The Problem: Why So Many People Are Struggling to Sleep Sleep difficulties are no longer a niche problem — they are a global health issue. In Why We Sleep, neuroscientist Matthew Walker presents compelling evidence that a large portion of adults in modern society consistently fail to get the recommended 7–9 hours of sleep per…
Recently, I came to realise that it’s easier to preach than it is to practice, and I was very guilty of not practicing what I preach. For the last while, from a business point of view, it seemed that at every turn I was hitting a brick wall. A couple of my coaching and training…
I was aged 10 and I was at little league baseball practice – my chosen sport when I was younger. We were having batting practice and myself and my friend Darren started to have a competition about who could hit the most home runs. Every time we went up to bat, whether we hit a…
2 Sundays ago, I attended a silent sunrise dance gathering on Strand beach in Cape Town. But it wasn’t all that pleasant…to begin with. An organised silent dance gathering is a group of people dancing in nature, usually on a beach or in a park, listening to music through headphones. So as cool as it…
Why Play Matters More Than Ever When was the last time you played just for the joy of it? In our fast-paced world, play often feels like a luxury rather than a necessity. But what if it were the key to creativity, well-being, and productivity? In previous blog posts, I’ve written about the benefits of…
Last week I was lucky enough to spend four days in the Cedarberg Mountains. And it was here that I got to experience the rhythm of calmness and realising how important it is to us. This happened during a guided rock art tour. Abi, our guide was explaining that even though the tools that were…
As many of you who have read my blogs and posts know how highly I place the need to play when it comes to creativity development and contributing to our wellbeing. While recently doing some research for one of my coaching clients who has slightly diminished executive functioning skills, I came to realise how much…
Have you ever wondered why some teams gel and work, and some just can’t get it together to be a success? I’m not only talking about sports teams but organisational teams too. I think I’ve discovered a few gems that can contribute to team development. Over the last while I’ve watched two documentaries. The first…
It’s been mentioned on numerous occasions including on platforms like LinkedIn that adaptability is the key skill that we should be developing. We’re now living in a time with information is coming our way at greater speed, hyper disruptions in global economics, wars, politics and of course the growth of AI. Jobs are changing, communication…
Thank you for taking the time out to read my #blog. If you enjoy it, please like and share it. If you have any points either for or against, please comment. In my effective leadership program, which is a personal leadership development program, I outline the 12 traits of effective leadership, one thing I’m always…
Accountability: The Trust Builder that Elevates Performance “Accountability breeds response-ability.” Accountability extends far beyond mere responsibility. It’s a crucial trait for thriving in life. While it’s easy to shirk responsibility, pass the buck, or even lie to avoid being accountable, the real test lies in building and maintaining trust. Here’s why accountability is a game-changer…
“Our imagination doesn’t promote creativity.” And I’m sure that you are reading this article just to try to find out who is the weirdo that would write such a statement. We all have imaginations, and we all use it every day-to-day dream, dream up new ideas, dream of contributing to the world, or even dreaming…
In 2001 I knocked on the door of the manager’s office at the then working grain silos in the VA Waterfront in Cape Town. I asked him if I could take some photos of the grain being loaded into the trains, the men carrying the bags of wheat to the trucks, and the people working…
“The purpose of the beehive isn’t to make honey: Honey is a by-product of a healthy hive.” The Song of Significance – Seth Godin Why this quote emphasises the need to consider the wellbeing of those involved in any relationship, whether personal or professional When we do that, we create a healthy environment. An environment…
What is Createfulness? Createfulness is about growth and expansion – whether for personal self-development, or for an idea, team, or venture. The changes needed is not always the easiest, but utilising the 3 tools of play, create and lead produces a more holistic journey that promotes the idea of being cognisant of our well-being, exploring…
Think back to the time when we were children when we just did things because we could – when we indulged in PLAY. We flew kites or drew with coloured pencils on a piece of paper. We chased our friends, we laughed, we shouted, we play-fought, we built sandcastles, played with puppets, we had imaginary…
Why is creativity a leadership trait and not bravery?
It’s a question that gets asked often when I introduce the twelve traits of effective leaders.
In this article, we delve into creativity and what it REALLY is, and why even leaders can be creative.
Effective communication is one of the most important pillars of effective leadership. This article looks at the elements of effective communication and how we can develop our skills in this area.
