Sheldon Mydat

Is this the final word on endurance - an incredibly powerful and inspirational poem by Radyard Kipling. I absolutely love this.

2013-09-19T15:56:00.001+00:00

If you can keep your head when all about you

Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;

If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,

But make allowance for their doubting too:

If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,

Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,

Or being hated don't give way to hating,

And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream---and not make dreams your master;

If you can think---and not make thoughts your aim,

If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster

And treat those two impostors just the same:.

If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken

Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,

Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,

And stoop and build'em up with worn-out tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings

And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,

And lose, and start again at your beginnings,

And never breathe a word about your loss:

If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew

To serve your turn long after they are gone,

And so hold on when there is nothing in you

Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,

Or walk with Kings---nor lose the common touch,

If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,

If all men count with you, but none too much:

If you can fill the unforgiving minute

With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,

Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,

And---which is more---you'll be a Man, my son!

Rudyard Kipling

UK Service Industry - the only way is up

2011-10-20T13:53:00.008+00:00

We used to be a manufacturing nation. But over the years, due to commercial realities associated with UK production costs and the demand for greener energy, manufacturing in this country has seen a sad decline.

Over the last two decades The service industry has become increasingly important to the UK, so you'd imagine wouldn't you that we'd be quite good at it. How does a country (and an economy)that relies so heavily on the service industry remain so bad at what is after all a crucial part of the customer experience!

I wonder whether you're able to relate to any of the following?

Example number !: Incorrect Gas meter reading resulting in ridiculously high gas bills of £380 per month! Not forgetting the inevitable mind numbing difficulties arranging for the energy company to straighten things out afterwards.

Example number 2: Mobile phone company's total incompetence and inability to carry out the simplest of account transfer instructions; causing the loss of a well established personal phone number despite the necessary code having been issued and processes having been complied with.

Example number 3: Water charges continually based on meter readings from a neighbouring property despite having alerted the water company and subsequently having had the correct meter manually inspected twice, not to mention having received an apology from the water company. Still, ONE YEAR later, things were just about straightened out.

Just for good measure, example number 4: New gas provider (resorted to as a result of the problems described in example number 1) decided not to transfer the gas supply from the original gas provider, but instead transferred the supply belonging to someone else. So of course the original supplier continued to charge whilst the new supplier simultaneously charged for someone else's gas! (Hope you followed that)

So these are four of my own recent challenges and experiences (in case you hadnt realised), highlighting the standards at which much of our service industry operates . I think it's safe to say that the service industry in this country has hit an all time low. It seems the UK's has no idea about service industry or in fact the customer service element of any industry.

If you relate to receiving this kind of shameful service, you should complain. You shout about it. Otherwise you'll not see an improvement. There doesn't seem to be a consequence for this level of shoddy customer service.

But on a positive note, let me also mention the opportunity here. If you're setting out in business just remember the level of service in the UK as being embarrassingly bad, and do whatever it takes to set yourself above the rest. This is a great opportunity to shine in a UK service level environment that has hit rock bottom.

Why do we want to aim at mediocrity?

2011-09-12T12:22:00.005+00:00

David Cameron’s talking about bringing elitism into schools. Liberal minded folk that have all but banned healthy competition in schools won’t be happy. They don’t want kids to ‘win’ in school, as that will mean that someone else will inevitably ‘lose’. Instead they’d prefer it if everyone competes, but there be no winner or loser – a contradiction in terms that I haven’t yet managed to get my head around.

Perhaps they think that kids can’t cope psychologically with second place. What is it that there are some amongst us that don’t want children to experience the buzz associated with winning. Don’t they know that the only true way to become a winner is NOT to win once or twice? (Something that I’ have mentioned once or twice on the site and my blog)

Competitive spirit should be nurtured and honed in the school environment; whether it be in sport or in other more academic areas, that's how true success must be qualified. The single word definition of elitism is leadership, or to put it another way – the set of people that lead. Put this into a school setting and it refers to those that strive, excel and attain the mindset to lead(and inspire others to emulate and follow).

