Super Powers
I went in for a nose job and came out learning about the power of determination
Yes. I’ve had a nose job – purely for medicinal reasons – to better manage my sleep apnea.
So into hospital I went with a book tucked under my arm that I bought only the day before in a second hand bookshop. It was “Still Me” by Christopher Reeve. Probably not the best choice of book to read in a hospital – even one of the nurses said that she could never read it.
On the way to my allotted ward we walked passed an open garden area in the centre of the hospital and out there was a lady, in a dressing gown, holding a tiny umbrella – in the pouring rain – puffing on a cigarette. At first I thought she was mad, in hospital, to I guess, get better and there she is seemingly desperate for a smoke, perhaps risking pneumonia. I felt horrible for judging her and then on reflection I thought what tremendous willpower she had, being out there, braving the elements doing exactly what she wanted to do. If we all could harness that fierce determination, could nothing stop us?
The nurse settled me in to await my turn to be taken into the operating room, so I started reading. As I am sure most of you know, Christopher Reeve played Superman in four movies and some years later he had a devastating fall from a horse, paralyzing him from the neck down.
For many months after the accident he played the blame game and felt that he had nothing more to contribute. But with some outstanding medical professionals, a loving partner, the need to be something for his children and a true fighting spirit he reinvented himself.
The going was surely tough – he had to learn to speak and eat. He had to exercise and have countless operations, but he persisted and over the next few years he took on some exciting and inspiring challenges. He lobbied for awareness and funding for medical research, testified before Congress, made his directorial debut, starred in a movie and wrote two books.
Christopher Reeve was adored by many through his portrayal of Superman but many will best remember him for his courage and determination to fight on and also the way he helped, encouraged and inspired many people since his accident. I have wondered at times if his role as Superman, in some indirect way, made him more determined to succeed and overcome the mammoth obstacles he had to face, in real life!
Keeping in the theme of superhuman effort, I remembered a story, years ago, of a mother lifting up a car to save her son, so when I got home Googled it and this is what I found:
- In 1982 Tony Cavallo was repairing his car from underneath when it fell off its jacks. Tony’s mother lifted the car high enough and long enough for two neighbours to replace the jacks and pull Tony from beneath the car.
- In 2006 Tim Boyle watched as Kyle Holtrust was hit by a car. The car pinned Kyle underneath. Tim lifted the car off Kyle while the driver pulled him out to safety.
- In 2009, Nick Harris lifted a car to help a 6 year old girl pinned beneath.
- In 2011, a tow truck driver who was working under a car was pinned under the rear tyre after the car fell forward. Danous Estenor lifted the 1,600 kg car off the man.
It just goes to show what extraordinary, superhuman things the human mind can do when the time demands it.
“What the mind can conceive and believe, the mind can achieve” – Napoleon Hill
What extraordinary strengths do you have? Are you using them to your absolute fullest advantage?
Until next time
Alan
Oooh dear! No canoeing here.
We’ll Chris and I had a short trip to Canberra, principally to visit the Handwriting Exhibition at the National Library. It was interesting to see some of the original works of some very famous people. Surprise, surprise – some of them had handwriting as bad as mine!
We decided to head back to Melbourne via the coast. Always willing to do something different I thought I would go paddling in one of the countless lakes or rivers. Just to spend a few lazy hours conversing with nature and get a work out at the same time. I also thought it would be a nice change to be above the water, than in it.
NO SUCH LUCK. I went through countless towns and nowhere could I find a canoe or kayak for hire.
I was bitterly disappointed and a little grumpy to boot. Now I am back home I’m sure I can find someone with a paddle craft that I can try out on our Yarra River. Bugger! I left it a bit late to try out for the London Olympics.
However the trip home wasn’t a complete waste. I reflected on the book I had just finished reading “The Way of the Shark” by Greg Norman
Love him or hate him, this guy is someone to admire.
How he ever found time to sleep gets me. Not only was he a superb golfer (a lot of the time), he also expanded into many golf related businesses – course design, turf, clothing, event management, tournaments and academies – perhaps a natural progression, one may think.
But then he has also developed other equally successful enterprises – well outside his golfing forte – wine, beef, restaurants and property development.
Here’s what Greg taught me:
- The enormous impact that our thoughts and feelings have on our mood, our actions and outcomes for ourselves and to others.
