Dream big, achieve more.
Talking Points
Dream big achieve more (Goal setting)
Often when we start a dream we think that our most desired outcome is the ultimate outcome and while that’s certainly something to celebrate it often leads us to so much more. At the time I set the goal of representing my country in sport it seemed so distant and that when accomplished it would be the ultimate accomplishment, but through doing so I gained strength, confidence, the ability to travel, friendships, networks, sponsors... which all morphed into creating a new dream, a bigger dream, something I could have never imagined if it hadn't been for the athletics dream. It is often through the process of attempting the seemingly impossible that the most extraordinary outcomes are achieved!
Dream big achieve more (Goal setting)
Believe you can but think you can’t (Confidence)
Some people say that they don’t have dreams anymore and I think that in the most polite way, that’s bullshit, everyone has a dream but what happens is we let our perceived reality get in the way, we stop taking risks, we stop doing what’s different. So when I say what do you believe you can do I mean what can you see, feel, imagine if it was right there, but you think you can’t based on the perceptions and experiences of others. We all have a blank canvas and where we’ve been (either as individuals or a group) does not need to be where we’re going. The Wright brothers believed they could, Walt Disney Believed he could, Mother Theresa believed she could and all along there were people with the same vision but thought they couldn't. Let’s ignite the momentum that comes from what we believe.
Believe you can but think you can’t (Confidence)
Embrace the challenge (Resilience)
Often in life we want to forget about the challenging times we’ve faced and “move on” but the only constant in this world is change and with that challenges will continue to arise, when they do we need to embrace everything we’ve learnt from previous challenges to know we can get through this, we need to communicate with people and not feel we have to get through it alone, we need to become opportunity centric. Hearing of other people’s challenges puts ours into perspective but more importantly gives us the strength to see what we couldn’t previously see in ourselves.
Embrace the challenge (Resilience)
People, people, people (Communication)
What is the most important thing in the world? It is the people, it is the people, it is the people. This is a Maori proverb I have adopted through growing up in New Zealand and couldn't be truer from my experiences in life. In having Cerebral Palsy, I could have been a victim of exclusion on all levels but I’ve always looked for what is common where most people look for what is different. Difference is a good thing once we connect on similarities (and to be honest we all have more in common than we think) we see value in difference. When communicating and building meaningful relationships it’s about looking for these similarities and not been afraid to ask and to share.
People, people, people (Communication)
Gooder than good, greater than great (Excellence)
We must be wanting to exceed expectations and we get here by stepping outside our comfort zone and striving towards a personal best each and every day. Gooder than good, greater than great (Excellence)
Choose to be awesome (Attitude and Experience)
There are words that can be over-used and lose their meaning, and ‘AWESOME’ can be tarnished with that brush. But as with everything it’s about the experience we create around it. We all do what we do but if we can look to create an experience well at that point we might just become unforgettable and / or give a new lease of life to something like the word awesome.
Choose to be awesome (Attitude and Experience)
Be a giant, find a giant (Giving back)
If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants. Giants are role-models, people that we look up to and something we can and should all strive to become. It’s through becoming a giant that we often get the opportunity to reflect on our own journey, journeys that are so often future focused but it’s through reflection that we gain great strengths and our success in life is not determined by what we achieve individually, but from how we learn from our experiences to move, to touch and inspire the lives of others.
Be a giant, find a giant (Giving back)
Turn rejection into affection (Persistence)
No...no...no….I’ve heard it, you’ve heard it, we’ve all heard it, but just because the delivery of that word hasn't seen what we see doesn't mean we should give-up. Often it’s about being able to see things from different perspectives and repackaging a thought or an idea into their vision, not by changing or watering down our offering, but changing the positioning.
Turn rejection into affection (Persistence)
Topics
- Change Management
- Challenge & Adventure
- Inspiring Stories
- Resilience
- Disability
- Athletics
Video
Live for Awesome Cam Calkoen TEDxQueenstown
Cam Calkoen interview on Good Morning
Cam was incredible - he not only has a powerful story to share but his passion, energy and humour are infectious. Our team was captured by Cam and he made many fans through his electrifying ... keep reading ChildFund New Zealand
I had heard how motivating Cam Calkoen’s presentation at the Leadership Summit for Ministry of Social Development was and was looking forward to hearing him at the Managers Workshops in Auckland and Wellington. My expectations were far exceeded. The aftermath of Cam’s presentations was so positive, staff were lining up to meet him and obtain contact details for future speaking engagements.
Cam is a role model New Zealander who proves that any obstacle can be overcome if you are willing to dream big and back yourself with hard work and determination. Cam’s life story is awe inspiring. He is a powerful communicator who connects with audiences of all ages and backgrounds. Cam is a regular presenter at Vodafone events and I am proud to recommend him as a speaker of the highest quality.
Cam presented to over 400 of our residential salespeople at the Bayleys National Sales Conference. Cam is a truly inspirational speaker who engages his audience with his positivity, amazing smile and AWESOME personality. He is a great role model and ambassador for New Zealand, and certainly proof that any obstacle can be overcome if you dream big, are willing to work hard and have a determination to succeed. We have all been touched by Cam’s story… dream it, believe it, achieve it.
Cam Calkoen set us off with an ‘awesome’ speech for our conference. He hit the perfect notes, shared his most amazing story and had plenty of funny moments mixed in it. Having a peep at the audience, there was some puckered faces during the speech. Cam speech was unique as not only did it give an inspiring message and a lesson for us all, it pulled on your heartstrings given his journey. His delivered his speech with great tone, pace and humour. I had high expectations from Cam prior to hearing his speech, my expectations were surpassed with a truly inspirational story. I would recommend Cam for a keynote to anyone regardless of the industry, or background of the audience.
