When you go on holiday...

Relationship help from Star Wars

I think I'm turning Japanese, I really think so...

Hey you :) good to see you again. I like what you've done with your hair. Looks good. No really. Check that out.

So back from holiday now, bit shattered, timeline all screwed up since I've written this at almost midnight, but you bet, I'm still grinning from ear to ear. Had the best time with my family, Japan is amazing in every way I could describe. 

Andrea, Trey, Finn and I boosted over there - and when I say "boosted" I really mean "sit in a flying cylinder for 11 hours straight trying to either sleep, get comfortable, watch something entertaining or all at the same time" - for an adventure / intrepid journey type holiday. Been a dream of mine for many years.

And boy was it incredible.

Here are a few of the things we managed to do;

Lego-land, Disneyland, Edo-Tokyo Museum with an english speaking guide, the Hato Bus tour taking in the Imperial Castle, the Sensoji Temple and a river cruise, shopping in Shibuya, went to the geek (Otaku) centre of Tokyo where the boys bought lots of Dragon Ball Z figures each, rode the Shinkansen (bullet train) from Tokyo to Kyoto (yes its fast), visited the Tenryuji Temple, the Arashiyama bamboo grove, fed the monkeys running free around us up on top of a mountain in falling snow, went to the Fushimi Inari-Taisha shrine and to a Samurai Performance (with a ninja included). We went to Osaka, visited the castle, the Aquarium and went shopping in Dotonbori. We ate crazy stuff, caught up with a great friend of mine who I've known since kindergarten (preschool) and his lovely wife and walked at least a ba-zillion miles.

All in 8-9 days. Talk about gettin' in and gettin' it done! 

Would I go again? You betcha! Loved it. 

But why did I love it? For me the thing was, even in the crazy busy centres where there are hundreds if not thousands of people bustling along, there is still a underlying peace there. A softness, a calm beneath the hustle and bustle. People still rushed, urgency was still present, it just seemed that the majority of people were simply enjoying what they were up to.  

Am I romanticising? Maybe a little. Still recovering from jet lag. But regardless, imagined or not, there was a smoothness and efficiency to things you don't get here. 

The thing that really sold it for me was, wasn't the places we visited or the things we did. It was more than that. It was the one thing that stood tall above everything else.

Japan seems to be a nation of helpful and genuinely kind people.

So many times we must have looked confused or lost trying to negotiate the multi-coloured Spaghetti Bolognese lines that are the Japanese rail system (which are also written in Japanese). It never took long before we were approached out of the blue by people asking us if we needed help, many who only spoke a tiny fraction of English. One older gentleman even walked about two blocks with us to get us to our destination before happily bowing then setting back off in the direction we had come from. No issue. 

This happened so many times that this cultural difference has had me wondering about our own backyard. 

Would that happen in NZ? 

The answer - yes, of course it does. But certainly not as often as it should.

Ask yourself: how many times have I walked past someone who looked lost? Or confused? Especially obvious visitors to our country? 

I'll bet lots. I know I have, haven't given them a second thought. People visibly upset however, I've always tried to stop and help if I've been able to.

In Japan - as far as I could tell given our brief stay - ignoring someone in distress isn't an option. Even if the distress is minimal like confusion looking at maps. They seemed to have a need to ensure visitors to their country enjoyed their stay. It could have been patriotism, a cultural growth or any number of things. 

Rather than complain about the (very) tall different looking barbarians, both young and old, English speaking or not, made an effort to smooth things out for us.

It was refreshing, even confronting at times given language barriers. But amazing. Inspiring.

So this led me to start paying attention to visitors to NZ (of which I'm sure there will be increasing numbers of given the latest lot of idiot Trump initiatives) to see if I can make a difference like the nice people in Japan did for my family and I.

Paying it forward. And now I'm encouraging you to do the same whether you are here in NZ with me, or somewhere else in the world.

How good do you think it will feel if you are able to help make someone's trip to NZ that little bit more stress free? Simple directions, a kind word. 

I'll bet you'll try, its why you come to read these posts I put up. You're a helper, just like me. 

Finishing up this wordy post, here are a few pics from our intrepid journey to the land of the rising sun, which incidentally I actually got to see as we flew in at sunrise.

