kicking it old skool

Wow, I had a fantastic weekend! I attended a NLP seminar, more specifically this one: http://www.christopherhoward.co.uk. Blew my mind away, in a good way though :)

I’ve heard about NLP before but never really got into it. I was actually supposed to attend the very same seminar way back in September, but because it was on a weekend I decided not to go. I’ve always been very stingy with my time, because I used to have this perception that I simply don’t have enough of it to get to everything and that people are always forcing all sorts of expectations on me. This is BS (needless to say), I think I mentioned some such in my last post, so I don't think I was totally oblivious, just to damn lazy to do something about it!

My girlfriend and Beefcake did go however, and haven’t stopped talking about it since. Beefcake finished the fast track course about 2 weeks ago, with an aim to do more. What this means in a nutshell, is that our little apartment is stacked with more information and books that we know what to do with! Plus, because we’re all on board with this, it’s like a dorm where all the students are studying engineering or law or whatever; we all talk the talk and bounce ideas off each other (see university analogy further on :) ).

It would be interesting to know how different people interpret the material. For me it was a no brainer: I just imaged my thoughts, neuro pathways and memories as one big-ass server room, one which was a cinch to rewire. I feel bullet proof, the closest feeling I can compare it to is what it felt like coming back to Cape Town after my first trip to London in 2004. Just the accomplishment of flying on my own, getting out there and doing something that scared the shit out of me (i.e. abandoning your comfort zone, being the best man / public speaking on steroids) was exhilarating!

Just as a side note: no matter what your perception of NLP is at this point, I can GARAUNTEE that you will get something out of it.

Back to me though, I was pleasantly surprised at all the stuff that came up, once we got into the exercises. Issues and events that where previously totally unrelated became crystal clear in their relevance and how it impacted me (still!!) so many years on.. I feel like a clean slate, like all the junk that’s been holding me back, my own flavor of insecurities and whatever self-doubt I had, my hang ups with people form the past and present…

All. Totally. Gone!

I feel liberated, like going commando for a week. :)

I have once again patted myself on the back for taking the leap and coming over to the UK. The sheer amount of opportunity, the exposure and absolute immersion in knowledge over here is nothing short of spectacular. Overwhelming, even.

Heh, had an interesting addendum to a previous thought, on my way to the seminar on Saturday. Back when I lived and worked / played in Cape Town I had this thing where I felt I somehow missed out on not going to University after school. I’ve always been focused on what I wanted as a career, so obviously keen on getting out there and making it happen. In that, university felt counterproductive. But still, I envied the (perceived) care free nature of being a student, not knowing what you want to do (another perceived notion), bumming around for 4 years, drinking, shagging, partying on Mom and Dad’s money (yup, you spotted it: yet another perception). School, minus the curfew and parents, I mean, COME ON! I consoled myself by thinking that living on my own, earning my own money and working for the best company in Cape Town at the time (can I get a “HOO-YA!!” from the congregation) was my version of Uni.

So taking that analogy further, if my time in Cape Town roughly equals 5 years of university to earn my Degree (and you should know, I graduated with Honors) , then London is akin to my Masters / PhD.

Life 2.0. Get yours!

[G], out

the Learning will inherit the world, but the Learned will be perfectly equipped for a world that no longer exists.