- That life is not about successes and failures per se, but how we handle them, learn from them and remember them
- The importance of strength of character – integrity, perseverance, courage and commitment
- The necessity to learn all we can about anything that we are about to undertake
- On taking action. Grasping a goal or dream and implementing whatever is required to achieve it.
Thanks Greg.
Until next time
Alan
Are we the role model that we should be?
Have you ever been in the position where you have experienced two types of parents – one loving and supportive and the other cruel and demoralizing?
Perhaps you admired the parent who sat down with their child whilst getting changed, perhaps after a football game or swimming lesson. They were supportive of their child’s achievement whether it was good or bad. They helped them get changed. Explained why they couldn’t have an ice-cream or go to the circus this week or discussed their plans for the day or week ahead.
And perhaps you remember a parent who was impatient, angry, hurtful and selfish. Offering no encouragement at all on their child’s performance. Instead, yelling at them to “stop whinging and hurry up” or ignoring little Johnny’s or Jenny’s frustrations on getting their clothes on. Saying “NO” to anything and everything their child asked of them or simply ignoring them.
Does this sound familiar at all? Perhaps you, like I, can relate to being both parents at some times in our lives. We can be under pressure, rushed, be of low self esteem, have our mind on a thousand other things, or being just plain thoughtless. Whatever the reason they are all excuses. Excuses for not doing what we should really be doing. Being loving, caring, thoughtful or empathetic to those around us.
We are all role models to people in our lives. We could be a parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, friend, employer, cleaner, doctor, councilor, waiter, politician, manager, celebrity, taxi driver, sports star – or perhaps two, three, four or five of these.
Those little actions, gestures, words or feelings we do every day are watched by others, whether you are doing them consciously or not. And if a person looks up to you, believes in you, wants to be just like you. Then they look at you very closely. Their mind may not evaluate whether it is a good or bad habit they are experiencing. Their belief and trust is in you – and they may emulate your very actions – good or bad
We can also be deceiving ourselves and other at times when our actions or words imply “Do as I say don’t do as I do” – saying one thing and doing the exact opposite. That’s what impelled me to give up smoking in my twenties – we had two young children and I thought how can I say to them “don’t drink, smoke or take drugs” if whilst saying that I was puffing away on a cigarette. For my efforts I had a one in four success rate – hopefully one day three of my children will see the light and give up the smokes!
Each of us has the responsibility to be supportive, encouraging and inspiring to the people who need or look up to us. We need to be honest, empathetic and be prepared to set as good an example as we can. Look back at the people in your life that have given you the breaks, mentored you, guided you, stood by you. Are you now just as worthy as them?
Look around you, there are people who may be young or old, helpless or aspiring, challenged or resourceful. They may really need just a little guidance or encouragement – do yourself proud.
Until next time
Alan
They say there is enormous joy in giving
There is no better way to lift your heart than to give of yourself with no expectation of reward or favour.
We should all lend a helping hand to someone from time to time. It could be a simple task, food, shelter, a small gift or even time to listen to someone’s troubles.
How about we all make a more concerted effort to give a little more.
And now that is it Christmas, there is one very special person you should give something to.
YOU.
Try and find a couple of hours over the next week where you can have “me” time.
Do your most favourite thing or something you have been wanting to do for years but never made the time. Make time. Do something for you.
So this Christmas give of yourself to yourself
and in 2012 give of others. Lift their spirit and watch it lift your heart
Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy, Safe and Rewarding New Year
Alan
“I cried because I had no shoes, until I met a man who had no feet”
Author Unknown.
Are You Up to the Challenge?
The joys and rewards of challenging oneself can be immense. So off I was again in search of something to strive for.
Thanks to my Dad I learnt the ability to keep going and going so I thought an ideal and unique challenge for me would be – a marathon event! Swimming was my obvious option. I had been at it for two years now.
As Google is an amazing tool, I scoured the net for something suitable. I decided 5 kilometres (3.1 miles) was a good challenge and found an event at the Hazelwood Cooling Ponds in Eastern Victoria – with the water at 230C – it sounded inviting. Better still it was the Victorian Open Water Swimming Championships/Hazelwood Sauna Swim, with no qualifying times required and an impressively named event how could an old hack like me refuse the challenge.
