CONNECTING PEOPLE TO POSSIBILITIES
It’s true that we ought to remember where we’ve come from to help us understand where we are going. Unfortunately for many, our past becomes a holding pen where we keep going around in circles. Three reasons how our past holds us back 1. The past becomes our identity We either dwell in moments of… Continue reading Three reasons why our past can prevent us from enjoying the present and hinder us from reaching our goals
If we are to make impact in uncharted territory, we need to have the right team It’s the leaders role to know the destination, not necessarily the whole process of getting there Most leaders that seem to have all the answers stay in safe waters and rarely experience new opportunities In the industrial era we… Continue reading A leader’s job is to replace themselves, to create far reaching impact
Nature teaches us so much if we are open to it. When we look at a natural forrest, it develops an eco system where all sorts of living creatures survive as a result. Human beings are brilliant at taking elements of nature and creating controlled eco systems which produces quality fruit, we call this harvesting.… Continue reading Trees create other trees, not just fruit. Many leaders fall short of reproducing other leaders and only produce fruit, why?
It’s interesting how the ancient word Evangelist has been adopted by technology companies with a simple definition of what a Technology Evangelist does ‘A technology evangelist is a person who builds a critical mass of support for a given technology, and then establishes it as a technical standard in a market that is subject to… Continue reading 3 easy steps, how to become a professional business Evangelist?
Even the beggar will get a return on their time invested on the streets, asking for a handout, why wouldn’t you succeed if you have a solution for someone. I’ve marvelled at the consistency of beggars as they systematically ask individuals for money. To them it’s a numbers game and they do it because it… Continue reading Be consistent in what you offer even if no one acknowledges you today, why?
Humans are brilliantly resilient, but when we no longer believe, the death cycle starts. Believe in what? Believe that people can change, including us Believe in unexpected opportunities Believe we can reinvent ourselves again and again Believe that life’s mysteries are beyond comprehension and we are part of a greater purpose Believe in unconditional love… Continue reading Unbelief is a killer enemy, why?
I attended a women’s lunch recently held in a vineyard, surrounded by tall trees, grass and grapevines. The ladies were dressed beautifully with soft music playing in the background by a couple of young ladies. The three female speakers of the day shared personal aspects of their life very openly Each speaker started and ended… Continue reading Men need to cry more, they may just live longer
We are not meant to know and do everything A great sign of leadership maturity and humility is knowing our own limitations Creating that magic team starts by reaching out for others to help How do we get the help needed 1. Leaders create a worthwhile vision that draws curiosity If people are to get… Continue reading Leaders ask for help, no matter how accomplished they are
Over 2.45 Billion users log onto Facebook monthly, to travel the digital highway. With all that activity, very few go outside their tribe. Wether it’s Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Google+, Twitter, Snapchat, the average connections are between 90 and 240 These figures don’t vary much to the average weekly or monthly attendance of a church, mosque… Continue reading Digital Highways don’t stop tribalism, they just help find tribal members
Possessive, insecure, fearful, resentful, angry, an overwhelming sense of potential loss of relationship or possession Jealousy reveals itself in the most unusual settings and it doesn’t discriminate against kin or foe Jealousy can attack the closest of friends just as much and perhaps more so than an associate or neighbour 1. Jealousy starts with a… Continue reading Beware of the green eyed monster; jealousy destroys best friends
The words we speak or don’t speak are not static, they carry life or death With our words we can disarm a volatile situation or inflame it 1. Practice speaking life in every situation, why? Our words and our tone reveal what’s going on in our heart They reveal our confidence, fears, prejudice, likes, dislikes… Continue reading Speak life into every situation
When the teachers thought you were the least likely to succeed When you were overlooked for that promotion or job opportunity When you’ve failed at numerous attempts to start a lucrative business No one has ever heard of you All the above would be considered as having the underdog status moving forward 1. Being a… Continue reading 3 opportunities we have as underdogs
Luck’s simplest definition : success or failure apparently brought by chance rather than through one's own actions. Wether we want to call it luck, favour or blessing, the very idea that we can invoke an outcome not directly connected to a specific scientific act of cause and effect is exciting. Most of humanity believes in… Continue reading 3 ways to attract good luck