Kyoto Samurai Experience

Tokyo pretend "Geisha" at the Sensoji Shrine

Anime "Gundam" statue

On the Shinkansen Bullet Train

Fushimi Inari-taisha shrine - Kyoto

Osaka Castle

Feeding the monkeys at Arashiyama Monkey Park

A great dinner out in Osaka at the restaurant "EN"

Please don't forget - if you can - help the odd tourist here and there when you see them struggling with anything. As a patriot of our own country or just as a good person, its the least we can all do.

Have a great day. Thanks for stopping by.

Daz

A thank you, to you

If you are reading this, it means you're likely one of the ones who come by regularly for a quick read, a laugh, maybe out of sheer morbid curiosity wondering what on earth I'm going to write about or say next, or maybe you come along because this stuff works for you.

Whatever the reason, thank you so much for popping by. This is the last blog I'll write for 2016. 

It seems fitting that this is a post especially directed to you.

It is a genuine heartfelt thank you for all the times you messaged me to tell me how much my post/s have meant to you, how they made a difference to you or for a family member or friend to whom you copied the posts, sent it to them and it helped them too. 

Thank you for all the times you clicked "like" or commented on the posts that have kept the momentum going and added to the discussions and fostered more of the openness I've been trying to generate. 

When there are no likes or comments, it would usually mean that no one is reading, but as I've found out, some is simply because you didn't want to be seen as having "anxiety" or being "stressed" by being connected to a post about it. I am glad you were able to speak to me about that though, a confession of sorts that let me know that yes, you do have it but that the post helped you. These conversations are truly amazing to have and worth much more than any clicks.

I thank you for clicking by for a simple read, maybe just to pass the time. 

To you reading this, I wish you and your family and friends an amazing and spectacular Merry Christmas and New Year. You deserve it. 

2017 is going to be an amazing year for all of us, and of course we all have lots to do, challenges to overcome and successes to embrace and be proud of. A positive attitude can help deal with almost any obstacle you might face. 

But please remember during anything not-so-awesome; without some bad times happening every now and again, how can we truly appreciate the good when it comes along? Makes them all the sweeter when you think about it.

Now I'm working through this year, so if you do ever need to talk, feel free to message me. If I can't help in some way, I know lots of people who can. I'm no counsellor nor professionally trained, but sometimes its just good to have someone listen. I've got ears. I'm told they work.

A little note for those of you who have it a bit rough right now. I know there are a fair few of you out there in inter-web land. Please take care of yourself, stay true, dont be afraid to ask for help if you need it, try to look for any positive things you can make happen (no matter how small) in the situations you're in, and look after those who need you. 

Keep on keeping on, you got this. You can make it through. The opinions of others are not yours to own. Remember who you are and where you came from. 

You've always been a lot stronger than you've given yourself credit for. 

For everyone else, if you see someone in need, offer to help. Sometimes just having someone ask and offer support can make all the difference in the world.

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and stay safe. Kinda like having you around.

​Take care of you and yours. ​Bring on 2017.​

Darren

Mistakes, I've made a few

Hi!

An article I put up on LinkedIn today. 
A "something to think about whilst you're at work" post this time.

Over the past few weeks, the subject of negative focus has lifted its head again as it often does when we all get tired and are looking toward that well earned, well deserved Christmas and New Year summer break. 

Pina collada's, walks in the rain. 
Y'know what I'm saying.

When I say "negative focus" I'm not talking about a general boiling cauldron of troubled culture in any work place or anything like that. No, not even close. 

This negativity occurs where we start to focus on problems and mistakes much more than the positive aspects of what we do, how we do it and what we could do.
I've said this a few times in past posts (see "Got Anxiety? Read This") in an attempt to change our mindset, especially at this time of year. 

This picture is one I found on the inter-web quite a while back. 
It's so good that I began incorporating its lesson into any teaching/coaching sessions here and off site too, where valid.

Yes. You read that right. Made no mistakes? Then what limits did you push?  

See, mistakes are important. If you never make any, how do you learn what works and what doesn't? 
If you're not making mistakes, how are you really challenging the things you do? 

Answer? It's likely you're not.

