assimilation to the highest qualities of the universe – Zhen, Shan, Ren (Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance) – is the foundation of practice. Practice is guided by these supreme qualities, and based on the very laws which underlie the development of the cosmos.

In its peaceful practice, reminiscent of traditional Chinese belief systems, the Falun Dafa movement has mobilized a nation and inspired tens of millions of people to defy the fascist regime, risking their lives in pursuit of enlightenment.

So what can we learn from the Falun Dafa? Brand building lessons found within its three defining principles provide insight into how we can improve our personal or professional brand. The Falun Dafa teaches us to strive for:

Zhen – Truthfulness

Story-telling is the cornerstone of any brand building process and in order to have the required impact, the story being told must resonate with the right audience. For this to happen, your brand – whether personal or professional – must represent itself with honesty and authenticity.

Do not pretend to be something you are not – be real, warts and all. Remain true to who you are and allow your words and actions to reflect this total transparency. This will attract like-minded individuals and organisations who will remain loyal to you, supporting and championing your interests as they do their own.

Shan – Compassion

Connections are made when one is able to relate to another. When presenting your brand it’s important to remember how to ‘connect’ with people. Reach out to those you’d like to form relationships with – whether that be customers, peers or potential employees and commit to adding value to their everyday lives.

Find out about their situation and be sympathetic to their needs. Be helpful, share your knowledge and wisdom without thinking “What do I get in return” and your brand will gain a reputation as an approachable expert in your industry, which will in turn drive referrals your way.

Ren – Forbearance

As we go through life, we are constantly learning. But sometimes that learning curve can feel slow and arduous, tempting us to skip the tough stuff and focus more on the ‘quick-wins’. Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing inherently bad about a quick win.  However, sometimes it’s necessary to experience a mistake or the feeling of self control you develop through training hard at your discipline, in order to evolve and move your business on to the next level.

There is certainly a lot of truth in the saying “nothing that’s worth having comes easily”, for it’s only through practice, patience and a commitment to grow can we ever truly win. Happiness prevails when even in the face of adversity, we can rise above and take another step on the journey towards our goals.

Share the story of the Falun Dafa

When the followers of Falun Dafa rose to an estimated 70 million, exceeding membership of the Chinese Communist Party , the leaders of the party set about trying to destroy the Falun Dafa, defaming it with false propaganda and threatening tactics, which are still occurring to this day.

The persecution of the Falun Dafa has seen tens of millions of its followers literally cut down, tortured and silenced. Yet despite every attempt by the Chinese Communist Party to eradicate the Falun Dafa, it is estimated that millions still practise this discipline both in China and around the world. It’s as if Communist threat has reinforced the movement,  uniting members and adding further meaning to its core principles Zhen, Shan, Ren (Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance).

One woman refused to break to the suppression and had the courage to stand up to the establishment. Imprisoned, outcast and then exiled for her faith, Jennifer Zeng found the strength to fight for her values and beliefs, publishing “Witnessing History: One Chinese Woman’s Fight for Freedom”.

This harrowing, but deeply inspiring tale has now been adapted for the screen in the documentary “Free China: The Courage to Believe”, which is currently on a global tour prior to public release, playing at private screenings and film festivals, for which it has already picked up multiple awards (and it will surely win many more).

To help Free China, it’s imperative that we share the story of the Falun Dafa and the 1.3 billion Chinese people who, in the words of Jennifer Zeng, should:

Be Free to think, Free to speak, Free to gather, Free to write, and have Freedom to believe.

Watch this trailer and share their story with your friends, family and co-workers to help free a nation.

The 2012 London Olympic Games has had a remarkable impact on me as I’m sure it has done 
for the millions of other spectators that have watched these impressive athletes put on an 
unforgettable show.

Just this week as I listened to 29 year old interviewee Nicola Adams describe her journey to
Olympic gold in the women’s boxing, I felt my heart swell with pride as I realised that for me, the
Olympic legacy will be these iconic Olympic women.

The women in my life have always been a source of inspiration to me and perhaps that is why
I appreciate the significance of what these Olympians have achieved. In these two weeks, they
will have inspired countless women to realise their full potential by learning from attributes vital
in life as well as in Olympic success.

