Tom Smilovitis – 'Stirring the imagination – Connecting people to possibilities'
27 days to form a HABIT & 90 days to create a LIFESTYLE
Admitting my depression or despair didn’t kill me and it wont kill you. Acknowledgement and owning our state of heart and mind is the beginning of renewal. My fast paced world was about to end. The following will illustrate how crazy I had become mentally and emotionally, racing the sun half way across the country.… Continue reading Don’t cover up your deepest wounds. It’s time to reset and live (Lesson 1 Revised) 27 days
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
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
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
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
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
‘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
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
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 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
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
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
Life has a way of wearing us down to the point of exhaustion Very rarely do we see the writing on the wall that tells us to slow down, change directions or just stop. 1. Running out of fuel is the first step to taking a forced break The problem with this type of break… Continue reading Two ways to take a mental break, one will refresh you (Lesson 16) 27 day challenge
When we hold on too hard, everything can become weighty. 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 a job… Continue reading We are born to die, it’s what happens in between that matters. (Lesson 17) 27 day challenge
A bully knows exactly what they are doing and their endgame is control. The following three attributes of a Bully can be easily avoided if you know their motive. 1. They are dismissive in their manner When encountering a bully for the first time, you’ll find them dismissive. They instantly make you feel unworthy. Wether… Continue reading Recognise the 3 ways bullies use to control you (Lesson 23) 27 day challenge
1. Influencers engage the heart not just the mind History records some of the greatest influencers talked in story form or parables a. Story telling opens up the imagination b. Story telling draws in the soul to make independent evaluation of the truth being revealed c. Story telling has an ability separate the light observer… Continue reading 3 Reasons Influencers share stories, not just facts (Lesson 25) 27 day challenge
Growth develops in uncomfortable settings During lockdown rules of Covid19, societies have had to adapt to a new way of living. Most will miss the opportunity to grow during this season and can’t wait to go back to their complacent norm. I’ve taken the opportunity to say yes to three new things over the last… Continue reading TRY NEW THINGS (Lesson 27) 27 day challenge
There are plenty of negative forces that bring us down. From the moment we wake up, self doubt, apathy and lack of purpose work are at us like atrophy to muscles mass. The following 3 ingredients build up the inner person. Many will experience a combination of them from time to time, but it’s mastering… Continue reading 3 Golden Ingredients to life (Lesson 29) 90 day challenge
Five motivation killers and one motivation rule to extinguish them! 1. The criticism of those that have not invested in you. 2. Work that is meaningless. 3. Answering to those that have not achieved what you have. 4. Having to participate in an atmosphere where individuals bring their toxic spirit in. 5. The greatest motivation… Continue reading 5 MOTIVATION KILLERS (Lesson 31) 90 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
The delusion that being busy is being effective. Wether it’s a world pandemic or personal crisis, we all end up against the wall of self reflection. More often than not we don’t like what we see, blaming the crisis or circumstances for our discontent. The only place the sun shines more than any place on… Continue reading TOO MUCH ACTIVITY BLOCKS FLOW (Lesson 33) 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
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
"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
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
What will you build in your lifetime? A man had two sons and he assigned each of them to build a house for themselves in a tired old town that showed prospect. It appeared to be a good investment for their future. The time came for the father to inspect what each son had built.… Continue reading An old Greek parable for entrepreneurs (Lesson 53) 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