It’s difficult to find the person who coined this phrase, ‘Lead, follow or get out of the way’. I’ll guarantee they were decisive and not double minded. Lead If we ever take the lead position, be prepared for the following - People will challenge us and rightly so. Everyone has different expectations of leaders. We… Continue reading Lead, Follow or get out of the way
Discipline is definitely a key to progress, until our disciplines lock us up We all know those people who won’t break routine. Their routine has become their good luck charm and with that comes mental superstition. - It was a particular routine that helped us in the past and we fear to let it go… Continue reading Stop working harder, just change the routine
I remember decades ago, hearing a great message on the art of leadership. The key comment that stood out to me as a young man ‘Stick around long enough and watch those around you fall by the wayside’ 1. Leaders stick around long enough It’s amazing to see people rise because they have staying power… Continue reading 2 rules of leadership, longevity is our defence, fruit is our reward
Restoring order, harmony, peace, mental wellbeing in a person or society is greatly connected to nature. Wether you are a practicing Christian like me or any other faith or even an atheist, we all have connection to the redeeming qualities of creation Recently I did a bush walk with a friend of mine who talked… Continue reading God is a GREENY, how blind are we not to see
Leadership Development is an unseen process. We’ve heard the phrase ‘Fake it till you make it’ which is another way of admitting, not everything you see is authentic. 1. Who wants to admit that they don’t know what they are doing 2. Who wants to admit that they don’t have the motivation to keep going… Continue reading Why do leaders seasonly feel alone?
There is a huge difference between training others and using them A Position Hog? They use their position to get their way and leave little room for others to grow 1. No one is ever good enough to do their job 2. They always come to the rescue and put out the fires (they discretely… Continue reading Position Hogs miss the opportunity to train, why?
I grew up in family businesses, from a bakery, fast foods and restaurants. They all revolved around repetitive processes. Each person was appointed to their own unique pole position to make the most out of human and product resources. I started at 12 years of age working in my uncles fish & chip shop answering… Continue reading Efficient Systems & Glorious Speed is a form of art, from the kitchen to the racetrack
We attract who we are, not who we claim we are It doesn’t take long to recognise the motives in people once the acid is applied The origin of the ACID TEST that has become a phrase to test people’s capacities Gold prospectors and dealers need to be able to distinguish gold from base metal.… Continue reading Shout what you believe from the rooftops
A futurist in the simplest way, sees the future based on conditions applied. Some conditions may be intervened, some may have to be accepted. A futurist lives in the thousand shades of grey. They make those who live in the past and those who love the present very nervous. Futurists are mocked for speaking about… Continue reading Futurists aren’t modern day witches, they can’t help what they see
No matter how much we try to mind our own business, there will always be someone that will meddle with our business, why? I can’t even begin to tell you how many people advise me on how to do my job. Most of them wouldn’t even know what it’s like walking in my footsteps yet… Continue reading 3 ways to prevent cruel associates from throwing us under a bus, our reputation is everything
The term ‘thou shalt not covet’ was carved in stone thousands of years ago for a reason. It was never meant to be replaced by another law. It was not open for discussion or interpretation. Anyone’s opinion to justify is null and void. Unlike a fantasy which is way beyond most people’s reach like having… Continue reading Why COVETING our neighbours possessions is fatal to personal development
I’m confident that there isn’t a person on earth that believes they are perfect; then why are we so hard on ourselves? 1. We can’t be in control of what is marked as a flaw in the worlds eyes Blemishes, imperfections and errors aren’t the problem The problem is, we want to be in control… Continue reading 3 reasons why discovering our own flaws isn’t so bad
Those who continue to exist and live in spite of danger and hardship 1. They accept the conditions around them, they don’t accept defeat Part of the survival journey is acknowledging the lay of the land, the environment we find our selves in. The moment we see things as they are we begin to glean… Continue reading 3 common attributes of survivors
Everyone carries a certain energy about them. Some are so negative, like a black hole in space, they dim the atmosphere in every room they walk in and... 1. People in the room feel their own energy levels vaporise and find their thinking becomes foggy 2. Trying to do work around a negative person is… Continue reading Stay positive, you don’t have to justify your optimism, 3 reasons why?