What is an effective leader? Some of the questions I commonly receive as an accredited leadership trainer and a credentialed Life and Transformation coach when I’m facilitating my leadership skills program is “What is an effective leader?”, “What is effective leadership?” or “How do effective leaders behave?” I always like to start with what effective…
WHY does micromanaging happen? WHAT are the Effects? HOW to combat it? In an organisation what can happen is that a person gets good at their job, they perform it excellently so that the powers that be take notice and decide that a promotion is in order. Along with the promotion, an added responsibility is…
In 1891 a German physicist, Hermann von Helmholtz spoke about a thought process that he used when he was trying to solve a problem or make a connection or create something new. He said that this process included 4 stages. The Preparation stage – the stage where he studied, researched, explored, and acquired as much…
Many fantasise about moving from the big city to a small town Graham Abbott made such a move. His passion is photography and his love for this art, combined with his desire to contribute to those around him led him to create the Barrydale Analogue photographic festival. In this episode, “Transforming life in a small…
The difference between working as a CEO and a Solopreneur couldn’t be bigger. As a CEO you have teams reporting to you, and limited “me,” time. As a Solopreneur you have to motivate yourself and be accountable to keep on moving forward and It can get lonely. In this latest episode of the Createfulness podcast, “Creating…
In this latest episode of the Createfulness podcast, the tables are turned as the usual host, Gary Hirson is interviewed. For 20 days he was trying to raise funds via a crowdfunding platform so that he could get to see his photographs that are to be exhibited in the Swiss Museum of transport. In this…
Coping with shutting down a successful business and laying off staff members due to Covid, and then managing to pick yourself and carrying on takes some doing. Open and honest communication has to happen. New boundaries and priorities need to be set and structure needs to be placed so that continued growth can e allowed…
Have you ever had a conversation with someone who sheds so much light on a topic that you realise that your perception related to it was so wrong? Well, that’s what happened to me during my chat with Jolanda de Villiers Morkel of Stadio Higher education on this latest episode of the Creatfulness podcast where…
On a recent trip to France, I visited Reims, the capital of the champagne region. A city with history, art and culture, champagne (of course) and pink biscuits. all making for a delectable story that has just been published in Bidvest’s Premier magazine. “It all started 2 months ago at the kitchen counter while I …
Some dream of being an internationally recognised DJ, and a tech entrepreneur. As fantastic as it all is, there is still all the behind-the-scenes- work to make it happen. We also need to look after ourselves, by playing, while finding the creative inspiration, and acting in a certain way by taking action on the inspiration…
Ever lain awake in the middle of the night with what seems like 1000 thoughts flying around in your head? I’m sure you have as it’s not uncommon at all. During the middle of last night, it happened to me, and try as I might I couldn’t stop thinking, so I couldn’t fall asleep. In…
“Creativity is not, are you smart?” But rather, “how are you smart?” “Create the best with what’s in front of you.” It’s not about “me,” it’s about “we,” as co-creating and collaborations lead to more.” All form part of this latest episode of the Createfulness podcast. In this episode, I speak with coach, trainer, facilitator,…
When is a good age to start with personal leadership development? Jayne a Life Coach and ex-school teacher, along with her husband Chris have created a multi-media platform to introduce personal leadership skills to young teenagers. Have a listen to my chat with Jayne as we discuss all that she and Chris are doing, the…
Paul Zamek’s mantra is, “keep it light, keep it interesting, and keep it going!” An icon in the global music industry and a fantastic raconteur, Paul, along with his wife -living according to their ideals, beliefs, and aspirations, ventured to foreign lands to start a new. In this episode, Paul not only talks about his…
Helene Marie Ceillier, like many others, was dramatically affected by the onset of Covid. As a creative entrepreneur, she realised that she had to pivot, and quickly. In this episode of the #_createfulness_podcast, we chat about pivoting and her journey which resulted in her tapping into the pleasures she found as a child and an…
I do realise that we’re currently experiencing very uncertain times. However, I wanted to introduce myself and bring to your attention what I offer in the way of upskilling students in Leadership and Life Skills. I can only imagine the stresses and strains that Chefs, kitchen, and hospitality staff must endure. Hot and enclosed environment,…
In this 3rd episode of the Createfulness podcast series, I chat with Gordon Ros of Ideacircus 1965. One of the reasons some feel that they’re not creative is because they’re not a published author or don’t have a picture hanging in a gallery. To dispel that myth I speak with Gordon Ros about his creative…