We learn by our mistakes and we improve on our results.

Riots

2011-08-16T20:08:00.004+00:00

I wrote a piece some time back called the University of Life and another called Precious Metals. They've never been more relevant than they are today.

The recent riots have led to a beam of damming light clearly trained on the young in our society. By young I mean the youth, but that somehow seems straightaway to have a bad collective connotation.

There's no getting away from the fact that the rioters and looters actions were totally despicable. They did untold damage to businesses in their path and have raised peoples homes to the ground.

I would not for one minute suggest that there be any let off for the actions of those involved in the horrendous events of last week. They should be shown that their serious lack of judgement has caused them in return equally serious consequences.

But one thing's for sure, the youth, the younger section of society is definitely the hot topic. It's long been recognised that something needs to be done to address issues that affect the young. But now perhaps something positive will actually happen.

The recent riots were frightening to witness; and a damming indictment of our society. It seems always to be the case that we need to reach melt down before any serious and lasting action is taken.

I've heard sweeping statements on TV and radio stating that the kids of today are no good, have no respect, or that they all speak or dress badly. First of all that's just not true and it's totally counter productive.

What I will say is this; if [older] people see the younger generation as the enemy [and it seems that many do] then they should learn to know their enemy. That way they may start to understand them.

Apprenticeships - no substitute for experience?

2011-02-07T14:35:00.004+00:00

The penny’s dropped. Apprenticeships are the in thing. In fact, this is the week of the apprenticeship The Government has said that there should be at least 100,000 positions readily available and offered by firms by 2014. Apprenticeships have of course been around for many years. But it’s now in the midst of a dilemma to drag this country out of recession that the Government is realising that it needs to do something; something to get the younger generation actively involved, directly and indirectly contributing to the economy (and the recovery). And so they’ve increased the budget aimed at raising awareness and helping to facilitate apprenticeships to £1.4billion for 2011/2012

Not all of us are made for University. Many don’t go. I’ve written various pieces that make reference to the talent and creativity hidden away in so many people. Unless there’s a way of mining for that talent, then unfortunately, in so many cases it stays hidden away.

The fact that not all of us go to University is a blessing. It means that we can get out there and work, that’s what the Government wants. The Government’s been doing its best to reinvent the education system by bringing in the 14-19 agenda. This aimed amongst other things, to create an agenda of activity and plans for development for young people between those ages, involving at the latter stages for example, vocational qualifications (NVQ) which would ultimately leave young people in better stead for their lives in the world of employment.

It’s great what the Government’s doing for apprenticeships, and long overdue, but it’s only half the battle. The perception of apprenticeships should be on par with University qualification. After all, if there’s no substitute for experience, let’s recognise and give apprenticeships the same degree of kudos as we have always done for academia. Let’s implant that message in all our young minds along side that of going to University, and let’s call it a choice of equal importance and equal attainment.

Cash advance for new starters

2010-08-20T17:21:00.006+00:00

No more cash incentives for Businesses wishing to help the unemployed

Despite backing from MP's and positive endorsements from Private Enterprise, the Government scheme offering cash incentives for businesses wishing to employ and train individuals that had been out of work for over six months, has been stopped.

Personally I'm disappointed by this; as an employer I utilised the scheme, and as an employer I most definitely benefited from it.

Since the election and the subsequent switch to the Coalition, much has changed in Job Centre Plus. Government employment schemes are currently being totally overhauled. I've been reliably informed (by Job Centre plus) that some of these changes will become clear during September 2010. I do hope there's something similar in the pipeline. I think subsidising the genuine effort on the part of private enterprise to train and develop new starters with valuable job skills, is most definitely a good idea.

