Archive for July, 2008

The right time?

Wednesday, July 30th, 2008

Recently asked at a seminar the following popular question: “when is the right time to pursue your entrepreneurial dreams?”

“Right now” is my normal response.

But more specifically the time is right……

when you are excited; when you have an abundance of energy and enthusiasm for the venture; when your intuition is screaming for action on your dreams; when you are focused on the challenge ahead; when you acknowledge that everybody can be your teacher - all of these state of minds will bring you through any recession and out the other side.

Enjoy the trip!

Mandela’s Eight Lessons of Leadership

Tuesday, July 22nd, 2008
Honouring his 80th Birthday, Richard Stengel highlights eight leadership lessons from Mandela’s life in Time magazine.
Most definately food for thought from truly a great “motivational speaker.”
1. Courage is not the abscence of fear – it’s inspiring others to move beyond it.
2. Lead from the front – but don’t leave your base behind.
3. Lead from the back – and let others believe they are in front.
4. Know your enemy – and learn about his favourite sport.
5. Keep your friends close – and your rivals even closer.
6. Appearances matter – and remember to smile.
7. Nothing is black or white.
8. Quitting is leading too.
Interestingly enough the lesson that resonated with me the most was probably the least newsworthy – Number 6.
“The smile was the message.” Cyril Ramaphosa ex secretary general of the ANC.
Mandela’s smile was one of inspiration and resilience to Black South Africans, and one of openess and showed a lack of bitterness to white South Africans.
Whats in your smile?

Tame the mind!

Monday, July 14th, 2008

Milton claimed that your mind can make a hell out of heaven and a heaven out of hell.

Ingrid Betancourt found out just this when she was released from captivity in the last few weeks.

While travelling to freedom in her rescue helicopter her brain kept telling her, “Freedom is not for you. Happiness is not for you. The helicopter will crash. Of course it will crash.”

According to the Sunday Times Betancourt asked her rescuers how long would it be before they would land.

“Three minutes,” she was told. Betancourt describes those three minutes as the longest minutes of her life.

Now imagine if your brain is telling you you are not good enough to get that promotion, take that jump into starting your own business, face your fears? What is the likely outcome?

So what can you do about it?

Take heed of Stanfords Business Advisory’s school advice and take the trip towards self awareness and you will start to see life as it truly is – one of potential.

Motivational Thought?

Tuesday, July 1st, 2008

Imagine if “you” could turn up to work every day?