Tell me something I don't know so I can be a big fish in the pond

I recently attended a workshop on Media Strategies for Fundraising. The workshop would cover how to communicate with the public to generate awareness and funding via the media. How the media could assist with gaining support from Corporates, getting publicity for sponsors and establishing a win-win relationship. We would develop a media/marketing strategy to ensure organisation effectiveness. All of which I was eager to learn and participate in.

After day one of the two day workshop, I started to lose credibility in the facilitator’s lack of direction and expertise. All participants expressed their disappointment at the value she was adding to the brief knowledge we already had. As all of us were from the NGO sector, we could not afford such a workshop or the luxury of missing two days works so we expected value for our money and time.

The few comments and handouts given were brief and was information that anyone could obtain from the Internet. So what were my expectations? I expected someone who had ten years experience in media (she worked for a national paper) and was once an editor of an NGO publications to give in-depth knowledge and experience how to get our foot in the door. Strategic research, witting, pitching, angles, insight and tips were what I was expecting. I wanted to know how we (the small fish) could compete with the big fishes in the pond - so we too could claim a pie of the pie.

And to top it all off...the food was not that great to say the least. She was not able to cater for all, to her embarrassment, resulted in many of the participants leaving to go buy lunch. Everyone knows what a blunder food can have on an event.

I cannot say I got nothing out of the experience…the networking that got done amongst us NGOs were more than beneficial - we shared ideas, resources and experiences on what worked and what didn’t work. I have built strong relationship with people who share the same goal as mine – to create a better world for those we care for. We have arranged to meet on a daily basis to see how we can help each other achieve our goals.

With the bad taste left in my mouth, it had me thinking…should there not be a regulator who qualifies who can give workshops? An official body who could assess the competency of facilitators? This experience was definitely one to remember, I will now approach a workshop or course with caution…at least until their background check clears.

We are what we do

How true is this statement? For some, work is just a means to pay the bills. A place that people go to day in and day out, that contributes no enrichment to their lives. I live my life by doing a job that I enjoy as opposed to looking at the remuneration or status that that job could offer me. Don’t get me wrong…status and money makes the world go round but I prefer to wake up in the morning and be motivated to get to work.

I work in the NGO sector and enjoy doing my job…I am passionate about what we do and how I can contribute to improving the lives of the people in our care. Passion is vital in life… I truly believe in my job and my NGO’s cause. People can hear that when I speak, I speak with conviction and in an authentic voice. What has become apparent to me over the past few days was how I live my life according to my job requirements.

I have studied Public Relations (PR) and find myself living my life according to attributes of my job. PR is all about maintaining positive perceptions, monitoring trends and building mutually beneficial relationships. These are fundamental characteristics that I live my life by too. I recently went to a night club and was amazed at the girls that were drunk, wearing next to nothing and showcasing their sexy dancing – it became clear to me how they were ‘selling’ themselves to the opposite sex as if that was all they had to offer. It saddened me to think that the perception that they were getting was not a positive one. By no means do I box myself to be just another cardboard cut-out or playing grown up by acting all professional, like the Cluetrain Manifesto mentions, I just like to live my life by a standard of morals and values – and would like to be perceived like that.

I find myself being sensitive to those around me to establish what their perceptions are, predict their future actions and then finding myself decoding how best to communicate. Because I am naturally a friendly person, I networking quite often which allows me to build new relationships and how to ensure that it is a win-win situation for both parties. I am not the only one who lives my life according to these principles, I see friends that do highly skilled work that have no room for error emphasis safety even when they leave the office.

I think that if you are in the correct industry, the statement ‘We are what we do’ would be true for you. As humans we can’t help but be patriotic but sport, our loved ones and the same would go for your job. It is easier to love what you do if you believe in what you do.

Get to know me in three words

Why is it that people always ask you to describe yourself in three words???

I suppose it is such a challenge because there is so much more that makes me Me. I guess I would have to say that these are the top 3 characteristics:


1. Opinionated: I have strong views on who I am, where I want to be and the world around me. Sometimes a bit of a chatter-box but networking is the aim of the game.

2. Fun-loving: I am quirky, always looking to have fun and a good laugh...after all...it's good for the soul.

3. Different: I consider myself to be out-of-the norm and one of a kind...enjoy swimming against the current.

References

Image 1: http://i0006.photobucket.com/albums/0006/findstuff22/Best%20Images/Love/kiss21.jpg

Image 2: http://gi92.photobucket.com/groups/l10/C7RI9NPRQS/DSC_0165_2.jpg

Image 3: http://media.photobucket.com/image/underwater/Multi_Morte/underwater.jpg?o=260

Mind the Gap

Early in 2008 I made an impulsive decision to go work and live abroad, 3 months later I found myself in the UK. I left behind a permanent job, friends, family and beloved Cape Town for the adventures of the unknown. My first couple of nights were driven by the thoughts of why and how did I end up here? As if I never made any decisions in the process. I quickly learnt that I am no longer in the safe nest of home-life, that no one cares about whether I am home sick and that I had to adopt a sink or swim attitude.