The Public Sector should continue to engage with private enterprise, not just in (PPP) private / public venture partnerships, but right at the heart of Job Centre Plus. Rather than waiting on organisations to supply the vacancies to the Job Centres, I'd like to see real collaboration. That's what subsidised mentoring was all about. It formed a crucial part as far as I'm concerned of the original New Deal scheme.

Let's see what they come up with next...

Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans

2009-08-11T18:31:00.002+00:00

Sometimes just when you're really busy working on being successful, life sticks a foot out and decides to get right in the way. Whether it’s health or family related, life does have a knack of jumping in the way of the best laid plans - and the tricky so and so usually has the final say!

I, just like everyone else continue to have my share of both good and bad bits. John Lennon's line 'life is what happens when you're busy making other plans' - that's a real gem of a statement. It pretty much says it all. It doesn't matter who you are or what you've got. We're all on the same journey. Deciding to enjoy it or not is the only optional extra!

The Entrepreneur and the Accountant

2009-04-23T14:55:00.003+00:00

Anyone earning a large salary will already be contributing more in tax than someone earning considerably less. Simple mathematics, and that's without adding ten percent on top, which of course increases the high earners tax band to half of what is earned. Not forgetting the scrapping of the tax allowance (the tax free bit) and the National Insurance contribution. That leaves you with...well I'll leave you to do the sums.

My own view has always been that you've got to earn it to pay it. That works at forty percent, but fifty percent? Why the Government prefers to alienate top earners is beyond me. A small number of the overall population, one percent is a mere mole hill set against the gigantic mountain of debt that lay before us. Surely a smaller adjustment of the tax band threshold for us all would have had a more dramatic effect on the problem.

I think that picking out the very people that already make the biggest contribution per capita is another clear example of going for the easy cash cow option.

We've evolved into a nation where entrepreneurialism is almost a qualification, yet we're governed by Old Labour which in my view has degenerated and is now more of a throw back to the 1970's. Not alot of entrepreneurialism in the 70's.

The message to aspiring young entrepreneurs will almost certainly be that if you plan on becoming a top achiever then you're going to be penalised for your efforts.

I just hope Alistair Darling's debt repayment plan can withstand the fact that our current record low interest rates will of course go back up. I'm not sure he's factored that into his forecast.

On an individual level, this however is why accountants were created. I'm sure they'll be earning their money in the coming months and years!

No fear

2009-01-31T21:27:00.003+00:00

I was thinking back the other day whilst watching the news; when I say 'back' I refer to around the time I was a teenager [which after all, wasn't that long ago!]

We're all painfully aware of the stream of horrific items being reported in the news on a daily basis - missing children, war torn regions of the world, knife and gun crime, elderly people being mugged and so on. These events do seem to occur more now than they did years ago. But in actual fact, I've come to recognise that I just notice more. As I grow [a little] older, I also start to realise my own mortality; and that things scare me now. Where as before, back when I was a teenager, nothing really got through!

As a teenager, the news didn't touch me - no matter what I saw; it was as if watching a TV drama. Nothing unusual there I'm sure. Why shouldn't teenagers brush things off? After all, cynicism is supposed to be a defensive tool learnt as one grows older whilst beginning to see how unfair life is - or can be [Oops, there's that cynical side, how depressing!]

In my teens and twenties, I was preoccupied with my own existence - which at the time was of paramount importance to me, and quite right too! I still had a list of monumental mistakes to make and some great adventures to experience. If I'd been full of fear, I probably wouldn't have done half the things I did. I happen to hold a great belief that we are the sum of our experiences – I think you'll pick that up from my website or one of my other blogs.

It just strikes me there are so many reasons to do stuff when you’re young; and so many excuses not to do them when you’re older. For those of us putting aside our dreams or ambitions for ten years or so, chances are we won’t get around to doing them at all. It’s closely related to that ‘change thing’ that we hate so much, or at least the fear of change. That’s why so many great ideas have ‘thought’ their way into mothballs. We scare ourselves out of them, and the older we are the worse we get!

