Do What Makes You Happy - FNB, LENASIA. The Dreams Do Come True(DDCT) Tour, Part 54

   One is back to giving  the DDCT motivational talks after almost two years of being away. I last gave a talk in 2014(November 21st). I stopped giving these presentations because it was becoming increasingly difficult to get speaking engagements, notwithstanding the fact that these talks were for free.
   This struggle to get gigs made me decide to take some time out and think about things. Were the talks what one really wanted to do in life if  the opportunity to give them is hard to come by? And if I don't do the talks( and the attendant selling of my FEELING GOOD book) how am I going to earn a living then?
   In the midst of this mulling over, we as a family experienced a loss that shook us up badly. My sister - Teboho - passed away unexpectedly after a sudden illness. Sudden in the sense that the previous day she was fine - happy and seemingly healthy. The next day - after being admitted to the hospital overnight - she was gone. 
   After this loss there was no longer any need for me to think things over. I had just been rudely reminded of how little time we may have here on earth. Because truly speaking, we do not know when the Lord will decide that our time is up. It is therefore paramount, I concluded, that we do what we are passionate about in life.
   To this end it then dawned on me that what I really love doing - other than writing and reading - is presenting the DDCT talks. The whole idea of playing a part in motivating people to go for their dreams, I find quite fulfilling.
   That is why I am back. And in this second attempt to make the DDCT talks( and the selling of my FEELING GOOD book) work, I am prepared to give it everything I have got. More so because now there is no Plan B. This is what I want to do in life, I have told myself. So this attempt must( and will) succeed. Watch this space. 

          SOME THANK YOU'S

Mr Justin Moodley( branch Manager) : For the permission.
FNB Lenasia staff: For allowing me into your space.
Ausi Warona: For a heartwarming 'thank you' to yours truly after the talk.

ABSA, Oakdene(The Glen mall). The DDCT Tour, Part 51 - Do not Forget to Make it Enjoyable

   Those who know say your audience, deep down, wish you to do well as a speaker.

Meet them half-way by making your motivational talk fun as well. Make it entertaining.

   The Absa staff at this branch reminded me, in a spectacular way, how much fun a talk can be. Right from the beginning, the reception I received here was overwhelming. It was loud and riotous. And the Absa staff never let up. Throughout the talk this merry atmosphere continued unabated.

   To say this talk was one of a kind is not being OTT. Even as I write this - a few days later - I am still feeling damn good from it.

   In my next life, I wouldn't mind to come and work at this branch. 

                    "Much, much love to you Absa Oakdene staff."

                                             SOME THANK YOU's
- Ausi Samantha( The Manager) - For giving me the opportunity.
- Absa staff( bo-Ausi Helen, Ausi Yolandi, Ausi Nokuthula et al)  -  For a very uplifting and humbling experience.

                                       =======================

Our FEEL GOOD quote of the week:

" 'DELETE THAT PROGRAMME.' Get into the practice of 
saying this phrase to yourself immediately you hear yourself using 
or thinking negative thoughts. Use it to prompt yourself to replace
a negative word with a positive alternative, for example." 

Jack Black( from the book - MINDSTORE)

                                   ==========================

THANK YOU UNIVERSE. THANK YOU FOR OUR 'FEEL GOOD MOMENTS'.
                                                  

                                        ===================

SO, SOUTH AFRICA AND THE WORLD OUT THERE, WHAT MADE YOU 

FEEL GOOD THIS WEEK?    

      
     

FNB Easy Plan,Park Station. The DDCT Tour, Part 50 - To Stick Around or Not

   When one first started these motivational talks, I used to want to bolt for the door the minute I finished the talk.

   I wanted to get away from this nerve wrecking environment as quickly as possible. Also, I was afraid of a possible negative feedback from my audience. 

   Over time, though, I have discovered that the chit-chat and mingling after the talk provides a great opportunity for one to get to know your audience members. This is a chance to make friends.

And whatever feedback you may get from this after-talk interaction will mostly be positive. That is unless you specifically ask for a critique of your talk.

   So where it is possible, do stay behind after the talk. Do accept those tea or coffee offers.

And for those hawking something, the mingling thereafter allows you to take down those leads or orders. 

                                                        SOME THANK YOU's
- Bra Lihle( The Manager) - For giving me the go-ahead. And for the feedback afterwards.
- FNB Staff( bo-Craig et al) - For hearing me out.

