‘If you do not have passion for your idea no one else will believe in it’ – Thurston Sebotsane
Passion flowed through my veins as I thought of and planned my motorcycle tour around all provinces of South Africa. When I started, I had never been on a motorcycle nor could I drive one.
On the 25th of June 2009 I asked a friend of mine if he knew of someone selling his motorcycle, he immediately told me that there was someone in his neighbourhood who was looking for a buyer. I then asked him to arrange that I go see the motorcycle and if I liked it, I would be willing to purchase it. I bought the motorcycle on the 26th of June in 2009; I was so determined to ride that I asked my friend to give me a crash lesson so I could be able to ride it home. He hesitated at the thought of me being thrown off and offered instead to ride it home for me.
I refused and nagged him until he relented. I got my lessons which lasted all of five minutes, I got on the motorbike, stalled twice then I was off. I took three turns in his street then I was ready to ride home.
I have since borrowed a phrase from “THE GREATEST SALESMAN IN THE WORLD” by OG MANDINO;
“Failure will never overtake me if my determination to succeed is strong enough”.
This is true in so many ways; people choose to accept failure before exhausting all avenues to avert an undesirable end. Others are afraid to take a step forward lest they stumble and fall. What if you were to take a bold step in the face of “fear of failure” and you succeed; would the fruits not be much sweeter and juicier? Would you not cherish that moment of triumph? Would your determination to succeed not be better fueled?
I had nothing to lose and a lot to gain when I spoke to the Ambassador of Germany to South Africa about THE POWER OF ONE motorcycle tour. I explained the whole concept to him and asked for contact details of the CEO of BMW South Africa.
On the same day when I got the details I drafted an email to the CEO of BMW South Africa. I detailed what I wanted to do and what I hoped to achieve. I included my proposal and did not neglect to mention how I will also benefit from all this. Words seemed to flow forth from my heart as I was typing the email. All this seemed so effortless, and then it occurred to me that I was acting with immeasurable passion and determination and this was reflected in the finished draft. I took a deep breath then pressed the send button; all was now out of my hands. I had given this my best effort.
A day after sending my request, I was then granted a meeting by the General Manager of BMW Motorrad. I arrived at a meeting with the management team of BMW Motorrad in Midrand. Before we could start, the manager of marketing communications explained to me that they could not guarantee to offer me a motorcycle. He added that he always receives requests from people wanting to tour the continent and others with different needs. He added that they do not have enough motorcycles to give to all who ask, so my presentation had to be exceptional. His statements did not deter but instead encouraged me to bring out my best at the meeting.
I had passion for the idea and that became clear, I managed to speak from the heart and that carried me through. I spoke not neglecting the main reasons why I wanted to embark on the tour and what I would be able to achieve with the help of BMW. I had only this one opportunity to create the desired impression and to sell the idea.
I exuded passion and I believed strongly in the idea. In my mind, there was no way that I could not get the message across about the good that can be brought on by BMW Motorrad partnering with me on this journey. I was also sure that my proposal was clear enough to deliver a message about benefits to BMW Motorrad.
All went well and I was successful. I later became Ambassador for BMW Motorcycles. I got to travel solo around the country on a new BMW motorcycle.
Determination is a reliable spark, when used wisely it can ignite an inferno of success. We all have it within us to succeed. Human beings are wired for success.
– Thurston Sebotsane (Inspirational Speaker and Life Coach)
