Welcome to my blog!

For some time I’ve been aware that being able to share wealth creation breakthroughs and issues really helps encourage students! It helps you feel part of a very special community (which you are!) – a community that isn’t much evident in the outside world. The M for Mindset in TEM$ is the most important aspect of wealth creation, so keep yours positive, motivated, learning, and talking! Post your blog today!

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Dan's First Helicopter Experience

"It was on a Saturday morning on one of the busiest roads in Pretoria. Incidentally there was no traffic at all, just a few motorists making their way to where their calling took them. I was travelling to a place I have never been, about to do something I had never done in my whole 33-years-long life, invited by a very wealthy man. Took the Zambezi off-ramp and followed the airport sign to Wonderboom airport.

Little did I know that I was about to receive the ultimate lesson in wealth from South Africa's number one Wealth Mentor, Dr. Hannes Dreyer.

I had read about the experience of others that have been through the journey I was about to undertake. "Marvellous", "miraculous", "out of this world" . were some of their expressions of how it felt to be mid-air in an Allouette 2 chopper with Dr Hannes Dreyer on the pilot seat.

The opportunity had been offered to me just the previous day in the spirit of encouragement for keeping up with my assignments and I gladly accepted.Within no time Hannes arrived in that majestic creature I almost won just 11 months ago in the Kaizen Challenge final draw.

I made sure I parked right next to the Jaguar XKR as we made our way to the hanger where the chopper was. At first I thought my eyes were running tricks on me, I mean, the chopper looked small and I was wondering whether I would fit into it, let alone Hannes (the man is tall). As they were refuelling the tank with Jet-A1 fuel, I really got closer and closer.

Then I realized that appearances can be deceiving. It had the capacity to carry 5 people, including the pilot and it was being prepared to give me the experience of a lifetime. As it was pushed out of the hanger, I recorded everything I could on my cell phone camera.

Then we (Hannes, I and Leon) hopped-in after all the final checks were completed. I sat at the back seat as Hannes was explaining what was about to happen. That put my anxious mind at ease and I relaxed.

All I saw was too many gauges and buttons I couldn't understand. Hannes was at peace with them, clearly anticipating every possible scenario that could arise.

Head phones were on, engine started and up we went, gradually making our way to the west (or was it? My navigation skills are a bit rusty . ok, they are bad, happy now?).

The Magaliesburg Mountain was suddenly in front of us to the left and guided us towards the Hartebeespoort dam. Everything on the ground was clear and more beautiful, a very rare perspective indeed.

The highlight on the way to the dam was the hover at about 1000 feet. This is something that can not be done in an aeroplane and I loved every minute of it. It wasn't long (about 20 minutes) before the dam revealed itself to us and we crossed over to the other side of the mountain to prepare for our landing at some restaurant.

We landed safely, and made our way to the most expensive cold drink I have ever had. I had the opportunity to ask the Master anything on my mind. What a privilege!

Something miraculous happened on our way back to the airport. Until that moment, I had been looking out the window at the scenes that captured my attention and didn't even bother to look at how Hannes flies the chopper. By this time, I was sitting in the co-pilot seat in front with him when he said "So, you want to have a feel of what it's like?" I thought he was referring to being wealthy and without hesitation said "yes I do", thinking that he was about to share an insight on how he sees wealth.

He said, "ok, grab the ... and fly us" (I can't remember what that thing is called ... the "thing" that looks like a stick, one on each side of the front seats, that you use to determine the attitude and orientation of the chopper . yes, that thing).

I reluctantly grabbed it, hoping that he would say "no, just kidding, I just wanted to see your reaction or something". He said "go on gently and fly us". There was no turning back. That was the moment of truth.

With his guidance, I steered the chopper along just fine for about 45 seconds. I started to enjoy it. Hannes was there to encourage and guide me. This was the highlight for me of the entire journey.

It reminded me of the first time my father gave me the keys to his Toyota Stout and said "drive"; I was about 11 years old. This brought back a lot of good old memories lying buried in my subconscious mind.Thank you for the experience of what true wealth really is. I have tasted it mid-air for those few seconds when the chopper was under my control.

The attitude of the chopper was entirely under my control just as the rest of my life is and always has been. With the chopper, the feedback was immediate and I could take corrective action.

My experience tells me it is exactly like that with life, provided we are listening and tuned into the transmission frequency.

This was one lesson I could never have received had it not been for your kindness and commitment to the success of your students Hannes. For this I thank you.

Allow me to take this opportunity to once again thank you for all that you have taught me since 2005 when I first met you. For the more than 175 weekly Mentorship Lessons that popped into my email inbox every Friday afternoon to take me on a journey to the creation, preservation and enjoyment of wealth, I thank you.

For the challenging assignments that have forced me to look at the world with a different set of eyes (the Wealth Creators way), I thank you and give my commitment to always be attentive and diligent.

For the best example that you have provided me in your own life experience, there is no price one can put to that. I signed up in September 2005 to learn how to turn less than R1000 into more than R10 million in less than 5 years and I have discovered a way of life that has seduced me into giving up my 29 years of conditioning, in exchange for a share of what rightfully belongs to me as a birth right.

Indeed as I march forward, taking each day as it comes, I am humbled by the immense power that you have demonstrated to me that I (and anyone willing to look within) have. I continue to drink from this never-drying well of life-giving water.

No comments: