Exclusive photos: Packer, Gyngell punch-up

James Packer has reportedly been involved in a fist fight with Nine network boss David Gyngell.

James Packer has got into a brawl with his best mate on the streets of Bondi. Source: News Corp Australia

IT IS the high-stakes media punch-up that is almost impossible to believe.

Yesterday afternoon, gaming billionaire James Packer got in a vicious fist fight with Nine Entertainment Group CEO David Gyngell on the street in Bondi, Sydney.

News Corporation can reveal exclusive photographs of the moment the former best mates brawled outside Packer's $20 million dollar beach pad.

The stills show the men aggressively wrestling, before falling to the ground in a head lock.

Some of the photos show the burly Packer with his right eye bruised and turning black and his left-cheekbone swelling up quickly, according to The Daily Telegraph.

Gyngell is unshaven, barefoot and wearing a tracksuit — a far cry from his regular businessman apparel.

"They were beating the hell out of each other — fists were flying,'' said photographer Brendan Beirne, who witnessed the explosive fight.

"When Packer got out of his car, Gyngell came around to his side of the car and within seconds it just exploded,'' said Beirne.

Beirne had been following Packer on Sunday in the hope of taking a picture of him with his rumoured love interest, model Miranda Kerr, who arrived back in Australia last week.

Social media laughs at the Packer v Gyngell bust-up

For more exclusive photographs of the brawl, visit the Daily Telegraph.

The brawl took place on Sir Mitchell Thomas Road on Sunday afternoon, but despite being so close to Bondi Beach's popular strip only a handful of witnesses and paparazzi were present.

On The Project, Packer's neighbour Chris Walker said teeth were collected off the street. Another neighbour reportedly has them in their possession.

He also said Gyngell was very upset about something Packer had done and called him every name under the sun. "He was very hurt," Walker told The Project.

Appearing on The Project, Chris Walker who is the neighbour of James Packer witnessed the whole fight between James and David Gyngell. Courtesy: The Project

Another witness told The Australian , "it was like two mad dogs at each other's throats".

Gyngell, who is married to Channel Nine presenter Leila McKinnon, was waiting for 20 minutes outside the property for Packer to arrive home from the airport.

Where the bust-up took place. Source: DailyTelegraph

Gyngell received a heated phone call from Packer just moments before his car arrived at the scene, with Gyngell repeatedly saying he was "going to punch him".

Sources have confirmed Packer was told about a Channel Nine news van parked in the street, which caused the furious phone call. Gyngell reportedly turned up to the property to try and calm Packer, and advise him the van belonged to an on-call worker who lived in the street and was not there for a story.

Chris Walker watched the fight unfold. Source: Twitter

When Packer's car pulled up the two men then "just went at each other", a witness said.

The pair needed to be separated by what appeared to be Packer's bodyguards. They then retreated to their homes, with a doctor attending the home of Packer.

The pair emerged from crisis talks at Packer's apartment this morning, and released a joint statement.

It read: "We have been friends for 35 years and still are".

"In that time we have had our fair share of ups and downs. We respect each other and neither of us will be commenting further."

News Corporation obtained the exclusive set of photographs from agency Media Mode after outbidding Gyngell's Nine Entertainment.

Did you see the media bust-up? Contact us on news@news.com.au .

David Gyngell leaves James Packers unit block. Source: News Corp Australia

Hours after the punch up, Gyngell told The Daily Telegraph that Mr Packer doesn't have a glass jaw.

"Thirty-five years of friendship doesn't change on a few of those — thanks guys," he said outside the front of Packer's waterfront house in Bondi before speeding off in his white Audi 4WD.

The two media men are former flatmates who met at Sydney's Cranbrook School. Gyngell was best man to Packer at his wedding to Erica Baxter in 2007.

Bondi resident Chris Walker was at the scene, and wrote on Facebook:

"Packer puckered a punch but copped a couple of hits straight to the jaw ... Then they all fell on the concrete fence and I think the other guy broke his face."

David Gyngell leaves James Packers unit block this morning. Source: News Corp Australia

The relationship between the childhood friends is said to have broken down after Packer and his second wife Erica announced their separation six months ago.

Sources say Gyngell confronted his former best man regarding his decision to leave his seven-year marriage — getting Packer off-side.

The Herald Sun understands that the breakdown of Packer's marriage to Erica was just one of a 'stack of" issues that led to the punch-up yesterday.

"They've been so close for so long, but there's been a stack of issues they haven't been seeing eye-to-eye on in the past few months … the breakdown of the marriage is one of them," a source said.

"This has got nothing to do with business. it's all personal."

Leila McKinnon and David Gyngell with son, Edmund at Bondi Beach. Picture: Bradley Hunter Source: News Limited

A long-time friend of David Gyngell, who spoke to news.com.au on the condition of anonymity, described yesterday's punch-up as "completely out of character".

The woman, who has known Mr Gyngell for more than 20 years and is also an acquaintance of James Packer, said the two grew up together and were "like brothers".