In this second episode of the Createfulness podcast, I chat with Trisha Lord Rule. Trisha heads up Braveheart Life which linked to the works of Nancy Klein’s Thinking Environment. During our conversation, we discuss – among other things – how our thinking and assumptions affect our opinion on whether we’re creative or not and whether…
In the very first episode of the Createfulness series, I chat with Berenice Chabanel. Berenice is the head Girl at Woodridge College. As a young woman, we chat about her thoughts about leadership, her brand of creativity, and how they are connected. Her insightful opinions showcase that both leadership and creativity apply to us all,…
Welcome to the intro of the Createfulness podcast I believe we are all uniquely creative and I know that Leadership skills can be developed. I also believe that there is a lot of synergy between the two. No matter what the level of the creative project – whether it’s just a hobby, or something more,…
Welcome to the intro of the Createfulness podcast I believe we are all uniquely creative and I know that Leadership skills can be developed. I also believe that there is a lot of synergy between the two. No matter what the level of the creative project – whether it’s just a hobby, or something more,…
I’m not sure how many times I’ve heard, “I’m not really creative,” or “I wish I were as creative as so and so…” I believe that we’re all creative, but we live in a world where we have to have accomplished something to be recognised, and because of this some feel that they offer very…
The one thing I remember about my childhood, teen years, and twenties, is how brave I was. Back then my dreams were big, taking on the world didn’t require a second thought, and I had the energy to do it. That’s the beauty of youth, the world is an adventure, the bravery is close at…
How your choice of what you do with your #_Createful_ Matter, (our unique brand of #_createful_ expression) Matters… Whatever our #_createful_ matter is, we can tend to have doubts, to start it, or showcase it to the world. This could be related to self-doubt or doubt that our #_createful matter_ won’t be appreciated. The thing…
Recently I read this quote by Albert Einstein, “Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value,” and it got me thinking. Our interpretation of success is a personal thing and if striving for success becomes all-consuming, it could result in us becoming self-centered. However, if we prefer to be of value,…
This morning I woke up and life seemed…shit! The wind was howling and the rain pelted the shutters. I hadn’t slept well due to stress. I was tired, irritated and all I saw was grey…through very scratchy eyes. Getting out of bed wasn’t my 1st choice. I’m busy with creating a new online program and…
Here I find myself doing research on how to do something, fun, exciting, romantic, entertaining, adventurous, etc. every day for the 31 days of August… …and “why,” you might be asking? I blame it on the combination of the extra glass or two of bootlegged wine during a lockdown lunch and being the ideal and…
Don’t you just love it when you come to an understanding which makes something so much easier? I’ve come to understand that there is a formula to being Createful. In a recent video, I posted I used the analogy of a train journey when it comes to the journey of being Createful – there’s a…
This last Sunday morning I was sitting outside in the garden, with my partner Helene- Marie. We were enjoying a cup of coffee on a warmer, clear, winter’s morning, chatting about this and that. Helene – Marie mentioned something related to my Createfulness program that I run, and without realising it I was internally swimming…
I’m happy to tell you this, but you are creative! Sure you might not have a piece of art hanging in The Tate Gallery, or you mightn’t have won the Booker Prize for the novel you never wrote but I’m certain you’ve done the following; You’ve tried something new, You’ve been curious about something and…
So here I am sitting in my office, my door is closed and just short of a sign hanging on it saying, “DON’T DISTURB!!” I’ve disconnected my internet connection, and my cell phone is upside down, off, and out of sight. All of this just to write this post. It probably all sounds quite extreme…
Whenever I do either of the 2 magic tricks that I know the audience is left truly speechless before they almost always ask, “how did you do that?” One is a card trick, and the other one involves making 3 nuts disappear into thin air. So what exactly am I doing when I’m doing the…
I had arrived at the village of Muang Ngoi in Northern Laos. It was during the monsoon season – the air was damp, thick and grey. It had been an 8-hour boat up the Nam Ngoi river and I was tired but happy to be there. Muang Ngnoi squats on a riverbank and is wrapped…
Mindfulness is too serene, wispy, and it takes too much work. It lacks drama – all the stuff that we love in our lives. In the movie that’s in my head, I continuously swing between the past scenes – reliving old dramas, comparing myself to others, attaching happiness, anger, and regret,…etc. Or to the future…
Coronavirus isn’t the main challenge anymore, there’s something more – and no this isn’t a conspiracy theory. As per the experts’ instructions, we’ve done what we can do to hopefully keep us out of the virus’s reach. We wear masks, we exercise when we can, we keep social distancing, and we continuously wash our hands….
