A LEAF FROM MY BOOK

April 2008 - Generation gap? I don't think so! 

There’s a very good reason why I haven’t updated my newsletter for so long; one of my daughters (and her family) came for an extended visit from her home in the United States. Needless to say, having four of my grandchildren filling the house with their life and laughter made the Christmas vacation very enjoyable. Writing an account of their teenage antics would take a newsletter in itself, so it suffices to say that it made me realise the real value of the generations … and how much we can learn from them.

I believe that one of the strengths I bring to my clients is my age. It allows me to draw on many different experiences that I’ve undergone during my life. I even draw upon the experiences of my mother’s lifetime. For example, the explosion of technology – she could remember the first motorcar, the first telephone, etc., etc.

While telling my grandchildren, I realised that the same could be said of my lifetime. I was born and brought up on a farm in England and can remember the first tractor being used on the fields. And, I can assure you, it was nothing like today’s tractors. These days they’re guided by laser beams and the amount of fertiliser applied is monitored by computers that ‘talk’ to satellites. What’s coming next?!

I bring the knowledge achieved as a result of a varied and interesting life into my practice and use is to achieve a better understanding of my clients and their issues. No, that doesn’t mean I sit there as the fountain of all knowledge, with the precise answer to solve all their problems. What it does mean is that I’ve often battled with a similar issue myself and can personally relate to what’s happening with them. As a result, between my experience and my training, I’m better equipped to help.

To get back to the generations … how can I learn from that which my daughter has experienced? Quite simple. It was actually Julie who began my interest in hypnotherapy in the first place. She not only obtained her degree in England before I did, the course she did was far more extensive than the one I did here. Since then, we’ve had many long conversations, in which I’ve bettered my knowledge and expanded my skills. So, thank you, Julie. My age may have its advantages, but I am humble enough to learn from the next generation down.

Then there’s my grandchildren’s generation, who I’ve also just learned from; and here’s how. Some years ago I realised I’d really enjoy using the principles I use in my daily hypnotherapy work … and present them in a form of motivational talks at the workplace. I already know that I’ve helped many of my clients turn their lives around – with some amazing results – and I believe that I can do the same for businesses.

It’s been about four years since I first thought of this idea, but I needed a PowerPoint presentation to make the talk come alive. As my computer skills only extend to receiving and sending basic emails, I was at a loss as to what to do. Sure I could employ someone to do it, but that ‘someone’ needed to have both the skills and be able to spend enough one-on-one time with me to gain a real understanding of what I wanted to achieve. And here’s what I learnt.

I already knew that one of my grandson’s was a brilliant artist, with a special flair for cartoons. So I asked him if he’d mind doing the drawings for the presentation I was going to get done one day. To my surprise – and delight – he not only knew how to create a PowerPoint presentation, he also helped me put all the information into a more presentable flow.

So, thank you Oliver. You’ve taught me that it pays to ask for help … and that, once you do, you often receive way more than expected.

Till next time
Roland

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