When it comes to sales people, they can be treated with contempt, often because of some who have shamed the industry.
These individuals who have shamed the industry aren’t sales people, they are nothing more than self serving wolves in sheep clothing.
A truly authentic sales person matches opportunities with individuals. Their conscience is clean and they can do business for decades without any concern of their name being marred.
The DIGNITY of the sales person.
They create a vision of possibilities.
They risk their reputation as they draw potential deals with individuals that need vetting.
They are loyal to the one they represent, and equally ethical to the one they seek to convince.
The Sales Person thrives on creating win win outcomes, be it real estate, automobiles or a piece of clothing…
The best Sales People also thrive on repeat business, all parties rely on the WORD of the deal maker, being (The Sales Person)
I started my sales career forty three years ago, selling baklava pastries (A Greek Desert) for my dads bakery. I was only fourteen years old and I learned quickly the art form and simplicity of sales back then.
1. Find a product you think people want.
2. Attach a value to the product.
3. Encourage the taste test
4. Always ask for the order.
5. Repeat the process and adjust any of the four above points where necessary.
There’s a Sales Person in every one of us. Some of us, like me have honed it into an art form over forty plus years. I LOVE IT!
The best advice I give to anyone regarding sales or business development…. LOVE WHAT YOU DO!!! Sales will become natural after that.
Dear Sales Person, do it with dignity, you make the world spin. Just remember that!!
All the best in making money, keeping it and most of all, making brilliant connections with people along the way.
If you are interested in up-skilling your Sales confidence and technics, engage my following services and let’s get specific.
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All to often, individuals get stuck in a time they believed was their peak.
Perhaps it was a time where everything seemed to be working well. Relationships were strong, money was not an object or a hindering factor, opportunity was everywhere.
For me it was in my early thirties. I was an Evangelist for a world wide organisation. I was married, had three beautiful children and I was popular within the organisation, having back to back meetings booked around the world.
I thought I reached my peak, life couldn’t get any better or could it?
That was over twenty five years ago. If you asked me today, do you miss that life? Goodness No, would be my answer. Yet at the time I didn’t know any better. My dreams were too small, my understanding of life was too narrow.
I needed to reach my peak as I understood it to let it go. Often what we think will bring us happiness or fulfilment is nothing more than eliminating what is and isn’t important in life.
If I held onto that season as the ultimate season to life, I wouldn’t have stepped into the deeper things that give me meaning today.
Being yesterday’s hero is truly a sad place to be when being current is ever before us.
The beauty of reaching peaks in life brings us wisdom that very little thrives on top of mountains. The true action is always at ground level where the rest of humanity lives.
My odyssey in my early thirties was wild but it was so disconnected to reality that I became irrelevant in no time.
The true heroes in my opinion are those who get up each day and face the grind of reality. They build solid character, they build solid relationships, they serve behind the scenes, they add value to their world and they do it unapologetically.
It was Jesus who challenged his students with simple lesson to provoke life’s meaning with the question “What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul in the process?”
The same question could be asked of us, in our endeavour to achieve all that we think will make us happy. What are you willing to lose?
Some will put everything on the line even their family, friends, faith, good conscience, only to be left empty.
Twenty Five years after my odyssey, I’m happy to say, it’s the simple things that bring meaning. I’m learning day by day to capture these moments.
A conversation with a stranger, a meal with my family, a kiss from my wife, a leaky tap that needs fixing.
I wish you all the best in reaching your peak sooner than later and hopefully you’ll join the rest of us down here on the ground, simply enjoying life as it was intended. Believe me, the mountain top is not where you want to build your life. The air is thin and you’ll be on your own.
Stay current, don’t live in the past nor in the future, today is the day of wholeness.
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In the early late 60s and early 70s there was a counterculture known as the Hippie Generation.
The movement originated on college campuses in the United States, although it spread to other countries, including Canada and Britain.
Youth as young as fifteen years of age rejected the establishment, in the hope of creating a new world with PEACE at the heart.
They experimented with drugs, relationships and communal living. On the surface, these young pioneers realised it wasn’t too long before human nature caught up with them.
They didn’t possess any more freedom than those who were trapped in the establishment. Relationships broke down, many, through the use of excessive drugs altered their state of consciousness and burnt their brain cells, never to recoup. As far as communal living was concerned, they discovered that human beings are fundamentally selfish and self preservation always ruled.
Wether we are a part of the establishment or we pioneer some new order, we still have to deal with our humanity and sometimes I’m sure every human on earth would like the idea of truly being Born Again.
Being Born Again, meaning, starting fresh, no matter who we are.
A marriage, starting fresh
Friendships, starting fresh
Our own life choices that has led us to the point of despair and disappointments, starting fresh seems just a dream.
Being Born Again can only seem like a dream; and like the Hippie Generation, what if we start fresh in a new direction and it ends up in a disaster?
What the Hippie Generation or any other generation, like the post WW2 establishment that the Hippie fought against, no one had the ability to fight the fundamentally flawed human nature.
Some think divorce is the answer, others think a new set of friends or a new environment is the answer, but human nature remains the same.
Being Born Again, is more than a cliche, being Born Again was an invitation to give up our selfish ways and take on a new nature.
The term was used by Jesus when speaking to a religious man that was seeking keys to life.
Jesus said to him, ~”Unless you are Born Again, you’ll never discover the meaning of life”
Jesus wasn’t talking about becoming religious in any way, or like the Hippie, trying to create a New World Order. Jesus simply dealt with selfish human nature and offered a way to transform selfishness into selflessness.
How?
Surrender our ways to God by acknowledging our selfish nature and asking God to renew the way we think, so we can act differently.
In 1981, I experienced this Born Again transformation and my whole outlook to life changed. Over the years, I’ve been tempted to be selfish for a season and after a season of giving over to self and becoming ugly on the inside, I find myself returning to God to transform me once again as He has done over my lifetime.
Can I encourage you to find a quiet place all by yourself and ask God to transform the way you think and take away the heavy burden of trying to be perfect.
Being Born Again will feel like a piano has lifted off your shoulders.
Life is way too hard trying to do it all on your own, let God help you experience all you were created to be.
At the time of writing this blog, I am fifty seven years of age, my heart is young and my hope is full. I acknowledge the love of God that reached out to me through the gift of His salvation.
When Jesus promised a life of hope by being Born Again, He exemplified it through His death and resurrection.
It’s all a matter of faith, I choose to believe and I’m all the more better for it.
I hope you believe in God like I have and ask for forgiveness. Ask for a new way of thinking and be open to see the world differently. I pray you have a Born Again experience like I have had forty years ago.
My answer to the title this blog, YES, you can be born again. Try It!!
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As a seasoned public speaker, social media and blog writer, I have always been aware of the impact words have to our own mental well-being. Most can’t see past the desire we have to be an encouragement to others.
When we step out to influence, encourage or teach, the speaker or writer taps into the endorphins in the same way an athlete does.
The better we are at our chosen field of words the greater the feeling of achievement.
What many don’t take into consideration, is the amount of brain drain words have on us over the long haul.
This is true of the educationist, the business development manager or anyone else that has to use words continually to fulfil their calling.
If you don’t believe me, talk to any mother of young children. Always negotiating to survive another day of motherhood.
Back to the writer or speaker.
There comes a point where everything we do can become automatic and the lustre and cutting edge of our words lose their meaning. We find ourselves repeating and regurgitating the same old, same old.
When we get to this point, the effect on our mental-health is the last thing we consider.
Ask yourself
Are our words uplifting?
Are our words authentic, do our words match our actions?
Are those around us encouraged by our words?
Like the fatigued athlete or the burnt out young mother, a season of mental rest is vital.
An ancient writer expressed this in the form of an exe that lost its edge. Stop hitting harder to chop the wood. It only damages your whole body, way too much effort.
Take time to sharpen the axe 🪓. You’ll find that when the axe is sharp, the axe does all the cutting and you simply guide it.
If your words are shrinking you, take time to reflect, don’t write or speak so much until you’ve taken time to refresh yourself.
The only measure of the effect of our words, are they getting through and are they seeing changes in those around us. If not, we just need to go back to basics to get our voice back.
Don’t be afraid of being quiet while you sharpen your wordsmith axe.
Happy mental resting.
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In my forty year faith journey, hardly a day has gone by when I haven’t prayed. Yet in all my prayers there has been innumerable times my prayers were out of habit and not out of expectation.
The older I get the more I pray on purpose. My hope is to be in synch with my creator rather than attempt to bend His will to agree with my phobias.
There is a promise that Jesus gives if we choose to believe. He said God would answer every prayer according to His will.
Prayer is more than a life long wish list, prayer is about changing the way we view the world and discovering God’s view.
Prayer opens our eyes to all things possible.
Prayer frees us from the crippling grip of phobia.
Prayer unlocks our thoughts to the way God thinks.
Like me, can I encourage you to pray with the intention of learning a new way of living and thinking.
Prayer is a learned art of communicating. Just like a child learns to speak, let your prayers be innocent and hopeful.
God is always waiting to communicate with you if you are open to listen.
Why pray if you don’t expect an answer?. Prayer is a dialogue not a monologue.
If you find yourself in a bind, I pray your eyes be open to all the possibilities life has to offer. I especially pray that you discover the joy in having communion with the Living God.
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We learn to communicate for two things, survival and meaning.
From the urge of eating and basic comfort to more the sophisticated art of being reflective around the meaning of life, communication is imperative.
We accept it when children behave in basic forms of, ‘I want’ but most of us get a little frustrated when adults can’t move beyond the, I or EGO.
In ancient times, the discussion of spiritual elders was around understanding truth and acting on it. Truth or purity by its very nature produces optimism, hope and life beyond just self, or EGO.
Truth opens the inner eye firstly to self, we can call this reflection. The ability to truly reflect allows us to be objective rather than be always at the centre of the conversation. By putting ourselves always at the centre of the conversation, we, like the Muse in the fire, get allured by all the distractions of a disappointed EGO.
I got hurt
I didn’t get what I wanted
I was taken wrong
I’m misunderstood
I’m different
I’m lonely
I missed out
True reflection or having the ability to see ourselves in the mirror, takes us out of the centre of the universe. Reflection allows truth to reveal things that we haven’t seen about ourselves or situation.
It’s the immature person that looks at themselves in the mirror and soon after forgets what they look like, because truth isn’t the basis of what they look for.
The mature person looks in the mirror and accepts the good, bad and ugly all at the same time.
The sooner we can become acquainted with our true self, or seeing ourselves as we are, this will help us not to be distracted with the smoke and mirrors of blame. Blaming others and circumstances prevents us from fully maturing.
It’s only in maturity, we become free from vain pursuits. We begin to focus on reality and reality isn’t as dreadful as we once thought.
Maturity produces quality outcomes that remain sustainable, be it relationships or productivity.
Don’t be afraid to look in the mirror and reflect exactly what is.
REALITY ISN’T AS DREADFUL AS IT SEEMS
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Diplomacy : The art of dealing with people in a sensitive and tactful way.
While the above definition is oversimplified, it does address two key ingredients to diplomacy or peace making.
The art of dealing with sensitive issues between two or more parties.
There’s nothing more volatile than the feeling of being wronged, misunderstood or maligned against. Words are fired and sensitive issues become corner stones to an all out war.
It’s at this point the Peacemakers are called upon to calm the storm.
Peacemakers by nature create impartiality tables. Unlike a judge who yields power or one party or person who gets their way through brutish behaviour. Peacemakers come with one agenda, and that is to keep the conversation going.
Peacemakers help to bring diverse views to the table with minimal hostility.
A Peacemaker has to have a strong sense of self and a broad acceptance to the outcomes, they don’t make it personal.
A person with a big ego or the opposite, one who has low self esteem crumbles under the pressure during the Peacemaking process.
There is a quality that a Peacemaker has that is likened to an Oracle of God. They speak with unusual wisdom and oversight of the situation, always closing the gap between conflicting issues.
If there was an animal that reflects the nature of a Peacemaker, it would have to be a sheepdog. Totally geared to guiding as many sheep as possible to safe pastures while they remain vigilant, ready to defend with their life against predators.
A Peacemaker recognises the wolf in the group and with gusto and expertise minimises the wolf’s voice of influence while bringing enlightenment to all parties.
A Peacemaker recognises misunderstandings between two or more parties. Their aim is to always seek reconciliation by speaking clarity and well-being, with renewed understanding of the real issues that need addressing.
The Peacemaker may prevent a couple from divorce by bringing words of hope to a couple in despair.
A Peacemaker may help misguided individuals bridge broken trust.
Sometimes just having a third party that is not directly influenced by sensitive issues is what stops wars and unnecessary collateral damage between beautiful people trying to defend their position or view point.
Blessed are the Peacemakers, they will be called children of God.
Being a Peacemaker isn’t the same as being gutless. They are courage in action.
Perhaps you would like to grow in the art of Peacemaking?
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Tom Smilovitis
‘Unlocking Potential‘
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When we talk about forgiveness in the modern world, we have to recognise what forgiveness isn’t.
Forgiveness isn’t a weak attempt to move on from hurt or someone’s failures.
Forgiveness isn’t an avoidance of real or fabricated incidents.
Forgiveness is a gutsy realisation of pain, confusion and roadblocks that need to be addressed by two or more parties.
Psychologists generally define forgiveness as a conscious, deliberate decision to release feelings of resentment or vengeance toward a person or group who has harmed you, regardless of whether they actually deserve your forgiveness. … Forgiveness does not mean forgetting, nor does it mean condoning or excusing offenses.
Those that are wounded seek healing and often avoid the idea of forgiveness as the best way to experience emotional and mental ease.
Rather than go down the forgiveness path, we tend to introduce the enemy of forgiveness to deal with the hurt. Let’s call the enemy, The Grudge.
The Grudge identifies itself as our friend. The Grudge claims to understand us like no one else.
Like a weed, The Grudge makes inroads into areas of our life it has no business in. It starts to question every relationship based on the hurt we’ve received by isolated negative experiences.
The Grudge shrinks our world to self preservation and even our closest relationships get muddy.
Forgiveness in its truest form is ancient and it has far more power than just words or endless therapy.
Forgiveness is courageous.
Forgiveness invokes extra ordinary human characteristics.
Forgiveness takes us beyond setting the books straight or cancelling out debt.
Forgiveness reveals a way of life that that propagates freedom of thought, unconditional love and new possibilities between two or more factions.