HelloDuring these unprecedented times, with social distancing, lockdown and a potentially new future on the horizon, all of this can lead to a rise in anxiousness.As we can’t go out to walk, run, gym, etc what is the best way to cope with it?As a Life Coach, I was recently contacted by Cape Talk Radio…
I like the ritual of “breaking bread” with someone – it’s welcoming and has a tinge of warmth to it. This is my thought while eyeing the golden croissant poised between my fingers. My girlfriend and I are at a café in Paris. Helene-Marie prefers a morning baguette and I prefer a croissant, and this…
I’m no longer a photographer… I’m now a visual, content creator and storyteller… because visual content is Royalty!!! Back in the day when I first became a photographer, meetings with clients whether an agency, magazine, business or a Corporate the discussions would be around campaigns and single or double-page spreads. Now the most common discussion…
As someone who has written, photographed and had travel stories published in magazines, quite often people say to me, “I’ve got a great story.” My response is usually, “well why don’t you write it?” To which they respond, “I don’t know how to…” The thing about travel writing is that editors are always looking for…
As mentioned in the last post, it’s really difficult to get your “dream” out there without help from others who see value in what you’re doing. But somehow like-minded people always seem to find each other. I was recently interviewed by Belinda Doveston from Apian Learning. Where we chatted for about 40 minutes about creativity,…
Hi There. We all realise that it’s one thing creating something close to our hearts but it’s another thing entirely getting it “out there,” if that’s the intention. More often than not we need all the help we can get. Earlier this year I was contacted by a French Literary blogger, Marie-Hélène Fasque, who is…
“Do you have a reservation?” was the abrupt question in broken English mixed with a strong Chinese accent. “Uh, no,” I replied meekly. “Then you can go sit in the corner!” The 4 of us shuffled slowly, heads down to our designated seated area in the He Sheng Chinese restaurant that sits on the edge…
I finished up assisting international photographers in London and returned to South Africa as a budding fashion photographer. Very shortly after returning I was taken on by Storm agency who started to represent me as a fashion photographer. As you can well imagine I was feeling great, I believed I was on the road to…
Many of give up on something before we start because we feel we don’t have the natural ability towards achieving it. In recent case studies conducted by Behavioral Psychologists – where they pitted teams with natural ability towards the goal against teams told to focus on perseverance. The outcome was quite interesting and to view…
I started losing my hair in my early 20’s and started shaving my head just before my 30’s- over 20 years ago. I think I can honestly say that I started the trend of voluntarily shaving heads to which the likes of Bruce Willis owe me a debt of gratitude. ;). Due to my lack…
It’s been said that we judge and are judged within the 1st 3 seconds of first meeting someone. I’m not sure how this relates to my story but I’ve passed the latest restaurant on our Sea Point Main Rd eating-out- adventure, many times – and I’ve judged it quite dismissively with never before ordering from…
Our 3rd venture of our eating out in restaurants lining Sea Point Main rd started off in a very subdued mood. Helene had a knee operation last year and was bravely limping along trying to combat the pain. I’d just returned from a trip with the return leg taking 26 hours, including an 8-hour layover…
Our second destination of our restaurant exploring adventures was Aris Souvlaki- the legendary Greek eatery that’s decorated Sea Point Main Road since before I arrived here. I’d survived the burping incident after the 1st restaurant. (See the previous blog post), but I was told in no uncertain terms that it would be the first and…
There’s something cool about Sea Point Main Rd. Forever busy during the day, over the weekends and the holiday season with minibus taxi’s, car guards, hawkers, shop owners, locals and tourists – hooting, selling, chatting and passing each other by. Even the ocean plays its part. When the wind is right the sea air wafts…
One of the real challenges of being self-employed or a freelancer is being able to raise funding for projects. The tight grip of the banking world only seems to tighten when nothing can be secured, and for some, dreams die before they can even begin to try and fly. Ever since becoming a professional photographer it’s…
Ever since becoming a photographer, beginning during the days of film, I’ve always kept my pictures. Yip, past girlfriends haven’t always liked the boxes and cabinets of negatives, contact sheets, and prints…..but hey, they soon came to understand that they were references to my work. About 10 – 12 years ago I was in the…
One can only imagine the amazement and awe of those first inhabitants of the Cape, and the settlers who came after, on rounding Table Bay and laying eyes on Table Mountain. Subject of myth and legend, this ancient massif has been a symbol of Cape Town ever since. Before 1929, the only way to get…
(This story was used in Travel Opulent Box’s Ezine) To me weekend getaways should be sun-filled, lazy and idyllic. But here I am, bundled together with 3 others, in a rented country- cottage in the Riebeek Valley, waiting out the most brutal of storms. The pounding water on the tin roof is deafening, drowning out…
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