“If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs and blaming it on you, you'll be a Man, my son!”
Rudyard Kipling’s famous quote is quite a statement at this time of economic pandemonium and one that is suitable.
With all the panic in today’s markets and the gloom and doom press, it’s easy to become disillusioned with the world, place oneself under stress and therefore potentially make poor decisions.
While the Australian economy is having some challenges (what economy doesn’t), there are still opportunities that arise every day. This demands flexibility and adaptability to changing one’s situation and/or surroundings and at the same time sticking to fundamentals such as living within ones means.
Also, these uncertain times are wonderful for revisiting, revising and reconfirming personal, professional and financial goals to make sure you are on track, should stay on the track or need to move sideways to achieve the end goal.
The reason for this is, the sort of opportunities that may be thrown up are far greater in size and scale in bad times than in good times. You need to be able to assess whether the opportunity being presented will still in some way lead to your end goal even if the track changes. Your path to the goal needs to be adaptable and flexible enough to cope with the opportunity should it turn out to be right for you.
The Phils-osophy
Keep your head while everyone is losing theirs and be ready for the opportunities and offers that come your way. Some will be right for you and some won’t. But only a clear head can make that decision. We may not see anything like it again in our life time
To your success
Phil
http://www.philipwagner.com.au/
Thursday, 7 June 2012
Tuesday, 22 May 2012
No pain no gain – how to “out learn” and “outwork” your competition in an economic recession.
In recent training sessions I have been conducting, it has been interesting to observe the differing backgrounds of participants attending and the impact of the current local and global economic uncertainty on them.
There are those who have consistently attended, done the work required and have learnt something. Their assessments are high quality, supported by a great deal of research.
Then there are those who stopped attending after 1 or 2 sessions. Either the sessions were not meant for them or they knew it already or “I’ve heard all this before.”
This brings me to how to “outlearn” and “outwork” your competition in an economic recession.
In the 21st century and beyond, the only skill that will NEVER become obsolete is the ability to learn.
The rate of knowledge is doubling every 18 months to 2 years. This can drastically improve your earning potential.
Learning is a lot like exercising; it's an activity that must be done often to attain maximum results. Your brain, just like the other muscles in your body, needs to be challenged and remain active.
Why “outlearn” and “outwork” the competition? Two reasons
1. If you do not, some else will jump in front of the queue, outlearn and outwork you and you will fall behind.
2. More opportunities appear in economic downturns because problems come to the surface more readily!
The Phils-osophy
Tough times can bring out the worst or the best in people. Don’t leave it to chance.
Outlearn and outwork – because the rewards, even when its tough are amazing!
To your success
Phil
Wednesday, 2 May 2012
ANZAC Day - a perspective
I attended the ANZAC Day Dawn Service at our local RSL last week. ANZAC Day has grown considerably in the Australian psyche in the last 10 years.
Amidst the heavy downpour, many people still attended the Box Hill Dawn Service. In typical RSL fashion, the organisers decided to continue the service despite the rain.
The local Cadet Unit provided the guard. It was wonderful to see these teenagers of the Cadet Unit maintain their poise and dignity in atrocious conditions with a resilience that was appreciated by all.
The numbers and variety of people that attended staggered me. The appalling weather was not a deterrent. After the service, over the traditional “gunfire” breakfast, I observed the warmth of conversation and feeling among the crowd.
This is in total contrast to when I first joined the Army in 1983. We were spat upon and abused on ANZAC Day by the various protest groups. It was the sign of the times; the cold war, a real fear around nuclear weapons, USA vs USSR. Fear was the norm.
In 2012, there seems to be a real effort by many to understand what makes up the ANZAC tradition. Is it courage, initiative, teamwork or that uniquely Australian quality of mateship? It seems to me that that quality “mateship” is gradually making a comeback; that sense of providing unconditional support and not leaving anyone behind and helping a mate when they fall behind.
The Phil's-osophy
For all its faults and failings, Australia is and continues to be an amazing country. Let us continue to contribute to make this nation what it is – a safe and great country with a “mateship” philosophy that embraces all.
To your continuing success,
Phil.
www.philipwagner.com.au
Amidst the heavy downpour, many people still attended the Box Hill Dawn Service. In typical RSL fashion, the organisers decided to continue the service despite the rain.
The local Cadet Unit provided the guard. It was wonderful to see these teenagers of the Cadet Unit maintain their poise and dignity in atrocious conditions with a resilience that was appreciated by all.
The numbers and variety of people that attended staggered me. The appalling weather was not a deterrent. After the service, over the traditional “gunfire” breakfast, I observed the warmth of conversation and feeling among the crowd.
This is in total contrast to when I first joined the Army in 1983. We were spat upon and abused on ANZAC Day by the various protest groups. It was the sign of the times; the cold war, a real fear around nuclear weapons, USA vs USSR. Fear was the norm.
