We all studied this at varsity, so you know everything
that needs to be done. But do you? Did you ever ask yourself: “Why do I need to do this?”
When running a business and a project it sounds logical
to go through this exercise. And I believe it is a great starting point. But
once it's done, discard most of it. And specifically shrug off the weaknesses
and the threats. It is an ancient truth (Proverbs 4:23) that “You get what you
focus on.” According to Saras Naidoo “...concentrate on your core business objectives... and never
deviate from [this]”.
Speak life over yourself and realize that as Frans Cronje, producer of “Faith like Potatoes” noted “...things can
already exist in the spiritual realm, long before you see it in the physical realm.” (Hebrews 11:1)
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| Hawequa Mountains & Linton Park Wines, Wellington |
Don’t ever disregard your small, faltering steps at the
beginning of a project. Kingsley Holgate said “Have the vision, turn the key and get going.” You need to step into the water with faith before the water
will part (Joshua 3: 15-16). Meaning, you need to have the courage to take that
first vital action to start the ball rolling. After that, momentum sets in and with
continuous focus and effort your project quickly becomes a hive of positive
activity. In brief: Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.
Adele asks “Should I give up, or should I just keep
on chasing pavements?” Well, rest, contemplate, but don’t ever stop and don’t ever
compare yourself with anyone else, because you always tend to compare your
weak spots with another person’s strengths. This is almost a guaranteed way to
become negative and depressed. Compete only with yourself, focusing on becoming
a better you. Above all, love yourself.
Romain afirms “You should always focus on your
strengths. Success is built on success. Success is achieved because of your
strengths.” Forget about your weaknesses. According to Jane Raphaely rather
ask: “Why am I doing this? Is it because I want to do it or because somebody
else wants me to do it?” Remember “It’s all about how you finish” according to John
Smit, Springbok rugby captain. To put this into perspective, Coco CHANEL came
from an orphanage and built La Maison CHANEL with sheer guts and determination.
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| Loading wine into a 20' container at JFH for Beijing, China |
Tell yourself “I am brilliant!” every time you achieve a
goal. This is not the time to ask “What’s next?” Don’t knock this milestone
that you have achieved, saying “It is only the beginning”. You have worked
diligently to succeed at it. This is not the time to ask “Are we there
yet?” You are! Celebrate! Go overboard a little; the world is not going to
tilt. Indeed, this is the moment to reflect at leisure about the grandness of
life and the small part you are able to play in it. This builds your sense of
self-worth, putting life into perspective.
Don’t lose sight of your weaknesses though, but manage
it. To compensate, “Always choose people that are better than you. Always
choose people that challenge you and are smarter than you. Always be the
student. Once you find yourself to be the teacher, you’ve lost it.” Sandra
Bullock states firmly. Focus on your expertise and hire someone better than you to
handle another part of the project. Trust their judgement and let them get on
with what they do best. It is as simple as that.
Remember, the world stands aside for someone who knows
where s/he is going. See this as the grand start of a whole new life. Take a
high five, you have made it! Now go out and have fun.
__________________________________________________________________________
Photo credits:-
1. Hawequa
Mountains & Linton Park Wines, Wellington – Anton BLIGNAULT
2. JF
Hillebrand Warehouse, Cape Town – Romaine
LESAGE & Anton BLIGNAULT
References:-
Adele “Chasing Pavements” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hY_xO1DGfmw
& https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08DjMT-qR9g
Coco CHANEL “Fresh, feisty & very French” interview
with Audrey TAUTOU by Michael Wolski in British Airways horizons July 2009
Frans Cronje, producer of “Faith like Potatoes”
Jane Raphaely, “Once Upon A Time...” interviewed by
Marianne Thamm in www.kulula.com khuluma August 2011
John Smit, Springbok rugby captain in “True Bru”
interview with Ard Matthews in www.kulula.com khuluma December 2011
Kingsley Holgate, “Extraordinary Man, Extraordinary Life”
interviewed by Rob van Vuuren in www.kulula.com khuluma January 2010
McNabs
Romain LESAGE, FMS
Sandra Bullock, story by Dana Lee in abouTime Vol 3 No 1 www.1time.co.za
Saras Naidoo, “First small steps into business” in
abouTime Vol 2 No 8 www.1time.co.za
Dr. Soon Zevenster, Radio Tygerberg www.radiotygerberg.co.za
The Holy Bible, KJV: Joshua 3: 15-16, Proverbs 4:23 & Hebrews
11:1
Wine Marketing Services SA: “SWOT
analysis?” www.fms-sa.blogspot.com
© 2017 Anton BLIGNAULT, Cape
Town South Africa