If forgiveness were simply cancelling debt without the means to create wealth, it won’t be long before a new debt is created.
Imagine a married couple no longer wanting to hold The Grudge at the centre of their relationship. They decide to forgive one another of past failings without a radical new path moving forward. It won’t be long before The Grudge is welcome back to destroy the half hearted forgiveness attempt.
Radical Forgiveness is about wiping the past and building the future.
Forgiveness is courageous and fights for something that was lost.
Forgiveness by its very nature doesn’t accrue debt and deals with issues directly. A forgiving person refuses The Grudge’s temptations to build a new case for future hurt.
The posture of a forgiving person always comes from a place of reconciliation of all parties. Rather than self preservation being the end game, forgiveness pardons everyone with or without their permission.
In order for anyone to fully comprehend forgiveness in its fullness, they need to look to the one that practiced this very idea 2000 years ago.
While hanging on a cross in His last moments of life, Jesus calls out to God and exercises the courage of what it means to be extra human with the words ‘Father forgive them, they don’t know what they are doing’
He directly addressed those that falsely accused Him which landed Him a death sentence. You can’t get any more radical that that. He embodied what it means to be courageous and victorious at the same time.
To truly forgive is extraordinary.
The one who receives the most by forgiveness is the one who forgives. They are the true angels in human form.
Marriages, families, workplaces, communities can do with a whole lot of forgiveness. Imagine what that society would look like?
We all go through dark moments in life where we need forgiveness or we need to forgive… Maybe The Grudge in the room needs an eviction notice…
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Tom Smilovitis
‘Unlocking Potential‘
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Welcome to another episode of TOMCAST, Networks that flourish. It’s always about drawing the right people together. Beware of the birds, rocks, and thorn type.
In thousands of years, it is clear that human beings haven’t evolved much when it comes to types of people.
The idea of creating a flourishing network or community is as old as time.
In modern days we use catch cries like ‘Finding our tribe’ or terms like ‘likemindedness’ to find our type of persons that make us feel normal or a sense of belonging.
An ancient parable or analogy describes four distinct types of people which reveals something about every human being on earth.
I believe we all experience the different types within ourselves and also see them in others as we mature or seek to become whole.
The parable of the farmer
A farmer sowed seed to reach a maximum harvest, much like any business owner or community group. The intent is to become as influential as possible.
Some seed fell in a pathway and the birds came and ate the seed before it germinated.
Some seed fell in between rocks or shallow ground and it germinated quickly but it didn’t take root. The new plant shrivelled up and died.
Some seed fell amongst thorns, this seed germinated but got choked in time by the aggressive thorny weeds.
Some seed fell in good nutritious soil, the environment caused this seed to grow without intrusions and it produced thirty to sixty times its original seed.
When you try to build a community or vibrant business, just like the farmer, you spread yourself to maximise impact. As a result you will come across four character types.
1. The bird type
These types come into our investment and just steal our energy, creatively and faith just to satisfy their selfish appetites.
Beware of the bird type, they are quick and have a complete disregard for your vision of creating a long lasting business or community that puts people first
2. The rock or shallow type
These are the ones that come into your world and are filled with excitement. They believe you instantly and promise you the world. These are the ones that take up your energy and before you know it they disappear looking for the next best thing.
Shallow people lack commitment and unfortunately drain devoted individuals that are focused.
3. The thorn type
These are the ones that go the distance to a point but they always struggle with worry and anxiety. They also struggle with the allurement of quick riches and success.
The world is yours for the taking is always in their heart but they struggle to connect in long deep and meaningful connections.
They are isolated and preoccupied with self to be concerned about community.
4. The good ground type
These are the ones that seek a full life. They are resourceful, engaging and recognise that it takes a whole village to create a whole person.
These are the ones that have a long game approach to life and commit to a number of areas to get the most out of life.
These are the ones that become trustworthy. They are sort out for all sorts of reasons because of their solid character.
If we are going to build great long lasting business and community groups, BE the good soil and minimise the bird, rock and thorn types from effecting your objective.
Let’s be honest, we all struggle with the bird, rock and thorn type within ourselves and judging others won’t help us with our desire to be whole.
We attract what we are, so BEING the good soil helps us to keep scattering the seed continually. We will eventually attract what we are. As for the bird, rock and thorn types, life has a way of sifting them out of our life so that we can continue to multiply and prosper.
All the best in becoming whole as you seek to build great communities, make no mistake, it’s a lifetime pursuit.
If you are interested in building strong communities, they require healthy cultures. BE the culture you are looking to establish. The rest is easy.
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Welcome to another episode of TOMCAST, A mothers love is too hard to describe, but I’ll try.
When I think of the way the world is often described as ‘Mother Nature’ or a place of one’s origin as ‘Motherland’, these are terms of endearment and deep felt emotion of respect and belonging.
It was Abraham Lincoln who honoured his own mother, saying “All that I am or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother”
I’m confident most mothers struggle to feel the significant impact they have in their family, often not until they are too old to appreciate their contribution.
My mother went to the grave thankful for all God gave her describing her life to a rose 🌹. “My whole life has been difficult, like a long stem rose filled with thorns, but in the end God gave me the rose” ~ Sofia Smilovitis
In the last few years of mum’s life when she felt she had very little to contribute, her children surrounded her with the same love and care she had invested in them.
I can’t possibly imagine some of the difficulties she endured trying to raise a family. Mum never made me feel like I was a burden to her. As I got older, mum acknowledges the miracle of her tears been replaced with joy, but it came at a great cost.
She went on to say “Imagine it being so cold and we were so poor with very little means of heat in our small one room flat. I dried your nappies on my chest because that’s the only way I thought possible to make sure you were taken care of”
Mum would tell me story after story of the sacrifice it took, yet it was worth it all.
Today, being Mother’s Day, my wife and I went to my mother’s grave site to give her homage. As we drove in the graveyard it was filled with individuals and families paying their respects to mothers that are resting in peace.
Motherhood is a painful experience. I’ve watched my mother struggle her whole life with her self worth long after her children had left home. I also watch my wife and mother of our children who have left home many years ago struggle the same tragic torment of self worth.
Motherhood in all its beauty, sacrifice and devotion has a hidden volt of bitter sweet decisions few understand.
I for one don’t understand, but I am a recipient of a mother’s love and I know what it’s like to feel loved unconditionally.
For this I am grateful.
To every mother that feels misunderstood, happy Mother’s Day.
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Welcome to another episode of TOMCAST, Leadership; embellished and over-talked; under demonstrated; largely misunderstood.
It’s often the ones that lead that aren’t recognised and those that seek recognition of leadership, just don’t lead.
With catch phrases like ‘Being led up the garden path’, meaning someone has wasted our time and energy or has deceived us through their influence. It’s not a surprise many don’t like the thought of being led.
Leadership is far more complex than telling others what to do or guiding them down a path.
Leadership in its simplest form is navigating oneself and others to the best possible outcome with the least cost.
The notion of winning where only a few benefit, can’t be seen as wholesome leadership.
Terms like Industry Leaders ought to be lightly praised. Often Industry Leaders channel their skills to benefit specific industry stakeholders at the expense of massive collateral damage.
Or yet another term, Leadership Strategist, win at all costs. These individuals have no hesitation wiping out the whole chess board pieces to get a checkmate. As long as the king is still standing, this type of leader fancies themselves as a leadership expert.
The very idea of a leader not having a following or not being able to influence their peers without fear tactics has misunderstood what it means to lead.
True leadership or what I like to coin Wholesome Leadership is a long game, if we are to produce the best outcomes for as many individuals possible.
Wholesome Leaders take others as they are. They take them on a journey with or without their permission. Wholesome Leaders choose who they want to work with and don’t take no for an answer.
1. They will work on building trust through example-ship.
2. They will be as transparent.
3. They will be impartial.
4. They will be persistence.
5. They don’t lose the objective of the journey.
6. They definitely have thick skin and soft hearts.
If you ever come across this type of leader, you’ll note that they mix at every strata of society and they don’t need a title nor do they ask for permission to lead.
If you would like to know more on how you can grow in your wholesome leadership journey, it starts by giving a dam. Wholesome Leaders prefer to win the person, not the argument or the perception that they are more accomplished than those they seek to influence towards greater outcomes.
Everyone has a wholesome leader in them, maybe discover how good a wholesome leader you can be?
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Tom Smilovitis
‘Unlocking Potential‘
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Welcome to another episode of TOMCAST, The ancient facilitator. A wedding planners nightmare. A calling to create the greatest experience for all participants.
There is nothing better than a well orchestrated event, yet few appreciate all the behind the scenes effort to create it.
In the modern world of shallow experiences, we hardly appreciate what a real event looks, feels and tastes like.
As a result of not appreciating the outcome of an event like an ancient wedding, we fail to take away the sacredness of its intent.
What’s the role of a facilitator? Especially the facilitator’s role from an ancient wedding. We ought to apply their gifting and talent to the modern day world of events. The ancient facilitators created events with a lasting effect, unlike the minimal transforming fabric of modern world shallowness and independents. The ancients thrived on the idea of creating lasting community from their event.
The ancient facilitator’s role!
1. They help a group of people work together
2. They understand common objectives
3. They plan meticulously how to achieve an objective
4. They stay neutral throughout the process
5. They glue strengths together and protect the community or group from those who try to hijack the overall objective
Most modern day events are quickly dismissed due to the lack of a lasting objective. Participants generally come to take more than they give. With this mindset in place, most events are as quickly forgotten and all the preparations leave Facilitators wanting.
Let’s have a look at a real life changing event looks like, an ancient wedding.
1. The event itself would be over a festive week in length.
2. The preparation would take years to raise the funds.
3. The objective would bring not only two people together, it would join families and the whole community would participate.
4. The master of ceremonies or the ancient Facilitator would be a miracle worker to pull this off.
It’s interesting that 2000 years ago, Jesus chose to perform his first miracle at a wedding in a small village called Cana.
The one thing we can take away from the ancient story is. They ran out of wine some time during the wedding week which would bring shame to the Facilitator and the hosts that resourced the wedding (The groom or father of the groom). It would also change the mood of the festival event.
Mary, the mother of Jesus picked this point in time to reveal the purpose of Jesus and the importance of finishing the wedding better than it started.
Mary knew the objective of being a wedding planner and as a result, the wedding took an incredible turn, better than anyone could plan.
Jesus turns the water into wine, all 600 litres of it. Six vessels used for ceremonial water were transformed into new wine.
For those of us that endeavour to bring hope to other people’s lives through our choice of being facilitators, even we fail from time to time no matter how organised and efficient we are.
It’s at these times, we are able to approach the ultimate Ancient Facilitator. If our intention is to create a better world, bring people together and pass on timeless values, expect surprises along the way.
Just like the wedding in Cana, for those of us who exercise faith, hope and love, expect the best days of life to always be in front of us l, no matter how old we get.
God saves the best till last, be it in friendships, marriage, community, if we allow Him to.
I’ve been a Facilitator of sorts for decades, trying to bring good ideas and people together. I can truly say the older I get, the more experienced I am, I still leave room for God (The Ancient Facilitator) to surprise me with the outcome.
Maybe you feel like an empty vessel, you may think the best days of your life are behind you. I assure you that they are not if you activate a new way of thinking and believing.
TAKE THE NEXT STEP NOW FOR A FREE CONSULT
email me direct contact@tomsmilovitis.com or connect with me on WhatsApp by pressing the button on the bottom right hand corner and let’s start talking.
Tom Smilovitis
‘Unlocking Potential‘
Check out my latest services to you like,
‘In good conscience’ A path to an authentic life’
TOM SMILOVITIS blogs are simple thoughts to encourage those looking to grow in their sphere of influence. PLEASE SHARE
Welcome top another episode of TOMCAST, dealing with the now generation. Life’s delays aren’t life’s denials, patience is gold.
Consider the interesting phenomenon to this generation which some may coin as the NOW GENERATION. An article about modern day packaging of goods, giving us some insight into the NOW GENERATION. They suggest that even the packaging must be gratifying as much as the product is.
Millennials care about the outside packaging as much as what is inside.
Growing up in a generation where patience was a much needed virtue just to survive, we desperately waited just for the fruit regardless of the packaging.
The local fish and chips shop would pile up old newspapers to package the product, saving every penny they could.
In a world of abundance and prosperity, we often forgo elements of life that create great moments that are to be savoured and cherished.
We inject everything with speed hormones or chemically enhanced fertilisers to get more with less. We also do this to our body, mind and soul and forfeit the real meaning of timing is everything.
It was a great wise king who said, “timing is everything” ~ Solomon
A time to be born, a time to die
A time to sow, a time to reap
What we struggle with when it comes to timing, is the process.
Life is the process between being born and dying.
Growth is the process between sowing and reaping.
It’s in the living of a full life that makes death sweet.
It’s growing in all maturity that produces the most beautiful fruit.
The virtue of developing patience while we live a full life and grow in all maturity produces satisfaction during the race not just at the finish line. These individuals become influential right through their journey.
The NOW GENERATION gets obsessed with appearances rather than substance during the process so they try to speed things up before their time.
They say oak trees take between twenty to thirty years to produce fruit. The very thought of waiting decades to produce virtues of true meaning is so far out of the minds to a generation that can click and collect almost anything.
Unfortunately, no one can get instant wealth of wisdom despite the vast amount of instant knowledge. That knowledge must be proved through life experience to produce wisdom.
For all that it’s worth, my mother was right long before I gave her credit. The older she was, the wiser she became. Her few words became like hammers of meaning the older I became, go figure?
The virtue of marriage in its fullness can only be realised in decades of health and sickness, for poorer and riches, in good times and in bad.
Friendships that become stronger than blood are forged in war zones of victories and disappointments.
Sometimes the best thing that we can experience in life isn’t just the birth of a new opportunity but the patience not to rush, like we have done before. Perhaps this time we will slow right down and enjoy the journey rather than hesitate to get to the destination.
With absolute certainty, the fruit will be all the sweeter if we reach the end and patience becomes an overwhelming characteristic of our being rather than just the project itself or reaching the end becoming the total focus.
The thrill of savouring every moment of victory rather than just rushing to the next big thing, seeking the unfulfilling and empty rush.
With over eighteen years of pastoring people, ten years of property management and the last few years of leadership consulting, patience would have to be the one area most ambitious individuals struggle with; yet patience is that one quality we all desperately need to maximise quality of life.
