statistically significant data for the two Life Cycles 'Years of Revolution'. However I go further. I radically contend that if you analyse on the symbolic level, then you would see the same themes being repeated. Not the same actions-but the same themes. If you think about it closely enough you will see it gives you a brand new perspective on life.

Anyway, now to this month's, I'm sure, somewhat reluctant participant- Rebekah Brooks. The former News Of The World editor, whose dubious ethics have resulted in the paper being shut down and her being charged with illegal phone tapping. Although she resigned and is now still on bail, she has just received a hefty multi-million pound payout from Rupert Murdoch. Is she in a Life Cycles 'significant year'when this is happening? Yes she is 43, when all this and potentially much more is unfolding. Like a modern-day Napoleon, she can feel the Russian Campaign ever tightening it's grip. (the Emperor was 43 in 1812, if you remember). This is a textbook 'Year of Broken Pathways', including the monumental challenge and the slow sinking in of the reality of the new world she will inhabit. She even refused to resign at first (much like when Napoleon expected a Russian surrender), until News Corporation's second largest shareholder called for it in a BBC interview. Now let's turn the clock back 12 years. She's now 31, not 43. Where is she now?

It is well recorded that she became one of the youngest-ever Fleet Street editors when, at 31, she took the top job at News Of The World in May, 2000. It was not long before controversy surrounded her. She was vilified for publishing the names and photographs of known sex offenders following the murder of schoolgirl Sarah Payne. Police accused her of "grossly irresponsible journalism", that was wrecking investigations, driving paedophiles underground and causing mobs to riot in Portsmouth. In one instance a paediatrician had her house vandalised, because of confusion with this word and the word paedophile. Yet the paper sold an extra 95,000 copies a week. Critics accused her of trying to cash in on Sarah's death, but she defended the paper's actions in a David Frost interview. Then in early 2002, she became embroiled in the Milly Dowler murder, which has led directly to where she is today. Millie was a 13 year old schoolgirl and News reporters had hacked into her voicemail when she was reported missing.

Of course, since then many celebrities have come forward with complaints of a similar nature. This material is not pretty, but it does tell a consistent story. In the overly-ambitious quest for power, she has broken all ethical standards and these tactics have been brought into the open, beginning at both her age 31 'Year of Broken Pathways' and again in a more dramatic fashion in her age 43 'Year of Broken Pathways'. This is a linked theme of her life. Could I demonstrate it in her only other 'Broken Pathways' year at 19? Perhaps, but it would be difficult to access, as this part of her life in Paris seems a closed book. However one thing we do know is that she has doctored her academic data to imply she had a degree from the Sorbonne, which of course she did not and that she was an exceptionally ambitious young person even then. Prepared, no doubt, to do 'whatever it took'. Next month I'll return with a more uplifting case and until then:- "may the cycles always bring you good fortune".

Cadel Evans' Life Chart-At The Top Of The Mountain

Hello for October. My next guest is very big news in the sport of cycling and both a proud Australian and a true world figure- Cadel Evans. Without a doubt this gruelling cycling marathon around France must be one of the greatest endurance sporting events on the calendar. My son is very fit and an avid cyclist. A little while ago he completed just one leg of the contest, involving the hilliest part of the Tour. Keen amateurs and former racers did this 'for fun' and less than half the field completed the one day torture course. In a totally different way my 'Life Charts' are a theoretical marathon, as I slowly research my subject's lives and try to piece together just the co-incidences, with such a small number of years. Against all seeming odds, good evidence often appears.

Let's begin at the beginning. The very first year in someone's 'Life Chart' is their age 7 'Year of Broken Pathways'. Does anything happen? Does it feature a challenge or direction change? The record shows that at age 7 a young Cadel was kicked in the head by a horse, rushed to hospital and goes into a coma. Doctors advised he may be permanently crippled and have other issues. His mother stays constantly by his bedside trying to be positive. Eventually Cadel comes conscious and is miraculously physically intact. For months later he suffers from headaches and palsy on one side of his face, but through determination comes through all this.

Now let's skip forward to when he was aged 12 and in his first remembered 'Year of Revolution'. Was there any new age/direction that was ushered in by fateful events? Well the story, as told by his excellent biography "Almost Flying", is that just before turning 12 in late 1988, he goes on his first ever mountain bike race and completes only one lap before retiring exhausted. He had ridden out too hard. After this he swore he'd never race on mountains again. Six months later he relented and then in his first up race comes second, and wins every other race he went in that year. Unfortunately the book doesn't say why this happened, or if he was encouraged by someone else....I'd have to interview him personally for this (which would be a rare treat). This was the ushering in of his new age/direction and to be the genesis, a couple of years later, of his highly successful BMX era.

Now we jump to his first adult 'Year of Broken Pathways' at age 19. What may have been his challenge and direction change then? He was at the Australian Institute of Sport when his coach, Damian Grundy, was appointed to coach the brand new Olympic discipline of mountain biking. He was encouraged to go for the Atlanta squad. Grundy says there was no guarantee he'd make the squad or race at Atlanta, but he did and he came 9th, and was now in the World top 10. It was said by the Head AIS cycling coach, that making mountain biking an Olympic sport changed everything. It was now taken seriously for the first time. His challenge was to build a reputation as an Olympian as well as BMX specialist and he went on to compete at the Sydney, 2000 Games.

Now to his first adult age 24 'Year of Revolution'. For those whose career begins early this is often an important age, rather than just a career beginning. Cadel states that in the year before he was 24, he realised that he had reached all the goals he could in BMX/mountain biking. and that he felt he needed a fresh challenge. His biography uses this exact phrase:- " In 2001 (at 24) he began a new cycle in his life" when he took up road racing and by the end of the year had totally given up mountain biking. He had been advised in 2000 by Michele Ferrari to give this a go and in 2001 joined the prestigious Italian team-Saeco. There is no question that it was his new age/direction.

OK, we're now down to the last of his current 'significant years', when he was 31 (in 2008) and in another 'Year of Broken Pathways' What was the challenge and direction change and why did it lead on to his recent Tour De France victory? There's a good 2000 word essay in this. So it's 2008 and Evans is favourite to win the Tour for the first time, as Contador can't compete. He holds the yellow jersey for stages 10-14, but goes on to come second by 58 seconds. On the night the Tour ended, he slipped on a wet dance floor in Paris and ruptured his cruciate ligament, which ended his hopes for Olympic glory in Beijing, even though he bravely competed. So, the challenge is now obvious- win the Tour. You're not going to be happy with just second and particularly when you were expected to win.

Now he went on to win this year, but it's not in one of my 'significant years'. Why do I say he's 'at the top of the mountain'? Well to find out for yourselves, you're just going to have to read the full incredible, and I promise you mind-blowing, 'Life Cycles' theory, in my soon to be released book 'The Life Cycles Revolution'. This isn't yet ready however, but I'll tell you when it is. Think about the Cadel Evans eras. At 12, begins the mountain bike era. At 24, begins the road racing era. This is as straightforward as Novak Djokovic and parallel to Steve Jobs. Just lucky again? What about if it's not luck? Till we meet again:- "may the cycles always bring you good fortune".