The world has gone mad with an overstimulation of info, many can’t see the Forrest for the trees. Becoming a Mentor doesn’t have to be official. It is simply helping someone on purpose along their life’s journey. 3 benefits when you become a Mentor 1. We stay fresh in our own life experience Caring for… Continue reading 3 benefits when you become a Mentor?
Society has brilliantly elevated individuals and groups to the status of the gods projecting perfection as an achievable goal. The reality is, all human beings are as fragile as a clay pot that is fashioned and forged in fire for a purpose. 1. We are all uniquely crafted 2. We all have significance 3. We… Continue reading All human beings are made of clay, that’s why we all need love
A young man that I know noticed his elderly neighbour had a broken down car and felt inspired to go out and buy her a car that day. The neighbour had no idea that young man has his own needs to take care of, raising his family and put food on their table. Giving was… Continue reading The Greedy & the Givers produce different fruit as they stretch out their hand
‘Change is inevitable, growth is optional’ ~ John Maxwell Every generation strives for a better and less burdensome life. The challenge is often mental and emotional to accept the new way of doing things. No one wants to lose time and money going from brick & mortar to digital just in case the transition doesn’t… Continue reading 3 painful transitions of the brick & mortar generation to digital age
It’s often admirable when we hear that someone is focused, they have a one track mind, they are like a dog on a bone. The idea of focus and discipline denotes qualities of character, resolve and resourcefulness. The idea of Tunnel Vision is different to focus. 1. Tunnel Vision doesn’t get the complete picture To… Continue reading 3 ways Tunnel Vision inhibits peripheral opportunities
The term RESET isn’t necessarily positive or negative. In the following blog, it’s an opportunity to free our mind and life from false expectations we have of ourselves and life’s circumstances. We have all experienced the glitch (that temporarily malfunction or fault in equipment). The first thing that we have become accustomed to is switch… Continue reading Permission to reset your life in 3 ways
You can’t escape your calling and you will never find peace until you surrender to it. Wether you’re an artist, engineer, soldier, teacher or nurse, these titles aren’t your calling. Your calling is in your DNA and you are given it in your mother’s womb. Society in all its grandeur tries to fashion you like… Continue reading DEAR YOUNG PERSON – You can’t escape your calling
The idea of virtual is not limited to the software world, it is as old as time. VIRTUAL - Something that exists in the mind and there’s an attempt to make it real Why Virtual Profiles Suck 1. We get trapped 24/7 projecting ourselves in an alternate universe where it’s hard to define where reality… Continue reading 3 Reasons Virtual Profiles Suck
Nothing worse than seeing someone step into roles they’re not suited to. It’s often the case when someone gets that promotion and they become miserable. To some, a promotion may end up being a demotion of the soul. They’ve gone from something they’re great at to the unfortunate mismatch of the square peg trying to… Continue reading Shake off the expectations and do what you’re good at
In a robotic world, it will be those with a high EQ that will take the new jobs and lead. Human beings are exhausted mentally and a new form of work is forging. Let’s briefly take a look at EQ The idea of Emotional Intelligence EQ is relatively new, coined in 1990, however the concept… Continue reading Emotionally Intelligent Leaders are not Aliens, don’t fear them but they will take over
It’s an art to keep key people motivated and on task. It’s an accomplishment when key people give a greater return than projected KPI’s Who are the Key People? 1. Key people have appetite and we need to be intuitive enough to recognise what appetite looks like 2. Key people are connectors. They have their… Continue reading Key people make all the difference – Invest in them
When something is illegitimate, it is the result of the wrong decision or decisions made. Authority by definition rubs most of society the wrong way ‘The power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience.’ When a client or boss take on the airs of authority, they immediately misplace trust and decency. They… Continue reading Resist illegitimate authority – 3 reasons why
No one had a clue how bad things would get I had just flown back to Australia from India in February 2020 going through four airports. Every authority had different ideas how to prevent the spread of the Covid virus. Transitions are inevitable but we are often trapped by a genuine lack of clear direction… Continue reading When TRANSITION comes knocking, don’t let FEAR answer the door
