Monday 17 November 2014

89 Storeys in 5 paragraphs!

A few weeks ago I was asked to be an ambassador for this years "Eureka Climb" An event that supports 2 amazing charities, Whitelion and Interplast. The Eureka tower is a massive 297 metres high, 89 storeys and 1622 steps in total. Each year thousands of participants take the challenge and get behind this worthwhile initiative.

Initially I was a little apprehensive as I hadn't done any type of stair training and it was less than 2 weeks till the launch day (which the ambassadors would climb at) for corporate partners and sponsors. I'm a massive believer in simply "having a go" so I agreed and made a promise to myself that unless I was physically unable to go on, i.e: I had a leg issue or the like... that I would give it my absolute best shot.

The event launch day arrived and we all gathered around the bottom in preparation for the climb, it was wonderful to meet some of the fellow ambassadors including professional tower climber Mark Bourne and Tristan Miller, an inspirational guy, who in 2010 completed an incredible 52 marathons in 52 weeks!

Off we went, of course I let Mark go before me as I didn't want to upset him by beating him to the top! As the crew slowly disappeared up the stairwell, I began my ascent. I started with 10 floors without a break, then stopped to catch my breath. It was hard to breathe in the confined stairwell but after a minute or so, I was ready to roll again. I thought I'd bang out another 10 storeys, however this time I only managed 7. 17 down, only 72 to go - easy right? I started to get into the groove of things and slowly but surely I was making progress. The halfway point!! Level 45! By this stage I felt very alone. The chatter and panting of the other climbers in front had long disappeared. I wondered, were they finished? How long had I been going? I continued, sweating, heaving. My legs were burning but the pain was manageable and I embraced it. The thought of giving up never entered my mind, even if I was there all day I was going to finish. Finally, two more flights to go, then just one. The final few steps were the best and possibly the easiest of all - I'd made it! Last place by a mile but the feeling of completing it was more than enough. Stoked!

There were times during the climb where it would have been easier to say "well, at least I got half way" and jump in the lift, but that mentality is defeatist and doesn't serve us well. Finding ways to push on as opposed to looking for an out will give us the greatest sense of achievement. Taking that easy option, avoiding a little pain or discomfort may be appealing in the immediate sense, but how beneficial will it be long term? How will it serve us when we are faced with tough moments or decisions in the future?


Fight on through difficult times and reap the rewards!

Mike Rolls 
Speaker * Survivor
Find your "Upside"
www.mikerolls.com.au






Thursday 9 October 2014

Why everyone can boost their percentage!

How often do we say "I really should...." or "I've been meaning to...." or "I'm going to"...
For one reason or another procrastination can set in and excuses take the place of, and destroy action. 

In 2009 I had elective surgery to amputate my left leg, my second leg, below the knee. This decision followed a regular checkup with a doc at my rehab centre. During the check up she examined results of a recent scan on my existing foot and said something to me I'll never ever forget...
"Given you have a bone infection in your foot, and have had for quite some time by the looks of it - your body has been running at a lower percentage than it would normally"

"My body was running at a lower percentage than it would normally?!" 

This got me thinking, she was spot on. The best word to describe my pre op state would have to be "sluggish". Inferior energy levels, decreased appetite, fatigue... and those were just the physical symptoms. My mental and emotional states were also affected.

Following the surgery and after I was completely healed, I made a conscious effort to monitor my physical state - sure enough, I noticed a boost. A boost in almost every area! I was adding positive percentage to my overall state. This had significant flow on effects for me and I started to apply the percentage boosting theory to all areas of my life - I began to exercise more, improved my diet and even went back to study. As my overall percentage increased, I found that my mood and overall happiness improved with it. It was a valuable gift to give to not only myself, but also to those closest to me.

If you think about your current life state on a percentage level - what percentage are you running at? Physically? Mentally? Emotionally? 

It would be fair to say that someone who chooses to drink soft drink regularly for example, would notice significant positive change in certain areas of their life if they replaced it with water. This article, as an example -
http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/healthy-drinks/soft-drinks-and-disease/
indicates the health risks of soft drink.

Of course, reaching maximum percentage in all areas would be impossible, but we can all strive to top up our percentage points to benefit not only ourselves but those around us. We become happier and healthier and the ripple effects will flow to family, friends and the world in general. We increase our ability to contribute more in every way while giving ourselves a precious gift also.

I believe it's essential to seek growth, pursue excellence and contribute each and every day. Why not make those tasks easier on yourself?


 Mike Rolls
 Speaker - Survivor

Monday 1 September 2014

Right under our nose....

