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Surviving your Serengeti - What's Your Endurance Level?

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Golden Girls with SW Desert Homes BR564219000

I just finished reading the wonderful advance copy of  Surviving your Serengeti, written by Stefan Swanepoel   

I was invited by Active Rain to preview Stefan's book, take the quiz about myself, and share a post about the first two chapters.

Reading?  I'm in!

Knowledge?  I'm hooked!

Personal growth?  SOLD!

Could reading this book contribute to my potential in business, networking, and personal goals?  It was worth a two-chapter preview to find out!

The section that jumped out to me, personally, spoke about endurance.  It went on to say that, "while staying the course in and of itself is obviously not a guarantee for success, it is the number one skill that will see you through to the end.”

And, if we cannot find endurance within ourselves to face the challenges of life, the author shares: "you need a spouse, close friend, or office colleague who can give you encouragement and motivation on a regular basis. Enduring together is much easier. Remember, the wildebeest doesn’t run alone.”

It's a great reminder.  Life, we're not in it alone!

The end of chapter two discussed the main trait of the wildebeest (ENDURANCE)in comparison to our own lives. 

  • How do we as individuals face and handle endurance?
  • What are our coping (survival) skills?
  • How do we hone this skill? (Endurance)
  • And lastly, importantly, how do we maximize our ENDURANCE skill?

Words like flexibility, patience, perspective - Stefan reminds us that a return to our basic foundational skills can be the difference between survival or extinction.

giraffe

I am excited to read about the many animal traits that follow in this book. According to the "personality trait" test, out of 4100 participants: 27% are crocodile, 24% giraffe, 16% elephant, 9% cheetah, 8% lion, 7% wildebeest, 8% mongoose

I'm a giraffe, and the results tell me that the giraffe represents "grace", and an ability to rise above the negative events of time.  Initially, I didn't think I was all that grace-ful, but then I thought back to the recent Tucson shooting that shocked the US and staggered us with its press releases.  My first reaction was, "Well, there's no point in blogging about Tucson anymore.  Who in the heck is going to want to live here."  And then, the next morning, upon further reflection, I wrote about how this Tucson tragedy did not define us, We are more.  We can make a positive out of this senseless, violent assault on our way of life. And we have.  And we are.

Maybe Tucson is a giraffe, too.

 

Here's a quick synopsis of the rules:

Once you download and read the first two chapters, and take the quiz, Active Rain asks that you write a blog post about the first two chapters or the quiz.

"A few minor guidelines from Active Rain:

  • Each post (one per member) will be given 2500 points.
  • We ask that you provide a link back to the quiz and this post, so other members can take the quiz and participate in the challenge.
  • The day the book launches, March 1st, Stefan will be picking his favorite posts and those posts will be included in a special ActiveRain Daily Drop newsletter
  • After you write your post, please include a link back to your post in the comment section of this post.
  • Posts must be submitted by Friday, February 25th at Midnight Eastern Time in order to qualify for the 2500 points.
  • Share your post with us on Facebook on the ActiveRain fan page and the Surviving Your Serengeti fan page. This part is optional, but you can earn an extra 1000 points for sharing on Facebook. If you do share on Facebook. Please include the fact you did that in the comment section when you leave your link so we can get your points awarded."

 

Posted by

If I can assist you in your home buying or selling in Marana, Tucson, Oro Valley, or Vail, please don't hesitate to call me!  Email at Cara@SWDeserthomes.com

Cara Marcelle Mancuso, Golden Girls with SW Desert Homes

520-909-2988   

Regarding the material posted in my blog postings, All listing information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed and should be independently verified through personal inspection by appropriate professionals. Listings displayed on this website may be subject to prior sale or removal from sale; availability of any listing should always be independently verified.

Listing information is provided for consumer personal, non-commercial use, solely to identify potential properties for potential purchase; all other use is strictly prohibited and may violate relevant federal and state law.