TAKE THE NEXT STEP NOW FOR A FREE CONSULT
email me direct contact@tomsmilovitis.com or connect with me on WhatsApp by pressing the button on the bottom right hand corner and let’s start talking.
Tom Smilovitis
‘Unlocking Potential‘
Check out my latest services to you like,
‘In good conscience’ A path to an authentic life’
TOM SMILOVITIS blogs are simple thoughts to encourage those looking to grow in their sphere of influence. PLEASE SHARE
Inner conflict and misguided vulnerability that separates the best of friends and closest of lovers, doesn’t have to be.
The very idea of disappointment and that feeling of being let down by our inner circle is as old as time.
In the modern world of cheap connections and disloyal collaborations, it’s no surprise that we go from one broken relationship to another.
Working through relational problems becomes more difficult with the ease of movement and the expanse of choice.
On the one side, it has liberated countless individuals from being bullied or used by stronger individuals.
On the flip side, it has hindered a maturity process through a lack of commitment and the development of interpersonal skills being realised.
Up until the last couple of hundred years of world wide urbanisation, we know that most people lived within community in rural settings. The advantage of such settings created opportunities for individuals to hone and develop skills to keep the tribe together.
The tribe created social well-being that many corporations and government agencies struggle to emulate through Corporate Social Responsibility policies.
As difficult as vulnerability an trust is, human beings still look for their tribe in the modern world.
Sports clubs, business associations, corporations, churches, arts centres etc… all seek to provide safe spaces where individuals can express themselves in their purist form and thrive.
Even the family unit is that place that despite the divorce rate still going through the roof, individuals want to find someone they can be vulnerable with.
So why do we hide from those that love us most and we love most?
We often don’t recognise that part of truly loving and being loved requires transparency that we have no control over.
Transparency of not rising to the challenge of others or our expectations
Transparency of adaptation and yielding our selfishness to serve for the greater good
Transparency of seeing weakness in others and the opportunity of protecting that weakness
New relationships are quite funny to observe. Individuals project who they want the other person to see. Transparency has very little to do with the relationship in the early stages.
Only time will test wether a new relationship has depth and longevity. The relationship must face crucibles of fire from time to time to test its validity and intent.
Hiding our weaknesses is natural to the general population but it gets more difficult to hide them within the tribe. Social Media has mastered the art of hiding from any meaningful relationship and masquerades itself as the ultimate tribe.
It was St Paul who struggled with plenty of weaknesses as he went from village to village establishing christian communities. He prayed that God would take away his weaknesses, thinking that they were a hinderance to building sound communities. Paul realised at some point of his maturity development that his weaknesses were in fact a binding agent to creating stronger communities.
“When I am weak, I am strong” St Paul
Every one of us has the opportunity like St Paul of becoming stronger and building lasting healthy relationships by being more vulnerable. The capacity of failing more in the right direction rather than projecting perfection seems to create marriages and friendships that are attractive and enviable.
Perhaps you are struggling with hiding from those that love you most and you love most when you could be benefiting from them in your time of weakness.
My suggestion, don’t write them or yourself off too quickly. Great relationships go through the fire, no exceptions.
When I take on clients, it’s amazing how much time it takes to build trust so that the real blockages can be revealed and the power transparency be felt.
If you would like to understand more on the impact of having a value system that brings lasting contentment and actioning it in your every day life, perhaps have a look at a number of services I provide, by going to tomsmilovitis.com
TOM SMILOVITIS blogs are simple thoughts to encourage those looking to grow in their sphere of influence. PLEASE SHARE
Welcome to a new episode of TOMCAST, Today is the best day to be happy, only because life is way too short not to.
I sent a message to about fifty of my business friends and associates, wishing them a blessed Easter. I received an interesting response by one of them who is a high net individual.
Hi Tom, the best of the season to you. Ownership is just an illusion, we only have things for a fleeting moment and the more we have the less we enjoy them cheers 🍻
His response triggered my thinking for this blog episode.
Why is it that we strive to attain more and like my business friend states, “The more we have, the less we enjoy..”?
The illusion that fulfilment is out there waiting for us becomes more apparent the longer we strive, the harder we strive, so why do we keep striving?
Maybe we feel the fear of settling if we choose to be happy with what we have, as though being happy today breaks some sort of sacrilegious law.
Maybe some struggle being happy today as though it will destroy motivation for achieving more.
I believe the contrary is true.
Being content (fulfilled) with what we have today has the following benefits and attributes to achieve great exploits in life.
If we take time to acknowledge what makes us happy, it reveals a lot about our make up. It’s at this point, we may need to adjust our values or reap the consequences of them.
Happiness is not something in the never never, happiness is as close as we want it to be.
I’ve seen happy drug addicts or alcoholics as long as the drugs and alcohol are plentiful. I’ve also experienced happiness to a degree, like the drug addict or alcoholic, when everything goes my way. How am I or you better than the addict? What if life throws us a curve ball, can we still be happy?
How do we become happy today?
1. Look how far you have come and celebrate regularly junctions of achievements.
2. Bring others with you on the path, you can’t celebrate happiness alone.
3. Setbacks aren’t failures, they are new pathways being formed for greater outcomes that lead to happiness or contentment.
4. Don’t take yourself so seriously, most success is a condition of luck and favour. We tend to forget how we stumbled into the opportunity and how others opened doors on our behalf.
Happiness therefore is a state of mind. It was Saint Paul who described contentment, not as a destination but a state of being. He confesses how he reached great heights of success and failures that should’ve destroyed him yet in the process he discovered the secret to contentment.
“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me”
Paul reveals life’s journey is not about attainment of something but an evolution of becoming a complete human being. To be complete or find happiness today comes at the cost of letting go of false ideas of what happiness is and what it is not.
Do you find yourself wanting more and like my business friend says, “The more you have, the less happy you become”?
Maybe it’s an opportunity to reassess life’s value systems and renew your state of mind.
If you would like to understand more on the impact of having a value system that brings lasting contentment and actioning it in your every day life, perhaps have a look at a number of services I provide, by going to tomsmilovitis.com .
TOM SMILOVITIS blogs are simple thoughts to encourage those looking to grow in their sphere of influence. PLEASE SHARE
Welcome to a new episode of TOMCAST, Is Corporate Chaplaincy going to be the next best thing? We know Corporate Social Responsibly Policies (CSR) are often a cover up for No Social Responsibility.
Who, in our sphere of influence is committed to serving with a good conscience, over titles, power and hardest of all, ego?
When you find such a person, pay them well but not too much that they forget to stay humble and not too little that they struggle to make ends meet. This person will be like a valiant soldier, fighting for the greatest outcomes for everyone.
A person who is led by a good conscience is hard to bribe or manipulate. They are also compelled to find win win outcomes. They see titles as a means to an end, they have no need for others to condescend to a level of honour that isn’t truly earned.
Let’s address first, the problem with Corporate Social Responsibility Policies, (CSR Polices).
Like any law that is designed to prevent harm from happening in society, laws are also designed to be broken by the unscrupulous, and to control the behaviour of the masses.
CSR Policies, are often just another tick in the box that create the appearance of healthy social behaviour without the proper checks and balances.
This is the arena where predators thrive. Those in positions of authority who go unchecked and the silence becomes the great tool of permissiveness.
1. The silence of someone afraid to lose their job, so they don’t or feel they can’t speak up.
2. The silence of bullying under the guise of strong management or charismatic showmanship.
3. The silence of CSR Policies, where the policies are so litigious, only those without a good conscience are aloud to bring its enlightened interpretation.
4. The silence that the CSR Policy is doing its job under pretence, or it’s someone else’s problem.
There are many more silences which allow corporate toxic culture to thrive.
It’s not until an individual or small group of whistle blowers who have the courage to lose everything to set the records straight, that we pay attention.
It doesn’t have to be, to set the right culture in place. You have to ask the following questions in order for this to take place.
Who sets the tone of corporate culture?
Who checks the tone of corporate culture?
While the CEO, Managing Director, Principle or other Executive Committees that may set the charter of corporate culture through their own ethic and character, very few can see consistency to bring flow through to the different layers of the organisation.
Why?
Often the leader of an organisation has restricted limits regardless of how conscientious they are or skilled to lead with a good conscience. They may exemplify the greatest quality of character, yet they are always at the mercy of those they entrust to lead at various levels of their enterprise.
This is where the right Corporate Chaplain can carry the culture and influence it right through the organisation. They enable a transparency throughout the workforce that may otherwise be taken advantage of by just having CSR Policies in place, without someone leading the charge consistently.
1. The right Corporate Chaplain is impartial to power plays.
2. The right Corporate Chaplain has access to everyone without restriction.
3. The right Corporate Chaplain is led by the highest of impulses, to follow good conscience more than any other impulse. They hear all sides of an issue and encourage all parties to communicate, rather than advising specifically.
The Corporate Chaplain has a unique opportunity to promote and evangelise the greatest qualities of Corporate Vision, by not being locked into a position with a specific scope other than influencing a Social Conscience.
It takes a courageous leader to entrust their vision to the Corporate Chaplain type, knowing that true influence comes from heart to heart.
The Return On Investment by introducing the right Corporate Chaplain pays out in spades, far more than any training program or ethics committee.
I have had the privilege of putting the above to the test in different arenas. With over forty years interest in human behaviour and encouraging individuals to be their very best, this idea of creating a good social conscience in the work place is absolutely possible.
No matter what your industry, Corporate Chaplaincy, will give you the ability to achieve the greatest outcomes with the lowest collateral damage. Whether the outcomes are financial growth, going the distance, most just want to keep their sanity to continue their pursuit of what they treasure most in life.
The Corporate Chaplain can be the catalyst to open conversations that lead to healing from ongoing gridlocks. Be it in an individual life feeling hopeless, a team seeking synergy or an executive just needing a trusted professional friend.
The Corporate Chaplain is that safe space to create flow.
The ultimate Corporate Chaplain in history and my example of what I have shared in this leadership thought is Jesus.
He held no public office, he owned nothing but the clothes and wares he could carry from village to village to fulfil His itinerant ministry; yet with his teachings he held kings to ransom and gave the most vulnerable a voice.
If you would like to understand more on the impact of having a good conscience and actioning it in your every day life, perhaps have a look at a number of services I provide, by going to tomsmilovitis.com .
My latest program on Corporate Chaplaincy is ideal for any organisation that is keen to introduce a good conscience behaviour at every layer of the enterprise. From the boardroom to the cleaners closet, this program cleans up toxic cultures and births best practices of the human condition.
Tom Smilovitis
‘Unlocking potential’
TOM SMILOVITIS blogs are simple thoughts to encourage those looking to grow in their sphere of influence. PLEASE SHARE
Welcome to a new episode of TOMCAST, The clarity of stillness, helps combat the WRETCHED CHATTER. WHY I SWITCH MY PHONE OFF!
God does not shout over our busyness 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 outer chatter. More noise to overcome the inner loud voice that has no pause or stop button. We keep going and going until a breakdown happens, rather than a breakthrough.
A number of years ago, my son and I took three days to do a 3500km charity drive throughout the north of Western Australia. While in the desert, I took photos of the incredible silence of the Australian outback. Nothing but nature at its best! It is often in these times you get a sense of how much time we waste on idol and meaningless chatter.
The secular world has mastered the art of avoiding the voice of God or the silent voice of conscience, by bending to the idolatry of busyness. The busier we get, the less we hear our conscience, that part of us that protects us from self destruction.
We often try and justify ourselves by achievements rather than being at peace with our conscience. I have been guiltiest of all.
I often ask individuals that have that burnt out look on their face, or, hear it in the tone of their voice, “When is your next holiday?”. It is amazing to watch the creative excuses pour out, why they are too busy to take time out. Just having a healthy uninterrupted lunch break seems to be out of their reach. The idea of leaving work early or just switch the phone off for a few hours is too much to ask.
I remember the days I lifted myself on such a high Pedestal. I thought the world would collapse if I wasn’t always at the helm, steering every decision. I metaphorically patted myself on the back more times than I can remember, thinking of how much I achieved. The reward for such busyness, was the growing loneliness that set in, and the chatter that increased in my head.
Fact: I became a brilliant manager, worshiping achievement. I also became a terrible leader of self governing and devaluing the human experience. I treated myself harshly and I treated those around me with contempt because I was addicted to achievement. In all my achievements, I was longing for peace and meaning. The more I achieved, the louder the chatter became in my head.
Some years ago I made a radical decision to rid myself of the chatter or at least minimise it in my head. We all know the unnecessary dramas that constantly try to creep into our souls. Chatter, that is like unwanted weeds, in the most beautiful patch of grass.
How did the world ever survive without phones?, and in recent years the double edged, smart phone? I suspect people have become lazier, less creative and far more dependent on instant answers rather than being patient and planning things through. They have replaced craftsmanship, quality of character and longevity for short term gain, the praise of strangers. Yet the chatter remains.
My confession,
For over eighteen years as a pastor and a further ten years as a shopping centre manager, my phone was on 24/7. In all those years, answering my phone at all hours, rarely, if any of these phone calls, needed to be answered with the urgency they were made. Being the people pleaser that I was, I became the fool, as the worlds most gullible punching bag for other people’s dramas, inconsistencies and melt downs.
These days I try to be present with those in front of me. I want to give my full attention to the task I’m working on, including my sleep or rest time. The only way to achieve this is by controlling the amount of disruptions that look to infiltrate my life. Disruptions that eat away the peace that I value so much.
The temptation,
The superstar mentality, the people pleaser curse, the desire to be liked will always be grabbing for our attention. As mentioned in the opening statement, I am guiltiest of all. As a get older, I find it easier to drop the chatter once I recognise it creeping in.
Our soul can make its greatest choices in the silence, the quieter it is, the greater the creative juices flow.
Choose this course rather than be at the beck and call of everyone else’s whim.
Constant chatter grinds at the core of our being.
Constant chatter keeps us unnecessary busy, confused and fearful.
Our choice to be silent helps us from overreacting, allows perspective to take place for clear decision making.
Silence stirs up the possibilities, it guards us against the chattering bandits that seek to steal our centre, where God speaks clearly and our conscience is aligned.
How is the chatter going in your head?
If you are in a season where where chatter is consuming your mind and you are looking for renewal, consider Tom Smilovitis LEADERSHIP ‘Unlocking Potential’
We are more than fodder for the economic machine, we are fearfully and wonderfully created to live a life of meaning. It’s time to hear God’s voice and align our conscience.