"They are the closest, best, oldest mates … I'm completely shocked," she said.

"They're so familiar, they rib each other … Gynge is one of the few people who would call James on what he wasn't happy with, on James's behaviour.

"Gynge absolutely respects him, respects his privacy, he's very loyal (but) if there was something, he was not intimidated by James."

The friend was surprised by the altercation because, she said, Mr Gyngell was a very even-tempered man.

When they were buddies ... David Gyngell and James Packer at a party in 2003. Source: News Corp Australia

Gyngell told The Australian back in 2011 that he and Packer were "like brothers". "But like brothers, we are very competitive," he said.

Much has been written about Gyngell's friendship with Packer, particularly after Packer took a 9 per cent stake in Ten Network Holdings in 2010 and made it clear to some members of Ten's board — which included Lachlan Murdoch, a director at News Corporation (parent company of the deal), mining magnate Gina Rinehart and WIN Corporation owner Bruce Gordon — that he wanted Gyngell to run the network.

David Gyngell was waiting for Packer to return to his home. Source: News Corp Australia

The Australian reported at the time that some observers saw this as further evidence of a cosy set of relationships running Australia's media. For his part, Gyngell says the Ten job never tempted him. "It would be distracting, to say the least, to work for that board. This idea that I wouldn't compete with Ten because my best mate is a shareholder is absolute bullshit. We are like brothers. But like brothers, we are very competitive. I look forward to smashing Ten."

The reason for their fight is unknown. Source: News Corp Australia

Packer is known for his fiery temper. In 2008, he confronted the former CEO of Channel Seven, David Leckie at a party at Sydney's Opera House. Before his role at Seven, Leckie held the same job at Channel Nine.

When Leckie attempted to greet Packer at the party, the media mogul's "face went red and hands started to shake", he then told Leckie to "f *** off", according to The Daily Telegraph.

He is said to have told his former mentor: "You want to go outside now? Let's do it."

The tirade was said to be over Seven's poor media coverage of Packer's casino business dealings.

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Game of Thrones serves up two huge bombshells

Take a short and fun look behind the scenes of the cultural phenomenon that is 'Game of Thrones' with series co-creators David Benioff and Dan Weiss. Courtesy HBO/GameofThrones

Daenerys is hard to spell, let alone say. No wonder no one can remember any names on this show. Source: Supplied

SPOILER ALERT. This article discusses major plot points from Game of Thrones episode five. If you haven't caught up yet, stop reading now.

We certainly learned a lot this week.

For a start, Littlefinger has been orchestrating more schemes and plots (yes, I know Tyrion, they're the same thing) than anyone imagined. It turns out he was behind the murder of Robert Baratheon's Hand, Jon Arryn, at the start of season one. Back then, we were led to believe Cersei and Jaime were responsible.

Of course, if Jon Arryn hadn't been killed, Ned Stark would never have travelled to King's Landing. So you could say Littlefinger set the entire series in motion.

That's not all. Apparently, goatee man has been secretly "married" to Lysa Arryn for years, and she's the one who actually poisoned Jon, at his behest. Wow. My head's spinning. Littlefinger is playing a very long game here, and I have no idea what his next move will be.

Meanwhile, back in King's Landing, Tywin dropped another bombshell. The Lannisters, who used some rather industrious gold mines to make themselves the wealthiest family in Westeros, are in big financial trouble. The gold is gone. The mines haven't produced a gram of it in three years.

In the meantime, the Crown has been borrowing heavily from the Iron Bank of Braavos, and without any more gold it will struggle to repay its debts. That explains Tywin's desperation to bring the Tyrells into the fold - as the other super-rich family in Westeros, their money could keep the debtors at bay.

Remember, Ser Davos started writing a letter to the Iron Bank on Stannis's behalf a few weeks ago. If Tywin can't pay, it might decide to bankroll Stannis's claim to the throne.

So, there's quite a bit going on. Let's get to the good stuff.

REMINDER: We're discussing the TV show here. If you've read the books, that's fantastic, but keep any earth-shattering spoilers to yourself or I'll tell Lysa you slept with Littlefinger. You don't want that.

Tommen seems less tyrannical than Joffrey. For now. Source: Supplied

Key points

•Tommen was officially crowned, leading his mother to say he could be the first king in 50 years who actually deserves to sit on the spikiest of chairs. Cersei also caught Margaery going all googly-eyed at Tommen from across the throne room, but she dispensed with the usual murderous threats and decided to have a civilised conversation instead. Fancy that. She was even honest about Joffrey. "He would have been your nightmare," she told Margaery. "You knew exactly what he was. I did too." Cersei went on to endorse Margaery as Tommen's future wife, telling her the kid will "need help if he is to rule well." I'm not sure where the real Cersei was in this scene. Locked in a cupboard maybe.

