CONNECTING PEOPLE TO POSSIBILITIES
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
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
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
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
WE MUST BE BRAIN DEAD IF WE APPRECIATE A GENERATED HAPPY BIRTHDAY OR COMPLIMENT BY A MACHINE Technology & School Canteens Technology cannot replace the comfort of being heard and appreciated by another human being. We have a choice to enhance our lives through the power of technology or be swallowed up and be mindlessly… Continue reading Technology & School Canteens, they both leave a bad taste in your mouth (Lesson 4 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
When we hold on too hard, everything can become weighty and rigid. I’ve heard the saying ‘Let go and let God’ and it’s probably a neat way of saying ‘LIVE’ The very idea of living to the full allows us to discover our gifting which always adds value to the world. Being completely stifled in… Continue reading Dance like there’s no tomorrow, death will come soon enough (Lesson 17 Revised) 27 day challenge
Wether it’s a Business Chamber, Sports Association, Tree Hugging Society or Faith Group, there is an art to creating a sustainable community. In September 2019, I was asked to be the CEO of a business chamber that has been in existence since 1968. With a strong history of business and political punch, the Chamber had… Continue reading 3 Steps To Community Sustainability (Lesson 30) 90 day challenge
If your message solves problems, they’ll come looking for you in the wilderness. He would’ve been in his late twenties to thirty years of age and he unlocked so many minds. He was in the desert declaring the greatest message to come to earth. “Change the way you think, we are about to experience the… Continue reading MAD MAN OR FREEMAN (Lesson 35) 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
King Solomon ~ "There is an evil I have seen under the sun, Kings and rulers make grave mistakes when they give great authority to foolish people and low positions to people of proven worth". I can understand parts of the world where autocratic rule and nepotism becomes the burden of the state. I can't… Continue reading Governments and a Cartels? (Lesson 54) 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
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
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
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