TOM SMILOVITIS blogs are simple thoughts to encourage those looking to grow in their sphere of influence. PLEASE SHARE
Welcome to a new episode of TOMCAST , ‘The moment we stop leading our own life, the cracks begin to appear’.
As a young person, the very thought of getting old and our body becoming debilitated, seems too far in the future to seriously worry.
In our youth, we breeze through so much. We take for granted the capabilities we have without much thought of harnessing or nurturing them.
If we grasp how nature is unapologetic about our neglect of preserving what is precious, we end up losing far more than we bargained for. If we don’t use it, we lose it. If we grasp this truth, we wouldn’t be so careless about the gift of life.
As an example, if we don’t deliberately maintain our health, we will lose our health.
If we don’t nurture and foster healthy relationships, we end up alone.
If we don’t see a beautiful garden and take time to plant and nurture what we want it to become, we will forever be weeding a dust paddock.
I managed commercial properties and oversaw the maintenance of high-rise apartments for a number of years. It was astonishing to see reasonable and educated adults not understand the fundamentals of property maintenance. Rather than have a long term plan to see their properties hold value through constant care and maintenance, they assumed the properties would last forever.
We often have the same approach when it comes to things most valuable to us.
We assume our marriage will last, without a maintenance and renewal plan.
We assume our children will always love us and respect us unconditionally, without a maintenance and renewal plan.
We assume our workplace will always provide that stimulus of job satisfaction and financial security, without a maintenance and renewal plan.
The list goes on…
Be it our mental, physical, emotional or our spiritual path, never make the assumption, that all will be fine, if we don’t take the lead.
Nurturing and taking the lead, is a must, rather than believing everything will workout in the end.
I am a huge advocate for flow, which is preached big time in the self help circle, however, flow is restricted when we fail to nurture and lead. Flow in and of itself is a recipe for disaster.
Even God, according to Genesis, planned the perfect world in six days and enjoyed flow or rest on the seventh.
Are you taking the lead or are you avoiding the opportunity that is ever before us. Take time to maintain and lead in areas of life that matter most, before the cracks appear.
Even if the cracks are becoming evident for the whole world to see, now is the perfect time for renewal.
Take time to look through the services I provide by going to tomsmilovitis.com
Tom Smilovitis
‘Unlocking Potential’
TOM SMILOVITIS blogs are simple thoughts to encourage those looking to grow in their sphere of influence. PLEASE SHARE
Welcome to a new episode of TOMCAST , called Tom Smilovitis LEADERSHIP, empowering the next generation to self govern.
In March 2021, Tom Smilovitis LEADERSHIP launched a number of new services, the latest is called Corporate Chaplaincy and TOMCAST episodes. Through podcasts and personal training, the aim is to produce fresh ideas on leadership and personal development. Be sure to subscribe to my blog and follow TOMCAST.
About Tom Smilovitis.
Leadership can be a lonely path – Tom Smilovitis LEADERSHIP & Personal Development provides that safe space for you to “Reflect. Reboot. Renew.” Ideal for those aspiring to grow and stay fresh in Leadership & Executive roles, all the way to maintaining balanced lifestyles. In a New World that demands so much of us, it is my hope that I can equip you and your team with the tools to live a full life, in the areas that matter most.
"Choices are the hinges of destiny" ~ Edwin Markham Realize your potential and make healthy choices today, that will have a great ripple effect for future generations.
With over forty years experience in family business, not for profits, retail & commercial property management, I am doing what I love most.
Foundations are everything. I grew up in a strong Greek / Macedonian migrant family and community in the late sixties and early seventies, in Eastern Corridor of Perth. My grounding for much of the favour I have on my life today stems from there. I sold my first tray of baklava, Greek pastries, in 1978, I was fourteen years of age. My father had a Greek bakery, I opted to leave school before my fifteenth birthday and I had no option but to work in the family business.
Education isn’t everything, self education is what separates those waiting for opportunity and those who create opportunity. Developing an appetite to grow no matter your circumstances, will bring you favour in life, in the most unusual settings. I am an example of such favour. Opportunity is yours for the taking.
In 1981, in my late teens, I joined a progressive Christian Fellowship. The association trained me in outreach, leadership and missionary work. The experience I gained through the association took me around Australia and many parts of the world. I was commissioned to teach and train others in outreach, leadership and mission work. I have had the privilege of speaking in over one hundred different local churches, conferences and campaigns. In my early thirties I was the keynote speaker in seven hundred plus meetings over a three year period. I know the pressures of raising a young family while trying to carve out my talent. With hardly any money, my wife and I worked hard as a team to raise our young family and maintain our own sense of identity. We worked through some challenging years, moving house wherever the ministry took us. At last count, we moved fourteen times. We also saw the rise and fall over a twenty one year period of organisational expansion. We experienced the highest form of ethics and compassion in leadership to the lowest form of human pride and the decimation of wholesome communities.
In 2002, in my late thirties, I stepped into the corporate scene in the Commercial Property sector. Taking my lifetime experience of family business and the ministry into the commercial world was just another adaptation, which allowed me to thrive. For ten years, under the guidance of a brilliant businessman, I learned a whole new set of skills and ended up managing shopping centres and commercial property. What an incredible contrast between my family business, pastoral and evangelistic years to commercial property.
In 2012, I launched a new business called Templar12, which was the embryo of what is now, Tom Smilovitis LEADERSHIP. I spent five years in the construction industry creating a hybrid business. From my ethnic family upbringing, ministry background and that of the corporate and commercial world. Working closely with executives and business owners as well as the disenfranchised, the unskilled, lower socio individuals, has kept me grounded. I am also currently the Honorary CEO of the Swan Chamber of Commerce, which was established in 1968. The challenge of seeing the chamber grow over the last eighteen months has been rewarding. Being instrumental in building a new team, giving the chamber a new lease of life, along with other industry leaders, has been refreshing.
I tell many people, I have been fortunate to stumble intentionally from one great opportunity to another over the last forty years plus. These opportunities are available to you as well.
My passion is to encourage individuals to reach their potential, as well as create healthy cultures within community and corporate settings.
It’s my continual desire to see people prosper which has led me to expand my reach through Tom Smilovitis – Leadership & Personal Development Training. By pushing my personal boundaries in order to lead by example, my clients will be free from text book rhetoric. My clients quickly know the thrill of jumping in the deep end of their leadership potential.
Developing people is always at the heart of wholesome leadership, the results speak for themselves. It is important to catch what is possible to achieve through simple yet powerful leadership skills. For more about my credentials, see my Recommendations, on my website, they will help to verify my ability to add value in an individual or team.
I look forward to any opportunity where I can add value to you or your enterprise. For more about what I offer, click Tom Smilovitis Services, on my website, to see six basic packages that may interest you to start a conversation and engage Tom Smilovitis LEADERSHIP.
Chris Bown ~ Ex Detective working with Ex prisoners “Tom has a unique ability to draw greatness out of people, he is a man of high ethical character who leads by example and never asks anyone to do anything he is not willing to do himself”
Let’s get you motivated!
email me direct on contact@tomsmilovitis.com for a consult.
Tom Smilovitis
‘connecting people to possibilities’
TOM SMILOVITIS blogs are simple thoughts to encourage those looking to grow in their sphere of influence. PLEASE SHARE
Welcome to another episode of TOMCAST. Don’t forget to subscribe to my blog and follow my podcast.
Forgiveness is raw subject and many struggle to talk about it, yet the need for forgiveness is vital.
Forgiveness is a must, if we want to experience a renewed mindset. Whether it’s in a family relationship, friendship or business connection, forgiveness plays a huge role in living a mentally healthy life.
The very idea of moving forward without forgiveness, is a myth.
Instead of travelling down the forgiveness path, many try to compartmentalise their life. To them, if they discreetly suppress painful thoughts, in the hope, life will be less painful.
Some aren’t as subjective and will use the pain of broken promises as fuel for their obnoxious behaviour. These are the ones that must control their whole environment, in the hope of not falling victim again.
Others fall into the condemnation cycle and become victims of their own failures or others that have failed them.
Whether it’s suppression, anger management or the emotions of worthlessness, they all lead to a sickness of the soul.
Forgiveness is not a free pass to bad behaviour, forgiveness is a path to renewal and wholesome behaviour.
Forgiveness at first seems more painful than suppression. Forgiveness seeks transparency, a clean slate, a starting over.
As ancient as the Lord’s Prayer, the very foundation of forgiveness is a soul searching path. When Jesus taught his disciples to pray, he dealt with forgiveness as a daily routine. Part of the prayer goes as follows, ‘Forgive us our sins as we forgive those that have sinned against us’. Rather than suppressing our failures, or getting angry at our failures, or even worse, becoming a victim of our failures, learn to forgive yourself and others by asking for it. Prayer is a great place to start asking, if confrontation seems daunting.
If we start by recognising our own misgivings by asking for forgiveness. From a solid foundation of receiving forgiveness, forgiving others becomes possible.
Moving forward is very difficult, if at all possible, if we don’t address forgiveness. Not forgiving is a recipe for breakdown. We carry unnecessary weights, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. At a point in time, it will feel like the proverbial straw that breaks the camels back.
Seemingly out of nowhere, floods of resentment appear. Blame becomes ugly and years of effort go down the drain. All because of an inability to forgive.
Forgiveness allows all parties to reflect and be remorseful.
Forgiveness sets us free from toxic thoughts that lead to action.
Forgiveness allows us to see hope in the darkest of days.
As Easter approaches yearly, with the message of forgiveness being proclaimed worldwide, so many miss the significance of its power. The example Jesus set by dying on the cross, saying, “Father, forgive them, they don’t know what they are doing”… is so relevant to our day to day lives.
If we only knew the pain we cause in those closest to us, many would behave differently. It often takes a whole lot of terrible words said, acts played out, to recognise our failures. It’s at that point, we recognise the need for forgiveness.
Let’s relearn to forgive daily from the heart, and even our enemies will want to become our friends.
How is your forgiveness path going?
Forgive often. Forgive quickly.
If you’d like to know more about the power of forgiveness, or if you are looking to grow in your leadership skills or personal development, go to tomsmilovitis.com under services for more information.
And take time to follow TOMCAST my podcast on Spotify.
TOM SMILOVITIS blogs are simple thoughts to encourage those looking to grow in their sphere of influence. PLEASE SHARE
In a world addicted to social media and marketing gimmicks; too many of us spend endless amounts of time producing so little from our efforts.
Jesus, the ultimate social media expert. He had three steps to attract lifetime customers from the crowd.
Before we talk about the way Jesus built an enterprise lasting over two millennium; let’s discuss the futility of time wasting and job creation just to occupy time.
It is not important to occupy time, it is important to work towards an objective. There is nothing that wastes more time than the idea of potential without a strategy.
If you pick a mountain to climb, even if it’s Everest, ask these questions before acting.
Are you prepared?
Do you have enough fuel in the tank? This could mean, mentally, physically, spiritually, emotionally, not necessarily financially…
Is the market ready?
You have to determine that if it’s the right time or season to launch.
Is your message simple enough? If you are going to climb Mount Everest, only take what you need. You must ditch the rest.
Where do you start?
These are the questions you have to ask before building a following.
Creating a following is not a Social Media phenomenon as many would have you believe. Be it Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, Podcasts, Ticktock, etc…
Building a following is as old as time.
Jesus started His enterprise at thirty years of age. He picked the perfect location to declare His offering. He chose a place called Galilee, a small fishing village to start getting a crowd together.
His message was to bring light to the masses, so he chose a real dark place to emphasise his message. He chose a place where individuals struggled to make a living, fishermen and salt of the earth individuals were going to be his first followers.
He didn’t compete with the Roman government of His day. He didn’t compete with the religious hierarchy of His day. The Roman Empire and the Religious Leaders controlled the masses. Much like governments and big tech companies do today. Governments through legislation. Big techs through the control of data.
Jesus picked a market that was not threatening anyone. He picked the poor, the destitute, the blind, the sick, the disenfranchised.
Sometimes the best opportunities are birthed in the most unlikely places.
The following three steps is how Jesus built an enterprise to last
Firstly! He drew the crowd in with a simple message… ‘Have a change of heart, because right here, right now, all the resources of the cosmos are at your disposal’
The crowd loved the simplicity of His message, unlike the government and big techs of today, or the religious leaders of His day! Jesus was relevant, on point. His teaching were revolutionary.
The crowds remarked, that no one taught the same way, He talked with authority and influenced many to change their way.
Secondly, after a season of drawing the crowd, Jesus challenged them into commitment. Without commitment, you don’t have lasting change. As long as Jesus kept giving free meals with His teachings, the crowds would just get larger.
We all get tempted with popularity. Who doesn’t like being liked. Even in today’s language, the like symbol on social media platforms becomes the hinge wether we have something valid to offer or say. But just seeking the like symbol without commitment, is a little vain.
Jesus wasn’t interested in just being liked, He was interested in transforming society and developing wholesome people.
When people are challenged to commit, expect the crowd to be halved and more. Jesus has a strategy to build something to last. He picked the right time to halve or more His following.
In one day thousands left and His following diminished, but more importantly, His purpose grew.
Thirdly, He spent quality time training a handful of individuals throughout a three year period. He then let them take the reigns to the whole organisation.
Without training the next generation or others to take the reigns, the moment we are out of the picture, the enterprise dies its natural death.
Building something to last requires, a crowd, an inner circle and leaders that maintain the integrity of the message.
What are you trying to create, build or achieve that hopefully lasts?
Are you caught in the middle; needing others to always affirm you, or do you have a message or service that others need?
If you have a solution to someone’s life or an enterprise, don’t sell yourself short. Proclaim your remedy from the rooftops. Those that need what you have will hear you and commit to your offering.
If you are interested in a chat, message me on WhatsApp with the button to the right hand bottom corner of this page or email me direct on contact@tomsmilovitis.com and we can arrange to meet if you’re in Perth, Western Australia or zoom chat anywhere in the world.
Who knows what light could come from a chat?
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TOM SMILOVITIS blogs are simple thoughts to encourage those looking to grow in their sphere of influence. PLEASE SHARE
MAN TO MAN – When we hit Rock Bottom, it could be the beginnings of greatness
“Only a man who knows what it is like to be defeated can reach down to the bottom of his soul and come up with the extra ounce of power it takes to win when the match is even.”- Muhammad Ali.