One of the most important things to me during my adolescence was my social circle. Like most teenagers, I had a busy social life, as well as large friendship circles at school and through my involvement in sport.

I remember so clearly thinking that adults knew nothing about the way the world "really was" and I would pay far more attention to my friends or to peers I looked up to, admired or idolised. It's normal... I remember plenty of discussions with friends about nagging mums and demanding dads, at times, we thought the whole world was against us.

The world has changed a great deal since I was at school. We have well and truly entered an age where technology and communication has become a huge part of life. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram... the list goes on. Being connected with others takes time and energy and is so important to us, especially teens and adolescents. It's easy to get caught up in our online existence and persona, that it can be just as easy to miss the true value our closest relationships provide.

One important lesson I learnt when I went through a traumatic event that I wanted to share was this:

In crisis, the importance of our day to day "issues" become irrelevant, and the people that matter most will come to the fore - always.

I remember prior to becoming ill, I had all these "stresses" in my life,  or so it seemed.... What career path to take? Where would I work part time? How can I impress that girl I was keen on? How would I survive the trials and tribulations of being a young adult? How I would mend a friendship with someone I wasn't even that close to? How I could be more fashionable? and so on....

When that traumatic event came... Guess what, none of those questions mattered anymore.
When I woke up and throughout my recovery, the people that mattered most were there, always.
The day to day issues evaporated and were now completely insignificant. That taught me so much, it taught me to be thankful, to be appreciative of the love and care of those closest, but most of all it taught me the importance of not letting our day to day struggles become larger than they actually are.

Take a step back, breathe, look at what you have, be grateful for it.


                              
                                                          Mike Rolls
                                                    Speaker - Survivor

Thursday 17 July 2014

Risk = Growth



In an earlier post  http://mikerolls6.blogspot.com.au/2014/05/use-these-4-steps-to-enter-different.html
I spoke about being comfortable with risk. That doesn't mean taking unrealistic risks that may result in drastic consequences, but weighing up the pros and cons of any situation, in order to make a decision that will be beneficial to our lives. In my experience, hard decisions, in particular risk laden decisions have the most power to shape us.

In 2009 I was faced with a life changing decision. I wasn't always a double below knee amputee, in fact, I spent 8 years with a partial foot amputation on my left leg that was painful and problematic. I noticed I was experiencing increased pain in my foot and decided that I should have it checked out... The diagnosis - Osteomyelitis (an infection in the bone) with no chance of it improving or disappearing. Initially, there was worry, followed by uncertainty which turned into fear at the prospect of more surgery.

I made a choice to be proactive about the decision I was faced with, to educate myself about all possibilities and scenarios that may eventuate. First step - evaluate risk.

In total I went to 5 specialists for advice. I wanted and needed to approach this with my eyes wide open, it was essential that I became comfortable with the risks and that I also owned my decision and assumed total responsibility for my future.
There were many suggestions and recommendations for other surgeries that would involve extended stays in hospital and long rehabilitation times, none of which I was interested in.
In my mind, I knew deep down what my ideal outcome would look like - I wanted to amputate below the knee...
When I told people of this desire, I was met with a range of reactions, many of them were along the lines of "that's crazy!" or "why would you choose to do that?" I can understand why it may have seemed so drastic to others but up to that point in my life, my strongest, most dominant leg was always my prosthesis - I wanted to put an end to the pain and ongoing issues I had with my left leg. I also wanted to gain a sense of psychological closure and move forward with my life.

The benefits, when measured against the risks, ultimately allowed me to make that decision and be entirely comfortable with it.
Thankfully, the surgery went exceptionally well and I was up and going in a very short amount of time.

Since then my life has changed for the better. Taking that risk, albeit a risk I had to take, wasn't just physically beneficial to my life, but emotionally and mentally beneficial as well.
I believe making tough decisions will make you stronger, having the courage to make a change to something that detracts from your life is incredibly empowering.

Sometimes we make these decisions because they need to be made, whereas sometimes they are thrust upon us. Sometimes we seek to change the things we want to improve and often these decisions come with consequences and risk. Making yourself aware of these risks through research and education, then becoming comfortable with them can enable you to make huge improvements in your life.

"There's no reward in life without risk" - Barry J Farber



                                        Mike Rolls - Enabling through perspective
                                                          Speaker - Survivor

Monday 23 June 2014

Why we should talk to strangers

Here is a link to a blog that has to be read!

http://kerriephipps.com/2014/06/start-with-a-smile/

Recently on a trip to Sydney for Sam Cawthorn's protege workshop, I had the pleasure to meet a woman who has an amazing vision, Kerrie Phipps. Kerrie has made it her goal to ensure that we become better connected as a society through human interaction - and I'm not talking about scoring a new Twitter follower or making a new friend on Facebook - I'm referring to good old fashioned interaction!

