Thursday, August 14, 2014
EE amendments
To all employers: a Handy Hint: We were informed yesterday that should your company be audited by DoL for EE purposes, the EE Manager and the EE Committee is entitled to sit in on any and all meetings and interviews that occur. This is law.
Monday, June 23, 2014
Defending the Cavewoman
I was fortunate enough to FINALLY go and watch Defending the Caveman on Wednesday evening. Did I laugh hard! What a funny performance and so true to life!
It did get me thinking though. Although we laugh hard at the punchlines, the scary part is how much we can all relate. To the stereotypes, to the fallacies and the myths and more than anything, the prejudice. Not just in the dynamics between the genders, but between the races, between the age groups, between the classes. How did it even start and where did it come from?
More to the point, will it ever end? I think although we laugh really easily at things of this nature, it is something that can go from a spark to a flame without any encouragement. Start off as a joke and end up in an argument. Or worse.
Does it not come from fear more than any other place? Fear of the unknown, of the unfamiliar. But then should it not spark curiosity, questioning, investigating? Why does it need to be quite so dogmatic in it's approach?
Makes one realise just HOW important those sessions on Diversity in the Workplace really are. Or Laughter Therapy. Or any activity that helps us see past our differences into our similarities.
Especially as we enter the month of Mandela, let us all put our differences aside, and be kind to one another.
It did get me thinking though. Although we laugh hard at the punchlines, the scary part is how much we can all relate. To the stereotypes, to the fallacies and the myths and more than anything, the prejudice. Not just in the dynamics between the genders, but between the races, between the age groups, between the classes. How did it even start and where did it come from?
More to the point, will it ever end? I think although we laugh really easily at things of this nature, it is something that can go from a spark to a flame without any encouragement. Start off as a joke and end up in an argument. Or worse.
Does it not come from fear more than any other place? Fear of the unknown, of the unfamiliar. But then should it not spark curiosity, questioning, investigating? Why does it need to be quite so dogmatic in it's approach?
Makes one realise just HOW important those sessions on Diversity in the Workplace really are. Or Laughter Therapy. Or any activity that helps us see past our differences into our similarities.
Especially as we enter the month of Mandela, let us all put our differences aside, and be kind to one another.
Monday, June 2, 2014
10000 is a big number
Last Wednesday, 28 May, I graduated from the Goldman-Sachs GIBS 10000 Women Certificate Programme for Women Entrepeneurs. On top of this, I was asked to address my class, as one of two women chosen to speak. My 'boyfriend' has been telling me I need to start doing speaking for a year now. She is adamant that this is where my calling lies.
I know that the thought of speaking, before last Wednesday, was enough to reduce me to tears. The thought alone. At my 'boyfriend's' instruction I had looked into doing Toastmasters. LAST NOVEMBER. However, I had looked into it and so my conscience was quelled.
In the past few months, I have had so many signs from so many sources, encouraging me to speak. To share my gift, to share my passion and to share myself and my story, with others. So when Misha asked me to address our group, I knew I had no choice. 'Keep it a secret' she warned. So I sat down and feverishly attempted to write a sterling speech.
After dismally failing, on a plane back from Cape Town, I was flooded with the words. They found me.
When the day came, and I was called forward, I stood up, walked to the front (amidst cat calls of 'Benoniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii'!!!!!!!!!!!!) and I spoke. TO my fellow learners. From a place deep inside. And I LOVED IT and I absolutely killed it. Did everybody justice including my mom who happened to be my date for the grad.
A prouder moment I am not sure I have ever had. As I returned to my seat I had a colleague in front of me sobbing her eyes out and THANKING ME for what I said.
On Thursday morning I showed the girls in the office, and I had our Financial Manager crying too!
On Friday I met with another mentor for lunch, and she said to me that she can tell I am not following my true purpose and my true passion.
On Saturday night I met a complete stranger who told me that I need to share me and myself and my gift with the world, with her having no idea what that was or why she was even saying it.
And so today I say, I AM READY UNIVERSE. I am open and I am ready and I want to not just talk about changing the world, I want to be that change.
I am, after all, one of 10000 Women internationally to graduate the Goldman Sachs programme. I am, after all a child of God, as Marianne Williamson tells me. And as my 'boyfriend' constantly reminds me, WHO SAYS SO? Well Jen, I do. And I am ready!
Be kind to one another.
I know that the thought of speaking, before last Wednesday, was enough to reduce me to tears. The thought alone. At my 'boyfriend's' instruction I had looked into doing Toastmasters. LAST NOVEMBER. However, I had looked into it and so my conscience was quelled.
In the past few months, I have had so many signs from so many sources, encouraging me to speak. To share my gift, to share my passion and to share myself and my story, with others. So when Misha asked me to address our group, I knew I had no choice. 'Keep it a secret' she warned. So I sat down and feverishly attempted to write a sterling speech.
After dismally failing, on a plane back from Cape Town, I was flooded with the words. They found me.
When the day came, and I was called forward, I stood up, walked to the front (amidst cat calls of 'Benoniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii'!!!!!!!!!!!!) and I spoke. TO my fellow learners. From a place deep inside. And I LOVED IT and I absolutely killed it. Did everybody justice including my mom who happened to be my date for the grad.
A prouder moment I am not sure I have ever had. As I returned to my seat I had a colleague in front of me sobbing her eyes out and THANKING ME for what I said.