I woke up to a dream this morning where the question was asked about true riches? The answer was given like an impression rather than a voice “Having the freedom to think for yourself” The one thing that has been positive about a world crisis is just that; societies and individuals are rethinking what’s imperative… Continue reading The New Rich Syndrome ‘Having the freedom to think for yourself’ It’s catching fast
If we’re to last the distance, simplicity is a prerequisite. I sometimes feel the weight of the daily grind, problem solving, seeking opportunity, getting along with people, planning for the future. My whiteboard is always filled with life’s lessons but not today. Today I empty everything, I wipe it clean, I ask for forgiveness of… Continue reading A CLEAN SLATE – Maybe it’s time to reset
I met a man who had all the trappings this world had to offer and he looked at me saying “Tom, I can’t even taste food any more” He lost his appetite for life. He resembled the sadness of a Lion trapped in a cage, just waiting for its meals and the day it will… Continue reading It’s time to take over the jungle, metaphorically (Lesson 90) 90 day challenge
All to often when growing an enterprise we neglect our audience and get distracted by the crowd. What’s the difference between a crowd and an audience? A crowd A crowd stands at a distance A crowd is not committed A crowd doesn’t appreciate your commitment A crowd walks away after the event An audience An… Continue reading Know your audience and don’t bow to the crowd (Lesson 89) 90 day challenge
In a world that corners itself and nothing gets done or someone just loses out, learn the art of influence and diplomacy. Wether it’s dealing with government or negotiating a business deal it’s amazing hearing stories from two different camps. Both have very persuasive arguments and neither may be correct. Life is definitely more fluid… Continue reading Hear both sides of the story and stay neutral, until? (Lesson 88) 90 day challenge
When you know what you want, nothing else matters. The beauty of youth is the romance we have about life because we’re so naive. We dream big and we make a date with destiny. The tragedy of ageing too quickly, we lose the fire in our belly and life becomes one grinding treadmill. We’ve become… Continue reading New beginnings is one choice away, just one choice (Lesson 87) 90 day challenge
Children have an uncanny ability to share their thoughts, have a fight & reconnect in no time. As we get older we exchange childish transparency for a more sophisticated life. We spin ourselves a spiders web of complexity and in doing so we entrap ourselves. Unhealthy habits form when we carry too much baggage internally.… Continue reading Choose carefully and be accountable to someone, why? (Lesson 86) 90 day challenge
My mum in her ageing wisdom warned me about the middle years. She said ~ “Some irrational thinking starts to develop and you start to rethink all sorts of things and get a little loopy for a season” Mum went on to give me examples and I was amazed that she was so open. For… Continue reading Midlife and it’s hazards, how to stay clear (Lesson 85) 90 day challenge
Humility A simple description of humility ‘a quality of having a modest or low view of one’s importance’ Authority A simple description of authority ‘the power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience.’ If I were drowning at the beach, I’d easily surrender to the lifesavers orders and wouldn’t get caught up… Continue reading Humility & Authority have a common ground, what? (Lesson 84) 90 day challenge
Three things are vital when preparing for the launch of a new idea. 1. Muster all the fuel you can get The first three to six months takes up so much energy to break through the atmosphere to reach the orbit of Signing up your first client Being free from the negativity of those that… Continue reading Launching an idea is costly, relaunching is a miracle (Lesson 83) 90 day challenge
Freedom comes at a cost, it’s all possible but it comes at a cost Knowing how to obey the laws of ethics rather than rules voted in by the democratic process is a start. I attended a political lunch of an upcoming candidate from an opposition party. The keynote speaker spoke with a feudal voice,… Continue reading You obey the rules, why are you still unhappy? (Lesson 82) 90 day challenge
Quiet seasons don’t necessarily mean calm seasons Quiet seasons can often stir up mixed emotions of uncertainty, being the opposite of feeling calm or tranquil. Calmness is that sense of peace 1. There’s food in the fridge 2. The bills are paid 3. Relationships are in harmony 4. There’s a general sense of well-being However,… Continue reading Calm before the storm of opportunity (Lesson 80) 90 day challenge
Peace and war are in the power o the tongue With sayings like “Watch your mouth, put a zip in it, shut your trap, if you haven’t got anything good to say anything at all” etc.. In thousands of years of human development, we still struggle to tame the tongue First sign of maturity is… Continue reading Our words govern us, use them to your advantage, how? (Lesson 79) 90 day challenge
