Tom Smilovitis – Leadership & Personal Development
'Stirring the imagination – Connecting people to possibilities'
The last shall be first and first shall be last. ~ a 2000 year old parable on success We have a choice to enhance our lives through the power of technology or be swallowed up by it. One of the greatest challenges we have in the new world of technology is to understand how to… Continue reading Technology must be the servant, not the master
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. Even nature reveals in our early development the magic of growth happens while we sleep. Three magical things we allow… Continue reading Sleep is a gift from God, which I rediscovered in my forties
The success of one generation is often the hinderance of the next 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. Each generation therefore must respectfully rebel against their own mentors,… Continue reading Every generation must find their voice
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
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?
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
Over forty two years ago I was made to do athletics at school. I hated it, so I turned up on the field fully dressed with my desert boots. The teacher in his wisdom made me run a race I didn’t want to. I did and reluctantly ran around the field wanting to send a… Continue reading Run in your own lane and stop tripping others up
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 you believe you won’t survive and why? 1. You’ve tried everything that has helped… Continue reading You’ll thank God later for the Disruption
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 1. Try to be nice, a smile goes a long way I’ve always enjoyed seeing icy people warm up just because I… Continue reading 3 steps to long lasting friendships
From the kindergarten playground to the grave, politics is a way of life. I’m guilty of trying to be apolitical, but it is about as a political statement as you can get. It’s all part of the debate. Most people are happy to mind their own business until their business gets disrupted. This is when… Continue reading Politics – The debate of governance, property and rule
I had lunch with a scientist who prospects for gold and other precious metals. With half a century of experience in the harsh field of mining, the elderly gentleman opens up about a number of subjects including his personal beliefs. He was triggered by my comment about my past work, “I was a pastor for… Continue reading The Atheist is often closer to God than the shallow believer
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, only one of them will leave you refreshed
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.
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
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
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
There’s nothing worse than a relationship gone wrong, be it friends, marriage or in the work place. There’s three steps to minimise that feeling of contempt in others and them in you. 1. Lifelong relationships need space to develop If a relationship starts off with with sparks, it’s probably a good thing. All to often… Continue reading 3 steps to avoid the contempt of familiarity in close relationships
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
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
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
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
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
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
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. Today, I felt… Continue reading What does an XCOP, XCRIM and an XPREACHER have in common?
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?
"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 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.
Racing my dog this morning means two different things to him and I. I was trying to get him to stay in his lane and he was just having fun running all over the place. Then the thought occurred to me ‘The day I stopped running in the fictional white lines painted by my previous… Continue reading True freedom is frightening for most
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
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
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