Cersei will stop at nothing, we tell you. Source: Supplied

•Across the Narrow Sea, Daenerys learned of Joffrey's death. She asked her advisors whether her current force would be sufficient to take King's Landing, and they ... advised. But Dany abandoned all thoughts of conquest upon learning that Yunkai and Astapor, the two slaver cities she liberated last season, had fallen back into chaos. "How can I rule seven kingdoms if I can't control Slaver's Bay? Why should anyone trust me? Why should anyone follow me?" she asked. As a frequent critic of Dany, I loved this scene. It was the first time she'd shown any patience or humility in quite a while. Respect level up.

•Bonus points to Daario for one of the episode's better lines. When Dany asked the scoundrel why he "liberated" Meereen's navy without her permission, he replied, "I heard you like ships." That'll do.

•Littlefinger and Sansa arrived at the Eyrie, where they met Lysa and Robin, whom we hadn't seen since season one. Those two are still bonkers, but at least there was no breastfeeding this time. Sansa bristled when Lysa started to slag off Tyrion, suggesting she does have some affection for her husband after all.

•Then the episode's first bombshell dropped. Littlefinger and Lysa had been secretly "married" for years, and Lysa was the one who poisoned Jon Arryn ... at Littlefinger's behest, of course. Lysa seems to be very fond of Littlefinger (to the point of extreme jealousy), and even more fond of his talents in bed. Who knew he was such a beast?

•Tywin used to hate something very specific about King Robert. "He used to pat me on the back a lot. I didn't trust him," he said. So, there you have it. The guy doesn't like back pats. Anyway, he told Cersei that the famous Lannister mines are out of gold, which could make things awkward when the Iron Bank of Braavos decides to recall its debts. Now we know why Tywin's so desperate to get into bed with Westeros' "second-richest family", the Tyrells.

•Cersei visited Tywin and Oberyn, both of whom will be judges in Tyrion's trial, to get them onside. In Oberyn's case, she did this by bonding over the whole "being a parent" thing. As you might imagine, he has a lot of children. Cersei made it obvious how deeply she cares for her daughter, Myrcella, and the conversation with Oberyn humanised her.

•There are now two great odd couples in Westeros. Arya cast her mind back to her old "dance master", Syrio Forel, as she practiced her swordplay alongside a scowling Hound. Meanwhile, Brienne and Podrick got to know each other a bit better, with Pod telling her about the time he poked a spear through a Kingsguard's head to save Tyrion's life. What a badass.

Let it Snow, let it Snow, let it Snow. Source: Supplied

•Finally, north of the Wall, creepy Karl was preparing to do something horrible to Meera when Jon began his assault on Craster's Keep. That was timely. In the ensuing chaos, Locke tried to drag Bran off into the woods, but the little Lord assumed control of Hodor's body and used it to snap the guy's neck. Hopefully, as a gentle giant, Hodor won't be traumatised by that experience.

•Bran and his companions crept away from the Keep as Jon confronted Karl. With some help from one of Craster's wives, he killed the creep, then set fire to the building. I have to say, Jon has become an impressive leader. He's nothing like that mopey lad from the first couple of seasons anymore.

Best one-liner

Littlefinger gave Sansa a history lesson as they approached the Eyrie's Bloody Gate. He told her that the pass leading to the gate forces would-be conquerers into a narrow formation, three men abreast, so they can be slaughtered easily.

"Know your strengths, use them wisely, and one man can be worth 10,000," Littlefinger said.

He was being more than a little self-referential (Mr Humble clearly thinks he's worth about 10,000 regular folk), but it must be said, Littlefinger's dose of unimpeachable wisdom is becoming a weekly event.

Best Tywannical glare

Jojen gave creepy Karl a fair glare when he threatened to rape Meera. Even better, the world's best bro followed it up by telling Karl he was about to die, and his body was going to be burned. I think the most unnerving character in Game of Thrones may have been unnerved himself, and that's quite a feat.

Nipple count

I don't remember any. Maybe I missed some? Have to say though, as a general trend, there have been less sex scenes than usual this season. We're far too busy to waste time on such smut.

Ode to Hodor. Source: Supplied

"Hodor" count

Hodor Hodor Hodor Hodor Hodor Hodor Hodor Hodor Hodor Hodor Hodor Hodor Hodor Hodor Hodor Hodor Hodor Hodor Hodor Hodor Hodor Hodor Hodor. Count 'em up, and there were 23 Hodors, each dispensed in some state of panic. This was easily the most Hodorific episode yet.

Least appropriate sexual tension

I always liked to imagine that Littlefinger and Lysa were wearing chastity belts. It was the silly, naive fantasy of someone who had never heard Lysa say, "I'm going to scream so loud they'll hear me across the narrow sea."

That sounded like a figure of speech at first, but then we actually heard her do it. Sansa was creeped out, and I imagine Dany was too.

Most disgusting moment

It's hard to go past Jon pushing his sword through the back of Karl's skull and out his mouth. We haven't had a moment that graphic since the Red Wedding.

Most Sansastically irritating character

Karl. Thankfully he's dead now, but before his gloriously gory demise he managed to utter such unsettling lines as, "You like it rough, don't you? You like it in the gutter," and "Have you seen what I'm going to do to your sister?"

