Human beings love the idea of escaping the rat race and living a life of harmony. The over simplified meaning of rat race according to Wikipedia; A rat race is an endless, self-defeating, or pointless pursuit. The phrase equates humans to rats attempting to earn a reward such as cheese, in vain. It may also… Continue reading Living in a state of flow (180)
Leadership : The art of motivating a group of people or individuals to achieve an objective. Why use the term ‘Wholesome’ ~ The following words describe aspects of wholesomeness : Considerate, compassionate, healthy, thoughtful, generous, genuine, selfless Is it possible to get the absolute best out of people if we have a wholesome approach? 100%… Continue reading Three keys to Wholesome Leadership to create winning teams (179)
Human beings have a fascination with the existence of God, the after life and the meaning of life beyond instinct. In ancient times, even the great Pharaohs, the heads of state and leaders of the people would try to immortalise themselves by burying treasures with them to bring to the afterlife. In 2020 the battle… Continue reading God visits us when we deny Him most, why? (178)
In a world that is bent on self destruction through violence, control and supremacy, there is still an art to winning over your enemy without a battle. A quote from Sun Tzu, The Art of War ~ ‘Supreme excellence consists of breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting’ In order to do this, every leader must… Continue reading Know your calling and maximise your gifting, I’m called to be an armour bearer, so who do I help? (177)
The world is changing rapidly when it comes to the value of labour. From the Industrial Age that created the fastest labour force in history, individuals have had a $ dollar value placed on their lives like a science. Governments implement minimum wage and benefits policies, businesses implement wages based on outcomes. Coming into a… Continue reading Pay workers their worth; the ancients said, “Don’t muzzle the ox that tread out the corn” (176)
Team: A group of players forming one side in a competitive game or sport, is the simplest definition. Wether it’s in sport, the corporate world or the not for profit sector, teams are imperative. Any coach worth their salt looks for talent in individuals that will compliment the team, it’s that simple. 1. Recognising Individual… Continue reading Three steps to developing a Team Spirit (175)
Kindness : The quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate. Kindness is not being astute, calculating and intentional in order to win or have an advantage; kindness wins by having a largeness of heart. In a hostile world that is very territorial, the very idea of kindness can appear weak and debilitating. It takes a… Continue reading Kindness can move a mountain in families, neighbourhoods and city hall (174)
The simplest term in the Ancient Greek used in the Lord’s Prayer. Part of the prayer goes ‘Forgive us our debts as we forgive them indebted to us’ We all know that feeling of carrying the burden of our own failures and misgivings. Who doesn’t want to experience salvation (wholeness), that feeling of being complete.… Continue reading Ἄφες : FORGIVE AND BE FREE (173)
Many of us have come across this quote “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results.” The very idea of good intentions, being hard working and trying our best is enough is a sure sign of risking perpetual seasons high anxiety. Every journey we take in life is different… Continue reading When trying harder creates anxiety, it’s time to change strategies (172)
I’ve had the privilege of working with many different individuals holding leadership roles. It’s fascinating how only a few of these leaders seem to glue their projects together with minimal effort, I call them Lateral Leaders My observations of these few and how they differ 1. The Lateral Leader has an overall vision of what… Continue reading Lateral Leaders see the whole puzzle and influence change, they don’t force pieces that don’t fit (171)
When we talk about thinking outside the box; rarely is the concept adopted because we have to risk what we think we already know. There is nothing more comforting than knowing Knowing feels like an accomplishment Knowing how to add up numbers, write a sentence, putting a recipe together... the simple delight in just knowing… Continue reading Making people think outside the box is not as easy as it looks, 3 reasons why (170)
The idea that a CEO, MD or Head of a department encouraging open conversation sounds noble, to see it played out is rare, why? Unless the Leader exemplifies open conversation to create that safe space, having any open door policy is futile An example of false open door communication that I experienced in my late… Continue reading How is your open door policy going? (169)
The world has never been more equiped to build stronger networks but human nature keeps breaking them down When we build gangs rather than create networks, the opportunities start to dwindle A gang: A group of identical or related items, is the simplest definition We start to look like each other, talk like each other,… Continue reading Your network is broken and you realise that you are part of a gang not an eco system (168)
Imagine someone calling you the light of the world, honouring you with such a heavy burden, what would you do? Many of us struggle to accept that we carry much light at all let alone be the light of the world. 1. It’s easy not to accept such an honourable calling - It allows us… Continue reading Light draws truth, hope and joy, stop hiding in the shadows (167)
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 (166)
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 (165)
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? (164)
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? (163)
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? (162)
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? (161)
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 (160)
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 (159)
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 (158)
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 (157)
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 (156)
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 (155)
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 (154)
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 (153)
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 (152)
Anger is one of those emotions that needs to be preserved and used with absolute discretion 1. No one loses the temper, they simply direct it When someone tells you they lost their temper and couldn’t help lashing out, be weary of that person, don’t be sympathetic Like most emotions, anger is one that can… Continue reading 3 reasons why dealing with anger is better than lashing out (151)
Doubtful, miserable, fearful, anxious, uneasy, misgivings, apprehensive, troubled may be some of the ways we can describe worry With certainty, worry is a thief 1. Worry steals time It’s amazing to see how much unproductive time goes by when our mind races around in circles filled with worry An ancient teacher said to his students… Continue reading Worry is the thief who steals time, health and opportunity (149)
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 (146)
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? (145)
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? (144)
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 (142)
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 (141)
It’s the most painful experiences that enlighten the most beautiful hearts When we are living the high life, it’s often difficult to recognise authentic relationships, opportunities and our capacity How could anything positive come out of hitting rock bottom? 1. We truly find out who our loved ones are When the honey moon is over… Continue reading 3 positives to hitting rock bottom (140)
Life begins at fifty 1. With the benefit of hindsight, we realise how foolish we were to worry about so many things that didn’t matter Navigating through all the empty words, broken promises and unrealistic expectations, we become less obsessed the older we get (I acknowledge some are late bloomers and may experience this in… Continue reading Getting older is cool, 3 reasons why? (138)
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 (137)
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 (136)
Why use the term WHOLESOME Leadership & Mentoring? Before we choose the Leadership & Personal Development process, choose the person who walks the walk and talks the talk. In the ancient days, there was a clear distinction between hirelings & shepherds. A hireling was a person who was paid to do a job of looking… Continue reading 5 attributes of Wholesome Leadership & Mentoring (135)
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 (134)
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 (133)
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? (132)
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 (130)
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 (129)
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 (127)
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 (126)
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 (125)
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 (124)
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 (123)
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 (122)
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 (121)
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 (119)
Three lies that trap us An ancient king has one wish in a difficult season “I wish I had wings like a dove, so I could fly far away and be at peace.” King David How is it even possible that the king felt so confined? 1. Don’t believe the lie that more power brings… Continue reading 3 types of lies that confine us in cages (117)
Just before you commit to that relationship or make that big purchase and all hell breaks loose, you begin to see the wisdom of life right before you. I’ve often pondered where I’d be if I got everything I ever prayed for, until I met those that have attained my fabricated destiny. Success is not… Continue reading When setbacks are an answer to unspoken prayers (115)
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 (114)
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 again (113)
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” The man lost his appetite for life. He resembled the sadness of a Lion I observed trapped in an Indian Zoo compound. The Lion was just waiting… Continue reading It’s time to take over the jungle, metaphorically (112)
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? (110)
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 (109)
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
HOW SHALLOW HAVE WE BECONE TO 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 herded… Continue reading Technology & School Canteens, they both leave a bad taste in your mouth (4)
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
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
