Future-Proof Yourself | Foreword

Nikki Bush has spent decades teaching and inspiring audiences and readers with her insights and exceptional wisdom. In a sterling career as a human potential and parenting expert, she has empowered people and companies to cultivate their strengths and rise to the demands of the twenty-first century. In a turbulent world, this is no mean feat. Her latest installment, Future-proof Yourself: How to Win at Work and Life, could not have come at a more opportune time.

The world has been turned upside down by the unforeseen COVID-19 pandemic. Every single area of our lives has been irrevocably affected. All of humanity has been touched and disrupted, and Nikki immediately understood this impact. Her ability to go deep into the subconscious mind and expertly extract thoughts and words is impressive. With empathy and adeptness, she helps readers on their journey to find profound meaning and make sense of their state of mind.

Whether you are running an established business, or are an entrepreneur, employee, teacher, parent, or child, learning how to respond to life’s disruptions can mean the difference between life and death, success and failure. Nikki delivers these lessons in a warm, nurturing, and empowering way.

But what makes Nikki so well positioned to frame complex emotions and experiences in ways that are accessible and inclusive? What is it about her worldview and tone that makes the reader want to take the risk and begin a journey of self-discovery and learning?

Nikki doesn’t just teach and share theories of life. In this book, with an amazing poignancy and vulnerability, Nikki boldly opens the door for us, allowing us to witness the darkest moment of her life, the most tumultuous disruption imaginable. Nothing in life could have prepared her for the devastating murder of her husband, Simon, and the split-second journey to widowhood and single parenting. In Future-proof Yourself: How to Win at Work and Life, Nikki truly dances with disruption and walks the path of loss, grief, and trauma. In an act of generosity, she fills these pages with her vulnerability, bewilderment, and courage. By sharing her story, Nikki leaves us with no doubt that the human spirit can triumph over adversity and navigate the unknown with courage, determination, and a deeper understanding of the human condition. COVID-19 has been a time of grief, unemployment, financial distress, loss of autonomy, and for many, loss of loved ones. There can never be a better time to grab a copy and begin the path towards healing, self-discovery, and growth.

Nikki has been a resident parenting expert on my award-winning radio show, The Redi Tlhabi Show, on Talk Radio 702 and 567 Cape Talk. She is a sought-after speaker and a trusted voice who has empowered families, educators, and businesses to excel at life and build sustainable relationships. Listeners hang on to her every word as she delivers life’s lessons with charisma and expertise. In this book, she shares enduring lessons that will hold us in good stead as we learn to cope with the curveballs life throws at us.

Redi Tlhabi

Award-winning international journalist, author, and moderator

ABOUT THE BOOK

When things change dramatically, they rarely, if ever, go back to ‘normal’. Disruption demands that we let go of the past and step into a new way of being.

When last did you get lost? We rarely do in the era of Google Maps and Waze, but satellite navigation systems are of no use when disruption turns our lives upside down. When swirling mists of uncertainty block our view of the future, we might question our ability to cope. But with awareness, determination and practice we can improve our competence, build our resilience and confidence, and gain a sense of control, even when everything feels out of control.

Whether your life has been disrupted by death, divorce, disease, Covid-19 lockdown, working from home, moving town, starting a new job, or any of a host of other disruptive events that can either make or break you, this book will guide you to the best possible outcome. Disruption is never comfortable, but regardless of whether it is positive or negative, it is a catalyst for change.

Future-proof Yourself provides simple but effective lessons and frameworks to help you future-proof yourself to win at both work and life. Dip into chapters on disruption, remote working, resilience, teamwork, leadership and family, and learn how to remain focused, utilise pressure and create a recipe for personal success. A distillation of Nikki Bush’s professional insights as a human-potential and parenting expert, combined with her personal honesty and vulnerability, this book is a must-read for anyone looking to harness their courage and curiosity to build a rewarding, fulfilling future for themselves no matter what life throws at them.