I think he was even worse than Ramsay. And we all know what Ramsay likes to do in his spare time. I'll never look at a barbecued sausage the same way again.

Burning questions

•Will Cersei's attempts to butter up the judges in Tyrion's trial be successful?

•What will Daenerys do about Yunkai and Astapor? Are all her victories about to unravel?

•What in R'hllor's name does Littlefinger have planned now? His story gets less predictable every week.

•When will Brienne and Podrick get their own spin-off?

What did you think of episode five? Comment below (no spoilers please), or talk to us on Twitter: @SamClench | @newscomauHQ

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Nine tips from new MasterChef

George, Gary Matt are back for their sixth season, searching for Australia's next Masterchef. Courtesy Channel Ten.

Masterchef judges ... Gary Mehigan, Matt Preston and George Calombaris. Picture: Martin Philbey Source: Channel 10

MASTERCHEF is back with some of the best cooks and the best cooking I've ever seen on the show.

Here are nine trends and tips from Channel Ten's new series of MasterChef Australia that I've seen that could help you in the kitchen.

SIXTH SERIES: MasterChef now lives up to its name

RATINGS: Can MasterChef's sixth series boost figures

ROLLING CHICKEN

Making ballotines is a technique we'll see a lot of in the coming season of MasterChef. This is the rolling of beaten-out chicken breast or thigh around a contrasting stuffing or complementary fare. of some kind.

It's quite easy to do if you roll the breast in plastic wrap to help you get it tight before poaching it in a pan of hot water or, if you are really trendy, a water bath. You then colour the outside in a hot pan. An alternative is trussing the roll with string for roasting the old-fashioned way but note usually it won't be as tight.

PICKLING & SMOKING

New trend ... Pickled vegetables in a jar. Source: Getty Images

Idea for multiple techniques . a pumpkin and two gourds. Source: Getty Images

While we've seen pickling pop up last season as a trend it's really hit its straps this year along with those other great traditional preserving technique, curing and smoking.

Quick pickling at home is as easy as tossing your cucumber ribbons, batons of carrot, halved radishes, quartered turnips or onion slices in a little salt (1 tsp) and a little more sugar (maybe 1 tbsp.). Then cover with either rice wine vinegar if you are serving the pickle with anything Asian, red wine vinegar if the pickle is going with a beef or lamb, or cider vinegar if it's going with pork. When the veg has tang and still has crunch it's ready — this can be as short as 15 minutes. The rule is the thinner or smaller you cut the veg the quicker the pickle. Curing is pretty much the same idea but with adding aromats instead of the vinegar. Smoking at home however is a far longer discussion, and one that demands its own column.

CHEATs & HACKS

Time pressure is omnipresent in the MasterChef kitchen as it is in the home kitchen. This is why in my Masterclasses I'm spending more time during my occasional Masterclass appearances concentrating on a series of hacks, which are tips and recipes that use minimal ingredients for maximum impact in minimum time.

Like how it is easier to slice very fresh bread without compressing the slices by flipping it onover and slicing across the base rather than the top; like how it's neater, easier and safer to cut fresh herbs with scissors in a glass; like how you can mix excellent peanut butter biscuits without any flour at all.

THE EDGES OF CAKES ARE BETTER

Too often contestants cut a neat ring out of the middle of a sheet of sponge to make a composed dessert. It might look great but the lesson for we amateur cooks is that the best bit of a cake is often the toasty edges left behind. For more flavour actually think of using them.

Cravats created in support of marriage equality ... MasterChef judge Matt Preston. Picture: Channel 10 Source: Supplied

SIGNATURE INGREDIENTS

Chicken has never been cooked better on our show but also look out for lots of beetroot, rosewater, dates, the peas and pods of sugar snap peas or mange touts that have been barely blanched, snapper, cutlets, kale, quail and quinoa.

In desserts we've seen loads of white chocolate, pannacottas and berries — especially blackberries and strawberries. These have been used in both sweet and savoury dishes with blackberry popping up rather deliciously with beetroot and ashed goat's cheese, and game dishes. Another major trend has been watching contestants using cream and milk in challenges to make everything from whey and buttermilk to their own butter and even cheese to use in dishes.

Brilliant.

Making butter at home from cream and sour milk is easy — and you'll get the buttermilk for your baking as well. You'll find my recipe online at taste.com.au.

ASPIRATIONS & ABILITIES

It's one of Gary Mehigan's favourite sayings but every year our contestants initially make the mistake of muddling their aspirations with their abilities.

As home cooks we are often guilty of the same mistake. We think we are better cooks than we actually are. When cooking for guests the number one rule is keep it simple. The other two rules are "make something you've made before" and "do as much before your guests arrive as possible".

LOTS OF THINGS ON A PLATE

Always a risky strategy in a MasterChef challenge but with the quality of the cooks we've managed to find this year you'll see this pay off far more often.