The face of the 2012 Olympics and now Olympic Heptathlon champion Jessica Ennis, will be
revered for her dignity, humility and the steely focus that enabled her to take home gold in her
first Olympics. Disappointed after missing out at Beijing due to injury, 26 year old Ennis came
back with a vengeance and despite the enormous pressure of carrying the hopes of a nation,
she performed her personal best and smashed her own heptathlon record, winning gold in the
process.

Nicola ‘be the change you want to see in the world’ Adams has shown us how legends are born,
winning the first ever gold medal in the women’s Olympic boxing – an opportunity that her twelve  year old self would have thought an impossibility since boxing at the Olympics was not then a reality for women. Her ambition to achieve the unattainable was not even dampened when in 2009 she damaged a vertebrae, which left her unable to do even 1 of the 300 daily sit-ups that formed part of her gruelling training regime.

And what about Katherine Grainger, who at 36 took to the oars to compete in what may have
been her last Olympic race in women’s rowing. This incredible lady, determined not to add
another silver to her existing three Olympic medals, faced the challenge with true grit and after
twelve years of patience and determination her persistence paid off as she secured an Olympic
gold medal in the doubles skulls with partner Anna Watkins.

So as the Olympics draw to a close, I would like to celebrate not only the inspirational women
that have competed in the Games but also those Olympic women in my own life – friends,
family, colleagues and all those unintentional teachers who have taught me who I want to be.

Who are your #OlympicWomen?

Their innate talent has inspired many cultures but none more so than the Native Americans, who view the Bald Eagle as the ultimate symbol of freedom. Intuitive and swift-thinking, the bird offers their shamans ‘breadth of vision and clarity of perception’. As with Native wisdom, when looking at the Bald Eagle, there are many lessons we can apply to our own work.

Elevated Thinking

Bald Eagles generally fly at a higher altitude than most other birds, providing them with perspective unrivalled by their competition. From this position they are privy to more information about their environment and have a better understanding of the opportunities or threats facing them. They use this ability to see the ‘big picture’ and ‘overall pattern’ to their advantage when making decisions about their future, and that keeps them one step ahead of their competition. When facing tough situations, imagine taking a Bald Eagle’s view of your business and its competition and you will be able to make more informed decisions about its future.

Unwavering Focus

Bald Eagles are the ultimate bird, there’s nothing mediocre about them. Most important are their magnificent eyes, which enable them to see forward and side to side simultaneously with unparalleled accuracy and sharpness. They use this ability to the optimum, singling out prey from hundreds of feet away and diving to snatch it with astounding precision. However, if they miss their target, they quickly adjust and soar high to position themselves again for attack. They are decisive and powerful when they decide to act and are not put off if they don’t achieve their desired result straight away. When following your vision, there can be many obstacles to overcome. If you feel your sense of purpose wavering, remember the Bald Eagle approach – keep trying until you succeed.

Liberated Mind

Incredibly powerful flyers, Bald Eagles soar high above the landscape shaking loose the noise of the other birds below. In doing so they enter into a distraction-free space where they can attain a sense of peace, calm and mindfulness. In business we are bombarded with the thoughts and opinions of others; from advertisers to influencers we are whipped up into a frenzy of panic over what we have and haven’t done to ensure the success of our business. But by following the flight of the Bald Eagle we can free ourselves of the panic and fear brought on by the pressure of these external forces. Not all advice is helpful and not every smartie has the answer. Take time to choose the information that is right for you and if you feel that it isn’t, rise above it.

Work Smarter, Not Harder

Bald Eagles are masters of conserving energy. When flying, they rarely flap their wings but instead hold their wings completely flat and use the force of the wind to drive them. Rather than catch their own prey, they often poach meals from smaller creatures who have done all the hard work. Native wisdom doesn’t honour laziness or stealing but more opportunism, efficiency and resourcefulness. If you feel like you’re struggling, consider whether you could achieve better efficiency in your business by utilising the skills of others.

Bald Eagles were put on the endangered species list in 1978. Under threat from trapping, shooting and poisoning, the symbolic bird was facing extinction. But after a period of conservation they are now thriving in their natural habitat. They still face uncertainties but are under the watchful eye of passionate individuals, committed to ensuring the safety of their future. As in the case of the Bald Eagle, everyone needs help from time to time. Someone to shout about the significance of your existence. Make sure you surround yourself with passionate advocates of your vision and your story will become one of spectacular success.