Even ancient kings looked for meaning in their work. In this day and age of work / life balance, we are forever in our search for meaning, we are no better than our ancestors. The free world tries to sell the retirement plan as a meaning, rather than find meaning throughout our work / life.… Continue reading Finding satisfaction in our work, an ancient desire (Lesson 78) 90 day challenge
Striving for perfect moments While perfection is just an illusion, human beings strive for that moment where everything aligns. It’s in our DNA to achieve, progress and renew A young couple look for meaning in a relationship. They court one another and plan for that perfect wedding that lasts for just a moment. A baby… Continue reading Perfection is just for a moment, chase it anyway (Lesson 76) 90 day challenge
Reaching a peak others fear to tread may not be your peak. At this point you may give yourself consent that you have no need to go further. Three reasons to never give yourself consent 1. The law of attrition is always at work The moment you give yourself consent that you’ve reached your peak,… Continue reading Limitations by our own consent (Lesson 75) 90 day challenge
‘Stick to your knitting’ a term I heard dozens of times by an old boss, when he felt we were straying from our core strengths. Anyone that has grown up with a mother that knitted understands the tediousness of knitting. One stitch at a time 1. Discipline to stick to our core strengths and objectives… Continue reading Stick to your knitting – What is your natural gift? (Lesson 74) 90 day challenge
Unhealthy habits begin when we get stifled and we look for immediate gratification Long term goals can get exhausting, like planning for your retirement at 30 years of age; or your job and relationships are just a repeat unconscious actions. Unhealthy habits form to replace nature’s endorphins. Boredom & Rockbottom have two things in common… Continue reading Boredom & Rockbottom have two things in common (Lesson 72) 90 day challenge
An Ancient Eastern Proverb - It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones. Resting body, mind & emotions opens up the world to new experiences Even nature reveals in our early development the… Continue reading Your mind, body and emotions need some rest from worry, not activity (Lesson 5) 27 days
Everyone needs personal space to flourish, so to be left alone from time to time is not all bad. People that end up feeling lonely often place a hedge around their lives which repels sincere companionship. Most toxic relationships are often a result of individuals not knowing the difference between being alone and becoming lonely.… Continue reading Being alone and being lonely aren’t the same (Lesson 7 Revised) 27 days
Fire breathing and starting a business is always risky, you have to juggle between attracting an audience and staying alive. 1. They both must bedazzle the audience Fire breathers are conscious that an audience wants to be bedazzled, it’s all part of the entertainment Starting a new business has its own opportunities for the same… Continue reading Fire breathers and entrepreneurs always attract public interest, why? (Lesson 8 Revised) 27 days
The vote has already been predetermined and committees legitimise and hide the strongest influencers. let’s be honest and reinvent the value of a committee Leadership is the prerequisite of any movement or progressive organisation. The idea of committees was birthed to control excessive powers or legitimise them. Noble or Divisive, committees are a tool of… Continue reading The committee is dead, how do we bring it back to life? (Lesson 15 Revised) 27 days
If you don’t know where you’re going, you’re probably going in circles. 1. Moving through terrains, it’s wise to be prepared I often marvel at professionals that are decisive and make things happen. These individuals aren’t reckless, they see way ahead and anticipate movements along the way. Experience does two things, it makes you fearful… Continue reading 3 thoughts to stay on track (Lesson 20 Revised) 27 days
Don’t eat all the seed in your hand To those that have more will be given and to those that don’t have, even the little that they have will be taken from them ~ Jesus paraphrased 1. Poverty Mindset Poverty - Not having the means to live a healthy existence Breaking the cycle of poverty… Continue reading RICH vs a POVERTY MINDSET (Lesson 26 Revised) 27 days
In the space of a few short weeks, individuals are drawn down to their last pennies, some companies are pushed to the wall, faith groups and other community enterprises such as sports clubs and entertainment have been decimated. Remember the golden rule, those who hold the gold, make the rules. Meanwhile our government’s footing has… Continue reading THOSE WHO HOLD THE GOLD MAKE THE RULES (Lesson 73) 90 day challenge
Bigger, Bolder, Brighter Every now and again you have to change directions, wipe the slate clean and reset. Our journey is long, our quest is noble, our loyalties are fixed. We have but one Master and our God given conscience leads us into the unknown. It’s in the unknown we discover something truly remarkable about… Continue reading SETTING ON A NEW VENTURE (Lesson 37) 90 day challenge