Try not to fall into the trap. It’s so easily done, as I know myself. But everything I’ve ever done that was worthwhile has been a challenge.

Jobs not for life

2009-01-10T20:08:00.002+00:00

Jobs for life…no such thing, haven’t you heard? We’re in the middle of a recession. Welcome to a new year, and to the legacy of 2008 or what we now know as the deepening recession of 2009.

It’s a worrying time for us all. Many trusted household brands are going to the wall, some we’ve known all our lives; thousands of people having to face and deal with the worst insecurity.

Truth be known, there’s been no such thing as job security for some time, regardless of the current economic slow down.

We’ve already become a mercenary, more inpatient global culture. In actual fact we’re now more likely to opt for a change in career on average four times during our lives. How times have changed. Take for example my father. He started his career as an apprentice mechanic when he was 14 years old. He rose through the ranks and stayed with the same firm his entire career until he retired 60 years later. I’m sure a familiar story for many of our parents or grandparents. But then again they certainly didn’t have the options we have today. There are so many more choices, more career paths and more training packages / apprenticeships out there for all ages.

Holding down that job for all those years’ shows responsibility and stability, two traits that any employer certainly likes to see. However, in the 21st century, more choice means that lengthy service is becoming a rare thing – and subsequently employer expectations have also become more complex - there are many factors that help employers decide what it is they are looking for. It’s anticipated and totally acceptable for example, that career driven, ambitious individuals often step from one job to the next [spread over sustained periods, not weeks] in order to climb career ladders or in search of fulfillment. Indeed understanding personal drivers and motivations is now an absolute imperative when hiring and retaining staff. In other words it’s become a truly reciprocal process – and quite right too.
Like I said, things have changed

That’s all well and good if you’re actually planning a move. But it’s an unfortunate reality that there are many more of us about to confront change – without having a choice. It’s a brave, harsh world out there. That change can be and often is a very scary prospect. We don’t live in our parent’s world. We must learn to adapt with the changes that we sometimes invite upon ourselves as well as those that just happen upon us.

One of the most painful effects of change will probably be the need to cut our cloth according to our new circumstances. Financial exercises like this are often part of a transition from one place to another. It doesn’t mean that change is to be viewed as a bad thing. It’s a necessary thing, and we should always prepare for it - preparation is the key. I wouldn’t want anybody to feel that having to change is any form of failure. Change happens whether we like it or not. So with times being as they currently are, it’s just as well to factor in potential changes as necessary stepping stones on a bigger journey. That’s what more and more people are doing anyway. They don’t see their current employment as the key to their entire security. Instead they view it as an element of their overall plan. Employers know that candidates for employment are more assertive now than ever before, that they have their own aspirations and agendas and are likely to be more self serving.

Summing up, there are more of us looking for opportunities. I mentioned preparation. Well preparation and opportunities are crucially linked. Life is full of opportunities. But they don’t necessarily appear to us as nicely packaged products. In actual fact they wait for us to see them. Often the only way that we see an opportunity is by being duly prepared for the next step or two of our journey, which is why so many people now view employment as a job not for life.

Schools of the future

2008-11-30T23:16:00.010+00:00

Some time back I wrote a blog entitled the University of Life. This next chapter is somewhat related. Both this and the earlier piece refer to a number of people with whom I've spoken, as well as many others whom I know have empathy with this view.

It's possible that had our interest been more stimulated during lessons at school rather than by what was going on outside the window, our future (or present) may have become something a little different. Perhaps we'd have gone on to become doctors. I personally would've liked to have become a doctor! But again personally speaking, the alternative has taken me far and on some real adventures. (life is supposed to be an adventure) But why is it that for many of us, we waited until we'd left school for our enterprising juices to start flowing. Why didn't school spark our imagination for learning?

When I was at school the education system was most definitely geared towards collectively teaching the masses. "They'll all learn the same way", like robots! How wrong could they be? We definitely do not all learn the same way. Every child is unique or as they now say 'Every Child Matters'.

