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 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…
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,…
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…
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…
What does “Success” mean to you? I’m relatively short, have a shaved head, wear glasses, have to budget how I spend my money and only powerful enough to try and disagree with my girlfriend which usually results in me losing another discussion, debate or at worst an argument. Would you think me successful? The Paparazzi…
According to John C Maxwell, there are 5 reasons why dreams don’t take flight. Ever since becoming a professional photographer it was always a dream of mine to have a coffee-table book, containing my photographs, with my name on the cover. I’ve achieved that goal – twice. John C Maxwell’s reasons that our dreams don’t…
Why do I need to go see Anthony Robbins? Because even Mentors need Mentors. Through the books that I’ve written and the workshops that I’ve facilitated, I’ve always said that we do have the power to achieve what we set our minds to. I’ve also said that if we silently look inwards the answers we…
Albert Einstein’s Life-Changing Lessons. Albert Einstein is considered to be one of the greatest minds that has graced our planet. He believed in the power of the imagination – stating, “Value your imagination. The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination.“ In my interactive book, The Magic that’s Our’s “Magic” says to Joel and…
I relate entrepreneurs to the pioneers of old. They have to be brave, deal with uncertainty, venture forth boldly into unknown territories, throwing caution to the wind, while risking all. As much as all the market research, product perfecting, and planning can be explored beforehand, at the end of the day, the entrepreneur has to…
It can be quite difficult to decide on what goals we choose to set and pursue and then work out how we’re going to achieve them. So how do we decide on the most important ones? One of the ways is by using a technique called Mental Contrasting. So how do we do Mental Contrasting?…
Calm In Storm is very happy to announce a brand partnership has been formed with StudentBrands for the upcoming goal-setting workshop to be held in Gauteng on July 1 StudentBrands is one of the main youth, entertainment platforms in South Africa – offering a wide variety of information and services. ‘We are delighted to have…
Many of the goals that we set for ourselves are positive, magnificent, grandiose, and in our minds eye they are majestic. Even though all of these qualities are extremely encouraging, not knowing how we are going to achieve the end result, coupled with the fact that the goals are (possibly) long term, can seed the…
Hectic 99 one of the coolest and largest South African, daily, youth entertainment, TV Programs, has always had their teenage viewers well-being at heart. Previously, Gary Hirson from Calm in Storm was invited onto the afternoon show as a Life Coach to discuss; The challenges that come with the youth informing their parents if they fail…
Calm In Storm’s vision has always been to introduce tools to teenagers to empower them to set and pursue their goals.(A common trait among successful leaders) This has been by the way of talks, books and workshops. But now we want to hear from you! Your goal-driven stories – no matter how big or how small!…
“With a growing population of youth in South Africa (over 19 million), now more than ever, it is essential to nurture youth for the future of our country.” This is the opening line on the Salesians Life Choices website home page. To back up their statement,one of the programs that Salesians Life Choices offers is the…
On Saturday the 28th January Calm in Storm, facilitated a 5 hour goal-setting workshop to 17 teenagers from 4 different NGO’s. The Western Cape Network for Peace and Development arranged for the 4 NGO’s; New World Foundation, Amandla EduFootball, Beth Uriel, and Yabonga to send through 15 people to attend, but the response was so overwhelming that we ended up…
During the October school Holidays (In Cape Town) I will be facilitating a series of 1 day goal-setting workshops for teenagers. On Thursday the 9th Oct the workshop will be for Grade 8-9’s and; on Friday the 10th October it will be facilitated to Grade 10-12’s. Details for the workshops are as follows: The aim of the workshop…
From speaking to teenagers that attend my workshops and when I speak at schools, one of the questions they ask me is, “how did you know what you wanted to do with your life?” The thing is that initially I didn’t. It took me a long while of travelling and career hopping as well as the…
A response from the latest goal-setting and self development workshop for teenagers which was facilitated via the Western Cape Network For Community Peace and Development NGO, in Gugulethu Cape Town.
Over the last 2 years I have been compiling a workshop for teenagers based upon the topics about which I write and speak. I’ve now completed the test runs for the workshops to rave reviews, and am offering a one day workshop to teenagers in grade specific groups. Minimum 6 and maximum 16 participants grouped…
If you’ve got nothing better to do tonight (In South Africa) you can tune in and listen to me being interviewed by Masechabe Mtolo on SAFM’s Talkshop at 20h40. SAFM between 104- 109FM. The talk is all about the importance goal setting for the youth as per my book The Power that’s Ours