Need Inspiration?
Inspire Yourself

Why do certain people inspire us and others do not? What did these people do or achieve that make us admire them? Whatever the reasons are for the inspiration, within each and every one of us there resides inspiration. This section is dedicated to you - to help you inspire yourself.

Time to take out a pencil and paper and do some thinking. I will pose a few questions and you must write down your answers on this. Please be honest with yourself and when I ask for 10 things or reasons, don't stop until you do. To help you get your mind in first gear, I provide my personal answers to these questions after the questions.

A. What are the 10 moments/achievements in your life that you are most proud of?So many times we only remember the bad, it sometimes help to remember the good times. Make postcards of it and stick it up around your personal space (room or study) and dare to remember the good.

B. Who are the 10 people you most admire in the world (living or dead) and what is it about them that you admire? This is an insight I borrowed from Think and Grow Rich - set up a council of advisors with attributes you admire and think what they would do in every situation you find yourself in.

C. What are the excuses you use most often to not do something exciting/worthwhile?Once you write these excuses down on paper, you start to realize that mostly it is only yourself that is keeping you back. When I did mine, I realized how flimsy many of them were and I now recognize them when I try to use them. Now I rather try to act than use flimsy wimpy excuses for not doing it. Are you willing to commit to not using them again?

My answers:

A.

• In Grade 10 I had to do a speech before our student council elections and instead of doing a normal speech, I wrote a short 10-word speech on flash cards and uncertain of the reaction I showed it to the school. The whole school read it after me and I left the stage to very enthusiastic applause (compared to the other dull speeches).

• In Grade 11 I collected +- R 1300 in our school's fun run for charity, but only came second when prizes were awarded for the most money collected. The following year I collected +- R2100 with substantial contribution from my personal pocket money and won the prize for the most money collected.

• I passed my final year at high school with seven distinctions and top of my class.

• I obtained my Masters Degree in Quantitative Risk Management in 2004.

• Despite my fear of public speaking, I joined our local Toastmasters club and get a regular opportunity to stand up and talk in front of people.

• I Went to the USA on a student work-exchange programme for three months surmounting incredible odds (including financially) to achieve it.

• Scored a hatrick of tries in a school rugby match.

• Though I'm not a hockey player, I volunteered to play for my section in our Res' sports day and helped our team to an improbable victory.

• Baked and sold pancakes (as a man) and enjoyed competing in our school's Stretch-A-Rand project.

• Received sincere 'Thank You' for something I've done.

B.

• Jesus Christ - morals, compassion, love, sacrifice.
• Nelson Mandela - patience, nation building.
• Muhammad Ali - competitive spirit.
• Tiger Woods - focus, dedication.
• Teddy Roosevelt - fighting spirit, pro-active.
• Abraham Lincoln - grace, perseverance.
• Roz Heyman - kindness, encouraging words for other people.
• Thomas Welgemoed - Live life to the full "Carpe Diem".
• Robert Kiyosaki - Thinking rich.
• Sun Tzu - "Know thyself, know thy enemy".

C.

• If only I didn't have to study with student loans...
• If only my parents taught me about money...
• If only I wasn't so lazy...
• If only I was more extroverted...
• If only I really wanted to...
• If only I could get a raise...
• If only I can get out of debt...
• If only they can see who I really am...
• If only I were competent...
• If only I would speak up...
• If only I had the time...
• If only I had the money...
• If only my parents were rich...
• If only I knew how...

See the Nike ad below. What excuses are you making?