A survey was carried out. 100 teachers were asked - what was the most common method of teaching children? Something like 75% of those asked said that they had the kids copy from a black board or a white board or an interactive board or from a book. That same surveyor asked a group of kids which teaching practice they liked least of all - no prizes for guessing. The group all said that copying down as described was the single most boring and least effective way of learning anything. I can see it now - as the copying starts, auto pilot kicks in, the eyes glaze over and off to a place more entertaining. The next time those notes are seen will be to revise for a test.

School is now a very different environment to 10 years ago. Life is far more complex, kids grow up quicker. The peer pressures they are under are huge. The choices they now have are massive and the material to learn in terms of technology alone has grown tenfold.

It's now recognised that kids cannot be educated as though they are robots. They in fact all learn in a variety of different ways. So, rather than focusing on how to teach on mass, it's now a case of teachers 'learning' the science of learning. It seems to me, and this is important - that until the science of learning is understood, there's little chance of getting the science of teaching right.

Terms like Pedagogy, Transformational Learning and Pupil Led Learning are just some of the buzz terms that relate to the science of learning. It stands to reason, if you want to get the best out of anyone, then you must surely encourage them by appealing to their strengths. This most definitely applies to young people in school and not just where you'd expect to find this old cliche - in the work place. Fulfilment as well as hard work leads to success. So when we hear about staple subjects such as History being moved outside of what we would consider the traditional curriculum to make room for others, its not that there is no longer importance placed upon them, but moreover a case of re structuring to suit different priorities in learning for a modern society.

If we get this right, i.e. we put the emphasis on how the people learn rather than how teachers teach, this should be a huge step in the right direction for all concerned. Let's encourage young people to open up with their individuality by offering them less conventional facilities to do so. Often real talent hides and needs to be coaxed out. Allow it to be uncovered in a constructive environment such as a school. Some of the new methods employed in schools may seem peculiar to some, as they are diverting away from conventionality (err... that's called change - we hate change remember!) But it is about time.

So here's the link: Those of us that gained our qualifications by baptism in the good old University of Life will see a welcome break from old convention - techniques being introduced to schools to cater for and to capture the imagination of those that may otherwise have slipped under the radar of the old system, only to leave school uninspired.

Well it's a start anyway.

Someone needs re-branding

2008-10-30T15:44:00.011+00:00

I don’t know who gets paid what and quite frankly I couldn't care less. This just isn't about money. I’m not one to take the moral high ground, but certain moral codes are based on simple decency. How’s it right for our society to preach the message of and to expect common courtesy and respect on one hand, whilst at the same time conveying the complete opposite to millions of listeners on BBC radio 2?

How many times do we hear? “The kids now days have got no respect” OK, some haven’t. But neither have some adults. Maybe it’s about time we look a little closer to home, and then ask why on earth should kids? We have role models advocating (at least by their actions) abusive malicious law breaking behaviour as the way forward. The way forward for whom or for what exactly? It seems for their professional careers. If that’s right then what a very sad state of affairs.

Who remembers happy slapping? Someone becomes the unfortunate victim of a prank (mostly violent) recorded on the video player of a mobile phone, occasionally turning up on YouTube. Sound familiar? Not nice and not nice being played out on the radio either. Don't we have laws to protect us against that kind of thing? Err, yes we do!

As for bringing back old school core values etc; old school or new school, what’s the difference? It’s not that hard to refrain from being utterly offensive to people around us; and surely lessons in respect are not exclusive to kids. Jonathan Ross is 47 years old. Russell Brand is in his early 30's. They could certainly do with a crash course on how to win friends and influence people.

It's a great shame; Jonathan's got a cheeky style that does sometimes work. But he's certainly dropped the ball on this one - as though he’s reverted to being twelve years old, egged on by his little buddy in the playground.

