Tony Bennett - The Avocado Tree: Your Fruit To Financial Success

Tony Bennett 2013

Apart from any use permitted under UK copyright law, this publication may only be reproduced, stored, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means, with prior permission in writing from the author.

First published as an e-book by Vibrablue Limited in 2013.

ISBN: 978-1-78301-128-5

Vibrablue Limited

Suite 36
8890 Hatton Garden
Holborn, London

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Some twenty years ago I was fortunate enough, at the ripe old age of 50, to retire from my job as the general manager of a listed Johannesburg Stock Exchange bank.

This was something I had planned to do, and had put in writing, at the age of 30.

This done, my two children asked me how I had managed to make it happen and when I started telling them, they said stop: write it down for us instead so that we and our children can one day benefit from your lifetime experiences.

And so I put pen to paper and came up with 17 maxims or principles that I think will help you to be a success in life: Ive called them the Bennett Theories.

While this book is essentially about protecting your financial future, it covers a range of other issues too because nothing in life can be achieved in isolation.

Why is it called TheAvocado Tree ? Now that would be telling, but as you read the book all will be revealed.

Although its a short book, it took me almost two years to write and since then I have printed and reprinted it on three occasions as both young and old (but mostly young people with families) have found something of value in it.

What makes this little motivational book unique? It is, in essence, a biography of my life and that of my family so I think that most readers will be able to relate to the anecdotes scattered throughout it.

To conclude this brief preface let me relate a true story told to me by my son.

A friend of his was going through a messy divorce, and had just lost his job, so things could not have been much worse in his life. While cleaning out his cupboard to move out of the family home, he came across a copy of The Avocado Tree and began not only to read it, but to embrace the 17 theories therein. Today he is back on his feet and a top motivational speaker who recently spoke at a charity ball at Downing Street, London.

Heres hoping that you too can find some inspiration while enjoying your own copy of The Avocado Tree.

Tony Bennett

Most of my life I have been asked if I am the well known singer and if I really did leave my heart in San Francisco, but if truth be told the only thing we have in common is the name.

Teach your kids from an early age the realities and hardships of life.

If you are going to gamble, gamble big, or else be conservative.

Teach your children from the earliest possible age how to manage finance, and to save, save and save some more.

Always remain friendly and optimistic, no matter how tough things appear.

If you have not got one, try to develop a good sense of humour: it will be worth more than its weight in gold.

If you wish to achieve any of your AIMS and GOALS, you must put them in writing, and refer to them regularly.

Play hard and work hard, but never confuse the two.

With hindsight, nothing is ever as bad as it appears at the time.

Whatever decisions you may take in life, have the desire and faith in yourself to carry them through.

To succeed in life, you need specialised knowledge to add to your experience.

Never be afraid to borrow money, provided it is justified and you have the means or ability to repay it.

Do everything in your power to keep your children in the home, where you can watch over them and teach them the good things in life.

If you really want to get on in life and develop yourself, travel, travel and travel some more.

No matter how difficult times may be, look at and stick to your written Strategic and Action Plan.

Do all things in moderation, be they good or be they bad.

Force yourself, every day of the week, to start the day with positive thoughts and physical exercise.

The Chairman and maker of all things (or whoever you believe the Creator to be) never intended for us to be on this earth merely to survive. I believe He put us here to have the opportunity to live life to its fullest, to enjoy it, and to grow and develop.

Addo A town in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa, near Addo Elephant National Park.

Addo Elephant Park Addo Elephant National Park is a diverse wildlife conservation park situated close to Port Elizabeth in South Africa and is one of the country's 21 national parks. It currently ranks third in size after the Kruger National Park and the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.

Banggat An Afrikaans expression for scaredy cat.

Collegiate Girls School Collegiate High School is a top all-girls school in the city of Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, South Africa.

Cozzie South African slang for swimming costume.

East London A city located in the Eastern Cape, South Africa.

Grey Boys School Grey High School is an elite school for boys located in the city of Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, South Africa.

Jeppe Boys High Jeppe High School for Boys is a state school, located in Kensington, a suburb of Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa.

JSE JSE Limited (previously the JSE Securities Exchange and the Johannesburg Stock Exchange) is the largest stock exchange in Africa.

Kaalgat An Afrikaans word for butt naked.

Kimberley Kimberley is the capital of the Northern Cape Province of South Africa. It is located approximately 110 km east of the confluence of the Vaal and Orange rivers. The city has considerable historical significance due to its diamond mining past and the siege during the Second Boer War.

Larney South African slang word. Used to describe a very rich person living in the more affluent parts of Johannesburg, especially the northern parts of the city.

Port Elizabeth South Africas fifth largest city, located in the Eastern Cape, South Africa.

Safari suits Typical South African Afrikaans attire. The safari suit featured a square-cut, short-sleeved jacket with a broad collar unbuttoned at the top, epaulettes and four pockets. It was worn with either long trousers or short trousers and knee-high socks. Safari suits were often khaki or sky blue and made from polyester.

Springboks The South Africa national cricket and rugby union teams (known as the Springboks).

Walmer A suburb within Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, South Africa.

Someone once said: every good presentation has a good opening, a strong finish and lots of enjoyable meat in between. I hope the meaning of this little books title will become self-evident as you read.

I make no excuse for using my family and myself as the basis for this book and the various theories that I expound. After all, if life had not been so good to me, how would I have found the time to put pen to paper? I would urge you, as you work your way through this little book, to try to relate to what I have to say, to the avocado tree and the wonderful fruit that it bears.

Let me conclude my introduction by saying that in my humble opinion (being something of a health freak), every good meal should start with avocado pear and end with ice cream. I hope that you will find this book interesting enough to read to the end and that, somewhere amongst its pages, you will find something that will trigger the start of new and wonderful things for you.