CeltMan
3rd May 2012, 18:08
You-Can Make a Difference!
Especially in these turbulent times in which we live, there is a lot of talk about how we can be effective in influencing matters of politics etc.
Reading a lot of posts etc, there is the feeling that we as individuals can do little to affect change.
This is a message of hope, a true anecdote, which gave me hope, inspiration, and can hopefully inspire others to emulate what I did,..to actually make a difference.
Back in early 90’s here in UK, we were suffering a recession.
At the time John Major was the Prime Minister.
I was in the process of applying for jobs, requiring me to stay focussed, and very positive.
I always try to watch the news on a daily basis.
I was struck by the negativity I witnessed, and the constant talk of ‘doom & gloom’
(De-ja-vu anyone?!)
My background was in both sales, and as ‘a problem solver in manufacturing’.
After watching the news one day, and seeing John Major being harassed by the opposition in the House of Commons, I realised I was feeling a bit depressed.
I decided to approach the situation as if it were a ‘Problem Solving Project’
I sat down with a pen & paper, and started to make some notes.
These were the points that I made:
1) There is much talk about “The 10% unemployed.”
2) There is NO talk about ‘The 90% who are STILL Employed’!
3) Having been very successful in a recent sales career (top salesman two years out of 5), it is an accepted fact, that EVERY product has both good & bad points. The bad points should be addressed, (not ignored) BUT….then the numerous Good points should be Emphasised.
4) F.E.A.R. is an acronym, meaning: “False Expectations Appearing Real”.. this means that if we dwell upon an idea that is negative, it will take on a power in our minds and can even manifest as a reality.
e.g. When there is constant talk of “10% unemployment” people will start to hold back from spending, out of fear that they will be paid off, lose their jobs, and need those savings.
In effect that will become a reality, as shops close, because they have little custom, and cannot afford to pay their overheads. Shoe shops; clothes shops; travel agencies; furniture shops, etc, etc.
Hence it will become a ‘self fulfilling prophecy’!
5) Whereas it is appreciated that a recession is often started by a habit of ‘overspending’, when the reverse happens, then the recession will only be perpetuated.
So,- a Balance is required.
I took my time in composing this as a letter, ‘slept on it’, and then sent the edited version to my M.P.(Member of Parliament)
To be candid, I really did not expect to get any response, but it made me feel better to have expressed myself in writing to an official of HM Government.
In fact my M.P. did contact me, and said he was impressed with the manner in which I had expressed myself, and the content of my letter.
What I was not expecting, was that about ten days after sending my letter, whilst watching the 1pm BBC news, and ‘question time in the House’, John Major then stated……..Almost word for word,…MY LETTER!!
To say that I was gobsmacked was an understatement!
But, despite the use of my own phrases, etc, I was still not convinced that it was my letter he was ‘paraphrasing’
About six months later, I was working with a gentleman, who worked a lot with politicians and government in a consultancy capacity.
I mentioned the incident of my letter, and how J.M. had seemed to read it out.
This man then asked me: “Tell me, how many letters do you think it takes before the P.M. will take notice?
I hazarded a guess, - at approx. 200?
*** His reply astounded me: “It is THREE,…Well Worded letters”
Followed by: “So you see, it WAS Your letter the P.M. was paraphrasing in The House of Commons”
Now that incident gave me hope, that the individual, in a democracy, WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
I trust and hope that at least some here will read this and be encouraged to emulate my actions.
P.S. It is also worth noting, that there is an ‘official complaints procedure’ in place in most establishments.
One is not usually made aware of this, -for obvious reasons. So my point being, that if you are getting the B*ms Rush by an organisation, enquire about ‘their official complaints procedures’
Especially in these turbulent times in which we live, there is a lot of talk about how we can be effective in influencing matters of politics etc.
Reading a lot of posts etc, there is the feeling that we as individuals can do little to affect change.
This is a message of hope, a true anecdote, which gave me hope, inspiration, and can hopefully inspire others to emulate what I did,..to actually make a difference.
Back in early 90’s here in UK, we were suffering a recession.
At the time John Major was the Prime Minister.
I was in the process of applying for jobs, requiring me to stay focussed, and very positive.
I always try to watch the news on a daily basis.
I was struck by the negativity I witnessed, and the constant talk of ‘doom & gloom’
(De-ja-vu anyone?!)
My background was in both sales, and as ‘a problem solver in manufacturing’.
After watching the news one day, and seeing John Major being harassed by the opposition in the House of Commons, I realised I was feeling a bit depressed.
I decided to approach the situation as if it were a ‘Problem Solving Project’
I sat down with a pen & paper, and started to make some notes.
These were the points that I made:
1) There is much talk about “The 10% unemployed.”
2) There is NO talk about ‘The 90% who are STILL Employed’!
3) Having been very successful in a recent sales career (top salesman two years out of 5), it is an accepted fact, that EVERY product has both good & bad points. The bad points should be addressed, (not ignored) BUT….then the numerous Good points should be Emphasised.
4) F.E.A.R. is an acronym, meaning: “False Expectations Appearing Real”.. this means that if we dwell upon an idea that is negative, it will take on a power in our minds and can even manifest as a reality.
e.g. When there is constant talk of “10% unemployment” people will start to hold back from spending, out of fear that they will be paid off, lose their jobs, and need those savings.
In effect that will become a reality, as shops close, because they have little custom, and cannot afford to pay their overheads. Shoe shops; clothes shops; travel agencies; furniture shops, etc, etc.
Hence it will become a ‘self fulfilling prophecy’!
5) Whereas it is appreciated that a recession is often started by a habit of ‘overspending’, when the reverse happens, then the recession will only be perpetuated.
So,- a Balance is required.
I took my time in composing this as a letter, ‘slept on it’, and then sent the edited version to my M.P.(Member of Parliament)
To be candid, I really did not expect to get any response, but it made me feel better to have expressed myself in writing to an official of HM Government.
In fact my M.P. did contact me, and said he was impressed with the manner in which I had expressed myself, and the content of my letter.
What I was not expecting, was that about ten days after sending my letter, whilst watching the 1pm BBC news, and ‘question time in the House’, John Major then stated……..Almost word for word,…MY LETTER!!
To say that I was gobsmacked was an understatement!
But, despite the use of my own phrases, etc, I was still not convinced that it was my letter he was ‘paraphrasing’
About six months later, I was working with a gentleman, who worked a lot with politicians and government in a consultancy capacity.
I mentioned the incident of my letter, and how J.M. had seemed to read it out.
This man then asked me: “Tell me, how many letters do you think it takes before the P.M. will take notice?
I hazarded a guess, - at approx. 200?
*** His reply astounded me: “It is THREE,…Well Worded letters”
Followed by: “So you see, it WAS Your letter the P.M. was paraphrasing in The House of Commons”
Now that incident gave me hope, that the individual, in a democracy, WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
I trust and hope that at least some here will read this and be encouraged to emulate my actions.
P.S. It is also worth noting, that there is an ‘official complaints procedure’ in place in most establishments.
One is not usually made aware of this, -for obvious reasons. So my point being, that if you are getting the B*ms Rush by an organisation, enquire about ‘their official complaints procedures’