Russell Brand doesn't take himself too seriously. That's pretty evident. He obviously doesn't have that much respect for himself either. The way I see it, if anyone goes that far to cause so much offense and upset to others, then they probably don’t have or even wish any respect in return. After all, we get back what we put out, even Russell Brand. He'll know all too well from his own dark past what it means to cause real pain to people around him. Maybe he's also regressed, at least emotionally. Maybe he has a really low opinion of himself. Either way, he needs to stop playing out his sick thinking to a nationwide audience. It’s not just his life at stake. It's wrong that anyone in such a privileged position should be permitted to influence so many others in such a negative way.

Do as I do - Not very complex is it? But nonetheless fundamental to role models, mentors and mentees everywhere.

Can't do right for doing wrong?

2008-09-24T22:06:00.009+00:00

You know the saying - can't do right for doing wrong! Could that be what the torrent of bad press feels like to the younger generation on the receiving end?

Reports of knife and other violent crime seem to overwhelmingly effect the young, thus leaving everyone else with a fearful view of today's youth culture. But can that be right? Does crime really stop at age 30?

One 'popular' view amongst the 'slightly older' is that we're all dammed. Because if that's the generation coming up behind us, there's really no hope! A bit dramatic isn't it! We should remember it's sensationalism that sells newspapers. They certainly aren't there to help foster good relations.

There's no denying the reality of the horror in these attacks and the damage done to lives and families as they occur. I just think that the overwhelming level of reported violence has gone so far, it's tarnished the reputation of an entire section of society. Maybe it's to be expected. The fear that's felt is real. After all nobody wishes to imagine a brother or sister or one of our kids falling victim to these heinous crimes.

But wouldn't it make more sense to have as many positive stories being dished out as there are negative ones. There doesn't seem to be any balance, it's all one way traffic. Every thing in life should have balance, otherwise it breaks down.

How about a 'Good News' paper or a 'Good News' TV channel - only uplifting news stories permitted. I don't think it would fly would it? We're all too morbid. Maybe the press are just giving us what we want in order to satisfy our insatiable appetite for shock horror.

Well it's not doing us any good! Here's a quick analogy: We watch horror movies scaring us silly. We watch too many and we end up with bad nerves. So what's the difference? The effect has been the same. We've all got bad nerves. And it's no surprise, it's all very frightening. We need a good comedy to make us feel better. Or in this case, uplifting, re-assuring, encouraging news, to restore the balance. It is there, it just needs reporting.

Are you one of the abundance of talented hungry and undiscovered individuals out there? You must feel sick. It's not as though you haven't got enough to cope with. You seem by default to be caught up in it even if you're not caught up in it.

There aren't many guarantees in life. I can think of 3, tax, death and this - as the whole of society grows older, the young will continue to come through to take up positions - no matter what we think, the young will inherit this country.

So why don't we start shouting about the good that our young already do, as well as encouraging their hopes and dreams for their future. After all, this isn't a horror movie. We're not all going to hell in a hand kart. It's real life and the great bits (of which there are many) need reporting too.

If it's real, then listen up...

2008-08-19T23:37:00.011+00:00

A Degree from the University of Life is surely one of the most highly regarded qualifications out there.

However, if you’d like to become a Doctor, then get to school and study!

That said, real life experience is one of the most valuable natural commodities, not just in terms of selling books, but in passing on experience and inspiration to others.

We all know that some cheat by exaggerating exam results. Remember Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s recent press conference views on cheating – cheating by TV show contestants on Alan Sugar’s The Apprentice.

And what about those that concoct stories of total desperation, reaching rock bottom, how drugs or alcohol almost ruined them; how Bi-Polar disorder has tormented their every waking moment. My empathy and compassion go to all genuine sufferers however there are a lot of ‘fiction writers’ out there.