I have heard many bad things about other people’s experiences in the UK…the people are miserable, the weather is miserable and it can be one lonely place to be. I admit it is not for everyone but it’s what you make of it and depends of your reasons for going. Many find themselves there with the illusion of chasing the infamous paper trail. I found myself there to learn about life, culture and a greater sense of independence and I loved every minute of it.

I was learning new things…how diverse all the people are that live in London; around every corner is someone from a different nationality with his own life story to tell you. I experienced a different life of efficient public transport and free health care. How to use the Tube and what it felt like to miss the last Tube. I entered a world of new documents like NI, P45 and P60’s. I learnt about their custom to drink beer and their favourite foods like black puddings, Yorkshire pies and fish and chips with mushy peas. That if someone said ‘let’s go to the beach’, the odds that it was a pebble beach, rather than the sand beach that we know, are great.

That no one smokes inside buildings not even in the bars or night clubs, the many eventful trips after the night clubs on the night bus. I was discovering the life of self service at the petrol stations and the self service of scanning, paying and packing of my groceries at Tesco, Asda or M&S. I learnt despite being in England, the land of English, it was difficult to understand some of them...innit bruv. I discovered the slang, chavs, blood brothers and pikey people. Then there was the adjustment to phrases like it’s not a robot but a traffic light, it’s not a circle but a round-about, it’s not a cellphone but a mobile and the list goes on. Last but not least, I experienced the dreaded effects of the Heathrow Injection.

I traveled and got the opportunity to see attractions like the Big Ben, the London Eye, Oxford, Windsor Castle, Camden Town, Tower Bridge, Madame Tussauds, Buckingham Palace and the changing of guards, Harrods, Trafalgar Square, carnivals, festivals, various museums and art galleries etc.

While I experienced all that the UK had to offer, I knew that I have made the most of my experience. I have learnt, grown as an individual and that I have fallen in love with 'the smoke' (London's nickname). But…home is where the heart is, we may not be where they are but and I wouldn’t trade Cape Town for the world.

We are afraid of the wrong things

Being afraid of something is so common, every person is afraid of at least one thing in life. I did some research and stumbled on the Phobia List (www.phobialist.com) which listed some bizarre and some real fears that people have. Some included in the list were Cnidophobia (fear of stings), Algophobia (fear of pain), Aichmophobia (fear of needles or pointed objects) Gerascophobia (fear of growing old), Pentheraphobia (fear of mother-in-law).

Come on now…who is afraid of strings? And what exactly are they afraid the string is going to do? Some of MY unnecessary fears include: fear of heights, fear of failure, fear of germs in public places (such as door handles, escalators etc.). I was rather OCD growing up and had an obsession with numbers being even and never touching someone else’s hands.

Growing up we have instilled in us a fear…a fear that eating too many sweet things will cause our teeth to rot and fall out, if we are bad that Santa won’t give us a present, the fear of the dark, the monster lurking under our bed, goblins, witches, ghosts or the famous but never really seen…bogey man. But as a parent should you be realistic with your kids and instead of warning them about fairy tales ‘bad-guys’ like the big bad wolf…warn them about gangsters, guns, corrupt police and politicians???

So, are we afraid of the wrong things? I suppose it depends on how real it is to that person and each person is different. Some fear small spaces which could result in severe anxiety while I have no problem with small spaces. I do feel that there are more serious things to worry about than the dark, strings, heights, germs, small spaces, becoming bald, the bogey man and your mother-in-law. There are things that could touch your life in a more devastating ways…things like disease, HIV AIDS, poverty, retrenchment, famine or drug abuse of a loved one – to mention but a few. Crimes by those who will not think twice to do anything necessary to get what they want and the unthinkable crimes done by those you love and trust.

Do I think my fear of heights is real? Yes. However, there is so much more to worry about in life. Things that is much more real than falling 30 stories or getting biting by the world’s most dangerous snake – I mean really...what are the odds of that happening?

Fish falling from the sky

It’s a bird…no it’s a plane…no wait…is that a fish? Amazed and completely freaked out would be the emotions I would feel if fish were to fall from the sky. As astounding as this may sound, there could be two options as to the cause…both equally disturbing.

