Doug Anderson is a Senior Content Producer for Radio 2000 and has represented his province for various wheelchair sports. He has won 39 gold medals, 16 silver medals and 5 bronze medals at the South African Championships. He was also named Sportsman of The Year at the National Championships and represented South Africa at the World Wheelchair Games. Doug was born with a spinal defect, a hole in his back, damage to the spinal cord, dislocated hips, club-feet and water on the brain (hydrocephalus) resulting in many operations needed. He was only given a 2% chance of survival and a very poor quality of life was expected.
Doug has constantly beaten the odds and has an impressive list of accolades and achievements. His radio career has gone from strength to strength, he began at Radio Today then joined the SABC (Radio 2000) in 2007 and has stayed there since, now in a producing role. In 2015 he received The Order of the Baobab (Silver) which is a South African honour instituted in 2002 to award South African citizens for services to democracy, human rights, arts and sciences and community service.
My Definition of Success | Success to me is a lot more than simply achieving something and having “things” and money. Success is about happiness as well. Happy with who you are, where you are, what you do. People will find themselves in one of 5 places. First is Survival, when you simply live from pay cheque to pay cheque. The next is Success, when you achieve things and gain things. Then comes Satisfaction, when you are in a comfortable place with what you have and achieved. More importantly, next comes Significance, where you make a difference through and with your success. Most importantly and finally, comes Synergetic Significance, where others are inspired to make a difference because of you and with you. We should all strive to be Synergistically Significant.
I am Driven By | Passion to want to make a difference in the world. The hope of changing the world through one little act of kindness at a time.
My Highlights | I have been blessed in many ways. I have represented my country in Sport. I have had and continue to have a great career in Radio. My best moments have been when I have been involved in projects that have helped make a difference. To be recognised at the highest level for my community service is probably my proudest moment.
The Difference Between Good and Great |Great people do more, care more, push more, try more. I think people who are great at what they do, possibly have more passion and a strong vision.
A Key Talent | I have had a disability my entire life. Dr’s told my parents when I was born in 1977, that I had a 2% of survival. They said I wouldn’t be educated, wouldn’t be able to speak and wouldn’t have a quality of life. They even advised my parents to put me in a home, forget about me, and try again for a “normal baby”. Thankfully they didn’t. I have lived a full life and been blessed in many ways. My parents never limited me. They always said that my best was good enough, but could always be better. They always said that I am good enough but could always be better. I wouldn’t call it a talents, but I have had to overcome tremendous discrimination in my life, I have had to rise, fight the system, try again and again. Most importantly, I have NEVER let anyone limit me. My advise is this, “You are only limited, by the limitations in the minds of others!”, so don’t let anyone limit you!
The Characteristics Of Success | My late father always said, “the bluntest pencil is more accurate than the sharpest mind. Write it down!”. My parents taught me to pay attention to detail and to get things right, first time! I played professional sports for many years. This taught me discipline, perseverance and the ability to get up, dust myself off and try again… if need be. I believe in the power of having vision boards as well as the power of daily mantra’s. Radio has taught me various disciplines. There are no second takes in radio, so you have to get it right first time. It also taught me to think on my feet.
Principles I Live By | I believe in a few universal principles:
1. As you sow you reap.
2. Coupled with this though, is, your sencerity of your intentions will always determine the success of your actions
3. As you think and say, you are!
4. You are the company you keep, so choose wisely
5. You are only limited, by the limitations in the minds of others
Critical Skills I Develop | Successful people know how to communicate. They are also confident in themselves. They can talk about anything to anyone. I continually work on my communication skills, my confidence and being informed on all things happening in the world. When I have to speak, I try let it be informed.
How I Use My Mind | I believe, as a man thinketch, so is he. I always try to keep a positive mind, do positive things and surround myself with positive people. I believe in the power of visualization and vision boards. I believe in the power of words. Words become things! So daily mantra’s is important. Always be prepared for what it is you want.
Lessons I Have Learnt | The biggest lesson I have learnt is that you are only limited by the limitations in the minds of others! If you really want to do something, then go for it. I am not saying it will be easy though…There is no such thing as “luck”. “Luck” happens when preparation meets opportunity!
Dealing With Doubt |I try steer clear of negative people. I don’t allow negative take. I keep positive thoughts in my headspace. I believe that I am the head and not the tail, I am above and not beneath, I believe I am the beginning not the end and everything I put my hand to will prosper!
Performing At My Peak | Start your day with positivity and that which you want to achieve. End your day with positivity and that which you want to achieve.
Resources I Use To Stay Inspired |I surround myself with great minds. I know that I can always do better and be better. That keeps me growing.
My Future Dreams And Ambitions | I have achieved everything I ever wanted. I am just going to keep on keeping on.
The Meaning Of Life | I think we are all put here to Make A Difference! Our purpose is to leave this planet in a better state than we found it.
The Best Advice I’ve Received |A wise man once said to me, “you are the head and not the tail, you are above and not beneath, you are the beginning, not the end and everything you put your hand to will prosper”. He also said, “if you continue to do things in the same way, you will get the same results. If you don’t like the output in your life, change the input.” The same wise man also told me “you must love what you do so much that you would be prepared to do it for free. BUT you must get so good at what you do, that people will be prepared to pay you to do it.”
The Best Advice I’ve Received |
All you need for success is this:
- As you sow you reap.
- Coupled with this though, is, your sincerity of your intentions will always determine the success of your actions
- As you think and say, you are!
- You are the company you keep, so choose wisely
- You are only limited, by the limitations in the minds of others.
On Inspiring Others | I try to inspire people through the work that I do, so much so that they choose to join me in doing it.
The Legacy I Would Like To Leave | I just want to make a difference in the world as much and as often as possible. I want to leave it in a better state than I found it.