For the past year I had been swimming 2.5km twice a week, so I gradually stepped up the training. To better my swimming stroke I took a few lessons as well. It was all helping. In time my swimming distances were steadily improving – 3.5k – 4.0k and then 4.5k the week before the grand event.
The big day arrives. The age group for the swim was from 14 years of age and upwards (Can you believe it? 14!!).There I was – the really old dude with the well rounded stomach.
We were off. My biggest problem has always been keeping to the course. I am so intent on just keeping my arms and legs going and making sure not to cop a mouthful of water that I regularly swim off course – being short sighted doesn’t help either.
I zigged and zagged my way through the first lap, being passed by every man, woman and child. I was happily settling in to the second (and last) lap, when an official in a boat yells out to me that I will be disqualified (I wouldn’t finish within the time limit). He accepts my pleas and determination to finish the swim.
It was only with the guidance of a paddle boarder who stayed by my side that I managed to stay on course – in reality he was there to pluck me out if I happened to drown.
With about 400 metres to go I was doing it tough. Really tough. I was getting tired. My heart and soul said “It’s what I trained for” but my body said “No. No. No”.
I thought of the officials out there on the water – they had stuck by me – I couldn’t let them down as well and I knew the finish line had to be there – somewhere. I pushed on – one stroke at a time.
The results the next day showed that the best swimmer completed the course in an impressive 59 minutes, the second last competitor in a mere 1 hour 53 minutes and yours truly hit the finish line at 2 hours, 57 minutes, 57 seconds – Last by a long shot and over time by nearly 30 minutes. What got me through? My most pressing thought those last 15 minutes was – “there was only one way I was getting out of the water – over the finish line”.
To train for and swim the distance required a lot of focus, determination and time. The lessons I learnt were amazing – And now, these same lessons I am implementing into my staff’s and mine daily business routine. We now religiously put aside an hour a day to work on our most important projects. No phone calls, no distractions – just sheer focus and diligence.
Are YOU up to the challenge? Can you put aside a mere hour a day, each and every day, to be focused and become super productive? Try it you will be amazed at what you can accomplish. If you do, I look forward to meeting you on the path to success.
See you there soon.
Alan
Ever given up too soon?
We can all be guilty of it from time to time. We try something for the first time and give up too soon because we think we are no good at it or it just seems too hard. The sad thing is that we often write the experience off as a bad mistake and never try it again.
Perhaps some things need a little bit more effort, a bit more time or we need some extra information. So before we next cast something aside we should ask ourselves “Was the timing right?” “Was I in the right headspace?” Did I put in a decent effort?” “Should have I asked for some help or advice?” Perhaps we should try it one more time.
Let me give you an example. Last year I read John Bertrand’s book “Born to Win” lt was a good read. Very inspiring. I got to see first hand what long held aspirations, sheer determination, hard work, personal sacrifice and an extreme focus can get you.
John was the driving force behind the team of Australia II. A team that had laser like focus, that was hugely motivated and had a fierce determination to win. To win the long sought after America’s Cup. A dream that countless seasoned and resolute sailing crews, had over the preceding 132 years – to wrestle an ancient relic from those American stalwarts, who just refused to give it up.
Throughout “Born to Win” John often mentioned the story of Jonathon Livingstone Seagull. A story that, at times, inspired John to dig in deep and just keep trying, too fly higher and (sail) faster than everyone else.
I learnt a long time ago that to save years off your life that it’s wise to learn from other successful people – learn from their mistakes and their successes. So I decided to learn and hunt down the book and read it for myself. I read it but I didn’t get it. I thought what’s the big deal? What did I miss? Disheartened, I put it aside and thought no more of it.
Until someone mentioned the story to me again. This person raved about it too. So I decided to read it again. This time I took off the blinkers and opened my mind. This time I understood it. I discovered the inspiration. I learnt the lessons.
I mentioned, to another friend, that I had just read the book. She knew the story well and even had the DVD, which she loaned me (thanks Kate). There were slight variations to the book which gave me an even better insight into the story. So now, I too, am flying high, inspired to achieve as much as I possibly can.