Why is it now fashionable for people to self diagnose and promote themselves as victims of such horrendous circumstance. Maybe some feel that their lives are so empty that they resort to elaborate tales to make them seem more interesting. Those bona fide personal biographies are an interesting and valuable resource, especially when they've been written by those who have decided to channel their experience where by constructively passing on positive energy.

Whether it is given or just taken, the only way you ever receive anything from another, is when there’s actually something to give - no matter what it is, and that includes positive energy. But if it’s not real in the first place, then it can’t be worth much, can it? It stands to reason, that kind of inspirational stuff isn’t put there, it’s just there.

Not all gifts come wrapped

2008-08-18T16:42:00.008+00:00

A quick analogy…

So you’re an enterprising, dynamic ambitious individual. Imagine that you're bursting with enthusiasm for a new course or an idea for a venture that you've been dreaming about putting into action.

Now imagine that you’ve just received a ‘gift’ - Dyslexia, immensely frustrating and inhibiting Dyslexia. All of a sudden you seem unable to negotiate turning the very thoughts from your mind into reality. Remember, this gift has come out of no where and dropped into your lap. It may feel like one of those unexplained memory black outs that we all get from time to time; you know the ones - one minute you’re sitting down watching television, you get up during an interval of your favorite TV program, only to return during the Ad break completely and inexplicably unable to remember what you were watching two minutes earlier.

Dyslexia has been responsible in some cases for holding back sufferers by causing what can only be described as a stunting of their development as far back as Key Stage 1. In many cases the total lack of recognition and understanding of the condition has led to collapse in self confidence – made worse by teachers and parents who did not understand and quite simply thought those kids were stupid.

Years ago it wasn’t so easy to diagnose a 4 year old who wouldn't after all be expected to grasp spelling and literacy at such a young age. But that's certainly no consolation to an adult whose current status may well have stemmed from difficulties in learning coupled with little or no support back in their formative school years. Thankfully, there are now methods of diagnosing the different causes early on. Obviously once Dyslexia or any number of similar conditions has been diagnosed, it’s then down to creative teaching skills to ensure that kids are not only protected from being left behind, but are encouraged to fulfil their vast potential.

Individuals with Dyslexia tend to be extremely bright, in the same way that people that suffer with Bi-Polar disorder are said to be artistically creative. Hence the reason I call it a gift. Far from being in some way deficient, it has nothing whatsoever to do with a lack of intelligence - it's quite the opposite. Dyslexic minds are said to be able to perceive an alternative reality to the one they see in the real world. It's easy to see how unchecked or controlled this could cause problems in the school setting. But with self awareness and training there would seem to be no limit to the height of achievement potentially reached by some that are 'blessed' with Dyslexia. Isn't it interesting that those of us that have no choice but to battle to overcome adversity tend also to be naturally astute, sharp or creative soles.

With so many of these conditions now recognized to create countless bright a gifted people, it's good news that there’s now more available knowledge and understanding. But doesn’t this create something of a dilemma for today’s teachers? There simply cannot be one standard method of teaching large numbers of children. It's not feasible to continue to allow so much talent to slip by. The old systems of teaching simply don’t work in today’s society.

The list of talented and accomplished people with the ‘gift’ is very long. It includes people such as Richard Branson of the Virgin Group, Henry Ford of Ford Motor Company and William Hewlett of Hewlett Packard.

So if you have the gift, you're in good company.

Reporting for Duty

2008-08-14T10:58:00.004+00:00

Hi I'm back, and it feels great!

OK so there's a pretty big gap between this and the previous entry. For the last 18 months I've been busy taking care of family matters. You know what they say about spreading yourself too thin, so I decided to concentrate on one area at a time.

I've been looking forward to picking things up again, and that's precisely what I'm in the process of doing. Thanks for all the emails of encouragement that I've received. If there were any that weren't responded to, I do apologise for that.

Keep an eye out......

Going for something new?

2007-03-05T18:30:00.000+00:00

Don't be afraid to go for it - Going about something new (a job for instance) can be quite daunting. It can take courage to try something different.