On Thursday morning I showed the girls in the office, and I had our Financial Manager crying too!
On Friday I met with another mentor for lunch, and she said to me that she can tell I am not following my true purpose and my true passion.
On Saturday night I met a complete stranger who told me that I need to share me and myself and my gift with the world, with her having no idea what that was or why she was even saying it.
And so today I say, I AM READY UNIVERSE. I am open and I am ready and I want to not just talk about changing the world, I want to be that change.
I am, after all, one of 10000 Women internationally to graduate the Goldman Sachs programme. I am, after all a child of God, as Marianne Williamson tells me. And as my 'boyfriend' constantly reminds me, WHO SAYS SO? Well Jen, I do. And I am ready!
Be kind to one another.
MONDAY MOTIVATION
As a woman, I think that the world losing Maya Angelou last week was a massive loss and I would like to remind all women, and all individuals out there of one of her greatest quotes for my Monday Motivation: "I've learned that making a living is not the same thing as making a life." GO OUT THERE AND BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD. Have a beautiful week ahead.
Wednesday, April 9, 2014
Freedom of choice
I am an avid follower of Les Brown and I appreciate the work he does and the words he speaks. I follow him on Facebook, and last week he posted something which spoke to my very core as a woman and as an adult human being. He wrote:
Are you living together or dying together? Reflect on
this question - What is my relationship doing to me? Am I growing mentally,
emotionally and spiritually? Is it nourishing or is it toxic? Does it bring out
the best in me? Can I be myself? Take a good look in the mirror. Are you being
true to yourself and real about what matters to you? Look in the mirror and
face the truth about who you are, where you are and what you really want.
If you're in a positive, loving relationship, find more
ways to create a richer, connected life together. Continue to deepen the
romance and see each other as the best thing that ever happened in your lives.
Increase and enhance communication which is the key that unlocks the door to
deeper intimacy.
On the other hand, have you allowed yourself to put on a
mask and pretend that everything is fine? Are you in a place where neither one
of you wants to be the first to say goodbye? When you're alone, do you find
yourself in places of quiet desperation? Whatever is going on in your personal
relationship will show up in your professional performance. Make the choice to
live your authentic self and live in a life that you love. You Deserve!
I think that this is just so poignant on how we allow ourselves to live our lives! In our work, in our families, in our friendships, and especially in our partnerships. Are you living together or are you dying together? My wish for you is that you are LIVING together and GROWING together.
Take care of one another.
Friday, March 14, 2014
Hayley Hynd: Gratitude
Hayley Hynd: Gratitude: This week I was in Port Elizabeth, our beautiful friendly city. Some of my very favourite clients are based in this city and so it is always...
Gratitude
This week I was in Port Elizabeth, our beautiful friendly city. Some of my very favourite clients are based in this city and so it is always food for my soul to visit them.
The work I was assisting with was for the most part transformational, and this in itself makes my heart smile.
However, I have become more and more aware of the fact that most people are not grateful. Or thankful, and nothing much makes their hearts sing anymore.
I am not for one minute insinuating that I am a master of this. However I can firmly state that I write in my Gratitude Journal every day. I can uncategorically confirm that I read and read and read - motivational books, inspirational works, and food for the mushy part inside. I can also state that I help others. Whether its with a smile, a hand, a shoulder, or a hug, I help others each and every day. This for me has become a habit.
I still wonder though at our unwillingness and inability to wonder. When did we lose this? How did we become so cynical and so pessimistic? I understand that life is hard. People battle. We all fight demons every day.
But imagine the impact if each one of us did just one thing today to make somebody else smile from the inside. When nobody else was looking. Imagine the impact if we all started practicing gratitude. Gratitude for our jobs, gratitude for our homes, gratitude for the meals we enjoy, gratitude for our health and the health of our families. The impact, in my humble opinion, would be vast.
I have heard it quoted 'Imagine we woke up tomorrow with only what we had said thank you for today'. A sobering thought.
So let us all try. To be grateful for just one thing a day. Lets start there. And to do just one selfless thing for another person a day. Imagine the huge difference we could make!
Be kind to one another.
The work I was assisting with was for the most part transformational, and this in itself makes my heart smile.
However, I have become more and more aware of the fact that most people are not grateful. Or thankful, and nothing much makes their hearts sing anymore.
I am not for one minute insinuating that I am a master of this. However I can firmly state that I write in my Gratitude Journal every day. I can uncategorically confirm that I read and read and read - motivational books, inspirational works, and food for the mushy part inside. I can also state that I help others. Whether its with a smile, a hand, a shoulder, or a hug, I help others each and every day. This for me has become a habit.
I still wonder though at our unwillingness and inability to wonder. When did we lose this? How did we become so cynical and so pessimistic? I understand that life is hard. People battle. We all fight demons every day.
But imagine the impact if each one of us did just one thing today to make somebody else smile from the inside. When nobody else was looking. Imagine the impact if we all started practicing gratitude. Gratitude for our jobs, gratitude for our homes, gratitude for the meals we enjoy, gratitude for our health and the health of our families. The impact, in my humble opinion, would be vast.
I have heard it quoted 'Imagine we woke up tomorrow with only what we had said thank you for today'. A sobering thought.
So let us all try. To be grateful for just one thing a day. Lets start there. And to do just one selfless thing for another person a day. Imagine the huge difference we could make!
Be kind to one another.
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