So what was difference between the first time I read the book and the second? Certainly the story didn’t change – it was what it was. The change was in me. Perhaps I just wasn’t in the right headspace the first time or perhaps I was trying to find the wrong moral or teachings within the story. Well I guess persistence finally paid off.
So what was the biggest thing I learnt? Next time something seems underrated, doesn’t work and I think I can’t do it. Try once more. And next time YOU think you suck at something – try it once more – and perhaps you too will soar like an eagle seagull.
Until next time
Alan
Is it TIME to Get Serious?
Half the year is gone and we must ask ourselves are we still on track for what we were hoping to achieve this year.
It’s easy to be good of full intentions but life has got a habit of getting in the way. I know some of my daily habits are now not so daily. I’m exercising less, eating more and give up my “me time” to other things. It’s easy to make little excuses but in no time other seemingly important priorities take over.
It’s time for me to take stock of my life again. No one else will. It’s up to me to sit down again and try to nut out a new plan to refocus and remotivate
How about you? Is it time for you to take stock too?
Talking of planning I have helped a few people of late in trying to have a better, more productive working day.
The very first step is to plan your day. And ideally the best time to do that is the afternoon or night before. That way you can start your day off fresh and fully prepared.
But if you want to really get serious – Let’s shatter the time barrier
Here are Twenty Terrific Time Management Tips
1/ Have a daily “To Do List” and list all tasks in order of priority
2/ Do your number one priority task first up each day
3/ Consistently ask yourself “What is the best use of my time at this moment”
4/ Handle each piece of paper once –Action it, Postpone it, Delegete it, File it or Bin it
5/ Close your door for an hour or two a day
6/ Put time limits on your tasks and stick to them
7/ Set aside the time you work best for your most important projects
8/ Complete your second most important task before lunch
9/ Redefine your priorities several times throughout the day. Make sure you stay on task – the right task
10/ Make your planned phone calls in blocks throughout the day. Don’t let the phone run (or ruin) your day
11/ Don’t procrastinate – start it NOW
12/ Learn to say NO
13/ Don’t let emails eat into your time or ruin your focus. Turn off your email alert or even close down the program. Read your emails at set times of the day.
14/ Ask yourself on the way to work “What is the most important thing I can accomplish today?” And make sure you do it
15/ Learn to focus on only one problem at a time
16/ Take the time to think through a task and plan the how before you start it
17/ Don’t duck the difficult problems
18/ If someone is busy or out when you phone them – don’t leave a message. Instead call back when it is more convenient for you
19/ Wherever possible for quick fixes send an email instead of making a phone call
20/ When planning the tasks of the next day only allocate enough to cover 80% of your time to allow for the unexpected which is always bound to crop up
If you master just a few of these you will become so much more productive each and every day
Give them a try – what have you got to lose? Just time I guess!
Until next TIME
Alan
Are You Enjoying the Journey?
The more I read, the more I look back, the more I dwell on life, I come back to one conclusion. Enjoy the journey of life. So many of us say to ourselves “When I have that …., do that …., get that ….., win that ….. then, I will be happy”
“The when I” strategy is seriously flawed. The problem is that when we think of “When I” we are missing out on life. We are putting our happiness on hold – and for some people that turns into forever – because their lives are tragically cut short.
Also what usually happens, by the time we get those things that we wanted, we have already added other things on our “when I” list and our happiness is again positioned somewhere in the distant future.
We should be enjoying life – at the moment. We should be making the most of every day – every day. Sure, it is good to think about the future and to plan and to dream and be responsible, but we must keep some of today working on today.
Often it’s the simplest things, that we let slip by, that give us the most joy. Reading the kids a bedtime story or watching them in a sporting game or at a school play. Perhaps it’s taking your mum out to lunch or your partner out for a coffee or a movie or being totally selfish and doing something that you enjoy.
How many times have you missed out on these pleasure moments? Thinking “Oh I‘ll do that next week.” Think hard – how many times have other seemingly more important things got in the way of you enjoying your life? Don’t look back in your older years with regrets. Do what you want – today. Don’t be a “gunna” (“I’m going to do that”), do it now and instead become a “dunnit” – TODAY.
When undertaking a task, any task, try and regularly ask yourself:
“Is this what I would be doing, if today was the last day of my life?”