In 2012, there seems to be a real effort by many to understand what makes up the ANZAC tradition. Is it courage, initiative, teamwork or that uniquely Australian quality of mateship? It seems to me that that quality “mateship” is gradually making a comeback; that sense of providing unconditional support and not leaving anyone behind and helping a mate when they fall behind.
The Phil's-osophy
For all its faults and failings, Australia is and continues to be an amazing country. Let us continue to contribute to make this nation what it is – a safe and great country with a “mateship” philosophy that embraces all.
To your continuing success,
Phil.
www.philipwagner.com.au
Wednesday, 28 March 2012
The Forgotten Art of Handwriting – Relevant in the 21stCentury?
An article about handwriting or what was once called “penmanship” appeared in the Fairfax press yesterday (26 March 2012). To quote:
“ONCE penmanship was an art and handwriting a skill developed through endless practice. Now, teachers say, cursive handwriting is disappearing from secondary schools, leaving many senior students unable to write quickly or fluently. The finger is being pointed at technology.”
“By the time students arrive in high school many dump the cursive style they have been taught in primary school and take on childlike printing — with boys in particular often using block capital letters to write sentences”
There appears to be two schools of thought on this; one that says effectively to move with the times, who writes anymore anyway and another that laments at the decline in fundamental skills.
I was once told by a teacher, when querying about the lack of school and parent focus on handwriting, “don’t worry, they have spellchecker in Microsoft Word“. And who can argue with that logic. We don’t handwrite reports; we use Microsoft Word or the like. We don’t handwrite letters; we email. We don’t handwrite notes; we SMS or use one of the many smartphone or tablet apps.
All of the above also applies to me. I use technology extensively – this newsletter for example. Written in Word and sent to you as an email.
But I still believe the ability to write legibly is up there with the ability to spell (without the use of spellchecker), read, do basic math and comprehend.
The current research indicates that handwriting improves brain development, helping children to write in full sentences and increases cognitive capacity …fundamental stuff!
What has this got to do with 21st Century professional and personal growth? A great deal.
Writing, along with reading and maths are foundational skills; without these, one builds a proverbial “house on the sand”.
Without the basics, more complex skills become harder to attain and maintain. This could lead to a life on the economic 'scrapheap' as those with the basics move faster and further away from where you are and the jobs you have the skills for slowly disappear.
The Phil’s-osophy
Write by hand when you can. Keep writing by hand. Never ever lose this skill. Keep on revising your reading, writing and mathematic skills. These three form the foundations.
Because should the lights go out, the fundamental skills are the key to getting back into the sunlight.
To your success,
Phil.
http://www.philipwagner.com.au/
“ONCE penmanship was an art and handwriting a skill developed through endless practice. Now, teachers say, cursive handwriting is disappearing from secondary schools, leaving many senior students unable to write quickly or fluently. The finger is being pointed at technology.”
“By the time students arrive in high school many dump the cursive style they have been taught in primary school and take on childlike printing — with boys in particular often using block capital letters to write sentences”
There appears to be two schools of thought on this; one that says effectively to move with the times, who writes anymore anyway and another that laments at the decline in fundamental skills.
I was once told by a teacher, when querying about the lack of school and parent focus on handwriting, “don’t worry, they have spellchecker in Microsoft Word“. And who can argue with that logic. We don’t handwrite reports; we use Microsoft Word or the like. We don’t handwrite letters; we email. We don’t handwrite notes; we SMS or use one of the many smartphone or tablet apps.
All of the above also applies to me. I use technology extensively – this newsletter for example. Written in Word and sent to you as an email.
But I still believe the ability to write legibly is up there with the ability to spell (without the use of spellchecker), read, do basic math and comprehend.
The current research indicates that handwriting improves brain development, helping children to write in full sentences and increases cognitive capacity …fundamental stuff!
What has this got to do with 21st Century professional and personal growth? A great deal.
Writing, along with reading and maths are foundational skills; without these, one builds a proverbial “house on the sand”.
Without the basics, more complex skills become harder to attain and maintain. This could lead to a life on the economic 'scrapheap' as those with the basics move faster and further away from where you are and the jobs you have the skills for slowly disappear.
The Phil’s-osophy
Write by hand when you can. Keep writing by hand. Never ever lose this skill. Keep on revising your reading, writing and mathematic skills. These three form the foundations.
Because should the lights go out, the fundamental skills are the key to getting back into the sunlight.
To your success,
Phil.
http://www.philipwagner.com.au/
Tuesday, 20 March 2012
Empty Bank Accounts Don't Feed Hungry Mouths
In challenging economic times the art of “rich bashing” becomes a profession. It never ceases to amaze me, why those people who invest time and money in themselves to grow and support themselves and their families and communities, are bashed in media commentary as “rich ba<expletive>ds” and so on.