Reaching rock bottom
The strength of the bedrock must be determined before great heights are reached…
The most inspiring stories always come from those who hit their bedrock.
We who are looking for guidance yearn to hear the testimonial of those that have gone before us.
Wether it’s developing an intimate and lasting relationship with a spouse, or building an enterprise, they all come at a price.
Finding our bedrock requires digging, which feels painful at times, why?
We discover things that are unpleasant
We relive past failures, thinking they were forever buried, no one to see. As they get excavated, we relive the failure and humiliation that came with the failure.
We see that we built areas of our life on shifting sand rather than a bedrock. Things we were taught go through the fire. And we discover that some lessons have to be repeated, not surviving the fire test.
All in all, we get an opportunity to start fresh and clean up misconceptions, phobias and face our demons that didn’t kill us.
Those crazy words ‘If it doesn’t kill you, it will make you stronger’ have a new meaning. A fresh beat. A bounce comes back in the way we walk.
Bedrocks become the solid foundations rather than the tragic end.
Can a marriage be renewed after thirty five years, yes they can.
Is there a friend that is closer than a brother, yes there is.
Can we start that life long dream after so many failed attempts, yes they can.
The bedrock of conviction becomes a defining moment of truth that can withstand the greatest of storms.
Are you digging to find your bedrock and struggling to cope with your discoveries along they say?
Don’t despair, there truly is hope during this journey to the bedrock of conviction.
If you are interested in a chat, message me on WhatsApp with the button to the right hand bottom corner of this page or email me direct on contact@tomsmilovitis.com and we can arrange to meet if you’re in Perth, Western Australia or zoom chat anywhere in the world.
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The very notion of considering a calling sounds way too mysterious for some and daunting for others.
We don’t have to be the next Steve Jobs, who was foundational in changing the way we live through technology. We don’t even have to be the next Moses who went face to face with the living God to bring down another type of tablet with the inscription of God’s law.
Why does a calling need to be that grand to be fulfilling?
Both Steve Jobs & Moses didn’t get to see the fullness their calling, they are not to be envied.
Steve died way too early of cancer and missed out on far more than he bargained for.
Moses to didn’t get to experience the promised land and robbed himself of the true calling of life, which is far more profound than changing the world.
White Noise Mania
1. Everything that is pulling you away from who you are in the hope of one day hoping you will be happy with what you’ve achieved
2. The relationships we align with that give us a false sense of identity and security while abandoning relationships that are inherently meaningful
3. Resting mentally in a time or place we believe was the peak of all that we could become. As a result, we repeatedly punish ourselves for our past failure or perceived past failure which cripples us from moving forward.
White Noise is that stuff that fills our head daily, distracting us from completing our mission in life.
Going back to our calling
1. Just being who we are meant to be doesn’t have to be all that difficult if we get some quiet time to listen.
2. Even if everything drops off and we are left with a seed of who we truly are, it’s of more value than all the trappings this world has to offer
3. Your greatness is in being authentic and nothing more
4. To be authentic is one of the rarest commodities known to man kind
Authenticity is often found in the elderly when they have nothing else to prove. Many choose kindness, love, patients, wisdom, relationships as their companions rather than anger, hate, competition, knowledge isolation.
The ancient writings reveal something about the nature of being called and authenticity.
‘What good is it if you gained the whole world but in the process lose your soul’
I think Steve Jobs & Moses would have a lot to say about that.
Your richness starts with you right now, right here, if you dare to look within. You are richer than you could ever imagine if you return to your true calling. (Being authentic)
Have you considered how valuable you are right now?
Perhaps you are looking to develop that authentic life and you feel something is missing. All the popularity and outward success in the world hasn’t filled that void inside of you. I assure you there is an amazing life waiting for you off the grid.
If you are interested in a chat, message me on WhatsApp with the button to the right hand bottom corner of this page or email me direct on contact@tomsmilovitis.com and we can arrange to meet if you’re in Perth, Western Australia or zoom chat anywhere in the world.
Who knows what light could come from a chat?
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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. Being pigeon holed by others is their prerogative. Pigeon holing ourselves is a travesty no matter how much success we achieve.
We are more than what we do.
There is nothing I hate worse than forever talking about yesterday’s victories, we must be current in our victories if we are to survive and thrive.
Back in December 2016 after seven years of social media, I switched it off, deleted all contacts and vanished off the virtual grid to rebuild, reignite and sharpen my real world experience (Basically getting my creative voice back)
I originally started my social media platform in 2007 to widen my circle of influence. I wanted to make a difference to the next generation. I have always wanted to help them to be creative as they find their voice.
It’s hard to admit but there are seasons in life where our voice can fade and we find ourselves just going through the motions, no matter how large our platform grows and the opportunities presented us. I felt my voice was fading and my effectiveness wasn’t as sharp. While my public life was increasing, my soul was dying, leading up to my two year sabbatical in December 2016, from all things virtual. Being popular doesn’t always equate to making an impact.
I’d gone through a similar experience twenty years earlier as a public speaker travelling extensively around the world doing seminars three weeks out of a month. The continual stage work blurred my reality and it was time to settle for a season to get my voice back.
Over that two year social media sabbatical, I went back to basics rediscovering why I do what I do.
The fact is, I do what I do off the stage or grid and have done so for decades. I live it and breathe it. I am compelled to live a full life and all social media did was allow others a small Porthole into a very real life. In December 2018, I felt to come back to the social media platforms hopefully with fresh creativity, again, focusing on influencing the next generation to help them find their voice and meaning.
Rebuilding the new platform was half the fun as you ask yourself “Do I still have something to say that can influence another person to seek out a better life for themselves?” I think the answer was and is yes.
After the last two years being back on the grid, what I set out to do has worked. Typically, it’s afforded me fresh opportunities to express my ideas and encourage where I could. Unfortunately even when something appears to be working on your behalf, you still have to work out if it’s the best path to get you to where you want to be.
As for me, it seems that my private world opens way more opportunities than social media has ever done, as much as I’ve loved the experience.
Being wise and astute with my time, I am looking forward to disappearing again off the social media grid indefinitely and focus in areas which I feel will be far more affective.
As of March 2021, I have decided to go off all social media platforms indefinitely bar my blogging which is on my website.
I started a new business in September 2020 called Tom Smilovitis LEADERSHIP & Personal Development. My passion is to work with leaders that are looking to grow their leadership & personal development skills to succeed in every area of life. The business is very boutique and is definitely not suited to mass marketing.
If people are interested in what I have to offer, I’m confident they’ll find me and approach me as they have always done.
BEING OFF THE GRID HAS ITS OWN BLISS AND I CAN’T WAIT TO RETURN THERE.
Perhaps you are looking to develop that authentic life and you feel something is missing. All the popularity and outward success in the world hasn’t filled that void inside of you. I assure you there is an amazing life waiting for you off the grid.
If you are interested in a chat, message me on WhatsApp with the button to the right hand bottom corner of this page or email me direct on contact@tomsmilovitis.com and we can arrange to meet if you’re in Perth, Western Australia or zoom chat anywhere in the world.
Who knows what light could come from a chat?
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Personal Development is not what you think it is
As we come out of the Industrial Age of school classrooms, herd teaching and the promise of prosperity if we have the right education; personal development takes on a new role.
The Industrial Age was a mind boggling era dragging millions out of poverty world wide only to drag them back into a poverty of mind. With a roof over our head and food on the table, human beings are hungry for more. We are now at a point of slavery that is hard to define until we rediscover the curiosity of our childhood mind and heart.
The revolt against industrialism started decades ago as the prophetic artists, musicians and philosophical minds warned us of the prisons we are creating for ourselves.
Every day millions of young people are promised freedom when they get their diploma, degree, award, recognition for their hard study only to land jobs that impoverish their soul.
These days if a construction firm is looking for an engineer with distinction they only have to go to a McDonalds kitchen and they are flipping burgers hoping for a break. If they are lucky enough to get an engineering job, they have thousands lined up to replace them.
The advantages of a Personal Development Mindset
Personal Development is more than topping up your education or refreshing industry knowledge. Personal Development is the martial arts of the mind that keeps you sharp and creative.
A personal development mindset is forever inquisitive and creative. This person has very little interest in achieving another certificate, these individuals are hungry all the time to understand how things work.
I’ve attended way to many training sessions that left me empty rather than feed my curiosity. Most training sessions can be captured in a YouTube video, realistically.
The idea of a Personal Development Mindset is like digging wells within ourselves and tapping into fresh water deep within our own soul.
This is the place where new songs, recipes, ways of building cars, buildings come to the surface. This is the place fresh ideas are created that can salvage a marriage, restore human connection and everything else that has lasting meaning.
When I conduct leadership & personal development workshops, it’s my aim to challenge all the blockages that have built up over our life just to survive. I can see the frustration in the eyes of the class who just want the answer (a curse of industrialism)
There is a special Liberty people begin to experience when the inner well which is in all of us begins to trickle fresh water.
It is my commitment to them not to bend to their weakest denominator of comfort and routine but to help them push through to their inner strength, source of power and creativity.
The answer is in them. As a facilitator, it’s my job to help them breakthrough rather than give up and go back to being a slave of the system.
There’s an ancient saying ‘It is useless waking up early, going to bed late, eating the bread of sorrows, God gives His beloved sleep’
The idea behind this saying – We waste so much time just trying to survive, we hardly ever take time to enjoy the process.
Personal Development would have to be one of the most enjoyable ways to grow in every area of life as well as enjoy our sleep. It’s in our restful sleep allow our subconscious to rejuvenate our soul.
Are you feeling dry, empty and lack motivation? Maybe it’s time to active your creativity and restore your sanity!!
If you are interested in a chat, message me on WhatsApp with the button to the right hand bottom corner of this page or email me direct on contact@tomsmilovitis.com and we can arrange to meet if you’re in Perth, Western Australia or zoom chat anywhere in the world.
Who knows what light could come from a chat?
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We live in a day and age where anxiety is at an all time high rather than the ability believe.
Belief & Anxiety are always battling for the same platform.
Belief anticipates possibilities first and then works through the process
Anxiety anticipates all that can go wrong and then is paralysed by all the unrealistic variables
Belief acts – Anxiety freezes
It was Jesus who said, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”
Jesus also dealt with worry, a form of anxiety, clearly encouraging that we stay clear of it because it serves absolutely no purpose.
Jesus implied that belief can dictate circumstances as does worry. We invite into our lives possibilities that lead to amazing outcomes or troubles that lead to nowhere…
How do we generate belief?
Take time to research the laws of the cosmos before time as we understand it began. Like the laws of engineering or aviation which have always existed, we have only tapped into their possibilities over the last century. We are now entering into the laws of technology and tapping into all sorts of possibilities to transform the way we live, yet we are still allowing ourselves to be left behind through anxiety.
Belief transcends what is common and steps into a universe of possibilities. New inventions, new ways of thinking, new ways of living are tapped into because we have discovered what has always been rather than fabricate something out of thin air.
What always was, by believing, we simply bring it into the forefront of our lives.
Some people call it luck, I’d suggest it’s activating what already exists.
As a Christian, my greatest source of strength is my belief in a benevolent God who is working with me to live a wholesome life, filled with all sorts of possibilities. The moment I change that belief to ritual, my belief will automatically transfer to anxiety and I lose focus.
Break free from rituals that occupy time but never inspire possibilities. Stay clear of reactivate and unhealthy choices that take you to places that incarcerate our thinking.
Some people have turned anxiety into a clever substitute, we call wisdom or insight. Unfortunately this is no more that fear masquerading itself as pious faith.
Belief in the untapped laws of the universe will make you as bold as a lion.
Are you trapped in the cycle of anxiety?
Make one choice at a time to feed belief and starve anxiety
If you are interested in a chat, message me on WhatsApp with the button to the right hand bottom corner of this page or email me direct on contact@tomsmilovitis.com and we can arrange to meet if you’re in Perth, Western Australia or zoom chat anywhere in the world.
Who knows what light could come from a chat?
TOM SMILOVITIS blogs are simple thoughts to encourage those looking to grow in their sphere of influence. PLEASE SHARE
The ability to momentarily reflect on things that matter can save years of agony.
Human beings are terrible at thinking deeply or considering a better way of living. We are victims of our own making and being reactionary at best.
Why is it that the divorce rate hasn’t changed and couples are opting more and more not to get married in the first place?
Why is it senior management or greedy executives have little concern for the devastating outcomes of their short term decision making processes. They fail to reflect and see the effect they have in the livelihoods of innumerable people when profit at all costs is the end game?
Why do we give so much effort to getting ahead when it may cost us so much more in the end?
It’s our innate default system that seems to have an inability to reflect. We get ourselves caught in a corner that we’ve tried to keep clear from. Some decisions unfortunately are irreversible.
What if we could turn this around through the art of reflection?
Reflection in its purest form, unlike any other attribute focuses on the healthiest outcome and not on our circumstances or other peoples problems.
Reflection puts up a mirror that allows us to look into the window of our own soul, questioning our motives.
Reflection can be scary as it reveals in a moment of time aspects of our nature that can be dealt with to stop more corruption and future devastation.
Coming to grips with what we see has a twofold effect.
1. We see how human we are which in turn allows us to see the rest of the human race in their absolute default humaneness, be it healthy or unhealthy.
2. We rethink what we are looking for and hopefully have the courage to let go of unnecessary baggage that got us to where we don’t want to be.
True reflection brings with it a remorse to the point where we desire to start fresh. We give ourselves permission to let go of any ill will that weighs us down. We also give ourselves permission to love our selves and others as we truly want to be loved (unconditionally)
Reflection will begin a series of rebooting, completely upgrading our outlook to life. The renewal we could have only dreamt about will begin in so many areas of our life. We no longer compartmentalise and push down areas we don’t want to address. It’s the beginning of living a wholesome life, free from the past, the what-iff, free from the blame game and other trip hazards.
Are you sick of being a victim?
Now is the perfect opportunity to take the lead in your own life.
Leadership can be a lonely path – Tom Smilovitis LEADERSHIP & Personal Development provides that safe space for you to “Reflect Reboot Renew” Ideal for those aspiring to grow and stay fresh in Leadership & Executive roles, all the way to maintaining balanced lifestyles. In a New World that demands so much of us, it’s my hope that I can equip you with the tools to live a full life in the areas that matter most.
If you are interested in a chat, message me on WhatsApp with the button to the right hand bottom corner of this page or email me direct on contact@tomsmilovitis.com and we can arrange to meet if you’re in Perth, Western Australia or zoom chat anywhere in the world.
