Real Estate Investor Magazine South Africa May/June 2019 | Page 66

INSPIRATION
Positivity Lessons from an
Immigrant Property Developer
Combat the Negative News Cycle
A
BY NEALE PETERSEN
mdec Properties launched its Yacht Club and hotel
project next to the V & A Waterfront in May, brim-
ming with positivity for the future of South Africa.
Amdec has delivered over R70 billion worth of new property
development projects in South Africa, made up of 10 000 res-
idential and retirement units, over 2 000 hotel rooms and more
than 350 000m2 of commercial space while creating over 50
000 jobs in the construction industry.
Take Responsibility - You are in control, no one else
Listen - Open your mind, listen to positive people
Show Kindness - Bring a positive view to a negative situation
Forgive- Let stuff go
Do your thing - Have a purpose and do it with passion
Think Positively - Always see the good and the positive
Be Inspiring - Let other people be inspired by what you do
CEO of Amdec, James Wilson left the audience with some
wise words at a time when we are dominated by negative news.
Wilson said there are far more benefits in being an optimist
than a pessimist and gave some salient advice. We all know a
person who is happy, outgoing and energetic. They are positive
in every situation. Their glass is always half full.
Scientific research shows that optimistic
people:
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Have better mental and physical health
Live longer
Overcome difficulties faster
Manage stress better
Experience lower rates of depression
Focus on their true purpose in life
Being optimistic pays great dividends
Wilson, says we all need to start developing some optimistic
habits and gave sage advice to start becoming an optimist:
Smile Often - You will feel better and attract positive people
Be Thankful - Appreciate the good things and good people
Laugh a Lot - Laughter is like medicine
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MAY/JUNE 2019 SA Real Estate Investor Magazine
As Wilson put it distress, drives out hope but says that hope
can also drive out distress. He says Amdec has lofty ideals and
is optimistic, will always be contributing and delivering. He
said he was particularly optimistic about SA in his personal
capacity despite the challenges that South Africans face and
including our struggling economy. As an immigrant he has
invested heavily into SA. According to Wilson, he is staying
right here to continue making things happen.