The most successful dishes with lots going on ensure that each element plays it part, whether it's adding sweet, sour, salt, creamy, crunchy, crispy, complementary or contrasty … (or it would be if that was a word). Think the same when you are looking to take one of your dishes at home to the next level — whatever you add must add something to the texture or flavour of the dish.

THE PERFECT PUREE

Through Masterclass and his constant hectoring, George Calombaris has "helped" me understand the importance of the perfect vegetable puree, one that is both flavoursome and satin smooth.

George's tips are simple: cook small quantities of your veg to puree quickly in either milk or the juice of the vegetable juice. This will maintain both colour and flavour. The only exception is veg with a high sugar content like onions which benefit more for long slow cooking. If speed is the need, then thinly grated carrots, cauliflower, celeriac, etc will cook quicker than diced.: "The box grater is your best friend when it comes to puree," says George.

George's next tip is to blend the cooked veg while it is still hot to get a finer result and also to use a canister that is only just a little broader in diameter than your stick blender for the faster you blend, the better the colour. And don't forget to pass your puree through a fine sieve to ensure it is super smooth. The final tip? Don't use pepper in your puree, you'll notice its graininess in your silky puree. Season your protein instead.

USING SEVERAL TECHNIQUES TO ONE VEGETABLE or FRUIT

This year we've been pushing our contestants to do more, and one area where we've seen this in the kitchen is with them trying multiple techniques on one fruit, vegetable or bird.

This means we might see carrots or onions as a puree as well as a pickle, roasted, raw or even fried as a wafer, chip or a cubes. These will all appear on the same plate to provide contrast in both texture and flavour of the same ingredient.

We've also seen fruit and veg (like thinly sliced pumpkin) blazed with a blowtorch, or maybe poached sous vide under vacuum with a contrasting liquid to the fruit or veg in the vacuum pouch as other techniques used.

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Cancer tot’s siblings shame adults

Diagnosed with cancer when aged two ... Nicholas Forwood with sister Charlotte, 10, and brother Luke, 12. Source: News Corp Australia

THREE-year-old Nicholas Forwood's cancer treatment left him so radioactive he had to be isolated in a lead-lined room and his carers had to wear Geiger counters when treating him.

The toddler, from Turramurra in Sydney, has spent most of the last 11 months in hospital battling the killer childhood cancer neuroblastoma and his bravery has inspired his siblings to raise $90,000 for medical research.

Nicholas' ten-year-old sister Charlotte and his 12-year-old brother Luke are aiming to raise $120,000 to pay for the clinical trial of a promising new treatment for neuroblastoma being developed by Australian company Novogen but it may come too late for Nicholas.

Doctors say there is just a one-in-five chance Nicholas will be alive in a year's time when trials of the drug begin.

This week he begins a painful experimental immunotherapy treatment his parents hope will send his cancer into remission but it carries a rare risk it could stop his heart, liver and kidneys working and leave him blind.

NOVOGEN CHIEF: Cancer treatment drug will be affordable

Beginning a painful experimental immunotherapy treatment ... Nicholas Forwood's parents hope it will send his cancer into remission. Source: News Corp Australia

Nicholas' father Tom Forwood said by the time doctors diagnosed his cancer in May last year it was a stage-four high-risk disease that had spread throughout his body.

He had five cycles of chemotherapy and surgery to remove a large tumour from his abdomen but the cancer was still there.

In late January doctors injected Nicholas with a chemical called MIBG and high-dose radioactive iodine in an attempt to track down remaining cancer cells and burn them away.

The treatment left Nicholas so radioactive he was dangerous to others.

"He was too toxic to be exposed to anyone, he was put in a lead-lined room for five days and ICU nurses were only allowed brief visits and they had to have Geiger counters on them," Tom Forwood says.

Another harrowing high-dose chemotherapy treatment followed that left Nicholas with ulcers through his mouth and internal organs. He was so sore he did not open his mouth for weeks.

When he is not in hospital Nicholas runs and plays and laughs like any three year old.

Tom Forwood says the frustration of watching his little boy endure so much often makes him angry at the world but the way his other children are striving to raise funds for the Kids Cancer Project teaches adults how they should behave.

"I get angry at the world, they are trying to change things," he said.

Luke, Charlotte and Tom Forwood and nine of Mr Forwood's friends and colleagues shaved their heads to raise over $90,000 for the clinical trial of a new neuroblastoma therapy in the last few months.

Charlotte wants to push the donations to $120 000 because that is the most a single family would have ever raised for the Kids Cancer Project.

"We're not doing this for Nicholas, we're trying to get these funds in his honour," says Mr Forwood.

Today, a new research alliance called the Child Oncology Drug Alliance will be launched in Sydney combining the Kids Cancer Project, University of NSW, NewSouth Innovations and Novogen to fast track the development of the new anti-cancer medicine anti-tropomysin pioneered by Australian researchers.

"The Holy Grail of childhood cancer therapy is a medicine that is effective against a tumour such as neuroblastoma, but doesn't leave the sort of damage that the child then has to deal with for the rest of their life," says Novogen chief Graham Kelly.

