November 2007

Hi,

         My name is Andrew and I have been involved with the Young Professionals Association since late 1998.  Some of you know me and others I haven’t met.  I thought that I would write this article to give you some insight into what opportunities the YP Association has to offer and why I have been an active member for so long.

Opportunity

I searched for the meaning of ‘Opportunity’ on the web and the result was

-               ‘A situation or condition favorable for attainment of a goal’

No doubt that there are many meanings for ‘Opportunity’ but I think that this is one that suits quite nicely.               

In life there are many opportunities or possibilities that are presented by the universe. Some believe that it is a matter of luck and others believe that it is a matter of work.  I believe that it is a combination of both.  ‘You make your own luck’.  Lets’ think about this a bit more, go back into your life and think about the situations where nothing much was happening.  It is like treading water, just keeping your head above so not to drown.  You are not going anywhere, no direction, just bobbing around passing time.  You soon get tired of this, you have two choices, one, give up and drown or start swimming towards shore.  You decide to swim (because you can’t stand the thought of becoming fish bait), suddenly a wave comes in and helps you reach the shore.  How many times have you decided to do something and it seams that the universe delivers things to help you along the way? 

I will give you a recent experience of mine.  I have recently sold a business that I’ve wanted to sell for years.  Let’s regress, about 2 years ago I met this wonderful lady (through YP), we started to go out together and things progressed well.  I eventually moved in with her (& Cat) after about 4 months.  We are very compatible, so this year in September I proposed to her and she accepted.  Our wedding date is in March next year.  In early October I received an offer on my business of which I accepted.  Two weeks after, I received a letter in our letter box with an invitation to a free ‘financial education’ seminar.  I attended the seminar, and have taken up their offer and will be commencing their education program next week.  This I feel will help us attain our financial goals, which will help our lifestyle goals.
 

So do you see my point?   If we tread water, nothing will happen.  If we move in a direction towards a goal, opportunities will present themselves; we need the courage to take them.    

How does this relate to the Young Professionals Association?

                I first joined YP in 1998, I was looking for some new friends, a social life, places to go and if things turned out right a girlfriend and eventually a wife.  My first function experience was a pleasant one and everybody was friendly enough.  So I decided to attend a few others before becoming a member.  I have been glad ever since.  Over my years, I have met hundreds of people, visited many new places, spent many weekends away, drank many bottles of wine and danced to all hours of the night/morning.  I have made many friends, had a few girlfriends and have been to a few YP weddings, which have resulted in YP children.  I still have friends that I met 10 years ago, but I still love meeting new people and it is very interesting because everybody has their own story. 
 

YP has given me the ‘Opportunity’ to expand my experiences and my organizational skills, I have given many hours to the organization and it has returned those efforts many times.

 YP can give YOU the ‘Opportunity’ to achieve your social goals & aspirations.  Just give yourself a chance. Attend a few functions, you may not like everybody you meet, you may like some.  It does take time to build relationships.  So I urge you to join the social club for at least 12 months, make a positive contribution and take the ‘Opportunities’ that are presented to you, because the rewards far outweigh the costs.

Cheers,

               Andrew Gaydon.