Tom Smilovitis – 'Stirring the imagination – Connecting people to possibilities'
27 days to form a HABIT & 90 days to create a LIFESTYLE
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
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
Holding on too tightly to memories may hinder us from creating a new reality Human beings are brilliant at self deception and destruction. Our memories aren’t our best servant and they have a way of bringing back all sorts of destructive emotions from our past. Like a scratched record that grates on the ears and… Continue reading Memory may hold us back – Know when to let go (Lesson 81) 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
The problem with achieving too much of the wrong reward too early, it becomes a weight around our ankles, hindering our potential. Potential ~ having or showing the capacity to develop into something in the future. Life’s mountain is way more majestic than the plateau we find our selves settling in for. When mentoring young… Continue reading Starting over won’t kill you, it will renew you, How? (Lesson 77) 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
When it’s too quiet, we doubt ourselves, 3 thoughts why? 1. Most get motivated through hardship, flight or fight mode This is where bright ideas come to us and we act on them This is where we stand up for ourselves and enjoy that sense of victory or regroup and fight again There’s nothing more… Continue reading The deafening sounds of silence (Lesson 71) 90 day challenge
When I visited one of my closest friends in hospital, it wasn’t long before my friend pleaded with the nurse to make me leave. I made him laugh too much and his stitches were tearing. An ancient proverb ‘A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones’ There’s nothing that… Continue reading When did you stop laughing? (Lesson 3 revised) 27 days
The success of one generation is often the hinderance of the next because they won’t hand over the wheel. I’ve come across way to many successful individuals that struggle to pass on their entrepreneurial spirit at the right time. They hold on to their success like it’s the end of the road. We are all… Continue reading Hand over the wheel of success to the next generation, 3 reasons why? (Lesson 6 Revised) 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
Some people remind me of balloons, you can pump them up easily but they deflate just as easy, why? We’ve been trapped by marketing trends and the expectations of others, rather than run our own race. Get rid of doing anything seasonal, break every rule and get motivated and I’ll tell you why? Motivation is… Continue reading Motivation is an inside job (Lesson 9 Revised) 27 days
The teacher made me run a race I didn’t want to run. In my high school days I was made to do athletics. I hated it, so I turned up on the field fully dressed wearing my boots. The teacher in his wisdom made me run a race I didn’t want to. I reluctantly ran… Continue reading Run in your own lane and stop tripping others up (Lesson 10 Revised) 27 days
There are storms that strengthen our resolve and there are storms that take us on a different course. It’s hard to recognise which storms do what until the right storm comes that changes our course forever. This is the storm that feels like you are completely off course, why? 1. You’ve tried everything that has… Continue reading Storms that take us on a different course (Lesson 11 Revised) 27 days
An ancient proverb reveals the progression of friendship ‘A person who has friends must be friendly, but there is a friend that becomes closer than a sibling’ Three steps to long term friendships, simple to do, difficult to find. 1. Try to be nice, a smile goes a long way I’ve always enjoyed seeing icy… Continue reading 3 steps to long lasting friendships (Lesson 12 Revised) 27 days
From the kindergarten playground to the grave, politics is a way of life. Most people are happy to mind their own business until their business gets disrupted. This is when we see the festering wounds come out. Political machines are feudal by nature and can turn on us at any given time. How do we… Continue reading Politics – The debate of governance, property and rule (Lesson 13 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) 27 day challenge
A philanthropic friend has told me on many occasions that he gives because he’s selfish, it makes him feel good. That’s an interesting way to view the act of giving. 1. To freely give of our time, talent or resources, there must be a return of something, why? Even nature has demands of every living… Continue reading Why give? Two Reasons (Lesson 18) 27 day challenge