"We believe the anti-tropomyosins we have developed have the potency, selectivity and safety profile to meet the special needs of children."

You can make a donation to Luke and Charlotte's fundraiser by going to https://give.everydayhero.com/au/luke-charlotte-forwood

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How to have a fulfilling career

Oprah looks pretty fulfilled by her career choices. Source: AP

THE idea of fulfilling work — a job that reflects our passions, talents and values — is a modern invention.

Open Dr. Johnson's celebrated Dictionary, published in 1755, and the word "fulfilment" doesn't even appear. But today, our expectations are higher, which helps explain why job satisfaction has declined to a record low.

Instead of thinking then acting, we should act first and reflect later by trying out jobs in the real world.

If you count yourself among those who are unhappy in their job, or at least have that occasional nagging feeling that your work and self are out of alignment, how are you supposed to go about finding a meaningful career? What does it take to overcome the fear of change and negotiate the labyrinth of choices, especially in tough economic times?

Here are six pieces of essential wisdom drawn from some of the best brains in the field.

CONFUSION IS PERFECTLY NORMAL

First, a consoling thought: being confused about career choice is perfectly normal and utterly understandable. In the pre-industrial period, there were around thirty standard trades — you might decide to be a blacksmith or a barrel-maker — but today, career websites list over 12,000 different jobs.

(Dazed) and confused about your career? It's not necessarily a bad thing. Source: Supplied

The result? We can become so anxious about making the wrong choice that we end up making no choice at all, staying in jobs that we have long grown out of. Psychologist Barry Schwartz calls this the "paradox of choice:" Too many options can lead to decision paralysis, and we are like rabbits caught in the headlights.

Then, add to this our built-in aversion to risk. Human beings tend to exaggerate everything that could possibly go wrong or, as Nobel prize winning psychologist Daniel Kahneman says, "we hate losing twice as much as we love winning," whether at the casino table or when making career choices. So our brains are not well calibrated for daring to change professions. We need to recognise that confusion is natural and get ready to move beyond it.

BEWARE OF PERSONALITY TESTS

Many people are enticed by personality tests, which claim to be able to assess your character and then match you with a career. It's a reassuring idea, but the evidence for their usefulness is flimsy.

Take the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, the world's most popular psychometric test, which places you in one of sixteen personality types. Despite its ubiquity, the Myers-Briggs has been widely criticised by professional psychologists for over three decades, partly due to its lack of reliability.

If you retake the test after five weeks, there is around a 50 per cent chance that you will be placed into a different personality category than you were the first time.

30 Rock's Jack Donaghy said his Myers Briggs test was "extroverted, intuitive, and aggressive". Source: Supplied

Moreover, according to Marshall University psychologist David Pittenger, there is " no evidence to show a positive relation between [a person's Myers-Briggs] type and success within an occupation ... nor is there any data to suggest that specific types are more satisfied within specific occupations than are other types." He advises "extreme caution in its application as a counselling tool."

So don't let any anyone tell you what you can and can't be on the basis of a personality pigeonhole they want to put you in.

AIM TO BE A WIDE ACHIEVER, NOT A HIGH ACHIEVER

For over a century, western culture has been telling us that the best way to use our talents and be successful is to specialise and become a high achiever — an expert in a narrow field, such as a corporate tax accountant or an anaesthetist.

But an increasing number of people feel that this approach fails to cultivate the many facets of who they are. For them, it makes more sense to embrace the idea of being a "wide achiever" rather than a high achiever.

Don't pressure yourself to be high achiever like Tracy Flick, aim for wide achiever instead. Source: News Limited

Take inspiration from Renaissance generalists like Leonardo da Vinci, who would paint one day, then do some mechanical engineering, followed by a few anatomy experiments on the weekend.

Today this is called being a "portfolio worker," doing several jobs simultaneously, often freelance. Management thinker Charles Handy says this is not just a good way of spreading risk in an insecure job market, but is an extraordinary opportunity made possible by the rise of opportunities for flexible work: "For the first time in the human experience, we have a chance to shape our work to suit the way we live instead of our lives to fit our work. We would be mad to miss the chance."

Ask yourself this: What would being a wide achiever encompass for me?

FIND WHERE YOUR VALUES AND TALENTS MEET

The wisest single piece of career advice was proffered 2,500 years ago when Aristotle declared, "Where the needs of the world and your talents cross, there lies your vocation." And he would surely endorse contemporary research findings showing that those pursuing money and status are unlikely to feel fulfilled.

The Mercer Global Engagement Scale places "base pay" as only number seven out of 12 factors predicting job satisfaction.

Aristotle: "Where the needs of the world and your talents cross, there lies your vocation." Source: News Limited

The best alternative, says Harvard's Howard Gardner, is to find an ethical career, focused on values and issues that matter to you, which also allows you to do what you're really good at. That might sound like a luxury when there are long lines at job centres. But consider that in the 34 countries of the OECD, the social enterprise sector (in which organisations strive not only to make profits but to also improve social and environmental conditions) is growing 250 per cent faster than the rest of the economy.

