Who knows...

Today during class we were asked what we plan to do for the next three to four years. After listening to my classmates it made me realise and think about what exactly are my plans for the future.

Yes, I have begun job scouting but, is a job what I really want next year? I guess since I am unsure of my plans it is not a bad idea to continue hunting for a job (for just in case).

What has caused this confusion is the option of studying further. To be honest, I am quite tired of studying and want something new and challenging. Whether I am ready for industry is what scares me. Doing our BTech is supposed to train us to be managers but if this is so, I beg to differ. The year is almost over and still I do not feel I am fit for managerial positions.

Well, with a few months left I guess I need to make up my mind soon. I might decide to enter industry or maybe I will return to the student life, who knows...

Every day is a good day

There are some days where we feel like the world is about to crumble upon us. Days when we feel like absolutely nothing else can certainly go wrong, days we feel like Murphy’s Law has attacked us from all possible angles. While such days might be the worst for us, they could be a good day for others.

When we are faced with pain and hardship we often forget those less fortunate than us. One thing we should always keep in mind is that there are always people worst off than us. While we may be sick in bed and feel this is our worst day, someone else might have been in an accident.

We should keep in mind that every day is a good day. If we maintain a positive attitude then nothing can and will get us down. It is the positivity that will make our life worth living and exploring.

Our greatest strengths are our greatest weaknesses

To many of us our greatest strengths are our greatest weakness. How can this be? Well, if we look at the people in our life; our parents, siblings, our children (if we have) and even our friends are the people whom we turn to when we need advice or comfort.

Our loved ones are pillars in our life that keep us from collapsing in times of hardship. If we fall today they are there to help us stand again tomorrow. They know exactly what it is that can and will bring our spirit back. They encourage us in times of confusion to do what we desire.

However, though they may be our greatest strength, it is times when they stab us in the back that they become our greatest weakness.

Growing up...

From the time we were born our parents had the vision we would attend school, matriculate, select a profession, and get a college degree then work. Once we have our degree then they would feel they have given us the best and now it is time to start our own life. Well, for us that time is now.

At the end of 2010 we will have our degree and we will be expected to make decisions. Would we want to take time off to travel, further our degree or enter the working world? For many of us we would enter the working world; the world, whether we like it or not, we have to enter sooner or later.

When we enter the business world, we need to keep in mind it will be like our first day at crèche. It might seem daunting at first but everything will become clear once we make friends and know what is expected of us. We will be seen as the ‘new kid’, but everyone was there. To grow big, we have to start small.

Many of us will not know where we end up at the end of this year but keep in mind, life has challenges, but we have made it thus far. So let’s spread our wings and show the world who we are. Today we may be the seed, tomorrow we will be the tree.

The Fifa 2010 World Cup experience

Who would have thought that soccer would be the sport that would unite people across the globe? The Fifa 2010 World Cup hosted in our home country is what made one month the most memorable in South African (SA) history.

During 11 June and 11 July 2010 fans from around the world created a sense of belonging. During this period nothing about politics or what country you came from mattered, all what was on everyone’s mind was the soccer.

Experiencing the game at the stadium was phenomenal. I have never experienced anything so WOW! Fans dressed up to show their support for the team they cheering, vuvuzelas being blown from corner to corner, being part of fans had a feeling that you wanted to say “ I am proudly South African”

Not only the stadium but to watch the games at the fanfest, CTICC, V & A Waterfront, Canal Walk and many other places all shared the same or similar experience. It showed the world that although we have our politics and downfalls; SA has the love and potential to host major events.

So while the World Cup 2010 may have come and gone, let us not let go of the sense of belonging that we shared amongst ourselves and the world. Let this only be the beginning.

Try a cliche

Clichés are used everyday be it by the man in the street or your business partner. Clichés are becoming more and more overused because they require no thinking. They are simply there to be used by whomever so wishes.

Clichés are fine when used while having an open conversation but, when used in writing or business conversations it can be daunting. As Public Relation Practitioners we are required and expected to be professional communicators. By using clichés we can damage our image and reduce the effectiveness of our verbal and written communication.

Remeber, cliché is a French word meaning “old picture” so while that may be cool in the antique shop or in the world of art, avoid them in the business world.