Bernard Goosen: Motivational speaker
I am a wheelchairbound quadraplegic, who believes with the right oulook ANYTHING can be achieved. I was the first physically disabled Rotary Exchange Student in the world and spent a year in America.
As an Ambassador I travelled through 35 States in America doing presentation and talks on South Africa, in particular to schools, colleges, various business organisations and Rotary Clubs.
On returning to South Africa, I helped prepare the succeeding Rotary Exchange pupils before they embarked on their exchange journey
In 1998 I had the urge to travel Europe, travelling from day to day, not necessarily having a schedule or even organized places to stay. Although I realized the difficulties of what I wanted to do as well as the many possible risks of a disabled person traveling alone, it filled me with a great sense of excitement. I returned home after 9 months, having travelled through Europe and the U.S doing motivational talks to corporates, schools and other organisation.
Other challenges I have overcome:
BCompt degree (with Honours)
Hot air Ballooning
Quad biking
Paragliding
Parasailing
Micro lighting
Bungee jumping
After doing a motivational talk for a large international IT company in November 2000 I was asked if I would do a project for them where we would fix their fixed asset system as restructure and Implement internal control procedures
MY MOTO
Keep your thoughts positive because your thoughts become your words,
Keep your words positive because your words become your actions,
Keep your actions positive because your actions become your habits,
Keep your habits positive because your habits become your destiny.
I believe that if you find an aspect about yourself that you really trust and design all solutions to problems and challenges around your strength, anything can be achieved.
People often ask me how I keep myself positive and all I can think of if that when I am negative and feel that I don’t have the strength to keep fighting, I realize that if I give up, I won’t achieve the goals that I have set for myself, because the ultimate responsibility for achieving these goals, are mine. Although in the beginning I felt as if I was banging my head against walls, I have now realized that by setting smaller, more short term gaols, it has not only made it more rewarding, but I have also realized that to keep it up is becoming a habit. It is now very difficult for me to be negative and have also realized that if you are negative, it has a negative influence on every one around you. The most important saying that I have ever come across was, “Life is ten percent what happens to you, and ninety percent what you do about it.”, and hopefully through sharing my experiences, hardships as well as triumphs to companies, schools as well as other organisation I can prove that all circumstances can be overcome with a positive attitude
An impotant aspect to realize is that everyones problems are important to them, and through my experience of overcoming obsticles I have been able to help people develope plans to achieve their goals.
“Life is 10% of what happens to you, and 90% of what you do about it”.
Send E-Mail to: bernard_goosen@non.hp.com
Copyright © 2001 Bernard Goosen. All Rights Reserved