So imagine yourself in three parallel universes, in each of which you can spend next year trying a job where your talents meet the needs of the world. What three jobs would you be excited to try?

ACT FIRST, REFLECT LATER

The biggest mistake people make when changing careers is following the traditional "plan then implement" model. You draw up lists of personal strengths, weaknesses and ambitions, then match your profile to particular professions; at that point you start sending out applications. But there's a problem: it typically doesn't work. You might find a new job, but despite your expectations, it is unlikely to be fulfilling.

Ask successful career changers how to overcome the fear and most say that in the end you have to stop thinking and just do it.

What we need to do is turn this model on its head. Instead of thinking then acting, we should act first and reflect later by trying out jobs in the real world by shadowing, interning or volunteering, thereby testing out careers through experiential learning.

Facebook's motto is "Fail fast, fail often". Source: AFP

Laura van Bouchout gave herself the thirtieth birthday present of spending a whole year trying thirty different jobs — a kind of "radical sabbatical." She was manager of a cat hotel, then shadowed a Member of the European Parliament. She eventually found that working in advertising was unexpectedly exhilarating.

But don't think that you have to resign on Monday morning to try this. Rather, you can pursue "branching projects" — what organisational behaviour expert Herminia Ibarra calls "temporary assignments" — on the side of your existing job. Disenchanted with banking? Then try teaching yoga or doing freelance web design on the weekends. Such small experiments can give you the courage to make big — and well-informed — changes.

Challenge yourself: What is your first branching project going to be? And what is the very first step you can take towards making it happen?

DISCOVER A LITTLE MADNESS

Changing careers is a frightening prospect: Of those who want to leave their jobs, around half are too afraid to take the plunge. But ultimately, there is no avoiding the fact that it is a risk.

Ask successful career changers how to overcome the fear and most say the same thing: in the end, you have to stop thinking and just do it. That may be why nearly all cultures have recognised that to live a meaningful and vibrant existence, we need to take some chances — or else we might end up looking back on our lives with regret.

It's alright to be a little nutty. Source: News Corp Australia

"Carpe diem," advised the Roman poet Horace: Seize the day before it is too late. "If not now, when?" said the rabbinical sage Hillel the Elder. Personally, I like the way Zorba the Greek puts it: "A man needs a little madness, or else he never dares to cut the rope and be free."

It is only by treating our working lives as an ongoing experiment that we will be able to find a job that is big enough for our spirits.

Roman Krznaric is a cultural thinker and writer on the art of living. He is a founding faculty member of The School of Life in London, and advises organisations including Oxfam and the United Nations. His latest book is Empathy: A Handbook for Revolution.

This article originally appeared on AskMen and was republished with permission.

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Lionel’s unforgettable Voice act

Lionel Cole Sings Unforgettable in an attempt to win the hearts of the judges on The Voice. Courtesy: Channel 9

After Seal and Delta's departure, will Kylie Minogue wow the crowd and will will.i.am match Joel and Ricky?

Broken from his uncle Nat King Cole's shadow ... The Voice contestant Lionel Cole. Source: Channel 9

IT'S hard to imagine Lionel Cole standing in anyone else's shadow.

There's the vivacious personality, a grin that would melt chocolate and his signature kilt which almost threatened to share more than his vocal ability with viewers of Channel Nine's returning talent search series, The Voice.

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But when the 46-year-old American-born crooner launched into his famous uncle's iconic hit Unforgettable, Cole's family legacy all but took the stage with him.

Performing the Nat King Cole classic for his blind audition was "suggested to me by The Voice staff", but it's Cole's determination to be his own man which he hopes will "invite Australians in to like me".

Uncle Nat's song "suggested to me" ..The Voice contestant Lionel Cole will be coached by Ricky Martin. Source: Channel 9

"Nat died before I was born, but growing up in my father (Freddy's) house was pretty intense. Anybody from George Benson to Frank Sinatra would be around, it was quite a way to watch the business. All my uncles were in the business and as a public family we've always been conscious of doing as many positive things as is possible. It's why I spent most of my career as a composer and songwriter, I wrote really positive songs for Mariah Carey and really wanted to make my own mark as a valuable part of that legacy, not just another wanker with a cool name."

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Caught will.i.am's eye ... The Voice's Danish contestant Anja Nissen. Source: Channel 9

Winning over Ricky Martin and Kylie Minogue with his performance, the married father of two (who moved to Australia in 2010 after meeting his Australian wife Melissa after a performance at Sydney Opera House) paid them back in bear hugs before choosing to join Team Ricky.

"I'm considered at the best of times," Cole said, "but that was such a hard decision. Kylie came at me with such energy, it was overwhelming. Ricky did the same thing but from a different direction and at the last moment I thought 'well here's a guy my age who has reinvented himself more times than I can imagine. What can I tell you, they are both incredible human beings and I'm really blessed they heard something in me."