Before meeting Kerrie I wrote a blog that included a small part on why smiling is a great way to meet new people... but Kerrie has taken that to a whole new level which I absolutely love! Kerrie happens to be one of the most friendly and approachable people that I've ever met, so it came as no surprise to me when I found out the reason why - She talks to strangers! Talking to strangers is Kerrie's passion - she believes in making meaningful connections with people every day, simply by initiating a conversation with a "hello" or a smile. I'm happy to say I'm hooked!

I was inspired by this message and have since made a very conscious effort to do more, to open up more, to smile more. Not only will it brighten up your day, but you may very well make a long lasting  valued connection - whether it's a business connection or a friendship you may never have experienced otherwise. Talking to strangers is, in my opinion, what society lacks.

Thankfully Kerrie will be releasing a book that comprehensively explains this outstanding initiative!
Find out more about Kerrie and "Do talk to strangers" at KerriePhipps.com







Sunday 8 June 2014

All you need is a little hope

One of the earliest lessons I learnt after waking up from a 5 1/2 week coma, was the essential need for hope.

Hope is incredibly powerful...

There I was, lying in a hospital bed in the ICU at The Alfred Hospital, unable to move, tangled in a web of tubes and machinery. My injuries - extensive both internally and externally, the pain was far beyond anything I'd ever experienced before.

Where on Earth could I possibly find hope here? What was I going to draw on in order to spark a prolonged period of successful healing? How would I maintain a positive mindset given the circumstances?

Thinking about the situation realistically, I was well aware my football days were over... and that it wouldn't matter what thickness socks I bought from here on out!
I also knew I would need to make major adjustments to my life, but instead of focusing on the things I was no longer able to do, instead of focusing on the negatives - I focused on the things I was still capable of doing, harnessing hope - if you will.

One hope I held early on was getting back to golf - I used to literally dream about it! I have been passionate about the game since I was small and I honed in on the hope that one day I would play again. In my hospital days, it seemed an eternity away, but I was determined.

Initially I had challenges with balance, strength, control etc (falling over was the norm in the beginning) Combine that with the fact that I had to completely reteach myself to swing given my physical predicament. I  eventually got back to playing a great level of golf and I'm proud of the fact that I now play better than before my illness!

Hope gave me a positive pathway through troubled times. We all go through tough times at some stage in our lives, which makes it crucial to find those sparks of hope amidst the darkness. Sometimes they may seem small, but they are there. Make it your everything, remain focused and believe.

"Never deprive someone of hope, it may be all they have" H. Jackson Brown, Jr - Author.





Mike Rolls - Enabling through perspective
Speaker - Survivor








Friday 23 May 2014

Use these 4 steps to enter a different zone.

Recently I have been on a completely different path in life, a path that has me operating at a superior level because it has extracted me from the norm - I have been in situations that were uncomfortable and challenged myself in many ways, this in turn has stimulated both professional and personal growth.

Too often we slip into a comfortable rut, it's safe, secure and familiar but it inhibits growth.
"The comfort zone is a behavioural state within which a person operates in an anxiety-neutral condition, using a limited set of behaviours to deliver a steady level of performance, usually without a sense of risk."

It's not easy to take that step into the unknown, sometimes we are forced into the unknown. Learning how to prepare and thrive through these times is crucial.


4 ways to step outside your comfort zone and grow!


1. Don't take yourself so seriously - 
It's ok to play the fool, worrying what people think about us holds many of us back. No one wants to come across as arrogant, creepy, obnoxious etc but think about the most charismatic, magnetic people you've met. They were more than likely being themselves as opposed to being agreeable and passive.
It's fine to be less than perfect and people will like you for it, so be yourself.

2. Confront fear - 
Most of us are afraid of something in life, spiders, sharks, the dark....  But it's the smaller fears that dictate our direction in life. Ask yourself why you avoid certain situations and the value of doing so - facing these fears may lead to a new adventure or a funny story you may otherwise have sidestepped.

3. Be comfortable with risk - 
It's called a comfort zone because you can navigate through life easily whilst in that zone because you know what to expect. The alternative, taking a leap of faith comes with an element of risk because you may fail. Examine the consequences of failure and be prepared in the event it occurs. The possibility of succeeding is equally important to examine - think about the sense of achievement and satisfaction you'l gain if you do, it may well be worth the risk.

