Showing posts with label Life Coach and Columnist to Kuier magazine. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Life Coach and Columnist to Kuier magazine. Show all posts

Sunday, 24 March 2013

Making Expert Positioning Work



I am writing here with a heart filled with gratitude, a mind filled with many dreams and a life filled with wonderful examples that show that with hard work and commitment, everything is possible.


I guess by now most people know me as someone who does a lot of things, in spite of people telling me that I shouldn't; that I should be known for only one thing. Well, if I would do that, I would be throwing the other talents and passions that God gave me, right back in his face. I chose to develop them all, to make money using them all, to ensure that I am in an even better position to contribute to others.

In this competitive world we live in, it is in our best interest to know something about more than one thing. This is what I believe. Indeed, you cannot do it all, all of the time. This is why, when you get to a certain stage, after laying solid foundations, you should find the right people to work with you in building your dream. You'll not only create employment, but this would also allow you more free time to lay the foundation for the next initiative. This is what “speaks” to me and I intend doing it this way.

Doing more than one thing, has just secured me wonderful credits towards my Psychology qualification. Some of us are wired to do more than one thing, just like others are meant to do only one; some people are meant to be employees, while others do their best work when they are an employer.

Just last week, I read a blog post where the author addressed the same issue – how it is the no. 1. mistake to do more than one thing. Because I heard this before and strongly disagree, I proceeded to read the blog post. Everybody was “ooohing” and “aaahing” about the great blog post. I thought that it was great writing, but I told the author that I disagree with him on a few points. I used this larger than life example: Richard Branson. Look at everything that he does: Fitness centres, an airline, space craft, an NPO for entrepreneurship, music, he is an author & speaker, etc. He lays the foundation and then he employs people to work with him on building his dream further. That way, he has enough time to think up the next initiative.

Some people have an urge to give unsolicited advice, telling me that I should do only one thing. Today, I have wonderful credits, because I dared to do more, because I risked being seen as “wrong” for having more than one passion. The most important thing, is that I do not feel “wrong.” I simply feel that I'm following my passion. And I will continue to do so. More wonderful things to come my way, because I made it my business to know something about more than one thing.

Some people have one thing that they are passionate about. Others have more than one. Regardless of the category in which you fall, don't allow anybody to tell you that you are “wrong.” Be you and live your individuality. We were not meant to be the same, anyway.

And it is okay to sometimes deviate from the norm, from doing something the way it's always been done and to make a few new rules.

Wondering how you could position yourself as an expert?  Enquire about my training programmes.

And because I made it my business to know something about more than one thing, chances are that I'll be able to solve your problem.

Yours in Empathy,

Andeline Williams-Pretorius
CEO, Andeline's Motivational Training
Inspirational Speaker, Trainer, Author
Empathy & Relationship Expert on Afrikaans radio station: RSG
Life Coach & Columnist to Kuier magazine
Creator of The Empathy Campaign
Mobile: +27 72 856 0218
Http: www.andeline.co.za
You can also find me on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter


Monday, 4 March 2013

The Empathy Lesson In The Oscar / Reeva-tragedy



The Oscar / Reeva tragedy has shocked us all, black and white. And now, weeks later, perhaps it is time do reflect, time to find possible lessons, locked up in this tragedy.

When I first heard the news, I was shocked, because: “how could this happen and what went wrong?” And what could we learn from this tragedy? 


Various comments
People have different opinions about this tragedy. Some are crucifying Oscar, while other's believe that it was an accident. Where do you stand and is your position motivated by race? Some people say that they do not understand how this tragedy has suddenly become about different races, especially since Oscar and Reeva belong to the same racial group.

Well, I know how this became a racial matter. It is because many things (issues) in our country, is about race, even when not necessarily so, because we often find a way to turn it into a racial matter.

I am proud of South Africans when I hear or read comments like: “We should not judge...” or “I have no right to judge.”

The only problem with such comments, is that in most cases, the absence of our judgment, is reserved to those times when the person, who appears to be on the other side of the law, belongs to our own racial group. And we gladly judge when this person does not belong to our racial group.

I see some black people do this, I see some white people do this, I see some Coloured people do this, etc.


Life is not fair...
People who have money, normally receive better services than those who have less money. This is one of those times when it seems as if race does not necessarily matter. We often hear of high profile individuals or those with “the right” connections, who went to jail and received “preferential treatment.”

We see people object against this “preferential treatment”. And once again, those who object, object when the one receiving such “preferential treatment”, belongs to a different racial group.

Why do we seem to turn a blind eye when the person receiving “preferential treatment”, belongs to our own racial group?

I'm certainly not writing here to judge. My objective, is to make us look in the mirror, to make us realise that we still have a lot to learn, when it comes to empathy, to getting into the shoes of others – to try and see things from their perspective.

When we object, we should do so irrespective of who the person is on the other side. If we could get this right, then there would be plenty of hope for South Africa, for improving and taking race relationships to the wonderful level where it could be.

When we are against something, let's be against it all of the time.
When we object against something, let's do so even when we have to object against our own, BECAUSE, people are always watching.



Do you have an Empathy & Relationship challenge and don't know how to deal with it?
Send us a text message (33343) or email (brink@rsg.co.za) and we might focus on your challenge next time.

You can stay anonymous.  Remember, text messages are charged at R1,50 each.


Thank you.

Yours in Empathy,

Andeline Williams-Pretorius
Regular Empathy & Relationship Expert on RSG
Life Coach & Columnist to Kuier magazine
info@andeline.co.za


"South Africa's Most Inspirational Women"

The glossy-page coffee table book, titled: South Africa's Most Inspirational Women, is available at selected branches of Exclusive Books.


The first launch took place in Sandton, yesterday.

I am honoured to be featured in this beautiful book.


Andeline (page 218 - 223)


From left to right: Delphine, Andeline, Jeanette and Mercy.







Signing copies, purchased by guests.






From left to right: Delphine, Andeline & Sheriefa.



Self-esteem and Assertiveness - Your Life's compass



To order your copy, contact Lonwabo.
E-mail: lonwabo@africaninnovations.co.za
...............................................................................

Thank you.

Yours in Empathy,

Andeline Williams-Pretorius
BA (Health Science & Social Services) Unisa
CEO, Andeline's Motivational Training
Inspirational Speaker, Trainer, Wife & Mother
Regular Empathy & Relationships Expert on Afrikaans radio station: RSG
Life Coach & Columnist to Kuier magazine
PR Consultant
Author of self-published: Success; it's your choice which was approved for the school curriculum in 2006; and In mekaar Se Skoene, published by Naledi in December 2011.
Andeline was recognised by African Innovations Publishing as one of South Africa's Most Inspirational Women. Their glossy-page coffee table book is available at selected branches of Exclusive books.
Mobile: 072 856 0218
Http://www.andeline.co.za