We were lucky to catch up with Anton du Preez recently and have shared our conversation below.
Anton, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?
I’ll try to organize my answer with a few of my favorite quotes.
“Try not to become a person of success, but rather try to become a person of value.” – Albert Einstein
Like everyone, I’m sure there’s an element of longing for and striving toward success in my approach to life, but it’s always had that inherent nature of value. I’ve long prided myself on my efficiency, prudence, punctuality, and reliability. These values were instilled as a young boy, through my parents, community, and mentors. Whether it was for school, sports, music, work, or household responsibilities, these focuses were held in high regard. This was accentuated further in college, then in the Navy (where I was initially accepted under a dual package to either train for the SEALs or to train as a Flight Officer), and then two post-graduate programs.
“Concentrate all your thoughts upon the work at hand. The sun’s rays do not burn until brought to a focus.” – Alexander Graham Bell
I have many interests but am able to compartmentalize and focus on the task at hand. I have to maintain a diligent work ethic, otherwise things would pile up. This busyness used to be my shield when I was avoiding addressing and processing my inner turmoil as a young closeted gay man in Nebraska. I strove for a wide range of skill sets, not to achieve accolades or the highest successes, but to establish myself as someone of value. This journey helped develop the focus to just get into the zone and slip into the flow state.
“You can’t change how people treat you or what they say about you. All you can do is change how you react to it.” – Mahatma Gandhi
Just as important to developing my work ethic was making sure I was likable, approachable, personable, and thoughtful but decisive. It took some time to learn to achieve these qualities without sacrificing my own self worth. Trial and error, formal counseling, and self help books helped reinforce my inner truth, nurture my relationship with my partner (we’re going on 16 years), and continue to perform at a high level of professionalism.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’ve been fortunate to find a balance between my careers in music and medicine. I’m a composer, singer, and songwriter. Before COVID, I was a regular performer and recording artist, and also compose and produce for various projects. I’m thankful to have continued recording, writing, and composing. Feel free to check out my website or IMDb for more info. I’m also excited to have several new singles releasing this fall, and my new album, “Songs of Feeling,” on December 1st!
I’m a neurologic physical therapist, focused on the functional recovery of people with medical conditions affecting the nervous system. I currently work in a home health environment to allow flexibility with my music endeavors, and enjoy working with patients recovering from strokes, vestibular disorders, or living with Parkinson’s disease. I’m also incredibly excited to be one of several neurologic therapists being considered for a position at one of the top hospitals in the nation, where I can expand my expertise and return to my passion of working with traumatic brain injury.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Drawing upon my previous answer, efficiency, diligence, and resilience have been most impactful for my journey. These traits, along with all the others mentioned above, have helped shape my current life balance and confidence in my aptitude, and will perpetually continue to support my growth as a person and professional.
For people early in their journey, or starting a new chapter on their journey, finding your own, personal reasons and strength for your development is key. Of course, take into account societal, workplace, or career-oriented expectations and qualifications, but don’t let them shadow your core values. Salience matters, and it’s your recognition of your own individual value that will provide guidance.
As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?
That’s a difficult questions, because there are so many books in myriad genres and at different timepoints in my life that have helped with a particular aspect of my development. So rather than identifying a book that helped on my journey to becoming me, I’ll mention a book that’s been incredibly helpful in my interactions with others. After all, out individual development is not helpful in isolation; we need to be able to share and communicate with others.
“Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High” by Joseph Grenny, Kerry Patterson, Al Switzler, Ron McMillan, and Emily Gregory was originally written for professional interactions, but it applies to innumerable personal conversations as well. As an invaluable contribution to thought leadership and crucial moments, its content provides powerful tools for improving the quality, altruism, and cooperation in conversations.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.antondupreezmusic.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/antondupreezmusic
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/antondupreezmusic/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anton-du-preez-368aa03a/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtSfk_2tNWNxqMhwAEWlIAw
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/antondupreez
- Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9851976/
Image Credits
Photography by Dennis Swinford and Steven Miller. Album art by Timothy Scahill.