I attended a seminar recently run by my Thought Leader colleague and friend Dale Beaumont. Dale made the key point:
“Empty bank accounts don’t feed hungry mouths”.
It’s a bit like socialism; great idea until the money runs out.
Bank accounts are like reservoir dams. When times are good, and rains are regular, the dam keeps filling with constant rain and the water is used, both wisely and in the majority, unwisely.
The same happens with bank accounts. A healthy bank account, with savings, constantly replenished, is considered a very basic and fundamental indicator of your financial health.
Why have a full bank account? Because you can make a difference with your financial health and your contributions.
Prevention: a full bank account means you do not have to rely on someone else (read Centrelink & taxpayer) for support.
Contribution: You choose to whom, when, how and how much, you make your financial contribution.
The Phil’s-osophy
Make sure your bank account continues to fill constantly and when emptied, do so wisely.
It does wonders to your feeling of abundance!
To your success,
Phil
http://www.philipwagner.com.au/
Wednesday, 14 March 2012
Everyone gets a Fair Go - It's what you do with it that counts.
The Australian tradition of mateship
and a “fair go” has been around for a long time. Recent political and public
commentary has taken a “fair go” from one extreme to another; from the original
intent of an even chance for everyone and the implicit intention that everyone
decides what to do with their even chance, to the idea it is an
entitlement.
The danger I see is the growing victim mentality (“what about me” and “why aren’t I getting a fair go”) among those believing they are missing out on the rewards or ‘entitlements’.
Leading the charge in this debate are the tabloid newspapers of Australia, with statements like “Greedy banks”, “Rich people leading luxury life while battlers struggle”, “Energy costs slug consumer.”…You get my drift. Bad news sells and so does news portraying some getting more than others.
This got me to thinking and doing some research and it became very clear to me that everyone already gets a “fair go”. The difference was what people decided to do with that “fair go”.
An example is higher education; it is now available in a way like never before; online or offline, part-time or full-time or evenings, and through various delivery modes so that individuals can learn in their own time and in their own way.
Another example is job searching; available in print or online, on your home computer or using the local library.
The Phil’s-osophy
Everyone gets a “fair go” – it’s what they do with that “fair go” that counts! Don’t listen to the media portents of doom telling you you’re missing out – because you’re not. Take responsibility and make sure you use your “fair go” to its fullest extent.
Because everything counts.
To your success
Phil
http://www.philipwagner.com.au/
The danger I see is the growing victim mentality (“what about me” and “why aren’t I getting a fair go”) among those believing they are missing out on the rewards or ‘entitlements’.
Leading the charge in this debate are the tabloid newspapers of Australia, with statements like “Greedy banks”, “Rich people leading luxury life while battlers struggle”, “Energy costs slug consumer.”…You get my drift. Bad news sells and so does news portraying some getting more than others.
This got me to thinking and doing some research and it became very clear to me that everyone already gets a “fair go”. The difference was what people decided to do with that “fair go”.
An example is higher education; it is now available in a way like never before; online or offline, part-time or full-time or evenings, and through various delivery modes so that individuals can learn in their own time and in their own way.
Another example is job searching; available in print or online, on your home computer or using the local library.
The Phil’s-osophy
Everyone gets a “fair go” – it’s what they do with that “fair go” that counts! Don’t listen to the media portents of doom telling you you’re missing out – because you’re not. Take responsibility and make sure you use your “fair go” to its fullest extent.
Because everything counts.
To your success
Phil
http://www.philipwagner.com.au/
Tuesday, 6 March 2012
To Be Serious or Not!
Last time, I wrote about the “will” or “will not”.
This week – the “serious” or “serious not”.
I’m writing this newsletter while waiting for a student to
turn up to a training session on project management. Our arranged start time is
09:00 AM on a Wednesday. He has sent me an SMS advising he will not be
attending until 10:00 AM.
This is now the third week in a row that he has arrived
later than our agreed time.
I asked him why he wants to learn Project Management. As
with many international students, he wants to stay longer in Australia
While
he may say he is serious about staying in Australia ,
his actions are totally contrary to that of staying in Australia
If
you are not serious about you and
your goals and doing something (even small steps) that may be a bit tough to achieve,
over time, the lack of seriousness will be transferred to many other areas of
life.
This
shows the problem for many people; their words are not supported by their
actions because really they are not serious about themselves. They have not had
that conversation with themselves about what they are prepared to do to achieve it.
The Phil’s-osophy
Those who are serious about themselves, will always reach
their goal.
They understand that there is a price to pay for success and
they are willing to pay it.
The seriousness creates the drive, the energy and the get up
and go. You are either serious about something or you are not! There is no
half-measure.
To your success,
Phil.
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