Mankind has a bazar obsession with individuality. It’s become a trend to speak out, speak up and be contrary. With the rise of social media in a democracy, everyone can have a voice and be heard. If we’re going to be different, don’t do it just because you can, do it for two reasons. 1.… Continue reading Dare to be different for two reasons (Lesson 19) 27 day challenge
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) 27 day challenge
Independent thinking to create cohesion and freedom The term Maverick is said to derive from a Sam Maverick (1803-1870), a prominent Texan landowner who despite intense pressure from other cattle farmers, steadfastly refused to brand his cattle and allowed them to freely roam, instead of being penned within fields. In the new age of independence… Continue reading Be a MAVERICK with a SOCIAL CONSCIENCE (Lesson 21) 27 day challenge
Proverb ‘You are only as strong as your weakest link’ Wether it’s a toxic relationship or an unhealthy habit, it’s the weak links that keep us from achieving our end goal. 1. Weak links render the whole chain weak Weak links emotionally blackmail the chain to its lowest denominator, or worse, make the whole chain… Continue reading 3 Reasons the weakest link needs removing (Lesson 22) 27 day challenge
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) 27 day challenge
Ancient Proverb 'All roads lead to Rome' or all paths lead to the same goal. The sickest souls on earth are those who fight against their conscience in order to gain something that is not real. The modern digital roads take us to places Ancient Rome couldn't even conceive. Centuries later when the Medieval Templar… Continue reading HIGHWAY TO THE HOLY GRAIL (Lesson 32) 90 day challenge
If our friends don’t grow us and add to community, they are hidden weeds, not wholesome friends. I’ve cleared a patch of good soil in my front yard, preparing for a new garden. Within two weeks uninvited weeds are trying to make their home in the well developed soil.Fair-weathered friends appear out of nowhere.Many families… Continue reading FAIR-WEATHERED FRIENDS IN FRIENDS CLOTHING (Lesson 34) 90 day challenge
Here’s a couple of books from my ever dwindling library. (I can’t think of how many books I’ve given away) Having strong republican friends and knowing the Clinton's are quite polarising, I’ve always been encouraged to disdain Hillary Clinton, so I bought her book and let her speak for herself. After reading her book, I… Continue reading SEEK TO UNDERSTAND SO YOU CAN BE UNDERSTOOD (Lesson 36) 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
Casual Friday - For city Folk, it means not wearing a tie, for us, it’s a little bit more relaxed. What does an XCOP, XCRIM and an XPREACHER have in common? I often catch up with my oldest friend Mario on Fridays, we shoot the breeze and enjoy coffees at the beach. It's good to… Continue reading XCOP, XCRIM, XPREACHER have a common thread (Lesson 41) 90 day challenge
They accused him of associating too much with the Scum Of The Earth. Who did and why did they accuse him? Lawyers & Do-gooders Individuals that just see with shallow eyes and not with the heart. He rebuffs these legalistic and self riotous accusers with a classic line. “Those who are well have no need… Continue reading Original Gangster – Changed the rules to two (Lesson 42) 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 (Lesson 45) 90 day challenge
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 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 saw the value… 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
LOVE IS A CHOICE I just think a lot of men just need to be that - MEN and chase your lady till the day you have breath no more. The following helps if you want a marriage partner for life (From my perspective) 1. Are you attracted to them (no-brainer) 2. Do they… Continue reading Love & Marriage (Lesson 49) 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
When they give you an ultimatum, they lose My encounter with a bully that equipped me to deal with other bullies We sat on a park bench discussing the affairs of the organisation and I shared my concerns. He was being polite and understanding to a point. He then goes on to say words to… Continue reading When the bully loses (Lesson 51) 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
Children of unskilled, unlearned and non English speaking migrants 51 years today, 16th April 2019 My parents arrived at the Fremantle docks with all their woes and sorrows of poverty, civil war and hopelessness into the arms of a country that gave them a chance. My brother ended up getting two degrees, maths and music… Continue reading Australian Migrants Rock
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 give young people a taste of what it's like to… Continue reading The day fear is introduced, business stops growing (Lesson 57) 90 day challenge
