believe me good will come

An unsolicited email I received from Victoria University: 

Hello Mark,

I’m writing to let you know of an exciting new course being offered by the Centre for Continuing Education and Executive Development. 

‘Achieving Personal Excellence’

Presenter - Dr David Keane

Friday 25^th May, 2007 or

Friday 22^nd June, 2007 or

Friday 7^th September, 2007

Cost - $795 (less 5% if booked three weeks prior to course i.e. by close of business on 4^th May, 1^st June, 17^th August)

The cost includes a personal coaching session with the presenter which would normally cost you $250

This unique workshop was created to address the needs of people at all levels within organisations to help them develop a sense of purpose in their lives and to align personal and business goals. Many people feel stressed as a result of not prioritising projects, tasks and activities and focussing on urgent but ultimately unimportant tasks. This course consists of a one-day workshop followed by an individual coaching session with the presenter.

Firstly, they clearly have no idea who I am. Secondly - Wow!…a whole one-day course for only $795…’Achieving Personal Excellence’ reminds me of the ‘Montgomery Burns Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Excellence’. This is so stupid you may suspect that I have just made it up. Nope. Visit the web page for the course.

Course Content

• Secrets of working effectively - What do effective people really do? Based on a detailed study of effective people, we can recognise certain patterns and learn from others.
• Living by choice, not by chance - The workshop will introduce the concept of being proactive. Proactivity is about choice and about how much we choose to exercise our choice. Being proactive places us in the driving seat of our own lives. It pervades every other aspect of life, inside and outside work. It involves taking the decision to lead ourselves. This is a choice critical for our performance. Being proactive applies to each of us regardless of the role we are in.
• Tools and techniques that really work - We explore a number of ways of managing yourself, your time, and your work environment to ensure strong alignment between what is important and what you actually do.
• Making it happen - In preparation for the coaching session, we provide the opportunity for you to plan what will work for you.