                                                    =====================

Our FEEL GOOD quote of the week:

"In deciding to be positive you are deciding to be strong.
You will not be fazed by difficult situations and this will be a 
source of encouragement not only to yourself but to those 
around you. In this state of mind, you will more than likely 
see a way out of a challenging situation." 

Jack Black( from the book - MINDSTORE)

                                       ======================

THANK YOU UNIVERSE. THANK YOU FOR OUR 'FEEL GOOD MOMENTS'.

                                                    
                                        ===================

SO, SOUTH AFRICA AND THE WORLD OUT THERE, WHAT MADE YOU 

FEEL GOOD THIS WEEK?    

           

    
       

Nedbank, Trade Route mall, Lenasia. The DDCT Tour, Part 49 - Keep Practicing

   Even if there are no speaking engagements in the immediate future, it is advisable to continue working on your presentation material. Keep polishing it.

   This point about practicing all the the time was brought home to me when I experienced one or two wobbles during this Nedbank talk. I did not flow as well as I wanted to. And this unsteadiness was caused by the fact that I had lifted my foot off the pedal when it came to the daily rehearsal of my presentation material, as I waited for gigs to come up.

   In addition to making you remember all the points you need to cover during a particular talk, a regular practice session will actually help you to get these speaking engagements. That is because as you go through your material, you automatically visualize a real presentation scenario. And according to the Law of Attraction( 'what you focus on frequently, you attract'), this regularly imagined talk scene while practicing will be drawn to you in the real world.

                                                        SOME THANK YOU's   
- Bra Deepak( the branch Manager) - for the permission and a warm reception.
- Nedbank staff - for taking time out of your busy schedules to come hear me out.
                                               
                                            =========================

Our FEEL GOOD quote of the week:

"Every experience is a success."

Louise L Hay( from the book - YOU CAN HEAL YOUR LIFE)
                                              
                                            ===========================

THANK YOU UNIVERSE. THANK YOU FOR OUR 'FEEL GOOD MOMENTS'.

                                                    
                                                  ===================

SO, SOUTH AFRICA AND THE WORLD OUT THERE, WHAT MADE YOU 

FEEL GOOD THIS WEEK?    

           

            
       

     

FNB Sales Indaba, JHB CBD. The DDCT Tour, Part 48 - Preaching to the Converted

      Here we are again. Back after the worst of our winter season. 

      Back after the FIFA World Cup too. It feels good to be back.

   It is bound to happen. At some stage some of your audience members will have heard your talk before. The first priority here is to avoid sounding like a pre-recorded speaker. This would be the fastest way to bore them.

   At this FNB function several staff members from branches in the Johannesburg CBD where I had given my talk came together with some staff at whose branches I have not been. They had congregated for a regional sales 'imbizo'( meeting).

   I was one of the guest speakers tasked with motivating this FNB group. And I had to up my game here in order to sound fresh for those who have already heard me give this talk. But do so without losing the essence of my talk - which is to motivate( or inspire) people to go for their dreams. 

   I did this refreshing by changing the introduction of the presentation - the opening remarks, etc. It was an introduction completely different to that in my previous talks. In addition, the body of the presentation was done more off the cuff, as opposed to following a predetermined pattern. In other words, there was a large degree of improvisation( as in jazz music) on my normal presentation.

  My flow was not ideal at times therefore, as I was adding new points as I went along. But for the sake of freshness, I did not mind. And I don't think my audience was bothered either by the few flow hiccups, because they received the talk well.

   The more I give these motivational talks, the more I feel that the holy grail of this kind of public speaking is to sound different each time despite having the same message. This way people will never tire of you. 

   Isn't this what our preachers do with the message in the Bible after all?

                                                           SOME THANK YOU's 
- To the assembled JHB North region managers.
- To the invited FNB staff.  
                                                  =========================

Our FEEL GOOD quote of the week:

"There is an invisible energy force that is constantly available
for our use. Most of us are totally oblivious to the fact that it
even exists. We think of life as a random crapshoot."

Pam Grout( From the book - E-Squared : 9 Thought Energy Experiments...) 
                                                ===========================

THANK YOU UNIVERSE. THANK YOU FOR OUR 'FEEL GOOD MOMENTS'.

                                                         ===================

SO, SOUTH AFRICA AND THE WORLD OUT THERE, WHAT MADE YOU 

FEEL GOOD THIS WEEK?  