How many would close a business because it's going too well? Hardly, however there are some things more important than popularity. For me it's the validation of authenticity and no one can answer that but ourselves. There is nothing I hate worse than forever talking about yesterday's victories, we must be current in our victories… Continue reading Two years off the Social Media grid (Lesson 60) 90 day challenge
The perfectionist struggles to experience growth for fear of failure. Always planning and seeking 99.9% in their theoretical results which makes them fail to launch in the real world. By seeking excellence we acknowledge failure is very much a part of the growing experience. Unless we are willing to fail miserably from time to time,… Continue reading Desire excellence not perfection (Lesson 70) 90 day challenge
We don't have to be rich to practice philanthropy It was 4am and I had a McDonalds breakfast in a bag hoping to find a hungry soul, breakfast in exchange for a story. His face looked familiar, the face of yet another stranger who lost their way. He was happy to share his story and… Continue reading Even street people yearn for community – Let’s call him Bob (Lesson 69) 90 day challenge
Boxer walks around a construction site with a sense of urgency and purpose, like name like character. Boxer is one of those rare people that reminds me of the marble in a paint can, when the can is shaken the paint mixes well because of the marble. Guys like Boxer bring order to urgency as… Continue reading They call him Boxer – 80 yrs old and still gives the young ones a run for their money on construction sites (Lesson 63) 90 day challenge
They show potential and the blood thirst of the economy must be fed so small business is encouraged at all costs. Modern-Day Gladiators, practicing their skills when no one is watching, waiting for the day they get a shot in the arena. The arena (THE MARKET PLACE) is packed to the brim, represented by every… Continue reading Entrepreneur – Modern Day Gladiators (Lesson 61) 90 day challenge
Updated June 2020 and the positive narrative continues. Seven years on and it's still happening, wholesome leaders empowering people to build amazing structures in Perth's high-rise horizon. pic taken at Langley Park nurturing good mental health and suicide awareness, a Hanssen campaign 'run for a friend ;' September 2018, I concluded a five year personal… Continue reading Toxic Construction Culture weeded out by a new style of leadership
Get up close and personal and do it with a smile. Yes, a serial bully can change if we help them see the error of their way. They must have a change of heart, not just a change in outward behaviour. My heart races when this subject arises but it must be addressed all the… Continue reading You can’t legislate against serial bullies (Lesson 64) 90 day challenge
God does not shout to make himself heard, be still and hear God speak. Silence can be the loudest experience for some of us when our soul is not rested. We tend to busy ourselves with more chatter, more noise until a breakdown happens rather than a breakthrough. Taking photos while doing a charity drive… Continue reading Wretched chatter – Why I switch my phone off (Lesson 65) 90 day challenge
Mentoring in Construction is a tough gig, Gerry was my doorway. The following is my story and intro into the high rise construction industry in Perth Western Australia through construction Boss, Gerry Hanssen. Gerry has become a friend and mutual agitator to make a difference in the lives of people and the building industry. ‘The… Continue reading Construction Boss called me The Chaplain (Lesson 68) 90 day challenge
The razor edge of authority Authority is likened to the razor edge of a surgeons scalpel and the two razor edges of a warriors sword. The scalpel- Knowing when to use the scalpel by mentoring others and surgically removing the cancers that eat away at a persons life. The two edged sword - Knowing when… Continue reading Razor Edge Authority (Lesson 66) 90 day challenge
I pray you go through life with minimal regrets. I’ve thought of my ten standout life regrets and in many ways they have defined me. They have forged convictions and attitudes of what seems an unshakable resolve, I walk through life on purpose and I will not be deterred. I’ve been very fortunate to achieve… Continue reading 10 Life regrets I’ve learned from
Looking for significance rather than job security. I've known Chris for over two decades and our paths have passed in recent years through the amazing world of social media. For years I had the privilege of using vehicles like Facebook, LinkedIn & Instagram, sending out daily messages in the hope of challenging the audience to… Continue reading Senior Detective to Construction Mentor (Lesson 67) 90 day challenge
