Just say “Hello!”

“A simple ‘Hello’ could lead to a million things.”

To prove the point, here’s the happy-ever-after story of Sorisha Naidoo: “At the time I had been hanging out with a certain friend a lot and people were absolutely convinced that we were going out... I assumed people would see that we were just friends. ...it was during that time that Viv [Vivian Reddy] and I met and the rest is history – all because he had the guts to talk to me!”

“If you want to be interesting, be interested. Just ask questions.” Romain tells me. But don’t ever let it sound like the third degree. Interestingly, Debora Patta, presenter of “Third Degree”on eTV married the guy who at first insulted her about her show the previous night, apologising a day later. She says “Clearly, I obviously want somebody who can stand up to me!”

So who do you want to pursue? In the words of Ryk Neethling, South African swimming champion: “...‘hot’ means so many different things. Marc Lottering responded with “Hot means great feet. We’ve just established...” Ryk: “To begin with, yes. It also does mean a great personality and confidence and the way that she carries herself and what she does for a living and... So it’s a whole package.”

More advice from Pearl Thusi, star in “Isidingo” on SABC on making the right match: “A man who can make me laugh will get very far with me.”

“Zorba the Greek” with Anthony Quinn (Alexis Zorba), Alan Bates (Basil / boss), Irene Papas (widow) and Lila Kedrova (Madame) provides the perfect lesson. Being a "book man" myself I feel the pain and helplessness of the boss, longing to be the boisterous, gregarious Zorba with his astonishing love for life and women. Pushing him towards the widow Zorba told him, "This is an opportunity, you must grab it! That's why God gave you hands!"

And just to confuse you: in French “Salut !” usually means “Hello!” but it can also be “Goodbye!” as sung by Johnny Hallyday in “Salut Charlie !”.

Lastly, when you can say: “I am brighter when I am with you, I truly am”, then you’re truly with the right partner, your soul mate.

By sheer guts, instinct and confidence move from being an observer of the world to becoming a participant. I know what I'm going to do. What's your choice? At any rate whatever you do choose to Live life!

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Photo credits:-

1. Cape Point, Table Mountain National Park: Juliette SALMON – Anton BLIGNAULT

2. Zorba the Greek: Zorba & Basil – Google Images

References:-

Adele “Hello” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQHsXMglC9A 

Debora Patta “Who’s afraid of Debora Patta?” interview by Marc Lottering in kulula.com khuluma July 2011

Johnny Hallyday “Salut Charlie” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bKbPJSrpNs

Pearl Thusi “My name is Pearl” interview by Mpho Popps Modikoane in kulula.com khuluma January 2014

Ryk Neethling “Liquid Dream” interview by Marc Lottering in kulula.com khuluma July 2011

Sorisha Naidoo “Multitasking millionaire” interview by Nicholas Goliath in kulula.com khuluma January 2015

McNabs

Romain LESAGE, FMS

Wine Marketing Services SA: “Just say “Hello!”” http://fms-sa.blogspot.co.za/2018/02/just-say-hello.html 

“Zorba the Greek”

© 2018 Anton BLIGNAULT, Cape Town South Africa

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SWOT analysis?

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)

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.

 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.

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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

The answer is “Yes!”

What is the question? Indeed. With such an attitude you should sail through every encounter, even against the wind. Yet, why don’t you? Why don’t I?

Taken the fact that words only account for ±7% of total face to face communication, you need to look at what makes up the majority: body language at ±55% and tone at ±38%. Even in telephonic communication words only constitute ±14% of understanding, while tone at ±86% plays the crucial part.

But that’s not all. You not only need to say “Yes” but be pretty quick about it – like 5 to 10 seconds max. James 1:5-7 puts it well. When saying “Yes” it could also be something like “Hello” – anything to stay the course, keep the momentum going. As important is showing your connection physically: a handshake, a touch, a hug. Despite trying, I fall short most of the time on both these actions.

As you’ve seen above, saying “Yes” is really only a small part of getting your message across. Your body language and voice tone give your real intention and state of mind away, no matter what you say. “Your actions speak so loudly, I cannot hear what you are saying.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

These are the real clues to what someone means, but the most difficult to read - certainly for me. And the next part is to be sufficiently sure about these non-verbal clues so as to act on it - in the moment. To complicate things even more, men and women are from different planets, so to speak. All the above is true whether you’re in a personal relationship, or interacting at work.

Noëlline BRIENS at Arra Vineyards & Pulpit Rock Winery

Spending six months with two girls in the office I certainly learnt a lot, but nowhere did I come close to getting it right all the time. Elvis Blue sings: “Sometimes we have to start again... Hey! Have you ever lost your way?... The sun will shine again.” I must say, with wine tasting being part of your job description it smooth most things out. Add to that cellar tours, winelands trips, roadside picnics and you’re on the right track. Don’t get ahead of yourself though, just relax and go with the flow.

The next is as important. Admit your mistakes – quickly. Apologise sincerely and set things right. Move on from there, forget and bury whatever caused the disharmony.  Go forth, dance, sing songs of praise and do acts of love. Be more daring, act on your intuition and welcome surprises. Be less scared, have less regrets and bury the guilt. In short: You have a life. Live it!

So what are you and I supposed to do? Breathe deeply, exhale; and then focus on what’s happening right now in front of you. “Be present. It’s the only moment that matters.” Only then can you say “Yes” with conviction - whatever the question - and be ready to act on it immediately.

But without empathy you’re not going to get anywhere. This means: forget yourself, your own ego, put yourself in the other person’s shoes – your spouse, lover, child, sister, brother; client, boss, colleague. Reflect on what this interaction, date, task, project, means to them – why do they do what they do - because it is as valid as your reason. There are no right or wrong answers, only different points of view. Understand theirs, accept it and embrace it. Ruth 1:16-17 puts this more eloquently.

Victoria RÉMY & Noëlline BRIENS  in the Winelands plus Absolute Style Wines

Final advice: Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can. Don’t ever give up hope. Aim to win. Do all this boldly and with absolute enthusiasm! Bonne chance !

On a personal level, I agree with Coco Chanel: “A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous.” / « Une fille devrait être deux choses: chic et fabuleuse. »

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Photo credits:-

1.       Arra Vineyards plus Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines triplet; Champagne DEVAUX, Kanonkop Estate – Anton BLIGNAULT

          Absolute Style Wines – Victoria RÉMY

2.       Arra Vineyards wine tasting room & Pulpit Rock Winery barrel cellar: - Anton BLIGNAULT & Pulpit Rock Winery

References:-

Coco  CHANEL

Elvis Blue, “Shine” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iw5-hRZIoN0&t=213

JF Hillebrand SA

John Gray, “Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus”

McNabs

Noëlline BRIENS, FMS

Pierre-Samuel REYNE, Champagne DEVAUX

Romain LESAGE, FMS

The Holy Bible: KJV Ruth 1:16-17 & James 1:5-7

Victoria RÉMY, FMS

© 2017 Anton BLIGNAULT, Cape Town South Africa

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