4. Welcome the butterflies - 
Doing the same things over and over will send you hurtling into a deep comfort zone. Be open to trying and doing new things, invite that healthy mix of anxiety and anticipation you get when you are unsure of what will happen next. Say yes more often and approach things with a positive mindset.

Don't mistake taking risks with being reckless and silly. Think hard about the consequences and be open and accepting to the possibility of failure - If it does occur, it won't be the end of the world.

"A ship in a harbour is safe, but that's not what ships are for" John A Shedd




Mike Rolls - Enabling through perspective
Speaker - Survivor

Monday 5 May 2014

Challenge irrational beliefs

Irrational beliefs:
What are irrational beliefs -

1.  Messages about life we send to ourselves that keep us from growing emotionally.

2. Unfounded attitudes, opinions, and values we hold to, that are out of synchrony with the way the world really is.

A key point I speak on in my keynote is challenging irrational beliefs. The reason I feel so strongly about this topic is that by challenging irrational beliefs in my own life, it has enabled me to move through life's challenges in a positive way. 

I believe these beliefs inhibit us in our day to day existence, therefore I encourage people to consistently challenge them in order to create positive change in their lives. Too often we tell ourselves "I can't" or " I couldn't" which can subtract from our positivity and productivity. Embrace the unknown and leave yourself open to change or challenges rather than remaining resigned to an "unfounded" belief that it can't be done.

In 2009, I received the news that I had osteomyelitis (bone infection) in the partial foot amputation on my left leg. Although I had various options to consider, I made the decision to amputate below the knee - a tough choice I had to make. 

One of the reasons the decision seemed so hard to me initially, was that I had the irrational belief that I would be stuck in hospital again with months of recovery - similar to my initial stay in 2001 (6 months plus!)
After giving it some serious thought, I smashed this belief by gaining knowledge about the situation (what the operation involved in its entirety) and reasoning with myself about my ability to cope with surgery this time around ( I was now healthier, fitter, stronger than I was all those years ago) 

I had the surgery, left the hospital after just 4 days, had a leg fitted a few short weeks later and I was up and away within a month of undergoing the procedure. 

What beliefs do you hold about yourself? Which of these beliefs are irrational?
Challenge them, challenge yourself. 

Create positive changes in your life, smash irrational beliefs and carve an exciting new path for yourself!


Mike Rolls - Enabling through perspective
Speaker - Survivor



Monday 28 April 2014

Steering to safety

Positivity is key!
As a member of the Limbs 4 Life peer support program http://www.limbs4life.org.au I see people on a regular basis who are faced with extreme life situations/events. An area of extreme importance I focus on during these visits is POSITIVITY!!!

It's not always easy to remain positive during extreme hardship, however, I recently met a young man who's life had changed forever. It was clear he had a long, hard road ahead of him but what struck me about him was his attitude. He was extremely positive....and it was unwavering...

He spoke about the future and about what he wanted to achieve. He spoke about his hunger to fight back and also about the importance of staying strong for his family.

He was focused on what he had the power to control, rather than what he could not. He had specific goals, small goals as well as larger goals, that he was working towards.

I remember walking out of the hospital feeling inspired, feeling upbeat! What an amazing attitude he possessed and it was wonderful to witness that level of positivity!

It reinforced to me that 'positivity is key' in overcoming the various challenges life throws at us, as well as the importance of mental focus and forward thinking!


                                Mike Rolls - Enabling through perspective
                                                Speaker - Survivor

Monday 14 April 2014

1 in 100,000

Navigating through a crisis

Recent statistics on meningococcal in Australia suggest that there is around a 1 in a 100,000 chance of contracting the disease each year, and of that number only around 12% of sufferers will become seriously ill or die. So I was one of the very few people that fell into that 12% bracket and somehow, miraculously survived!

Often people ask me if i feel unlucky, angry, bitter, unfortunate... about getting sick and the answer is, and always will be "no"

I have a different take on it. Being faced with the prospect of living life as a double amputee is most certainly a nightmare! But rather than ask "why me" I asked "why not me?" Those statistics suggest that people do contract the disease, albeit a minute number of people... I just happened to be one of them.

Initially the magnitude of my situation was a lot to take in, it took time to fathom exactly what had happened. Right from the very early stages I tried to focus on any positives - I was alive! I have an amazing family! I was strong enough to overcome this! I still had my hands! I wanted to live! Anything that would keep me focused, and keep my mind in a positive space.

I learnt very early on that dwelling or focusing on the negatives will derail our productivity and seriously inhibit our ability to overcome life's hurdles.

Keys I used to overcome adversity:

* Assess the situation in it's entirety - Know your situation intimately and any issues you may face, it will prevent any unwanted surprises down the line, be aware!

