Sometimes there is just absolutely a necessity to blog! I have just gotten back to the office side of Avo this morning, after two days of participation in one of our Open Course Workshops, On The Spot…

Had just the greatest time, this is the second time I have attended one of our Courses, and I am yet again blown away by the product we offer… Now I love to learn, and I love to be challenged, but I have never liked being On The (proverbial) Spot – unless I voluntarily fling myself there, which surprisingly I do quite often. The thing is that I have always liked to be in control of when and where I will be the focus of attention (as well as with whom), and if I do not feel the time is right then you can just find me amongst the wall-paper.

So, while I was excited about the opportunity to attend another one of our courses (especially after attending our Let’s Talk program), I was not particularly thrilled with the idea of facing that fear of being forced to step into the spotlight, and managing myself in that… with a bunch of strangers to boot!!!

The facilitation was awesome! Errol (Van Der Merwe) was just brilliant at handling the nerves, and relaxing the trepidation we all had at the prospect of failure… We laughed, discussed, analyzed, debated and validated not only our personal points of views and fears but the lessons that were being shared with us – and all this happened under the umbrella of “Avo Magic” which Errol so expertly gave us each a chance to hold and experience. Too often Facilitators can talk AT or TO the attendees as opposed to the masterful art of discussing WITH us – and Errol was Fantastic at this, at all times leading the pack… But never was it forced, exhausting or exclusive which made the experience optimal for all in the room.

My fellow delegates (Adele, Stephen, Nyamy, Masego, Phillemon, Cèzanne, Rachel) and Myself had a blast – I challenge you to find one of us who didn’t – and by the end we were all more confident, relaxed and structured in our final presentations than I think any of us thought we could be… We all walked out knowing that we still have more growth to do, but so well-equipped to continue growing in this regard - It’s really like we were given (as opposed to a blunt boring kitchen knife), a Nice Shiny Red MacGuyver Swiss Army knife with all the tools and fixings required to improvise and improve…

I think that the best example of the strength of this workshop is that one of my fellow delegates turned around and said the he has been on two other presentation courses in the recent past, and this was by far, the better of all three – I liked that, being an ambassador of such perception is an awesome feeling…

When I started I mentioned how nervous I was at the thought of facing my fear, perhaps the more appropriate word is phobia, as in an irrational fear, totally unfounded and not as serious as I thought – I do feel more relaxed about the prospect of being required to stand up in front of people, especially strangers, and what nerves remain I know I can tackle and (even more shocking) embrace.

To find out more about the open courses we are offer you can go to the Course Date on the website or contact me at the office 011-614-0206, or by e-mail soz.theo@avovision.co.za