Has Ricky Martin smitten ... The Voice contestant C Major. Picture: Channel 9 Source: Supplied

Black Eyed Peas frontman will.i.am had heard that sound before, with the new Voice coach remembering Cole's former band Miles Long (which also featured Malcolm Jamal Warner, who played Theo Huxtable on The Cosby Show).

Cole joked with his one-time support act: "You got famous and we broke up."

With such vast industry experience and musical pedigree, Cole said The Voice was not about winning a competition but winning over a new legion of fans.

"I spent the last few years in clubs with my head down and my last name whispered, if said at all, just trying to get my feet in the clay that is the ground here," he said.

Mentoring some of this year's aspiring singers before the blind auditions, Cole said: "I've seen some of the people on this show who I love and I think Australia needs to know them, needs to love them."

Getting through their blind auditions during the first episode were Sydney rocker Frank Lakoudis (Team Joel); piano man Mat Verevis (Team Will); Adelaide's Kat Jade (Team Kylie); Danish beauty Anja Nissen (Team Will); and R'n'B singer C Major (Team Ricky).

Can Kylie Minogue see herself ... The Voice contestant Kat Jade. Picture: Noelle Bobrige Source: News Corp Australia

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Hockey must pay off our credit card

Joe Hockey says the government won't 'cherry-pick' recommendations from the Commission of Audit's report.

POLITICIANS like to use homespun wisdom to sell their political lines.

Government debt is often referred to in the same terms as household debts.

Treasurer Joe Hockey employed the mortgage metaphor last month to describe his budget challenge.

"Budget repair is … about ensuring that future generations do not pay for a standard of living for today's generation that they themselves will never enjoy," he explained.

"Continued deficit and debt is borrowing from tomorrow to fund our lifestyle today. We owe it to our children not to leave them with a mortgage that paid for our lifestyle."

Of course, government budgets are not the same thing as household budgets.

For one, governments can control their incomes — give themselves a pay rise, if they like, by raising taxes.

Governments also never die. Well, in safe stable democracies like ours, it's safe to assume the government will continue for many years. As such, their bills never fall due.

And it's much easier for governments to get a loan to cover their debts. Despite concern about Australia's budget outlook, investors are still quite happy to lend to the federal government.

Just last week, the government's debt manager went to the market and managed to borrow $700 million at an interest rate of a little over 4 per cent. It's been lower, but that's still pretty good compared to the credit card rates that households pay.

But Hockey's right that there are crucial similarities between household and government accounts.

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Budget pain ... Treasurer Joe Hockey reacts to the release of the Commission of Audit at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture; Kym Smith Source: News Corp Australia

Both face similar a distinction between credit card style debts and mortgage style debt.

Ordinary borrowers use mortgages to cover the cost of investments. They do so because they expect the value of those investments, like a house, to rise over time and eventually be worth more than the initial debt. For most Australians, this has been the best way to wealth ever invented.

Credit card debt, by contrast, is used to fund current spending. You go to the shops to buy shoes, you put them on the credit card and then pay it off from your next pay check.

Broadly, you should be aiming to pay your credit card off as you go. If you don't, and you died, that money would come out of your estate and yes, your children would end up footing the bill.

If you died and left a mortgage to your children, they could sell the house and hopefully — if it had gone up in value — clear the debt quite easily.

When it comes to government debt, there is a similar distinction.

Government spending can be like purchasing an asset that increases in value over time, like your house. If governments spend their money to build roads, railways and public transport, this increases the economy's productive capacity and future earnings. The increase in value to the economy is more than enough to cover the debts. Of course, that's assuming governments make wise investments, which they so frequently don't.

Spending on education and health can also increase the economy's productive capacity. Highly educated graduates enjoy higher incomes than school leavers. Healthy workers are more productive than sick workers.

Bad news ... Treasurer Joe Hockey and Finance Minister Mathias Cormann at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: Kym Smith Source: News Corp Australia

So money spend on health and education can also be seen as an investment. It may be worth the government going into some debt to do it.

But it turns out that most of government spending today is made up of welfare payments and benefits. These things go out the door to increase fairness in the economy, not necessarily to boost productive capacity.

When it comes to these things, governments should be able to fund them from their next pay check. In the case of government, that's revenue from income taxes, company taxes et cetera.

Unfortunately, the federal government's current level of income (through taxation) is nowhere near enough to pay for all this "recurrent expenditure" of government.

Put simply, the budget does not add up. We do not have enough revenue raised through taxes to cover our spending on a day-to-day basis. That's why the budget is in deficit. And whenever we're in deficit, the government must borrow to cover the difference.

Sure, some of government spending can be classed as investments. But most of it is not.

If parents don't want to pass on credit card debt to their children, there's only two ways to correct things.

First they can spend less in the first place.

Second, they can work more to earn a higher income.

For governments, it's spend less or tax more.

If we don't want future taxpayers to have to foot the bill of our current lifestyle, we will have to receive fewer services or pay higher taxes.

There's no other way around it.

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