potential

“I wish it need not have happened in my time,” said Frodo. ”So do I,” said Gandalf, “and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”  (J.R.R TOLKIEN) Deciding what…

Many people don’t ever reach their personal or professional dreams because they limit themselves – e.g. a limiting thought like “it’s not what you know, but who you know” possibly holds you back from placing yourself in a position where you intentionally look and apply for new opportunities. Limiting thoughts produce doubt and doubt retards…

“I believe that every right implies a responsibility, every opportunity, an obligation, every possession, a duty” (Nelson Rockefeller) I am sure that you have heard the words ‘that’s not my responsibility’ from people on countless occasions. Other forms of the same expression include “that is not my role”, “that’s not in my employment contract” or…

“Balance is not something you can find; it’s something you create” (ANON) For many, the December holidays and approach to the New Year is not only a time of relaxation and family fun, but also a time of reflection: How did my year go? Was there anything that I could have done differently? Could I…

“Learning always involves self-transcendence. Learning calls forth what is in us, helping us to move toward authenticity and wholeness” (Karl Rahner) One of the most profound battles of life is becoming your best self – living up to your full potential and contributing meaningfully to society. Because development is recognised as a tough journey, millions…

“Don’t wait for the right opportunity. Create it” (George Bernard Shaw) Perspective (the way we see things) can be described as representing the light that passes from a scene through an imaginary rectangle to the viewer’s eye, as if a viewer were looking through a window and painting what is seen directly onto the windowpane….

“The greatest good you can do for another is not just to share your riches, but to reveal to him his own” (Benjamin Disraeli)  When we treat people with respect, we help them gain confidence and reveal inner potential that otherwise might go untapped. Few things help an individual more than to place responsibility upon him or…

“The future belongs to people who see possibilities before they become obvious” (Ted Levitt) Curiosity is a leadership trait that can transform a business to achieve extraordinary results. While some leaders seem to think that when they have found a solution to a particular problem they can stop looking for new ideas, great leaders carry…

The fear of failure is enough to stop many people in their tracks and cause them to give up without even making any further attempts. Is it possible, however, that failure could be just the “force” that one needs to propel one to a place of fresh thinking, new levels of creativity and renewed energy…

“In vain you have acquired knowledge if you have not imparted to others” (Deuteronomy Rabbah) My friend and former colleague, Gerrit Cloete (owner of Productivity Pitstop), spent a week at the family’s seaside vacation home to catch up with family and friends. Upon his return, he related one of his experiences with me:  “I went…