On Thursday 5th July 2012, I delivered a Keynote Presentation and Q and A session to more than 20 pupils at Enfield Grammar School in North London. After watching a music group perform their gig which was an unusual mix of rap, rock and pop music, I was ready to deliver my own ‘high-octane’ performance.
I titled my presentation Can you see your vision? Seeing 20 plus young men from different races, creeds and backgrounds eagerly anticipating my presentation made me more determined not to deliver a ‘half-hearted’ programme.
I first introduced my audience to what I do and went on to tell them what I faced as a young man growing up in Hackney, East London. I told them about my many mistakes and the pleasure and pain of living the ‘street life’ which involved six of my friends being shot dead and me myself nearly getting killed. The look on the faces of these young men hearing the horrors of the ‘street life’ will stay with me for a long time but more importantly, the truth will be etched on their minds for even longer.
I went on to speak, teach and coach about writing and achieving your goals, the perils of living the ‘street life’, time management, excellence, having a clear and defined vision for your life, surrounding yourself with positive and like-minded people, using the library as a ‘second home’ and the importance of understanding your destiny. I showed them tangible evidence of what walking and working with these principles can do for your life. I also spoke to them about my books, distinction and the results of being a reference point of excellence to my generation.
It was an eventful, mind changing and destiny enhancing morning for all involved and the feedback from staff and students has been phenomenal. The Question and Answer session was great because the pupils where given an opportunity to ask questions and receive answers that was not part of their curriculum and in turn it gave them teaching, insight and a perspective that will help them for now and the future as well.
The session ended with me giving away five free copies of my first book; Hitting The Target- A 12 Month Guide To Distinction. It was funny because all the young men rushed for the book but they did not realise that I had strategically pinpointed whom I was going to give my books too. With one book left I decided to ask them a question with the winner receiving the last copy. I asked them “what is the name of one of my businesses”? There were shouts, excited voices, and yells with everyone trying to remember the names from the start of the slide show. Many said “B1” but most couldn’t remember the second part of the name but finally one of the pupils exclaimed, “B1 COACHING”. With that being the right answer, the young man gladly received his prize with a big smile on his face. I then realised that in life many people hear but few actually listen.
I am not just a role model that part is easy; I am also inspiring, influencing and instructing a generation of young people to become a reference point of excellence to their generation as well.
