Sunday, January 21, 2007
Motivational Speaker Carole Spiers says '‘Can YOU make a difference to someone’s life?’
You’ll doubtless already have read some of the numerous New Year’s blogs and emails exhorting you to get fit, reflect on the past year’s failed resolutions, turn over a new leaf, write your action plans and set your goals.
But realistically, a year from now, many of us will almost certainly be in the same position again. We start out with sincere, good intentions – the beginning of a new year is going to make a difference! But will it? Unfortunately it probably will not!
For most of us, another January is just another date in the calendar - albeit one when we have to find the money to pay the bills for all the Christmas presents we couldn’t really afford!
I want this year to be different, so I am going to ask you to consider some questions that are a little deeper than ‘How you are going to improve your life or double your income?’!
This year, how about making a moral resolution?
The real questions are:
1. Did you make a difference to someone else’s life last year – anybody’s life, any difference?
2. What action did you take last year that will be remembered by someone else? Anything?
3. What words did you say to someone which touched their hearts and have remained in their mind until today? Anything?
Like most of us, I too lead a frenetic life. But having just returned from Cape Town, with my partner, amongst the palm trees and flowers, having spent three weeks of training and coaching disadvantaged men and women in the townships of the Southern Cape to become self-sufficient in micro business skills, I can truly say I feel humbled by the gratitude expressed by so many of those to whom we gave of our time.
Many, with tears in their eyes, thanked us for our efforts, and told us how just those few hours had given them a renewed confidence and a much-needed boost to their skill-set and self-esteem.
Helping the disadvantaged to take that crucial first step up
We gave many of them contacts with other aspiring business people who, like themselves, are just starting out with the same problems and similar worries – people with whom they can now network and share solutions. We took video film of them making their very first presentations, and some cried when they saw themselves on screen, for the very first time.
But many were so impressive - speaking in perfect English of their goals - that we too had tears as we watched people, so appreciative, so grateful and so determined. There is no doubt who were the most privileged – we will not forget - just as they will not.
My partner and I have been working in the townships for three years now, and each year we have come out during our holiday periods. I have always wished it could be for longer, but as ever my own business gets in the way. So I have to content myself with the time that I am able to give.
Touching people; making a difference to someone’s family; empowering them to feel good about themselves; giving confidence to someone when they feel down (and out); teaching entrepreneurship skills where they are needed; offering love and open-ended support. This is what has made a difference to me for the forthcoming year. This is what will stay with me, in the coming months, when I am rushing from the streets of London to Internet City in Dubai.
Of course, my business has returned to its hectic pace. But for now I am truly taking stock of what we have been able to achieve by spending just a few weeks in the townships of South Africa.
Reality has to take over and tell me that if I have been able to make a difference to just a few families during this festive season, then that has been well worth while.
Those families have gone away with their action plans for the New Year, and the knowledge that it is up to them to put these into practice. They know that they cannot rely on anyone but themselves; however they also know that I am at the end of a telephone line or email – and will return to see them again during the year.
Join me in this important mission - ethical and enjoyable
I am sure there are many others who also earn well and would like to give something back. And to give back in a tangible way. If you would like to give your support and make a difference to the families of disadvantaged people in the townships of South Africa, then contact me – cs@carolespiers.com or call me on + 44 (0) 20 8954 1593.
Or, if like me, you are a motivational Speaker and would like to learn more about how you can raise money for an African charity of your choice, then log onto http://www.speakers4africa.org/. Either way, this is the time… this is the moment… this could be your opportunity to make a genuine and lasting difference to someone else’s life…
Carpe diem (seize the moment) and make that your New Year’s resolution. TRULY MEANINGFUL!
Carole Spiers – inspirational motivational speaker occupies a special niche as an expert in Personal Development. She brings together the separate cultures of individual empowerment and executive management - proving to corporate business that empowered employees improve performance and output. Carole’s keynote presentations have educated and inspired audiences all over the world. She is also a high profile broadcaster, journalist and President of the London Chapter of the Professional Speakers Association.