I personally feel that on the whole, I've achieved a high level of accomplishment within my field; and so with that I'm quite pleased with the results as well as myself! - I think that's fair enough isn't it?

I've discovered now age 38 an example of what it means to be humble (and I don't mean in the religious sense). In fact this revelation occurred towards the end of last year - when I was merely 37!

I decided to start learning Aikido - Traditional Ueshiba to be precise; this is an ancient Japanese martial art that focuses not on kicking and punching an opponent, but rather concentrates on distorting natural joint movement as well as deflecting and redirecting incoming energy. I joined as a novice as you'd expect, in a class full of Black Belts and Second Dan Grades (which roughly translated means others that are extremely experienced and generally very good!) How refreshing if a little painful at the same time.

I try and go twice weekly, but will go along at least once. I started as said from ground up, endure a bit of pain here and there, but that's OK, it's all part of the apprenticeship - It's actually really good for my state of mind - body and soul relaxation is key to this form of Aikido. At first I intended to write a diary of my weekly exploits. During my first outing I did something blatantly incorrect! (which is still to be totally expected) but resulting in my being virtually unable to move for the next 5 days. So I took the next three weeks off and started again after that.

I think the point being for me - at first it seemed quite intimidating joining this class full of such experience. But that feeling was itself completely dispelled - I've never met such a great bunch of people, all encouraging and helping the new guy i.e. me. So, Courage to start something new - and that generally means starting at the bottom. I've come into Aikido as someone with a big ego, and so tend to spend a lot of time putting that big ego away, it serves as a hindrance and holds me back. The message being, if you're going to start something new - try surrendering to it - become humble and allow yourself to relax and appreciate the experience.
Not to mention the cliche - you're never too old to start something new! Very true.

University of Life

2007-01-04T12:13:00.001+00:00

What's this about?

Inspiration from an Entrepreneur, though not through emphasising the dizzy heights associated with Board room meetings etc - been there done that. This is all about bringing it down to street level, presenting someone approachable, attainable (a Role model for aspiring Non Graduate young adults wishing to get ahead)

I know that those rocky paths - just like my own, given the right influences, can have a leaning (or a tendency) towards successful results - they're almost a natural qualification for some. I call this the 'University of Life'. The problem is - those individuals don't come labelled, and some are very unsuspecting; i.e. my comments on the site regarding kids that originate from turbulent childhoods. But nonetheless, It's a fact that shouldn't be ignored - a great number of the worlds best known Entrepreneurs are non graduates that have indeed come from those same troubled childhoods - the need to fight and to be strong at such an early age - a contributing factor breeding resilience and determination to succeed.

It's easy to find synergy with this in the United States, I'm keen to develop relationships on that side of the pond. The transatlantic influences are strong and beneficial (I don't just mean my own well documented love for the States). The United States seems to be more attune to establishing the winning mind set - i.e. You'll never hear an American calling failure - deferred winning (like they're starting to in the UK) that's not to say that there shouldn't be good sportsmanship shown for 'second place' but let's call it what it is, and teach young people how to deal with life, instead of allowing schools to cancel competitive sport (1000 schools +) - thus deepening the divide between the academically aware and those other youngsters whom would have otherwise found respect, gained self esteem and accomplishment by succeeding via other channels. Growing up should include being taught to strive to be the best one can.

I've honed my efforts on an area that I know well and of course feel extremely passionate about - Nurturing this raw passion in the great unwashed! No, I mean people like me - Non Graduates. In the UK I have arrangements being finalized with the Princes Trust, and have projects commencing up and down the country in the New Year (as explained on the website www.sheldonmydat.com) I'm also currently speaking with the Conservative Shadow Government - I believe they need to address the area of Non Graduate Mentoring and should help to facilitate new mechanisms and attitudes towards nurturing raw passions in those young sometimes unsuspecting entrepreneurs