Current Edition >> Archives Section >> Editorial Comment >> 16-30 September 2005

Gevaarligte

In die vinger-op-die pols situasie waarin die Vrystaat Sake Bulletin sigself bevind, word deeglik ervaar hoeveel dinamiek daar in die Vrystaat-ekonomie is. Hoewel die provinsie met net 5,3% van die Suid-Afrikaanse ekonomie koek sit, pols dit - maak nie 'n fout nie! Bewyse daarvan blyk uit die oorsigte in hierdie uitgawe oor die Koepel Gebied en oor die ontwikkeling aan die noordgrens van Bloemfontein.
Daar is egter in die jongste tyd ook duidelike gevaarligte wat vir die Vrystaat flits en die eintlike kommer is dat ligte soos die volgende al rooier flits :
• Heel eerste is dienslewering op plaaslike bestuursvlak besig om in duie te stort. Die buitensporige salarisse van top munisipale amptenare en die uiterse armoede van inwoners op voetsoolvlak, sonder enigsins bevredigende dienslewering tussenin, het onhoudbaar geword. Een manifestasie is gehalte van drinkwater. Maagkoors in Suid-Afrika is baie erg. Maagkoors in die Vrystaat is 'n ondenkbare wat beweeg na 'n werklikheid.
• Die kloof tussen die regeringsektor en die besigheidsektor word al dieper - met die resultaat van geen koersbepaling vir die Vrystaatse ekonomie nie. Die provinsiale regering stel ontwikkelingsplanne op sonder die besigheidsektor - en laasgenoemde doen hul eie ding en ken die staat net waar hulle hul statutêre verpligtinge moet nakom. Die resultaat is basies twee ekonomieë in dieselfde provinsie en word die hoop al skraler dat die Vrystaat 'n betekenisvolle rolspeler in nasionale konteks kan word.
• Die grondkwessie, wat hoofsaaklik van nasionale vlak geïnisieër word, is besig om ook in die Vrystaat al sterker uit te kabbel. Dit is duidelik dat agter sleutelbeginsels wat verwater word en retoriek wat militanter word, daar in sekere kringe verskuilde agendas is met grondgrypoogmerke.
Alle welmenende Vrystaters besef dat daar gekoördineerde vooruitgang moet wees met voordeel vir elkeen, anders gaan die wa in die sloot beland en daar vasval. Daarom moet daar nie illusies wees oor die beste doelwitte, oor hoe om dit te bereik nie.

Perfection as pain in backside

Perfectionism is based on a deep-rooted subconscious fear that whatever you do will not be 'good enough', according to motivational speaker Clive Simpkins. This leads to a fear of failure and an over-awareness of other people's opinions.
He explains: “All perfectionists want to be admired by other people. They look for nurturing and approval from everyone except themselves. Thus, they often live a see-saw life of highs and lows depending on the feedback from others.”
Simpkins advises, “Instead of sending back that freshly-typed letter to add one more line space between the “Yours sincerely” and your signature to make it perfect, sign the darn thing and let it go. Instead of taking off the skirt or pants because you notice the tiniest crease on a front panel, wear it. It might be quite stressful, because you'll be worrying the whole day whether someone has taken note of the crease. Chances are, they actually aren't in the slightest bit interested in your crease.”
Don't expend useless energy, Simpkins warns. “If the change you're making will be noticeable, relevant and make a contribution of significance, go ahead. But if you know deep inside that it won't, then let it go. Each time you make a decision not to go with a limiting urge, you strike off one more link from the chain of bondage and slavery to useless and destructive obsession,” he says.
The process will take courage and concentration, because your perfectionistic habit developed over many years and gradually became a security blanket in your life.
Whatever you do, there will always be something that could have been improved a touch more. However, the question is, if you've achieved your objective, what's the point of pandering to your ego and insecurity? Each day, resist doing some small part of a limiting behaviour. With each attempt it will become easier and less stressful.
Simpkins concludes: “Make a decision today to start enjoying your life that much more, and you'll stop driving those around you dotty with your perfectionism!”