So between now and next time – enjoy the day – enjoy the journey
Alan
P.S. And when all else fails …. what of the things you hate to do? You have a number of choices – don’t do it, change it, delegate it or pay someone else to do it. But in the meantime, if you are still stuck with doing it, then change your mindset and put on a happy face. Make it fun, do it better than anyone else, set yourself a time limit to get it over and done with or just learn to enjoy it and make the most of it until such time you are in a position to pass the baton on to someone else.
“Yes, thank you granddad”
Chris and I were lucky enough to babysit our nearly three year old grandson over Easter.
Thank you Caleb, you made me so very aware of something. The lack of manners in our society today.
Caleb is a credit to his doting parents. All weekend he was full of pleases and thank yous. In short – he had manners.
I am sure most of us were bought up much the same way – but what happened? Perhaps it’s the busyness and speed of life nowadays. Or perhaps we just don’t think. How many of us, now in our teens or adult life, left our manners back in our childhood?
Poor manners are all around us. Every day.
Discourteous drivers – Failing to let someone into a lane, pushing their way past a parked car, not giving way to pedestrians. And those you fail to gesture a thanks to the courteous drivers who do do the right thing. I won’t even touch on those nasty road ragers.
Shopkeepers – have you ever gone into a shop with the only words from the other side of the counter being”$3.50” —– No “please”. No “thank you”. Not even a “Hi!” And if you’re a shopper – a “Thanks” or “Have a great day” to the cashier wouldn’t kill you.
Still on the shopping theme – what about going down the supermarket aisle confronted by thoughtless people who leave their trolleys blocking the aisles?
What about keeping doors open for those behind us – you don’t have to be a Gentleman – just thoughtful and courteous
And being unseen on either end of the phone doesn’t excuse you. There’s no need to be short, grumpy or downright rude.
How about, starting now, we all try to be that bit more thoughtful, appreciative and considerate for and to all those around us -whether we know them or not.
I’ll start now – Thank you Caleb – for teaching me and thank you to his parents for making me proud.
“Do unto others as you would have others do unto you”
The Bible – Matthew 7:12
Random Acts of Kindness
Liz is a “Lollipop Lad” at a local school crossing, where, everyday, she helps all the little kiddies safely cross the road. Little did she know how much of an impact that her part time career would have on so many people.
What’s so special about Liz? She waves and people wave back
How did it all start? A couple of weeks into the job and a van load of kids passed through her crossing, frantically waving at Liz, she in kind automatically returned the gesture, everyone one was happily waving until the van was out of sight. Over the ensuing days Liz waved to the odd car, who in turn waved back. In no time a trend was well entrenched and now hundreds of car each day would pass through Liz’s crossing with smiling and waving drivers and passengers alike.
Kids, young folk, old people, tradies, truckies, cyclists, anybody and everybody were delighted to get their daily fix of happiness by giving and receiving. How better than to start or finish anyone’s day than with a smile and a wave and a good feeling to boot.
Liz gets a big buzz when the odd person stops to yell out “Thanks – you’ve made my day”.
Through this simple act of kindness Liz has put so much joy into so many people’s often drab days, where life can be a bitch, suffering thankless hours cooking or cleaning or working hard for a boss who doesn’t seem to appreciate them. How one simple flick of the wrist can change someone’s outlook on their day – It’s pure magic.
So next when you may be feeling down in the dumps and the whole world is against you smile or nod to the next person you see on the street, or on the bus or train or simply open the door for someone – make their day – and you will automatically make your own far better at the same time and for such little effort.
Another cool thing to do is when you see someone with a name badge on – it could be the check-out chick, a bank teller, a concierge or bus driver – anyone at all. Just say “Thanks John” or “Thanks Mary” and watch their face – more often than not you’ll see a little sparkle in their eye or perhaps a blush. You have just honoured them with human kindness and perhaps made their day.
So make a promise to yourself to actively think of partaking in your own random acts of kindness on a regular basis. Those small and seemingly insignificant deeds can uplift another person’s soul in an instant. And the added bonus to you will be that warm and fuzzy feeling inside of you. Change your ways today and change a life.
“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world” – Anne Frank
“Whenever you do a thing, though it can never be known but to yourself, ask yourself how you would act were all the world looking at you, and act accordingly” – Thomas Jefferson
Until next time
Alan