Our publications and sales CDs have been sold globally. To sign up for our FREE success quotations http://tinyurl.co.uk/yhgv, or for more information email info@carolespiers.com to telephone +44 (0) 29 8954 1593 www.carolespiers.com
But realistically, a year from now, many of us will almost certainly be in the same position again. We start out with sincere, good intentions – the beginning of a new year is going to make a difference! But will it? Unfortunately it probably will not!
For most of us, another January is just another date in the calendar - albeit one when we have to find the money to pay the bills for all the Christmas presents we couldn’t really afford!
I want this year to be different, so I am going to ask you to consider some questions that are a little deeper than ‘How you are going to improve your life or double your income?’!
This year, how about making a moral resolution?
The real questions are:
1. Did you make a difference to someone else’s life last year – anybody’s life, any difference?
2. What action did you take last year that will be remembered by someone else? Anything?
3. What words did you say to someone which touched their hearts and have remained in their mind until today? Anything?
Like most of us, I too lead a frenetic life. But having just returned from Cape Town, with my partner, amongst the palm trees and flowers, having spent three weeks of training and coaching disadvantaged men and women in the townships of the Southern Cape to become self-sufficient in micro business skills, I can truly say I feel humbled by the gratitude expressed by so many of those to whom we gave of our time.
Many, with tears in their eyes, thanked us for our efforts, and told us how just those few hours had given them a renewed confidence and a much-needed boost to their skill-set and self-esteem.
Helping the disadvantaged to take that crucial first step up
We gave many of them contacts with other aspiring business people who, like themselves, are just starting out with the same problems and similar worries – people with whom they can now network and share solutions. We took video film of them making their very first presentations, and some cried when they saw themselves on screen, for the very first time.
But many were so impressive - speaking in perfect English of their goals - that we too had tears as we watched people, so appreciative, so grateful and so determined. There is no doubt who were the most privileged – we will not forget - just as they will not.
My partner and I have been working in the townships for three years now, and each year we have come out during our holiday periods. I have always wished it could be for longer, but as ever my own business gets in the way. So I have to content myself with the time that I am able to give.
Touching people; making a difference to someone’s family; empowering them to feel good about themselves; giving confidence to someone when they feel down (and out); teaching entrepreneurship skills where they are needed; offering love and open-ended support. This is what has made a difference to me for the forthcoming year. This is what will stay with me, in the coming months, when I am rushing from the streets of London to Internet City in Dubai.
Of course, my business has returned to its hectic pace. But for now I am truly taking stock of what we have been able to achieve by spending just a few weeks in the townships of South Africa.
Reality has to take over and tell me that if I have been able to make a difference to just a few families during this festive season, then that has been well worth while.
Those families have gone away with their action plans for the New Year, and the knowledge that it is up to them to put these into practice. They know that they cannot rely on anyone but themselves; however they also know that I am at the end of a telephone line or email – and will return to see them again during the year.
Join me in this important mission - ethical and enjoyable
I am sure there are many others who also earn well and would like to give something back. And to give back in a tangible way. If you would like to give your support and make a difference to the families of disadvantaged people in the townships of South Africa, then contact me – cs@carolespiers.com or call me on + 44 (0) 20 8954 1593.
Or, if like me, you are a motivational Speaker and would like to learn more about how you can raise money for an African charity of your choice, then log onto http://www.speakers4africa.org/. Either way, this is the time… this is the moment… this could be your opportunity to make a genuine and lasting difference to someone else’s life…
Carpe diem (seize the moment) and make that your New Year’s resolution. TRULY MEANINGFUL!
Carole Spiers – inspirational motivational speaker occupies a special niche as an expert in Personal Development. She brings together the separate cultures of individual empowerment and executive management - proving to corporate business that empowered employees improve performance and output. Carole’s keynote presentations have educated and inspired audiences all over the world. She is also a high profile broadcaster, journalist and President of the London Chapter of the Professional Speakers Association.
Our publications and sales CDs have been sold globally. To sign up for our FREE success quotations http://tinyurl.co.uk/yhgv, or for more information email info@carolespiers.com to telephone +44 (0) 29 8954 1593 www.carolespiers.com
# posted by Carole Spiers @ 1:27 PM 
