How one thinks influences the way you behave. This was the message from Mr Erik Vermeulen, a behavioural strategist, who inspired top achieving students at the University of Johannesburg on Thursday 14 August 2014.​

Mr Vermeulen explained how one needs to harness the power of the mind, when he addressed more than 150 students, who are members of the UJenius Club, a University initiative to acknowledge outstanding academic performances by undergraduate students.

Says Mr Vermeulen: “Praise spurs us on. People need to be praised when put in effort and get things done, not just for effortless results.“

Mr Alex Harris, an UJ alumnus, echoed Mr Vermeulen’s sentiments via a pre-recorded video message on the importance of finding your sense of purpose and encouraged the audience to find their purpose by identifying their passion; to preserve in that passion and to learn to be resilient.

Mr Alex Harris spent 180 days on Mount Everest, becoming the first person to journey unsupported across the Arabian dessert in 40 days.

The talk was hosted by the University’s Alumni Relations Office – http://www.ujalumni.co.za/