Who knows what light could come from a chat?
TOM SMILOVITIS blogs are simple thoughts to encourage those looking to grow in their sphere of influence. PLEASE SHARE
(an ancient method of carrying wine & a 2000 year old parable about staying relevant) “no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins”
Old wineskins and their effect
Ask yourself when you’re around a suspected old wine skin “Do relationships & ideas thrive or die around them?”
Old wine skins say “This is how we’ve always done it” unfortunately they can’t hold the new wine full of life, expanding in all directions?
Old wine skins that haven’t been maintained become brittle, dry & inflexible spilling out the new wine that needs space to mature.
Systems that are outdated, burdening all those that are prepared & ready for greater capacity & efficiency.
Regulations that inhibit innovation, all in the name of playing by the rules of an outdated game.
People that are stuck in their small world, killing the possibilities of new worlds being birthed.
We are living in the greatest of generations & those that are willing to self develop & keep growing don’t have to be victims of old wine skins that no longer serve a purpose.
I find nothing more offensive than individuals in positions of authority or power who in themselves have stopped growing. These individuals become a burden to progress & the greater good; especially knowing that there is a whole young generation waiting to be led into new frontiers.
New Wineskins and their effect
The way of doing business beyond 2020 is so much faster & broader. It is exciting for those who have a new wine mentality, they will capture the new market & influence the next generation without compromising timeless ethics & values.
Stay relevant, keep pushing personal boundaries, up-skill, always look at the bigger picture, be a team player, partner with big thinkers & doers, be shameless about doing right and last but not least….
Keep clear of those that have become complacent & comfortable because they’ll drag you down to their miserable fruitless existence.
Ask yourself when you’re around a suspected old wine skin “Do relationships & ideas thrive or die around them?”
Stay young at heart & watch the old wine skins burst all around you.
TOM SMILOVITIS blogs are simple thoughts to encourage those looking to grow in their sphere of influence. PLEASE SHARE
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 refer to a competitive struggle to get ahead financially or routinely.
With the rat race mindset, the world continues to spin with billions of people trapped, rather than discovering the freedom of flow
– Racing against the clock ⏰
– Chasing the illusion that more is better
– Rising to higher states of position, authority and power, all aimed at minimising the constant rat race struggle
Those caught in the perpetual rat race teach the next generation to run, run, run and the cycle continues
Parents teaching their children to live like rats through their example, despite their words
Managers enforcing the rat race mindset to their workforce as an endorsement to the path of success
What’s the alternative?
Living in a state of flow is the alternative
Flow breaks away from conventional ways of doing things
Flow is that space that measures everything from a place of external help and natural forces. Flow rejects and fights against internal phobias and teachings that come from senior rats who control the masses through misinformation and fear tactics.
Flow is an energy that unlocks our physical, mental and spiritual capacity
Flow is found everywhere and has a language of its own. If you’ve only known the rat race language, the language of flow will seem like just a fable.
Some experience flow in small doses and limit themselves to those small doses because of their rat race mindset. As an example, they get into fitness and disregard their intelligence or spiritual flow. Some get into intellectual flow and disregard their intimate relationships, or they chase spirituality and starve their financial flow etc…
The aim of flow is to walk a life of wholesomeness, which draws from all aspects of the forces of nature; body, mind and spirit.
This requires a new mindset completely different to the rat race mindset
The ancients taught that human beings are created in the image of God.
Unlike the rat who has a place in creation like every other living thing, human beings have a unique advantage and are able to tap into God’s nature to assist them with flow.
Physically, mentally and spiritually we can take charge if we so wish. (This requires the development of a renewed mindset)
The idea of tapping into flow means that we have all of God’s resources guiding us and energising us along the way.
A clear conscience, a creative mindset, a community outcome and all the resources we need to live in this state of flow.
How?
It starts by recognising where our place is on the planet and discovering what our assignment is?
For starters, let’s not raise our children to think and act like rats by not thinking and acting like rats ourselves.
There comes a time when the very idea of being a complete human is only possible if we humble ourselves to the most generous source of joy, hope and love in the cosmos, GOD.
If you are in a place where you’ve tapped into flow from time to time or you are locked in the rat race and you want to discover flow, maybe this is your time for a complete renewal.
If you are interested in a chat, message me on WhatsApp with the button to the right hand bottom corner of this page or email me direct on contact@tomsmilovitis.com and we can arrange to meet if you’re in Perth, Western Australia or zoom chat anywhere in the world.
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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% it is.
The following three steps to create that winning team without being a bullish or a manipulative leader. Through wholesomeness, the team is influenced to give their very best.
1. Identifying talent in individuals
Wholesome Leaders can identify hidden talent and bring out the best in individuals, unapologetically
They refuse to succumb to politics and nepotism.
The greatest challenge to any team building is getting the right people in the right position, not forcing the wrong people in these positions.
There is a huge difference between a person’s personal capacity and their ability to compliment the team.
Some overly talented individuals can be detrimental to building a team spirit if their ego overrides the overall objective.
Wholesome Leaders have an ability to agitate those not suited to the team culture while encouraging others to work extra hard if they fit in.
2. Developing team synergy
Wether it’s a coach, captain, great player or star player, synergy is paramount to a sustainable winning team
Wholesome Leaders encourage all the virtues of being considerate, compassionate, healthy, thoughtful, generous, genuine, selfless not just as the leader, but every team member must practice wholesomeness, no exceptions.
The leverage that is created through synergy gives the whole team a winning edge
3. Creating the winning team
When individual talent is given over to become greater than itself, synergy births a winning team spirit
This team wins before the game or challenge has even begun
Synergy ~ the interaction or cooperation of two or more organizations, substances, or other agents to produce a combined effect greater than the sum of their separate effects.
A team begins to walk as one force. It protects each player as important as every player.
The winning team that is created through Wholesome Leadership rejuvenates itself and attracts other key players and opportunities beyond any individual player.
As a leader are you unlocking individuals to be part of a team, community and the greater good?
Perhaps it’s time to grow in the arena of Wholesome Leadership
If you are interested in a chat, message me on WhatsApp with the button to the right hand bottom corner of this page or email me direct on contact@tomsmilovitis.com and we can arrange to meet if you’re in Perth, Western Australia or zoom chat anywhere in the world.
Who knows what light could come from a chat?
TOM SMILOVITIS blogs are simple thoughts to encourage those looking to grow in their sphere of influence. PLEASE SHARE
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 of faith verses science has not diminished, not by a long shot.
The connection between hardship and faith always triumphs over hardship and science.
Hardship is hard to define when an individual is coasting along in life, completely numb to deeper meaning.
Hardship can be experienced when someone is in abject poverty or when someone has reached their ultimate dream.
Abject poverty has been a great motivator for billions of people to fight for life, family and meaning.
Millions of people experience new life in their darkest physical state as God meets them in their lowest point. There is a humility and sobering moment when individuals defy logic through their faith.
Often the West and affluent countries seek to rescue the poor, not recognising their own state of poverty. I am talking about poverty of soul.
Jesus said ~ ‘God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs’
Simply put, the physically poor recognise their need for more beyond instinct.
The poor are closer to meaning and often encounter with God with minimal effort. They have nowhere else to turn but faith. They often experience riches beyond words.
So is there hope for the wealthy, the scientist, the educated, the privileged?
It often takes reaching our Everest in life before we contemplate there is an even higher meaning.
It’s been my experience that there is hope.
Jesus said, ‘What do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?
I’ve had the privilege over many years asking that very question to the successful, wealthy, entitled people of the world. Many have responded with an absolute agreement, the moment you lose your soul, nothing can replace its meaning.
So, to the ones that have hit a wall, no amount of money, success or notoriety will fill that void in your life.
It’s at this point that the Love of God pays us a visit. He starts knocking on the door of our heart. We can choose two things
– Continue to deny His existence and suffer in emptiness with all the outward bells and whistles
– We can acknowledge our emptiness and invite God into our life to give it meaning that lasts beyond the material
I’m of the belief, we are spiritual beings that inhabit a temporal physical body. We are not physical beings that try to be religious from time to time.
Are you at the end of your road, you’ve achieved much but nothing fills the emptiness deep within?
Perhaps God is finally getting your attention.
If you are interested in a chat, message me on WhatsApp with the button to the right hand bottom corner of this page or email me direct on contact@tomsmilovitis.com and we can arrange to meet if you’re in Perth, Western Australia or zoom chat anywhere in the world.
Who knows what light could come from a chat?
TOM SMILOVITIS blogs are simple thoughts to encourage those looking to grow in their sphere of influence. PLEASE SHARE
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 have good intel, a capacity to interpret and a strategy to win.
The role of the Armour Bearer
In ancient times, great kings, warriors, noble men had an armour beater assigned to them. Their duty was simple, protect at all costs those in their care, especially in the heat of battle.
Kings and warriors alike were clear to lead while the armour bearer, likened to a bodyguard or confidant were privy to all the goings on without the responsibilities of fully leading.
An armour bearer would be prepared for battle and have a different advantage to the leader.
– They’d see weaknesses and vulnerabilities in those they protected and would fill in those gaps
– They’d be of humble means with the soul purpose of serving their leaders
– They’d be at the complete disposal of the leader and have minimal recognition
A perfect synergy between leader and armour bearer is what songs legends were birthed out of. Proverbs, like ~ ‘One will chase a thousand and two will bring down ten thousand’
The role of the armour bearer is to create avenues for a leader’s survival, victory and honour.
Other examples of this unique relationship in ancient times was the role of a king and a prophet. As the king would lead, they would often rely on the council of a prophet, who was primarily the moral voice to the king.
If a king sidestepped the moral voice of the prophet, the king would often end up in a self destructive mode and the nation would suffer.
Like the armour bearer, the prophet’s role was to compliment and protect the king. The prophet was of humble means and completely dependent on the good will of the king to function in their role. They were equally fearless and speak to the king truth even at the expense of their own comfort and life itself.
In the same principle, both king and armour bearer come from a Devine Calling. They are only complimentary and a powerful force if they function within their calling.
Wether you have been called to be a king or queen, an armour bearer, prophet or prophetess, never overstep your gifting.
I’ve been called to be an armour bearer to leaders, to speak wisdom into their lives especially in the heat of battle. My strength has been forged over decades to speak truth and hope into a leader’s life even if it is painful.
Some leaders have struggled with my motives because they think like kings and not like an armour bearer. These leaders have missed the opportunity to win battles you can only win with an armour bearer by their side.
Perhaps you’ve struggled to grow to your full potential as a leader and you need that armour bearer by your side. Someone not afraid to love you unconditionally and will share truth with you no matter what.
Are you stuck in the heat of battle?
Do you need someone to talk to that can help you grow in your leadership calling?
If you are interested in a chat, message me on WhatsApp with the button to the right hand bottom corner of this page or email me direct on contact@tomsmilovitis.com and we can arrange to meet if you’re in Perth, Western Australia or zoom chat anywhere in the world.
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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 new world of artificial intelligence, traditional trades and skills vanishing and a new order of $ dollar value is being realised.
The fact remains!
Pay your workers their worth!!
Worth is always based on productivity rather than on passing time.
What sort of productivity?
1. How many bricks can a bricklayer lay?
2. How many patients can a doctor assist?
3. How many goals can a soccer player contribute to the game?
4. How many people can a singer entertain?
and the list goes on
Determining value
In ancient times they used an ox tied by a yoke with a stone wheal behind it. The ox would labour by walking around while corn was being crushed beneath by the wait of the stone rolling on it.
The point of the exercise was to make the corn so finely grounded that it became palatable for human consumption.
The wages of the ox would be to eat from the corn that it trod. The ox was not limited on how much it ate unless the owner became greedy and only feed the ox the bare minimum.
This ancient principle must be applied in every generation when it comes to paying workers well.
If someone has a unique skill that is rare to duplicate, that person’s skill has a higher value and ought to be paid accordingly.
The greedy owner of an ox that muzzles the ox recognises that the strength of the ox makes the owners work light and therefore in good conscience ought to doubly take care of the beast.
How much are you worth?
Can your skill be duplicated easily or do you have a rare skill?
If you would like to increase your worth or learn to take the muzzle of your neck, a new mindset has to be engaged.
If you are interested in a chat, message me on WhatsApp with the button to the right hand bottom corner of this page or email me direct on contact@tomsmilovitis.com and we can arrange to meet if you’re in Perth, Western Australia or zoom chat anywhere in the world.
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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 Talent
The challenge with sourcing individual talent is not to get caught up in forcing talent but sourcing talent.
Forcing talent comes from a cookie cutter mentality, a one size fits all talent.
While it’s important to create well rounded disciplines within a team, the coach is looking for that unique talent of an individual that adds an edge to the team.
2. Creating a whole team
Taking an individual’s talent and adding them to a team to create talent greater than any individual is the objective
Team Spirit is birthed when individuals are able to surrender their unique talent and adapt it to the need of the team.
There is an ancient military saying ‘One will chase a thousand, two will chase ten thousand’
The idea behind the saying is self explanatory. Combined talent creates a huge advantage over individual talent.
3. Team Spirit has one objective, winning
Working together towards a common goal produces far greater outcomes than any individual playing hard in the game.
To adopt this methodology within the workplace will increase
– Team player participation (A win)
– Greater sense of mental well-being (A win)
– The bottom line becomes far more profitable (A win)
Non team players are easily identified and they can go through further training or find a different game that doesn’t require a Team Spirit.
How are you going developing that Team Spirit?
If you are interested in a chat, message me on WhatsApp with the button to the right hand bottom corner of this page or email me direct on contact@tomsmilovitis.com and we can arrange to meet if you’re in Perth, Western Australia or zoom chat anywhere in the world.
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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 courageous person to embark on the journey of kindness in order to create wholesome outcomes in society.
Kindness starts in the home, extends to its neighbours and makes its way to town hall.
Through kindness, Jesus started a revolution that struck at the heart of religious piousness and the ruling government.
The masses were drawn to him through a simple message of hope, forgiveness and renewal. Jesus talked about a kingdom of kindness that resides in each of our hearts if we choose to activate it.
Kindness makes the ruling class nervous, why?
More often than not, the ruling class control the masses through fear and policy. Enforcing mental and emotional conditions to keep the masses under control.
Kindness on the other hand is friendly, generous and considerate.
