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May 2008 The Spirit Is Still With UsHi. It's Peter Thurin writing, with Newsletter 3 for the year. Here in Australia (and over in New Zealand), we've just commemorated Anzac Day, a day when we as a nation pause to remember the sacrifices of tens of thousands of young Australian & New Zealand men and women who gave their lives for their country in wars from World War I onwards. It's a bit like our own national Thanksgiving, when gratitude, admiration and profound love fill our hearts. We celebrate the Anzac spirit, where no sacrifice is too great and no act of courage is beyond us. I'm sure we all enjoyed the opportunity of a shorter working week too. What did you do on your day off? If you used it to recharge, refresh, renew, that's fantastic, but I hope you didn't forget to say "thank you". Such powerful words. (A friend of mine in real estate sends out FIVE 'thank you' notes in the mail every day. Do you think he doesn't absolutely OWN his marketplace?) I was conferencing in Vietnam not so long ago, and we embraced the skills of 5 boys from the Hanoi Karate Club to help us out in our live presentations. The guys spoke no English, and my Vietnamese is non-existent. But they did such a great job and we built such wonderful camaraderie that our goodbyes at the end of the 2 days were quite emotional. The audience gave these guys a much deserved standing ovation. You can imagine how proud and thrilled the boys were. It also gave me great pleasure to hand them the gift presentation which had been made to me, as my own personal thanks. It's all about recognition, isn't it, about acknowledging the power of somebody's contribution? As a boss, as a friend, as a parent, as a teacher maybe, or a sporting coach, that's something tangible you can do to make someone's life better, to make them sing! Ask yourself, whom do you need to say 'thank you''to? Is there a shoulder you need to put your arm around? (Maybe your Mum on Mother's Day mighty soon?)
In this issue:Don't Put the Pigeons In the Holes
Those thoughts on Anzac Day remind me of the son of a friend of mine. He’s 19 now, and developing into a fabulous footballer (I mean Aussie Rules of course – real football!) But when he was playing in his Under 14 and Under 15 years (so only about 5 or 6 years ago), he was often overlooked for the team and ended up quite dispirited. His club and his coach kept telling him he was too slow and too light, and too short to be any good. For a while, he was thinking of quitting the game. But, thanks to some great support from his dad, he stuck it out, and now, guess what? He’s 6 foot tall, incredibly quick on his feet, he’s physically as strong as I’ve seen a young sportsman, and his footy is sensational. He’s playing up forward these days (he used to languish on the back line), kicking with both left and right foot, out-muscling opponents in marking contests, kicking a bag of goals just about every week. Yet, as a kid, he was pigeonholed by all and sundry as mediocre. Remember, whether you’re a parent, coach or friend, people need to be given the chance to grow, to expand, to flourish. Are you a parent? Encourage your sons and daughters. I don’t know if you realize it, but just one word of encouragement from you, one powerful statement you might make, could actually be the literal turning point in someone’s life, the decisive moment that makes them transform themselves into the very best they can be. And isn’t that our life mission? That’s certainly the driving philosophy behind blackbelt in excellence. People may really surprise you...if you just give them an opportunity to shine.
Keep Those Dreams Dreaming
Speaking of shining, one of my clients is very excited. She’s been working for a number of years in retail, with a good company who respect and value her. She’s applied the principles of the blackbelt in excellence program “be the best you can be”, and now she’s poised on a magnificent threshold. Her activities with her company may now, as the company looks to expand into global markets, take her overseas, something she’s been wanting and dreaming about and working towards for years. And make no mistake, it’s she herself who has manifested this opportunity. She has, in fact, created her own luck. Her company is ready to move overseas and she’s the obvious person to drive its growth globally. Brilliantly done, Nicole. This is a perfect example of what vision, determination, focus and commitment can do, with a constant focus on continual improvement. All the things blackbelt in excellence is on about. As another of my very motivated clients says, don’t save your dreams just for when you’re asleep (thanks, Troy!). Going, Going............And just on the subject of "be the best you can be". I'm very excited this week, with the news from my publishers that my book of that name is just about sold out! Well, hundreds of copies headed off to Queensland last month (and they're all gone), with lots of you snapping them up at recent seminars I've conducted too. This seems a good time to take my own advice and say a heartfelt 'thank you'. Thanks for your incredible support. It's just fantastic to know that the principles of "be the best you can be" are resonating with people so powerfully. And the beautiful people at ACCYO say 'thank you' too. ACCYO, as most of you would know, is the Australian Council for Children & Youth Organisations. They're amongst my very favourite people on earth with the work they do creating a safer Australia for our kids, and I'm proud to donate part of the sales proceeds from my book to them. I'm in talks right now to fix a possible date for another print run, although there are so many stories crossing my desk every week that I'm also weighing up whether to get a second book out there. Thanks to your stories, there's no shortage of compelling material already for another book. Keep sharing them with me and with our on line community. I'll let you know what happens (as if I wouldn't !), but meanwhile a reminder that you can buy the book right here on line while stocks last (always wanted to say that) or, just as good, pick up a copy of the CD of the same name....a one hour condensed version of all the essential topics I covered in the book. The CD's a brilliant way to reinforce the book's strongest points while you drive, or while you work out, or while you prepare the evening meal. And it's available right here too. Lots of people buy them both - the book for home, the CD for the car or the iPod. As always, I take great pride in what I do and I'm so excited about the people I work with. I'll leave you this month with some of the comments you've been making about our recent times with you. Thanks for taking it all on board, and congratulations. You guys are truly The Best You Can Be. Until next time, have great weeks ahead. Remember, if I can help you in any way, get in touch. Email me 24/7 on comments@blackbeltinexcellence.com.au And this is the link if you want to book me for your next conference, workshop, seminar, facilitation, success training. I'd be happy to talk to your company about awe-inspiring ways I can lead you personally and your company forward into the future with confidence, energy and commitment. Click here:
Looking forward to working with you this year, whether it's one-on-one or with your company. blackbelt in excellence specialises in:
To your success. Be the best you can be. Best wishes, Peter Thurin 61 3 407 568 416 www.blackbeltinexcellence.com.au P.S. Don't forget your Mum on Mothers' Day! Make sure you completely spoil her. Or someone else's Mum.... there's plenty of Mums who might not be on the end of a hug on that special Sunday. Make it your mission - find a Mum and hug her! And those awesome testimonials you've been sending:The workshop was not only incredibly relevant for the team but it took
a newly formed group of employees who were unsure of themselves and what
they were
capable of, both as individuals and as a group, to a place where there is a
whole new dynamic in play! .... Energetic, inspiring, challenging, rewarding,
thought...wait, action provoking!! Memorable and uplifting. The sharing of some of his life experiences was inspiring. Thanking you doesn't say enough for your inspiring speech, the insights and
encouragement that you provided in your presentation last week. My most sincere thanks for your outstanding effort. Your enthusiasm is infectious. Your book is great, easy to read, realistic and very motivating. It is not
only an At last nights Awards Night I was literally bombarded with positive feedback.
Peter. |
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