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Comments (10)

DONNA SINGH
Royal LePage Connect Realty - Toronto, ON

Hi Cara, I read the first 2 chapters too. I can hardly wait for the book, by the way I'm a crocodile.

Feb 22, 2011 06:10 AM
John McCarthy
North Hampton, NH
Realtor - Seacoast NH

Hi Cara,

I have really enjoyed reading the Serengeti posts. I liked your sentiment that perhaps, Tuscon may be a giraffe too. Hope your day is awesome!

Feb 22, 2011 06:34 AM
Shar Sitter
Rooms With Style - Minneapolis, MN
Home Staging and Redesign Minneapolis/ St. Paul, M

I just heard about this (where have I been???). Just downloaded the chapters to read but I am swamped the next few days. Hope I can make it. I did take the quiz though....I'm not revealing my animal until my post so let's hope I get the chapters read.

Feb 22, 2011 07:10 AM
Gabrielle Kamahele Rhind
KGC Properties LLC, Tucson Property Management & Real Estate - Tucson, AZ
Broker/Owner

GOOD MORNING CARA!  OK - I will let you know which I turn out to be! 

Feb 22, 2011 10:37 PM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Cara, a wonderful Serengeti post. Being able to rise above the negative in life is grace, indeed.

Feb 23, 2011 03:13 AM
Juli Vosmik
Dominion Fine Properties - Scottsdale, AZ
Scottsdale/Cave Creek, AZ real estate 480-710-0739

Cara, this post needs to be FEATURED and I clicked that yellow button so fast!!!!!  You analysis of the book was great, but your analysis of the Tucson tragedy is  AWESOME.  "the next morning, upon further reflection, I wrote about how this Tucson tragedy did not define us, We are more.  We can make a positive out of this senseless, violent assault on our way of life. And we have.  And we are."

What a graceful way of saying we're MORE!!!  Great blog, Cara. 

Feb 23, 2011 04:29 AM
Cara Marcelle Mancuso
Golden Girls with SW Desert Homes - Tucson, AZ
Call a Marana neighbor, I'm THERE!

Donna - thanks for stopping by.  I am curious what a crocodile's traits are.  Quickness?  Tenacity?

John - Thank you for your kind words.

Shar - hope you find the time to fit it in your schedule.  I'm anxious to see how all the traits "work together" so to speak.

Hi Gab - I'll watch for your post!!

Lottie - I read your lovely report as well.  You define the graceful traits of the giraffe for sure.

Juli - Wow - thanks for your enthusiasm.  I just wasn't finding parallels within myself that would match the "giraffe" in the preview until I looked deeper and realized that most times, I do try to rise above the negative.  A book I read back in my "formative years" said something like, "No one has the ability to define who you are - unless you let them".  It was by Hugh Prather.  Anyway, it has STUCK in my psyche.  Thanks for the suggest.

Feb 23, 2011 04:40 AM
Stefan Swanepoel
New York Times Bestselling Author & International Speaker - Ladera Ranch, CA

Cara,

Thanks for offering your thoughts on my new upcoming business fable. I was impressed that you made a concection with the Tucson tradegy. There are so many "serengeti's" in our lives and is my hope that the skills we learn through this parable will help us with our journey through them.

I have posted numerous thoughts on the challenges we all face at my blog www.SerengetiBook.com

Stefan Swanepoel
Authour: Surviving Your Serengeti

Feb 23, 2011 01:27 PM
Cara Marcelle Mancuso
Golden Girls with SW Desert Homes - Tucson, AZ
Call a Marana neighbor, I'm THERE!

OMGosh - how cool the author himself!!!  Wow, thanks Stefan for stopping by to read my review and contribute to my facebook conversation.  I'm looking forward to your interpretation of the Serengeti and how it applies to our individual challenges.

Feb 23, 2011 03:07 PM
TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc.
Complete Home Inspections, Inc. - Brentwood, TN
Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029

Cara, Cool! I have enjoyed this contest as it has given me a great insight in to others personalities...

Feb 25, 2011 09:27 PM