One – there is a tornado sweeping up everything around it in a fiery, determined to destroy everything in its path. Two – God has set out a plague and is separating the believers from the non-believers.

I must admit that I am not the type of person to come across something that is out-of-this-world and stand there in awe. Like in the movies where an alien is on the loose and people stop in the roads to take a moment to make themselves really vulnerable. I on the other hand am thinking, where are my nearest escape exits? After all, curiosity killed the cat. It’s survival of the fittest…if you can’t run to keep up you dead weight to me.

I can image the chaos as people scramble like headless chickens. The poor may see it as a blessing from the heavens. It’s amazing how different people would view such a bizarre happening. I, however, am content with rain consisting of good ol’ fashion rain drops...but if the Big Man up there is feeling generous, I wouldn't say no to a couple of dollar bills falling from the sky.

When is violence necessary

I recently heard a story about a group of guys who beat up an intruder to a bloody pulp. I saw horrific pictures of the event; it was graphic and definitely enough to keep me up at night. It had me thinking when is violence necessary?

According to Legal-Explanations.com, self defense is the action by which a person protects himself from any bodily harm arising out of an encounters or attacks from another person either by protecting him or by blocking the opponent’s advancement by a counter attack. Self defense is not a crime so accused may be tempted to show their action as self defense to escape punishment.

I agree that one should use excessive force when protecting your loved ones and belongs but where should one draw the line? Some justify the violence by saying that they are ‘teaching’ the guilty party a lesson – but is that not what our justice system is supposed to do??? I feel that one can detain the criminal and get the police to handle the situation. Then again, I can understand but not condone that people are taking the law into their own hands because our justice system is so pathetic and corrupt.

With the recent news indicating the government grants permission to use deadly force when apprehending a criminal is shocking. The human race has already proved on countless occasions that we are incapable of resisting the temptation to abuse power. Where does one draw the line? Apparently the line is drawn where ever the chalk man has lain.

What colour is the wind

When I got asked this question it became apparent to me how boxed I was into being an adult…thinking and acting like one. My natural answer to this would be that there is no colour to the wind. Kind of made me think how magical it was to be young and free. A time where it was okay to have imaginary friends, believe in magical beings, unicorns, fairies and Santa Clause.

To get me inspired again, I asked various ‘little’ people around me ‘what colour is the wind?’ The responses are not only funny and cute but gave a dose of much needed release from adulthood. One little girl who is 5 years old said, “The wind is orange with shiny glitter…it cheers me up when I am down or my tummy is sore”. Most said, “It’s blue like the sky, silly”. Another said, “The wind has no colour but when Superman is near, he is soooo fast that the wind goes red”. And the most astounding one, “The wind is pink, it was my mommy’s favourite colour. She is in heaven now but she lets me know she loves me and is always with me when the wind blows”.

I asked myself what colour is the wind??? I would have to say that it has many colours, dependent on how I am feeling at that moment. Today has been a good day so I would have to say that the wind is pastel yellow, with soft touches of mint green and the faint smell of strawberry swirls...

When memories are all we have

So many times in life we feel overwhelmed by life…whether it is attempting to implement a strategic plan at work, meeting deadlines for studies, making sure that the kids are at school on time, trying to think of something new every night for supper, keeping up with the Jones or the sweet and sour relationships of those who come in and out of our lives.

We already in the third month of the year and 99 days closer to the 2010 Soccer World Cup. Where has time gone? Life happens so fast…and before you know it you sitting in the old age home.

I look back on my youthful life as those age around me, living in the denial that old age will never happen to me. My grand father was recently diagnosed with advanced stage of Alzheimer's. Alzheimer's disease is the progressive degeneration of the brain affecting memory, thinking, behaviour and emotion. Symptoms may include: loss of memory, difficulty in finding the right words or understanding what people are saying, difficulty in performing previously routine tasks and personality and mood changes

It saddens me to see someone who was once always cheerful, cracking a joke, had his nose in a book or watching a documentary to a man whose mind seems so far away. I now watch him hymn as he struggles to put sentences together. I see how disorientated he is when he cannot remember where he is or what his purpose was of being in a particular room.

It makes me think that life is somewhat cruel, cause at old age when sickly and frail…memories are all you have to get you through those trying times before you hit those Pearly Gates. Memories of active times, friends and family (some of which you have now out-lived). In my opinion, it is probably one of the worst ways to go…

Despite it all, I am grateful and grounded, I ask that I never forget how precious life is and to not take for granted that my memories will last forever…

Do not regret growing older. It is a privilege denied to many. ~Author Unknown