Unless you’ve been here, you’ll never appreciate the sweet, sweet taste of life’s beauty unraveled by the oddest people we meet. Here’s just one glimpse that will last a lifetime. 1987, My wife, our baby girl and I are living thousands of kms from our family and community trying to build another community to give… Continue reading Angels we meet in difficult time (Lesson 39) 90 day challenge
“Who’s your Master?” He said (a comment made to me by a client) For though I am free from all me, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more ~ Paul, known as the Apostle 'Who's your Master"? To the modern day slave, that’s easy to answer, to the… Continue reading Who’s your Master? (Lesson 40) 90 day challenge
Clash of two worlds I watched this homeless man take a seat at the head of the table at Times Square and he just sat there watching the world go by. Joan Osborne’s song ‘One of us’ came to mind as I watched the world go by with him. ~ What if God was one… Continue reading Was it Black Jesus at Times Square? (Lesson 43) 90 day challenge
Longmore, Riverbank juvenile prisons among others was the main topic of discussion with John, who’s now retired after decades of serving our youth. Retirement should be eliminated from our vocab, the moment we stop giving is the moment we start dying John is in his mid 70s and shares that he is soul searching when… Continue reading Delete retirement from your vocab (Lesson 44) 90 day challenge
"I am just a grain of sand" During my visit in Manhattan, New York I'm asking random unsuspecting people big questions about themselves and society. From the homeless, business people, lawyers, producers and this guy. A picture is worth a thousand words. I’m sitting in the foyer of the hotel and couldn’t help but take… Continue reading I AM JUST A GRAIN OF SAND
Plan like you'll live forever, live like it's your last breath. It may sound morbid but I've always been fascinated by funerals, even taking photos with my vintage Agfa 35mm Camera back in the seventies at a family burial. I'm surprised no one stopped me and thought it may have been distasteful. Maybe they to… Continue reading There’s no escaping, so don’t waste a minute (Lesson 46) 90 day challenge
I raced my dog on a track and field and he didn't stay in his lane, he just raced all over the field having fun. Then the thought occurred to me ‘The day I stopped running in the fictional white lines painted by my previous task masters was the day I discovered a new world’… Continue reading True freedom seems frightening (Lesson 47) 90 day challenge
Don't judge a book by its cover The Lyndon-James's family understand Social Capital at its finest I started hearing about this guy called Peter Lyndon-James some time ago and didn’t think much of it, just another story of a guy that went from the dark side to a fanatical religious side of life, or so… Continue reading Don’t judge a book by its cover (Lesson 48) 90 day challenge
While travelling in India, one of my favorite teachings came to life while walking through a fishing village. Jesus the itinerant and his first message I was reminded of the first public message over 2000 years ago and the setting we have of Jesus’s itinerant ministry. History described him as one who walked among those… Continue reading He challenged them to think (Lesson 50) 90 day challenge
Nothing makes a troll feel better than tarnishing your character as they create an unreal image of their power in your mind. It's no different to the classroom or workplace bully. If you're in the public space, let's face it, you've become a target of Chucky, the undeveloped mind. Chucky is an undeveloped creature who… Continue reading Dealing with a Social Media Troll (Lesson 52) 90 day challenge
I was privileged to speak to about fifty young men aged between eighteen and thirty in a Perth prison along with prison officers and the prison director. I also had a couple of construction site managers. an x-police officer and an indigenous leader come along for the ride. These young prisoners are incredibly intuitive and… Continue reading The prison bars aren’t the inhibitor (Lesson 55) 90 day challenge
Let's build the smartest cultural city in the world with the aim of making Perth the gateway to Australia. Smart City Perth is an idea to connect leaders with leaders. It's not about attracting followers to justify its existence. It's definitely not about one person's agenda or ideology. The aim is to get initiatives off… Continue reading Imagine a network of leaders not sheep (Lesson 56) 90 day challenge
The moment you walk in, it's evident wether you're welcome or not. Picture of John Stefanelli Senior sharing some wisdom with young leaders. I thought it would be good to have one of the founders of the Swan Chamber of Commerce some forty years earlier to give young people a taste of what it's like… Continue reading The day fear is introduced, business stops growing (Lesson 57) 90 day challenge
