I discovered Willie Horton many years ago as I had just taken on the leadership role for the site and was anxious to see if it might help.  I was immediately taken by what was very novel at that time in terms of people being more mindful and starting each day with a period of meditation (or “mental exercising” as I was a little uncomfortable telling people I was doing “meditation”). I started to use the meditation and other tools and found them very helpful in staying focused on what was important each day. I then asked one of my leadership team to attend a workshop and the feedback was so positive that we agreed this is something for the entire team. Willie came and worked with the leadership team for a 1-day off-site meeting and from that point forward the group started to realise the benefits of being focused, being mindful and working “in the present moment”. To be honest different team members engaged at different rates but within a relatively short period everybody was fully on board as to the value of what Willie was bringing to the group.   Today, 7 years on, the leadership team has expanded as I now have responsibilities over multiple sites in Europe and Willie continues to work with the teams at each of the sites. We have progressed from the early days of simply being mindful to  now realising that if we are mindful, we are focused and if we are focused in the right way on the right things then we are assured to be successful. I find it almost hard to describe, because it is really so simple yet so hugely effective to us as individuals, both inside and outside work, and also to us as an organisation. As our organisation evolves and creates new strategic plans for the future, the mindfulness tools and techniques are used as an integral part of this planning process. Then in a very focused and determined way we ensure that these plans are executed and indeed revised over time as required.  What started out as a concept of focusing the mind on what you are doing has now become an integral part of how we develop our long-term plans, how we execute those plans and is absolutely a key ingredient for our continued success as an organisation.

Allergan Pharmaceuticals Ireland has worked with Willie Horton over the last 8 years. Willie has worked with our leadership team on an individual basis and has also been an excellent facilitator in our team sessions. Willie has excellent experience working with high performance teams and he is very up to date on industry trends and best practice. His unique skill is his ability to get to know teams very quickly, understanding the ‘magic’ that makes them work and giving them the tools to develop and grow.  He is very professional, honest and trustworthy and I would highly recommend him as a business partner.

This is a very different course and without doubt it has the potential to change the way you approach life, in a very positive way. Its attraction is in its simplicity. Willie's style of delivery is excellent and participants very quickly become immersed in the sessions. I'd recommend this course to anyone, I found it fantastic.

Willie Horton is one of the few people you come across in business life that positively influences, for the long run, what you do from both a professional and personal perspective. Instead of just more leadership training, Willie makes you work on your brain, helping you to focus on the present, being there - mindful. Don’t expect traditional training but really an experience that helps you grow and improve over time. After the live sessions not only are teams sharing a common sense of purpose but also, with weekly short videos and reflections, you keep improving focus and mindfulness. A "must have" for every business person that benefits both work and personal life.

Willie’s workshops are stimulating, challenging, unique and always interesting.  Stimulating because he presents a view on life and success that is totally different to what you may have heard before.  Challenging, because he puts it up to you to take control of your destiny. Unique, because you won’t hear this stuff in the vast majority of management programs you go on, and interesting because Willie doesn’t just preach his philosophy on life he lives it!

Some years ago, my Leadership team and myself had our first session offsite with Willie, I remember telling them – there is NO agenda and NO preparation!  We spent one and a half days in the Workshop and experienced something completely different from anything we had ever experienced in the past and that session made a real difference into our journey back to the office.  Learn to FOCUS our minds and be in the present moment.    Since then, our approach to business has changed.

In life we all encounter challenges and speed bumps which can affect our outlook and perspective and it’s how we deal with these inconveniences is the differentiator.  Willie approaches these challenges differently and asks his participants to do likewise, and to be honest if your mind is open, the outcome can be transformational.  We all live in a very structured world and believe the norm is right, well it’s not.  We don’t live in a perfect world and we as individuals are not perfect.  Willie helps you understand your inner self and more importantly separate the woods from the trees in our life.  I can highly recommend you having your thinking and mind cleansed by spending time at Willies workshops.

Willie's workshops (and I have participated on two of them now) are wonderful advertisements for the benefits of sitting still, slowing down and finding some 'space to breathe'. What I find remarkable is the discipline that he demonstrates, with the publication of his weekly Ezines, to back up the words and ideas with his own practice and 'way of being'... and the unselfconscious generosity that he shows by sharing his insights. He's a rare and valuable gem!

My three days of workshops with Willie Horton have had a disproportional impact on my effectiveness at work, compared to all other training and personal development courses I have engaged in.  Highly recommended.

Simply put ...'I went; I listened; and I believe!' Truthfully it was without doubt the best two days I have ever spent in a room. I suppose I am a pessimist by nature; however'I now shave with my left hand, at least once a week!' and it definitely keeps me focused on what is important to me!' I truthfully have not looked back since that two day work shop and everyday, without thinking about it within the 24 hrs I find myself reflecting on some part of what you said, which immediately gives me a reality check and points me in the direction I need to go... even my little girl talks about 'the now' ! Again many thanks for unlocking a part of me that I never knew existed! ...Life is good!!!

Over the past few years I have learned a lot about the working of the universe and how our minds are tuned into it however I had a lot of unanswered questions. Having sat with you for the two days I marvelled at the simplicity of how you managed to answer so many of these questions without me even having to ask, it just unfolded. Now that I am armed with your book and MP3s I find that, with practice, I am progressing more and more towards “living in the now”. This has been somewhat of a challenge for me as my life has nearly always been about the destination rather than the journey. Having reached this stage by following your method I find I am much more relaxed, less busy rushing around and totally prepared to let my future unfold without worrying about what will happen. In fact the practice of living in the now has helped me to recognise the changes I needed to make and to some extent given me the courage to implement them. I hope this summary is meaningful to you and others who may read it, in the same way your course was very meaningful to me. For me your course was very helpful and moved me in a direction that I needed to move, however worrying was holding me back… but not any more. It is my intention to continue along this path, one day at a time, and watch my goals unfold as a result. Keep up the good work. Thanks for everything.

The course made me realise that the 'normal' approaches to business and life are not necessarily the right ones. Going back to your college frame of mind, not worrying when you can take action and not worrying when it's beyond your control frees you up to get on with work and life.

I have just completed your online workshop, and wanted to drop you a note to say how interesting and useful I found it.  What you have put together for use over the web is excellent and I am really impressed by the format and scope.  Loved your use of humour as well, there is nothing worse than people taking themselves or life too seriously!  Great tools which I will continue to use everyday, thank you.

Thanks Willie. The feedback from the day was extremely positive - I was pleasantly surprised at everyone's openness and receptiveness to "going off the beaten track" as you say. It was as if we were opening up a part of ourselves we know is there but don't get a chance or dare to indulge.  So, whatever happens, I think the day will have been of value.  Thanks very much for your work with us.

I attended your Dublin Chamber event on Tuesday & bought your book about a month prior. May I just say that you have changed my life forever, I’m starting to take control and doing ‘nothing’ is being very productive for me.