  

           





          
       
           

FNB, Carlton Centre. The DDCT Tour, Part 47 - Postponements(or Delays), Gracefully Accept

   The way the Universe( or God) works is mysterious.

You may have anticipated something to happen at a certain time, but only to find it doesn't. The trick here is not to be despondent. At the right time it will all come together nicely.

   But when is the right time? Nobody knows this for sure. I would like to suggest that the 'right time' is when all the elements required to make a talk/event successful are in place.

   Before this Carlton Centre talk took place there were many twists and turns. The first manager I submitted my request to left the branch before a go ahead could be given. Then I restarted with the 2nd in charge. While we were still waiting to find the right date, she also had to leave. With the new manager we actually agreed on the date. But at the last minute( a day before the talk) something came up, which necessitated yet another postponement. 

   That this talk finally took place today was a good thing, in my opinion. Today was one of those days where the energy on my side was right. Sometimes it is not. Because of this 'right energy' I think I came across well. Not only this about today. But the bank's regional Sales and Service manager happened to be visiting the branch on this day. After my presentation he came over to compliment me on it. Hereafter there was talk about our presentation being possibly rolled out to other FNB branches in this JHB region.

                                                    SOME THANK YOU's

- Bra Katiso( the branch Manager) - For the initial ok.
- Bra Bongani( the branch Sales and Service Manager) - For later running with things.
- FNB Carlton Centre staff( bo-Ausi Thuli, Ausi Thando et al)  - For the 'love and affection'.
- Bra Kabelo Matlhala( the regional Sales and Service Manager) - For those kind words.

                                          ============================

Our FEEL GOOD quote of the week:

"Mind your language. Your choice of words will indicate
  just how you think. The starting point is to change your
  language. Choose to use only positive words:
         Negative                        Positive
      - Problem                        - Challenge 
      - I forget                         - I will remember shortly 
      - It's freezing                  - It could be warmer
      - I'm feeling sick            - I could be feeling better 
      - I'am tired                     - I could have more energy "

    Jack Black( from the book - Mindstore)

                                      =========================

THANK YOU UNIVERSE. THANK YOU FOR OUR 'FEEL GOOD MOMENTS'.

                                            ===================

SO, SOUTH AFRICA AND THE WORLD OUT THERE, WHAT MADE YOU 

FEEL GOOD THIS WEEK?    

           

   
                                               

Nedbank, 100 Main Street, JHB. The DDCT Tour, Part 46 - It's All About Sticking Our Necks Out

   After the talk was over, a lady staff member commented that what stood out for her in our presentation was the point about sticking one's neck out in order to achieve one's dreams. She said that this - in her opinion - is the key to success.

   I cannot agree with her more. Most of the people who are living their dreams today have had to take a risk of one kind or another to get there. They have had to leave their comfortable surroundings behind and venture into the unknown. The 'unknown' being the fact that they were not guaranteed success as they began the journey to their dreams. 

   When I decided to leave my 9-5 job to try and make something out of my passion for writing, I did have my fears. As with any risk taking undertaking, there was a small voice at the back of mind that kept saying, "What if it does not work out?" But I went ahead and left anyway. The possible pain of regret scared me more than that of failure. 

   Make no mistake though, it does get rough on the road to your dream. But eventually things do stabilize. With more perseverance, and a bit of luck, one hopes that one can even achieve spectacular success(i.e. be rich and famous - LOL) one day.

                                                    SOME THANK YOU's
- Ausi Sarah( the Manager) - For the permission
- Nedbank staff - For hosting me.
- The female staff member above - For your thoughtful feedback.

                                              ========================

Our FEEL GOOD quote of the week:

"We cannot escape the way life is. In life we will come 
across bereavement, we will suffer loss, illness, we can
have accidents, face redundancy, rejection, disappointment
and so on. This is it. It is the way it is. While everything
around you can seem to be going wrong, you must be aware
that you have absolute control of your response to it. You
can choose your attitude."

Jack Black (from the book - MINDSTORE)

                                           ============================ 

THANK YOU UNIVERSE. THANK YOU FOR OUR 'FEEL GOOD MOMENTS'.

                                                   ===================

SO, SOUTH AFRICA AND THE WORLD OUT THERE, WHAT MADE YOU 

FEEL GOOD THIS WEEK?