A boss of mine has asked on many occasions "what's the worst thing that can happen?" whenever someone has suggested an idea. 
I learnt after the first few times she asked me that this question seemed to serve three purposes. 

1. Will anyone die if we do it? 

2. Will anyone die if we don't do it? 
Legitimate concerns. But there was also a third reason.

3. Not only does this simple question serve as an immediate impact consideration assessment, but its also a great challenge to throw (some) caution to the wind and to take a chance. 

In this simple question (which I urge you to adopt by the way) my boss was also asking for the person concerned, to try. To take a calculated risk. To risk making a mistake. 
But of course, as long as no one was going to die.

And this ladies and gentlemen, this is how a business can move forward.

Please consider the Samurai picture and my boss's question. 

If you're looking at a process and see a potential opportunity to make it better, don't you owe it to the business (and yourself) to try to make it better or at the bare minimum, at least talk about it with someone invested in the result?
Yes! Of course you should! 

Innovation is crucial part of any businesses success.
Can you successfully innovate if you don't try anything new? Nope, kinda defeats the word itself.

Quick few questions you should ask yourself. 
1. Are you holding yourself back? 
2. Do you prefer to do the "tried and tested" way because "thats the way we've always done it"? You know it works, its safe. 
3. As a manger or a leader, are you treating any mistakes your staff make like catastrophic cases of pulling us closer to financial ruination?

Considering what you have just read higher up, what would happen if you stop doing that?

We are all guilty of stepping out sometimes when we should be stepping in. 
If you or your staff members are too afraid to take calculated risks or make mistakes just in case you/they embarrass yourself/themselves, then its time to stop that. 

Join me in stepping forward.

Mistakes - when owned and learnt from - can form badges of honour, help you to take the knocks they provide and assist you in growing to be more, to be better. 

We all have big goals ahead of us in 2017 and beyond and its going to take calculated risks and mistakes to learn from, to get there. 

Learning from them and challenging the norms will be the most likely method to push you and your business forward to where you need to go.

Look at the negative focus things differently, starting today. 
Try the new ideas. 

I mean after all...

What's the worst that could happen?

Thought for the day.

Music I'm into at the moment - a playlist

Figured might be cool to share the music I'm into, most of it organised into a playlist for when I'm out on the bike. Great cruising sounds, great vocalists, good to sing along with. 

Then for fun or curiosity, feel free to check out the link on the right hand side under popular posts "My old band recordings plus a new track" - me singing. Bit of rock in that direction too.  

Playlist - in no particular order;

Back from Cali - Slash, featuring Myles Kennedy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgUTKxcC5dA

Ashes Of Eden - Breaking Benjamin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1yTyAh8IA8

Failure - Breaking Benjamin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVIh1MFWDVw

Breakdown - Breaking Benjamin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Spz5oa8UE-4

Saint Cecilia - Foo Fighters 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjBUBFKb5zY

Space Lord - Monster Magnet 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dscfeQOMuGw

Bullet In My Hand - Redlight King 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1KL5U-fyMc

Wash It All Away - Five Finger Death Punch 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9VFg44H2z8

House Of The Rising Sun - Five Finger Death Punch 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXYIxJScSik

Made To Be Broken - Seven Mary Three  (live - prefer studio version)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHaHrzV7GOE&index=26&list=PLZ_5bDEnailfu6vjnYTrDOAKI9SNB5RIf

Master Of The Universe - Sick Puppies 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mvb6NQozYsE

Blow Up The Outside World - Soundgarden
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sC2GjXMk7i4

Stinkfist - Tool
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07pLGIgyfjw

The Pot - Tool
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2F_hGwD26g

Black Cadillac - Shinedown
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smvwKuqt_qU

State Of My Head - Shinedown
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kv0B-DLtMiM

Cut The Cord - Shinedown
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9itwt_opsvQ

Footsteps (Go Higher) - Pop Evil
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXvkTuMyZpM

Trenches - Pop Evil (a bit glam band but it grows on you)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWdtN7pCZug

Take It All - Pop Evil (even more glam band)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGL2OjmZLhM

Good Man - Devour The Day
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70FI3c2ARKM

I'm A King Bee - The Stone Foxes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvEtts_67AU

Left Hand Free - Alt-J
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRWUoDpo2fo