* Focus on the positives - Find something to focus on that gives you hope and drive. In my case, getting back on the golf course was just one focus I had - I read about amputee golf, prosthetics and the latest technologies and set a date for my first game!

* Work hard - Now that you know where you need to be, you're not going to get there by standing still. Work hard to reach your goals, it's the only way!

It's inevitable that we will all face some form of crisis in our lives, it's a part of life. I hope these keys help!

                           Mike Rolls - Enabling through perspective
                                            Speaker - Survivor

Tuesday 8 April 2014

Start the day the RIGHT way!

5 ways to start each day on a positive note!

Sometimes I battle to get moving each morning, but I have 
discovered that these 5 simple things have helped me to start each day well and increase my productivity!

1 - Get into a routine - Get up at a consistent time, I have found that if you get into a routine with your sleeping patterns, your body knows when it’s time to “get up and go” and I wake up feeling rested and refreshed.

2 - Fuel Up! - Your body won’t function at an optimal level on an empty stomach or ‘just coffee’. Try to fill up your kitchen with nutritious foods, after all, breakfast is widely regarded as the most important meal of the day.

3 - Exercise - We are all incredibly busy these days, but new research suggests regular exercise increases energy levels even among people who suffer from chronic medical conditions. I find that I get a ‘second wind’ each day if I exercise in the morning!
So get that heart pumping!

4 - Daily Goal - Set yourself a goal for each day! It might be finishing a project, learning about something new or even writing a blog! This will help you to stay focused on a particular task and provide direction for your day.

5. - Brush those teeth - You’ll be doing a lot of smiling, so it’s important to brush your teeth! Smiling is a brilliant way to make yourself happier, but it can also make others smile, as well as open the door to conversations with people you’ve never met!


Mike Rolls - Enabling through perspective
Speaker - Survivor


Monday 31 March 2014

Pain pain, GO AWAY!

One thing I deal with on a daily basis is PAIN! It can stem from a 
variety of sources, my prostheses, joint pain, lower back pain, neck pain etc... and varies in severity. It's become such a prominent presence in my life, that I have had to learn to accept and deal with it, to ensure it doesn't restrict or interfere with my general happiness and mood.

I believe that we all have the choice to react to situations in a 
particular way. In my case, I accept the pain and understand the 
reasons it exists... Don't get me wrong, I would much rather it go away for good, but it's there and I make it a priority to push it aside by choosing to ignore it!!


Think about the choices you make, and whether the way you react to certain situations is beneficial to your life! I believe it's better to remain focused on the positives and the things you have the power to change!

Mike Rolls - Enabling through perspective
Speaker - Survivor

Saturday 15 March 2014

Here Goes...

This is my first blog entry! Happy to be here!
I'm Mike - I'm a little different to the average guy, but who wants to be the same as everyone else right?

I'm a survivor of one of the deadliest diseases (if not the deadliest) on the planet - Meningococcal Septicemia.
I contracted the disease way back in 2001 when I was 18 years old, just as I was about to take flight into life as an adult.

I'm writing this blog as I believe my story needs to be out there. For people to learn from, generate perspective in their lives and be inspired! My story is many things...harrowing, heartbreaking, unique. As well as positive, inspirational and happy at the same time.

I am a bi-lateral below knee amputee, or in simpler terms, I don't have legs. This fact has never stopped me, I tackle life head on and have never entertained the option of giving in. I derive great strength and pride in knowing that I beat this deadly disease, overcoming enormous odds to become a stronger, better person as a result!

Today, I am happy and fulfilled, and I maintain a super positive attitude and outlook on life!
If you are in the midst of a crisis, adversity or downturn in any area of your life, be it personal or professional, here are 3 ways to get on top of it and have an unstoppable attitude in moving forward!

1 - Set small goals - Set yourself small, realistic, achievable goals that are attainable within a specific timeframe... In other words, identify what's most important and make those areas a priority, this will provide you with focus and a target to work towards!

2 - Get moving! - Never underestimate the plethora of benefits exercise provides in our day to day lives... I'm not talking about just the physical benefits either, mentally you will be better prepared to tackle any situation, Head on!

3 - Focus - Where you focus your energy and thoughts is crucial, try to look for positives in all situations. There is no place for negativity. Flush it away!


I will aim to give people an insight into techniques I used during times of great hardship in my blog, so that you too can put these into use in your own lives! We all go through tough times in life, how we bust through these times and come through a stronger, happier person, is something we should all strive to achieve!

Mike Rolls - Enabling through perspective
Speaker - Survivor