INTERVIEW: Gavin Sharples: Little Things Add Up to Big Things!

Interviewed By: Jarette Petzer on ImStayingMedia

Motivational keynote speaker, author, and humourist, Gavin Sharples has devoted his life to helping people make the most of theirs.

In this interview with Jarette Petzer, Gavin’s signature trait humour immediately pops up when he jokes about lockdown, lamenting that “his boss – Mrs. Sharples” is having a merry old time keeping him occupied!

So, what exactly is that fine line between having fun, as only us South Africans (Saffas) know how to do, and showing empathy with all the suffering we are experiencing right now? How do we balance finding the humour in our lives and facing the gravity of our situation? Statistics tells one story, but the bottom line is that there is pain and emotions attached to all these stats.

Gavin mentions that going to the gym without a towel in the future will cause more fights than ever before. For a long time he has travelled with a bandana over his mouth and nose. He used to be looked at oddly, now it will be the norm. This is life, this is how life evolves.

There are two things similar – you had an idea and you did something.

The story of how Gavin came to be a corporate motivational trainer is quite fascinating. It actually fell into his lap. Well, the one side of his brain recognised the opportunity and then he followed through with action.

Sometimes the most amazing things happen by accident. As Gavin points out to Jarette, there are similarities between the #ImStaying movement and his career. Gavin says, “there are two things similar – you had an idea and you did something.” Both Gavin and Jarette did something, they both took action and kept trying.

“It is almost impossible to motivate somebody else, but you may be able to inspire them.”

They meander onto Gavin’s core business – motivating others and he had this to say, “It is almost impossible to motivate somebody else, but you may be able to inspire them.” He will inspire you by relating stories which are similar to what you are experiencing. He will equip you with practical advice and try to understand what is going on.

We live in a society in which many citizens suffer panic attacks. “The very worst thing you can tell someone who is having one, “Calm down.” No, stop telling them that. “People who worry, like me, I am a “worrier”, not a “warrior”, cannot tell their brain to switch off”. Worrying is justified, but what are you doing right now to put steps in place to relieve it? The busier you become, the less you worry”.

“Do not be led by your fear, stand up and be prepared to get involved”.

On the subject of changing the world around you, Jarette and Gavin talk about a video, recorded by Gavin’s wife, of him stepping to assist a young man in need. We often feel the pressure to change the big, wide world, but it’s as important to change the environment in which you live. As Jarette says, “Do not be led by your fear, stand up and be prepared to get involved”.

Sharples expands, “You do not need to be doing huge things for a huge number of people, you do not need to be recognised on a global scale. Little things make a huge difference and little things add up to big things”.

What we recognise in others is usually within us.

One final challenge from Gavin is to look at your daily accomplishments. What are your gifts? What is the one thing you can do better than anybody else? Ask a few friends what your three best characteristics are and build on those. We need to remember that what we recognise in others is usually within us.