Jesus gives the ultimate advise on how to deal with our adversary; love them, do good to them. By doing this, it will feel like hot coals burning in your adversaries mind. How So?
Be it a family member, neighbour, town hall, they have to reconcile with their God given conscience, what is the right thing to do.
I know, when someone shows me undeserving sincere kindness, my heart melts as I consider my ways and behaviours.
Are you struggling with receiving or giving kindness?
If you are interested in a chat, message me on WhatsApp with the button to the right hand bottom corner of this page or email me direct on contact@tomsmilovitis.com and we can arrange to meet if you’re in Perth, Western Australia or zoom chat anywhere in the world.
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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. A sense that our internal debt has been wiped clean.
Jesus taught a prayer and included the act of forgiveness. When we ask God to let go of our mistakes we in turn must let go of those who have made mistakes around us.
If we are to move forward, we must feel the release of our debts as we release people around us.
The very idea that we can move on and not free others from moving on reveals our lack in understanding forgiveness.
We hold ourselves prisoner many times because we hold others prisoners
LET GO MEANS LET GO, no turning back, no reminders, a clean start.
Without experiencing God’s forgiveness first we go back into default and hold others captive to their mistakes.
Forgiveness is an ongoing Journey of failing forward. We don’t carry our past with us but it’s likely we will make mistakes and others will hurt us in the future.
Forgiveness is a lifestyle not just one momentous act.
I’d suggest, that’s why Jesus taught his followers, when you pray, pray like this… and forgiveness was part of that regular practice.
Are you struggling to let go?
If you are interested in a chat, message me on WhatsApp with the button to the right hand bottom corner of this page or email me direct on contact@tomsmilovitis.com and we can arrange to meet if you’re in Perth, Western Australia or zoom chat anywhere in the world.
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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 and must have a unique sense of direction, otherwise we unsuspectingly go around in circles.
This is most difficult for those who succeed early in life, they struggle when they hit their first wall. In the music world, they have been coined one hit wonders
Some have found a path they are good at and haven’t left that path in decades. These individuals have developed a specialist skill which they won’t deviate from nor do they feel the desire to do so.
Becoming a serial entrepreneur or succeeding in an array of areas is a skill set few dare to travel. This path creates too much stress and anxiety. Unless we develop new strategies every time a problem arises rather than trying harder, this path becomes too hostile.
Very few choose change as their first option, most are thrust into it.
1. Radically changing careers
2. Starting businesses you know very little about
3. Moving countries or locations completely different to what you are accustomed to
4. Having a completely new set of colleagues to work with
5. No one is hiring you for your specialist skill after you’ve become redundant
What do you do not only to survive, but to thrive in this new environment?
Don’t just throw yourself into the project doing what you’ve always done.
It’s a fresh opportunity to reset our mind, develop new skills and approach the opportunity with fresh eyes
Reset the mind: Go back to the fundamentals. What are the most basic tools needed in this new journey and dump the extra baggage.
1. It’s an opportunity to establish respect and carry yourself differently
2. A chance to explore ideas from a different approach, like an explorer seeing the lay of the land before any new approach is taken
3. We have the advantage being new to the field rather than just repeating old processes that landed us in a corner
Sometimes we just need a trusted person we can bounce new ideas without judgment or humiliation to define new strategies.
We are not meant to know everything and when we suppose we do know everything, anxiety increases.
Are you going around in circles?
If you are interested in a chat, message me on WhatsApp with the button to the right hand bottom corner of this page or email me direct on contact@tomsmilovitis.com and we can arrange to meet if you’re in Perth, Western Australia or zoom chat anywhere in the world.
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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 the project looks like
Like the thousand piece puzzle we buy in the shops, the end picture is on the front of the box.
When the box is open, all we have is a thousand random pieces and an eye for detail
The Lateral Leader intuitively picks random pieces that fit
2. The Lateral leader knows the answer and right person is within their reach
Just like the puzzle, all the pieces are right in front of them and they don’t keep making excuses why the project can’t be finished
They seem to create new opportunities to speed the process up in the midst of what seems chaos
3. The lateral leader isn’t frustrated with all the gaps and they delight themselves with progress
Unlike many leaders who always see the problem and waste too much resources or have the wrong people look at the solution. Lateral leaders cut through the endless reports and conventional problem solving, giving themselves permission to lead where no-one else sees
4. Lateral leaders are often dismissed because their progress seems piecemeal
Lateral leaders approach problems from a completely different paradigm. They are often sidelined because they can’t explain how they will solve the problem until it is solved
It takes great courage to work with Lateral Leaders because convention over resolve takes priority. Too many people end up leaving puzzles incomplete out of frustration as the conjure up excuses. Lateral Leaders are results driven, not process driven.
If you find yourself procrastinating, leaving projects half complete or wasting endless resources or you’re not getting very far, perhaps it’s time to think differently.
If you are interested in a chat, message me on WhatsApp with the button to the right hand bottom corner of this page or email me direct on contact@tomsmilovitis.com and we can arrange to meet if you’re in Perth, Western Australia or zoom chat anywhere in the world.
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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
When we talk about thinking outside the box, we have to risk aspects of what we know to step into something new
3 reasons it’s difficult to think outside the box
1. We have to suspend not knowing the outcomes and that takes most people way out of their comfort zones
2. We have to risk our reputation if we fail miserably
3. We have to acknowledge that everything we think we know may be completely redundant if we discover a new way
The benefits of thinking outside the box outweigh all 3 reasons why many hesitate
1. Breaking free from our comfort zone is the gateway to growth
2. Failure is inevitable if we are to achieve a greater understanding of ourselves and our reputation becomes even more authentic
3. Letting go of everything we thought was sacred in light of a new knowing will be like shedding dead branches to reach the sky
Thinking outside the box may cause discomfort for a season but once we experience this new path, we never go back in the box
An ancient wisdom describes thinking outside the box this way “Don’t be conformed or shaped by the world around you be transformed by the renewing of your mind”
What’s stopping you from thinking outside the box?
If you are interested in a chat, message me on WhatsApp with the button to the right hand bottom corner of this page or email me direct on contact@tomsmilovitis.com and we can arrange to meet if you’re in Perth, Western Australia or zoom chat anywhere in the world.
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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 teens
I was supermarket storeman in my late teens and always connected well with the store manager that hired me
I did my job well and the manager assisted me whenever I had problems with intimidating truck drivers trying to break store policy rules
If the store manager had any concerns with my work, he approached me anytime and we worked it out together
A perfect open door policy, he was approachable and I was teachable
When a new store manager took over, the rules of engagement changed
The new store manager was much younger and highly ambitious, his name was Mr Cross. Like name, like character
1. He always walked around fast paced with a sense of urgency
2. He never stopped to have a chat
3. Everything was official, appointments were mandatory
4. He was impersonal and intimidating
He summons me to his office to reprimand me about the way I worked. He had other department heads sit with him while he tried to humiliate me about my work ethic.
Instantly I became defensive about my work ethic and completely disrespected him and the other managers for not coming to my defence.
This was my first experience of corporate bullying in the name of open door policy. Needless to say I didn’t last much longer in that job.
Thirty years later I got into a conversation about Mr Cross with a former colleague of his. Apparently this store manager rose to one of the top positions in the company doing exactly what he did to me all the way to the top.
Corporate Social Responsibility has to be more than a written policy that masquerades as transparency within large corporations
Leaders in high positions have no idea the effect they have by their lack of true open door policy or maybe they do.
It depends on what they are looking for, subordinates that don’t think or stewards that contribute
Mr Cross was just looking for subordinates to fulfil his ambition at the cost of good people
What about you, are you an open door policy leader?
If you are interested in a chat, message me on WhatsApp with the button to the right hand bottom corner of this page or email me direct on contact@tomsmilovitis.com and we can arrange to meet if you’re in Perth, Western Australia or zoom chat anywhere in the world.
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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, have a secret code, have an initiation
There is an obvious good, but the seductiveness of the gang starts to eat it self
The obvious good
It’s easy to induct, unify and propagate
Job applications, streamline entry level workers, basic requirements, repetitious processes
From the military, underworld criminals (not condoning, but they use the gang mentality to grow) , Union movements, political parties, McDonald’s, faith movements… it’s how we speed up growth
Create law and order that make people feel welcome and safe
The obvious bad
We don’t know when we are losing our identity
Everything becomes so predictable, our creativity fades
We begin the uncanny habit of lying for the sake of keeping the gang together
We start to fear that members are not up to par or we start to judge one another falsely
What’s the alternative?
Create a movement, an undeniable healthy eco system that attracts others that are stuck in gangs
I escaped three gangs, family, fellowship, firm
1. The Greek/Macedonian family
We talked, walked and looked the same and I reached a point where I had to move on and it came at a cost
I haven’t rejected my heritage, but I’m more than a Greek/ Macedonian
2. The fellowship
I was a part of a Pentecostal organisation for twenty one years that went from a movement to a gang. It served me well for many years until it started morphing. Like my Greek/ Macedonian upbringing, I had to move on
I haven’t rejected my faith since I moved on, my faith has been enhanced
3. The firm
I did ten years in a corporate setting in the commercial property sector
I found myself stuck in a corner where life was all about the deal at the cost of my identity
Equally, like the family and fellowship, I had to move on and rediscover what I’m passionate about
I haven’t rejected commerce, I’ve put reigns on it, it must serve me and not me it
Whatever you do in life, growing your network is more than growing the gang, because the gang will let you down or you will let the gang down
Be part of an eco system
Grow where you are currently planted until you outgrow it
Always be welcoming of new people and opportunities, just be mindful you only have so much to give
Thread strong relationships from all walks of life and don’t be defined by those stuck in a gang mindset
Your core beliefs will be your guide and others will seek you out according to their needs
It takes a courageous person to love all sorts and it starts by loving who you are inwardly, not how other people see you outwardly
Are you trapped in a gang mindset?
If you are interested in a chat, message me on WhatsApp with the button to the right hand bottom corner of this page or email me direct on contact@tomsmilovitis.com and we can arrange to meet if you’re in Perth, Western Australia or zoom chat anywhere in the world.
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TOM SMILOVITIS blogs are simple thoughts to encourage those looking to grow in their sphere of influence. PLEASE SHARE
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 to hide in the shadows and not be responsible for those around us
– It allows us to observe others without being observed ourselves
– It turns us into part of the problem not the solution
The world can do with one less critic
2. Hiding in the shadows stops us from growing as others around us stumble
It was Jesus who said to his disciples, who were just humble people, that they could impact their world if they would just shine
~ “Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.”
3. Our light must be strategically placed to benefit all
Our light isn’t a spot light used as an interrogation tool
Our light isn’t a stage light to make ourselves shine above everyone else
Our humble light could be as small as a candle strategically placed to help others not stumble
Whatever truth, hope and joy we have, it’s to benefit others if we allow it to shine
Let me ask you the question again, imagine being called the light of the world, what would you do?
Let me help you shine
If you are interested in a chat, message me on WhatsApp with the button to the right hand bottom corner of this page or email me direct on contact@tomsmilovitis.com and we can arrange to meet if you’re in Perth, Western Australia or zoom chat anywhere in the world.
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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 our past where life was incredibly amazing or tragic, either way they entrap us and we allow it to coin us
Perhaps we acted like a gangster as a teenager which is part of developing our identity.
Perhaps we were successful in business or terrible in relationships
We do ourselves a disservice if we don’t evolve from that place
2. Our past comes with misunderstandings
It’s not only our own insecurities that try to pigeon hole us… everyone we know subconsciously pigeon holes us
Our teachers, relatives, friends
People think they know you from a point in time and rarely give you the privilege of moving on
3. Between our own opinion of ourselves and the opinions of those around us, we spend too much energy trying to move forward
Many will try and move away from their past by moving location, or educating themselves, or moving in different circles
The challenge will always be escaping ourselves which is impossible
Moving forward is accepting that the past is part of our makeup, it’s not what we are today
What we can be today and tomorrow is open for the grabbing
The only person that can give you permission to move on is you
The happiest people I know defy the odds, keep others guessing, keep evolving
They play with their past and only bring out components that benefit the present to help them achieve their dreams
The past is no longer, the future is yet to be, we only have today
Is the past holding you back?
If you are interested in a chat, message me on WhatsApp with the button to the right hand bottom corner of this page or email me direct on contact@tomsmilovitis.com and we can arrange to meet if you’re in Perth, Western Australia or zoom chat anywhere in the world.
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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 created a strange phenomenon of the overseer up in the factory office overlooking the workforce on the factory floor
We see this similar phenomenon in the corporate world. Partners and Directors take up the corner offices overlooking the city skyline while the rest of the workforce resemble chickens in their cubicles
Leaders that replace themselves always outgrow the concept of overseeing the team, they are too busy leading the charge at a grassroots level
Unlike overseers and taskmasters, these replaceable leaders train others as they go.
What are some of the characteristics that replaceable leaders look for?
1. They look for trustworthy individuals over talent
2. They prefer to work with those who display appetite for adventure, willing to adapt and learn new skills
3. They look for the quickest opportunity to handover responsibility with minimal oversight the moment responsibility is given
4. They rely on transparency to keep everyone on task
5. They always add new people to the team and encourage team members to share and handover tasks as they train others
Replaceable Leaders are always creating opportunities for others to step into and encourage the team to do likewise
Two things happen as a result
1. The right people for the wild journey present themselves and prove themselves
2. Those who are seeking comfort and stability rather than an adventure drop off leaving room for a new team player to take their place
Replaceable Leaders always produce replaceable leaders as they create organic growth that has no limits
What type of leader do you want to be?
One of my favourite saying from an elderly entrepreneur in his nineties “There is no security only opportunity”… what he’s referring to is simple, in leadership, there is very little room for the faint hearted.
If you are interested in a chat, message me on WhatsApp with the button to the right hand bottom corner of this page or email me direct on contact@tomsmilovitis.com and we can arrange to meet if you’re in Perth, Western Australia or zoom chat anywhere in the world.
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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.
When we consider how far humans have come from hunter gatherer to agriculture and our ability to reproduce food or fruit, this approach doesn’t work when it comes to leadership.
In the modern times of mass education, schools that resemble farms, seeking to harvest future leaders, we still can’t crack the leadership code.