Red Sun Rising - The Otherside
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1cj2M_Mprw

Figure It Out - Royal Blood
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHX3lWJxQPA

Little Monster - Royal Blood
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ere2Mstl8ww

My Demons - Starset
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSvOTw8UH6s

Mississippi Queen - Mountain
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFhM1XZsh6o

Heathens - Twenty One Pilots
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UprcpdwuwCg

Paralyzer - Finger Eleven
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJk6gZuPKRE

Evidence - Faith No More
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lvMNLhJrb0

Ashes To Ashes - Faith No More
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kfq7wHJu21c

Falling To Pieces - Faith No More
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32bdevGClD4

Bulletproof - Shihad/Pacifier
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zftDSYPmh6o

Yeah. Git 'cha rock on already.

More 2016 DGR Photos

The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride - 2016 Tauranga

Hi you! Apologies I haven't posted in a while. Been a bit flat out if I'm honest. Working and charity work.

So the amazing DGR kicked off this Sunday just been (9th Oct 2016), with around 150-200 bikes turning up. We had old-time scooters, bobbers, Harley's, Triumph's, Ducati's, you name it, we even had a bike built from scratch on deck! The dapper level's were high, moustache's were curled up, moustache stickers applied to bike headlights and the comradery of the DGR pack was solid.

Collectively our riders in Tauranga, NZ managed to pull together $14, 049.00 for the charity, NZ collectively raised a whopping $93,178.00 and worldwide we helped generate US$3,542,031.00! 
A legendary result! 
I even managed to take out second place amongst our riders gathering up $1271.00!! Thanks to all who donated and put up with me spamming them on social media.

The ride day itself is something I highly recommend if you're a motorbike owner. The discussions around men's health, suicide prevention and prostate cancer were great to be had. I even had a good 10 minute discussion with a member of the public who just wanted to share his story of going through prostate cancer with me - a humbling talk and another reason why we do this DGR work in the first place. He is thankfully cancer free now, an excellent result.

Riding in the pack - I was lucky enough to be up front for the majority of it - was chilling in a good way. I am sure that people heard us coming around quarter of an hour before we even showed up. As we passed places, windows rattled. We were a very dapper gang of ladies and gents looking to raise awareness for Prostate Cancer and Men's mental health. 

I think we accomplished that. I even had an opportunity to jump on a tourist bus and let the asian tourists just what we were all about, but they were so quick to get off their bus and get up close and personal with the bikes they literally pushed on past me! Was awesome!

Check out a few of the pictures of the day below. 

The boys - Rich, Stefan and I

Workmate Stefan and I again

This guy was one of the nicest guys around, and probably the oldest riding!

The "Red-Band" band who donated their time for free to play the venue! Legendary band!

Front three and organisers of this Tauranga ride - Damian, Myself and Wayne

Front three bikes. (from left) My Ducati, Wayne's Triumph and Damian's Triumph.

Promo picture - Keith, myself and Damian

And then our newspaper interview and article.

So please keep an eye out for DGR 2017 - I'm going to be involved in it for sure!

If you have a bike - I can't suggest enough for you to get involved too! 

#badass #dapperedup #welldressedgang

2016. 

Done. 
Boom.

SPONSOR ME!! A great cause, please, every dollar counts.

https://www.gentlemansride.com/rider/dazleggatt

Please click the link and if you can, donate. Prostate Cancer and Mental Health issues affect so many of your loved ones. It's time to try and do something about it.

So on Sunday the 25th of September, I'm going to don my finest attire and join men and women across the globe in the 2016 Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride to find a cure for Prostate Cancer and to help Men’s Mental Health. 

Over 1,300 men a day die of prostate cancer worldwide, and it’s time for that to end. Your donation will help The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride reach its goal of $US5 Million to fund research into a cure for a disease that claims far too many gentlemen each year. 

This is the best dressed way to fight prostate cancer and help improve men’s mental health – cheers and thank you!

Wedding Competition! Please vote for Andrea and I :)

Please click the link and select our wedding at the bottom of the page!

http://www.odt.co.nz/lifestyle/wedding-guide/wedding-week/darren-leggatt-and-andrea-deuchrass​

Thanks all - share the word around!