MY STORY
Have you ever made the wrong choices in life and work? I certainly have. Choices which made me feel stifled and unfulfilled as I wasn't realising my dreams! My start in life prevented me from thinking big and I was living to serve the people around me in a capacity that never realised my full potential. Change came when I realised I could actually help those around me more by being true to myself, by making the change to dream big! My first lifestyle change was in career, I moved from market research to banking administration; then at 32 I realised banking wasn’t for me either, so left London and banking behind and retrained to work in education. I certainly didn't miss the 2.5 hour commute - living my dream to teach started with this stepping stone. However, after a number ofyears I realised this career choice wasn't my ideal either but it did giveme the confidence to move towards my bigger goal in life of running my own business and working in the creative sector. The next step was moving counties,working part-time (still in education) and starting my own creative business in photography aged 41.
Did I stumble and make mistakes - of course! What I discovered, however, was there are no real mistakes if you look upon them as learning experiences. I sought out role models and mentors and surrounded myself with people who inspired me - as a wise person once told me, 'if you're the smartest person in the room, you're in the wrong room!'
I'm still learning every day, in life and in my business, which is now my full-time career. I find myself fulfilled and in a position to give back and support others. Life is busy and at times there's overwhelm but I've learned to manage that too, on my terms not someone else's - that's the beauty of being self-employed. I make the most of each new day and embrace it with gratitude.
If you're read this far - thankyou!
My message to you is...
YOU are stronger, braver and more powerful than you think.
Listen to your heart, think big and realise your dreams.
Put in place stepping stones to reach these dreams, start today!
Enjoy the thrill of the unknown and embrace the adventure and the journey of discovery to find the YOU which makes you happy.
As Judy Garland once said, 'be a first-rate version of yourself, not a second-rate version of someone else!
Isn't it better to try, and achieve even a small step towards your dream than to wonder, what if?
Create the YOU, you want to be now, to allow your 80 year-old self the luxury of wonderful memories.
Photography Credit: Paul Parker (my husband and Photography Assistant).