We are turning people into a commodity, an economical product rather than the imprint the creator intended
What are we harvesting to achieve in society
1. Get an education
2. Get a job
3. Find a life partner
4. Reproduce
5. Repeat the process
Nature does something similar with less rules, lines and controls, just like the Amazon Basin
1. A tree is birthed
2. It matures and provides shade, food and protection to all sorts of unrelated creatures
3. When it is fully matured, seed falls to the ground as well as carried by the winds to the four corners of the earth to birth new trees
True leadership is about helping individuals grow to the point of self sufficiency, reproduction and beyond
1. A self governing manager is born
2. Others benefit from them as they provide, food, shelter and protection to all sorts of people, often unrelated to them
3. They continue to produce fruit and ultimately let go of many within their sphere of influence to the four corners of the earth to become what they will become
Leadership is always about empowering others to reach their potential without controlling every decision for them
Parents have to do this
Bosses have to do this
Societies have to do this
If we are to return back to the way the creator intended us to be, unique in every way, to create beautiful cultures that have lasted for thousands of years. We must let go and let people be, especially the ones that we’ve invested in the most
If you are interested in a chat, message me on WhatsApp with the button to the right hand bottom corner of this page or email me direct on contact@tomsmilovitis.com and we can arrange to meet if you’re in Perth, Western Australia or zoom chat anywhere in the world.
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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 network effects’ ~ Wikipedia
How to create a critical mass for your business idea?
1. You have to believe 110% in what you are doing
An ancient Evangelist was noted for their Enthusiasm. Even the word Enthusiasm from its original meaning creates an interesting picture.
When someone was really enthusiastic, they were filled with God. They were filled with creativity, they saw things others didn’t see. They shared their beliefs and visions, wanting the whole world to have the same hope and joy they had.
It’s hard to promote something you don’t believe in 110%, because you will be tested.
If you are going to be a business evangelist, find something you are passionate about.
2. Getting the message to the masses to create a critical mass starts by creating small cell groups of evangelists, who equally belief in a new way of doing
It’s not enough just to sprout your product expecting everyone to buy into it
The evangelist would convincingly gather small groups and seek to influence them with their message. The intention of the evangelist was to teach individuals to see the world in a new light as they simultaneously create community
If your service or product is second to none, creating small communities won’t be difficult. Half the challenge is believing what we are doing and that cannot be manufactured. Most people see through a salesperson that’s not authentic.
A business evangelist isn’t a salesperson, they are passionate about creating a better world.
3. At the right moment the message starts to go viral and it’s backed up by the community of users
It’s hard to go viral when so few have bought into the product or service
It’s critical that the business evangelist builds rapport with the community in order to sustain growth
Steve Jobs was the ultimate Business Evangelist
The way he built his vision, team and following
When a new product was launched, it was done with religious fervour
– His team bought into it and they’d have small launches with Steve preaching and unveiling the new product
– The crowds bought into it often sleeping overnight to buy the new product
– He created works of art that were not peddled to the lowest price
– He created loyal customers that would defend Apple like they defend a faith
What are you passionate about, who believes in what you are doing and how are you reaching the world with you product or service?
If you are interested in a chat, message me on WhatsApp with the button to the right hand bottom corner of this page or email me direct on contact@tomsmilovitis.com and we can arrange to meet if you’re in Perth, Western Australia or zoom chat anywhere in the world.
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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 works. It’s not rocket science.
If we have a unique product or service and we are not consistent in delivering our message, we will not get the response and engagement we are looking for.
Not everyone needs a mechanic, panel beater, doctor, trainer, architect, lawyer, mentor…. today but when they do, are we on their radar?
Business and Brand Development is always about sending out that beam like a lighthouse.
1. Be faithful and ready
2. Always improve your product and service even if no one is buying
3. Be the best in your field and let the word go out from your referrals and any way possible of your passion to meet needs and solve problems
If you want to be the lead in your game, be consistent. Most drop out and leave the kings ransom to those that stayed at it.
If you lack motivation, clarity from time to time, that’s just part of the resilience game.
I’ve picked up clients in property and other services years after I’ve first initiated a connection.
I remember one response from one client “I’ve wanted to engage you years earlier but I was under obligation to a partner and now that the obligation is over, I’d like to engage your services” and the agency I worked for never lost that client.
Back yourself and stay in the game
If you are interested in a chat, message me on WhatsApp with the button to the right hand bottom corner of this page or email me direct on contact@tomsmilovitis.com and we can arrange to meet if you’re in Perth, Western Australia or zoom chat anywhere in the world.
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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 that renews us from great heartache and disappointment
Believe in unity, family, community and the list continues
Unbelief isn’t passive, it’s a deliberate choice to cut off the possibilities of something being experienced
1. Unbelief doesn’t just kill the possibilities, it starts to kill our soul
2. Unbelief chokes the law of attraction from penetrating our lives
3. Unbelief makes us the creator of all that is and is not, shrinking the world just to our limited experience
The cure to unbelief is simple, take away the obstruction
Take on life again with the innocence of a child with a simple twist, no matter how hard life has hit you
Jesus shared the most profound thought when it comes to believing again in a world filled with wolves, encouraging us to ‘Be as wise as serpents but as harmless as doves’
Let our experience navigate us in dangerous territories with the wisdom of a snake, let us be open to experience new things with the innocence and freedom of a dove
Unbelief kills the soul, belief resurrects it
If you are interested in a chat, message me on WhatsApp with the button to the right hand bottom corner of this page or email me direct on contact@tomsmilovitis.com and we can arrange to meet if you’re in Perth, Western Australia or zoom chat anywhere in the world.
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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 their stories with deep emotions. The women in the audience, approx one hundred ladies connected instantly with full expressions of laughter and tears.
This event wasn’t therapy, it was simply the difference between the way men and women communicate
Men are dying too early in life and they leave this world without connecting and communicating as they should
1. Men rarely open up just for the sake of opening up. Perhaps they see this as a waste of time or unnecessary conversation
2. Men avoid emotions until it’s too late. How many men didn’t see the divorce coming
3. Men somehow don’t give themselves permission to admit they just aren’t coping seasonly. Maybe men have been taught from a very early age to hold on to their emotions. Unhealthy men teaching their boys unhealthy practices
I’ve had the unfortunate experience of seeing men begin to open up very late in life if at all
1. Some of these men are exhausted from all the coverup and lies of masculinity
2. Some men aren’t connecting their ill health to their closed heart
3. Some men just prefer to stay hard and die early
Tears, like laughter, anger, joy and every other human emotion have their place in keeping us healthy
To simply block a vital emotion out and replace with bitterness and resentment because it’s all too much doesn’t help
I’ve had the privilege of seeing some of the toughest men you could meet, shed tears as they release the ugly toxins of disappointment and self loathing
Men having an ability to talk heart to heart with their partner or another man can save them great heartache when it matters most. It may even save their life
It’s not too late to unlock the full expression of being human, tears and all. Strong bonds are built by threading our lives together, being completely human.
There’s an ancient expression ‘Those that sow in tears will reap in joy’. As men, we give permission for other men to bond with their loved ones and with their own inadequacies by simply crying from time to time.
If you are interested in a chat, message me on WhatsApp with the button to the right hand bottom corner of this page or email me direct on contact@tomsmilovitis.com and we can arrange to meet if you’re in Perth, Western Australia or zoom chat anywhere in the world.
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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 involved, they need to see something worth contributing to
In many ways, when we create a big enough vision, people will help us because it helps their own sense of purpose
2. Leaders articulate different opportunities that need a solution
When we ask for help, don’t be vague
Be clear about the problem
Be open to all sorts of solutions
Don’t be condescending when people don’t agree with you
Continue to reevaluate, continue to restate the problem, continue to ask for help
3. Leaders recognise that the problem is always an opportunity to build teams
Leaders are as focused on building people as they are on resolving problems
Once leaders have the right team, they go out and look for bigger problems
Asking for help isn’t a weakness, it’s a calling card to draw those that want to make a difference collectively
If you are interested in a chat, message me on WhatsApp with the button to the right hand bottom corner of this page or email me direct on contact@tomsmilovitis.com and we can arrange to meet if you’re in Perth, Western Australia or zoom chat anywhere in the world.
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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 or temple, social club… world wide
They are also the average figures of attendance to funerals
Many years ago before the digital highway even existed, I heard a sermon that we will impact up to 200 people in our lifetime. Funeral homes know this and rarely will you ever see a funeral with more than 200 in attendance.
With all the technology, travel capability and the so called freedoms we have through the digital highways, we still have small tribes of less than 200
For those that truly believe they have broken this tribal rule, these individuals are simply living in virtual fantasy land.
I tested this rule some years ago by deleting myself completely of the digital plain for two years. When I went back on the digital highway, I tried to find a new digital tribe, picked new potential connections and found myself connected back to my people who speak my language.
Human beings can’t help themselves, we are tribal by nature and that’s ok
Diversity of colour, culture and language is what creates a beautiful world.
I believe LOVE can be the unifying force between many tribes rather than trying to create one massive group think and we call it, humanity. (This is nothing more than homogeneous brainwashing)
Next time someone thinks they are a demigod just because they have more than 200 connections on social media. Or maybe they lead a club, faith group or political party that exceeds that 200 average figure. We will all fade into dust and hopefully some people will remember how we made them feel while we were alive. Most will forget us altogether and only a handful will carry our legacy.
Enjoy your tribe, every single one of them, here and now, be it your faith group, club, extended family.
If you are interested in a chat, message me on WhatsApp with the button to the right hand bottom corner of this page or email me direct on contact@tomsmilovitis.com and we can arrange to meet if you’re in Perth, Western Australia or zoom chat anywhere in the world.
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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 suspicious whisper that we entertain in our heart before we spread the unfounded rumour
2. Jealousy is inflamed by our lack inner peace
3. Jealousy begins to justify every action we take as it eats us up from the inside
Nothing good comes from jealousy, like the Green Eyed Monster as described by Shakespeare, it haunts us as it hurts innocent people
Some have the ability to be Professionally Jealous (We hide our insecurities most of the time) but jealousy always has to have an outlet. Unfortunately when the Monster is out, good people are victimised.
Dealing with green eyed monster starts with personal development and restraints
1. Stop being suspicious of every word and action of others, we are not the centre of the universe
2. Be content to lose everything but our sense of self, when we hold on too tight to people, we will lose them anyway
3. There is no fulfilment getting our way all the time, jealousy has no room in community, friendships, family
This monster is at its worst in the workspace, whispering around the water cooler, who’s worthy and who’s not.
All humans ought to be aloud to discover for themselves who they are without the curse of another persons will being imposed on them
If you are interested in a chat, message me on WhatsApp with the button to the right hand bottom corner of this page or email me direct on contact@tomsmilovitis.com and we can arrange to meet if you’re in Perth, Western Australia or zoom chat anywhere in the world.
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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 and more importantly our ability wether we can influence wholesome change
By practicing speaking life into existence to the best of our ability, expect to be challenged
2. Converting rhetoric to wholesome change
Just because someone shouts from the rooftop how to bring life into the world, doesn’t mean they produce life around them locally
In order to create life around us, our words must be tested by fire which burns off all the rhetoric
No one likes to be preached at but they have very little issues when sincere dialogue is expressed
It may start with rhetoric but it must end in heart to heart otherwise our words will fall to the ground
3. Self reflection is at the heart of choosing wisely how we speak
When we recognise the power of the tongue, only those with the humility to bridle their mouth will speak hope, healing, opportunity, restoration in every situation
If the objective is to win an argument at the cost of killing a relationship, we are still yet to understand the hope we carry through our words
Allowing room for another conversation to gain clarity is always at the heart of breathing life into a situation
Practice speaking what you want into existence and life will afford us the opportunity to live up to our own words first before we influence others
Are you speaking life or death?
If you are interested in a chat, message me on WhatsApp with the button to the right hand bottom corner of this page or email me direct on contact@tomsmilovitis.com and we can arrange to meet if you’re in Perth, Western Australia or zoom chat anywhere in the world.
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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 no body is an underdog’s advantage
You get to practice new strategies and disciplines not yet adopted in the market place and you surprise the world when your day comes
– a new type of dance, technology, food, service, music, fitness, art…
– you don’t have to follow conventional rules because no one cares about you
– you don’t appear to be a threat
In the ancient classic story of David and Goliath, David was the obvious underdog and that was his advantage
2. The underdog is dismissed as a non threat
– IBM wouldn’t have been threatened by Bill Gates playing around with computer parts in the garage
– Bill Gates wouldn’t have been threatens by Steve Jobs when he played around with calligraphy with the desire to turn computers into art forms
As Goliath mocked David that only had a stone and sling, Goliath approaches the battle unprepared for a different type of fight
3. The underdog is all heart
A true underdog fights with everything they’ve got, it’s all or nothing at that crucial moment
In 1976, the movie ROCKY stormed the cinemas with the theme David and Goliath. The Rocky films entertained us repeatedly with the theme of the underdogs which we all relate to.
– Underdogs see the odds yet remain loyal to the course
– Underdogs take an extra beating to make up for their lack of skill in some areas
– Underdogs inspire others to wake up their own dreams and aspirations
If you are interested in a chat, message me on WhatsApp with the button to the right hand bottom corner of this page or email me direct on contact@tomsmilovitis.com and we can arrange to meet if you’re in Perth, Western Australia or zoom chat anywhere in the world.
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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 some sort of luck, we just package it differently.
How do we attract luck, favour or blessing?
1. Play the cards that life deals us
Learn to develop a poker face rather than waiting forever for the perfect hand
Many win life’s game through sheer grit as others fold even when they have the better hand
2. Be courageous, Fortune favours the bold (a Latin proverb)
Courage invokes luck, favour, blessing
Wether it’s entertaining something beyond our current capacity or going into a different field of opportunity, courage is often the door opener.
It seems courageous people often share the luckiest, most favourable and blessed stories
3. Think that you can and tap into the law of faith
Faith believes things that don’t exist as though they already do
Unlike gamblers, unnecessary risk takers and the greedy who manipulate and play with fate, faith unlocks laws of the creator to experience true luck, favour and blessing
It was an ancient wise king who said “The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, but time and chance can happen to us all”
King Solomon invites us to be open to laws beyond the human eye, laws of faith that enhance the human experience
The luckiest person in the world is the one at peace with their soul and humanity. To work in fields that give us pleasure and enjoy our community with harmony.
If you are interested in a chat, message me on WhatsApp with the button to the right hand bottom corner of this page or email me direct on contact@tomsmilovitis.com and we can arrange to meet if you’re in Perth, Western Australia or zoom chat anywhere in the world.
Who knows what light could come from a chat?