There are some people in the world for whom overnight success just happens; the girl next door who is suddenly the next top model; the entrepreneur making his first million before the age of 30 from a genius idea he had at the age of 9; the singing sensation whose wife recorded him in the shower late one Sunday night and who is now sitting top of the Spotify chart. 

We hear an increasing number of stories like this, largely related to the the ease of spreading news, stories, ideas, videos and information through a variety of social media, but I think it’s safe to say that in general, success of this magnitude is still pretty rare and if it does happen, I’m pretty sure Lady Luck is lurking somewhere in the wings. 

I don’t begrudge these people their success. Not for a moment. I think it’s fantastic and I wish them ongoing success in whatever adventure life takes them on. I’m actually a little envious, as my mind races daily in an attempt to come up with an idea or a plan or…anything actually that might even come close to achieving this level of ‘fame’, for want of a better word.  

I think I have always (secretly or not so) dreamed of a life of fame and fortune. Only last night, I was sat at the theatre watching ‘Wicked’, in awe and amazement of the leading lady singing her heart out, and I leant over to my friend and said ‘I wish I could sing, ‘cos I could have so lived a stage and screen kind of lifestyle’ and I could picture it as clear as day in my minds eye. 

In some ways I honestly believe that I missed my calling for acting/singing/dancing/prancing maybe, somewhere along the line. At school I always landed the lead role in plays and I have always loved being in front of an audience. But I think being cast as a vulture in my schools rendition of the my all time favourite, the Wizard of Oz, knocked my confidence somewhat, and so my journey down the yellow brick road and the dreams that went along with it got a little off track...as have I. 

So back to the point I am trying to make. For most of us, success on a grande scale is either something we (can only) dream of achieving, or its something that we don’t really care to achieve at all.  Either way, most of us finish school and go out to work to earn a living in the hope that we can live a fulfilled and happy life, where we can hopefully not have to worry too much about money and where we can support our loved ones.  I would like to add that while I do still have dreams of grandeur (and I will achieve them), that I also believe wholeheartedly that success doesn’t need to have a dollar sign attached to it or for a name to be written in lights; success can and does come in many guises. 

It can be raising a wonderful family; doing a job that you pat yourself on the back for and are proud of; it can be creating something from nothing; it can be merely ‘showing up’. It can be making a difference in another persons life, even if you don’t know it. 

I know all of this because I have a beautiful six year old boy whose smile reminds me of my biggest success everyday. 

What success means to each of us though, is as unique as our fingerprints and the ‘why’ behind what we choose to do for a job, whether we are conscious of it or not, is our internal driver for success.  And actually if you can discover the ‘why’, you are on the right track to achieving your dreams. One thing that I’m pretty convinced about however (with the experience, the highs and the lows to back it up) is that to achieve our dreams, our goals, the top job, the good pay packet – we must work for it, and actually be prepared to work damn hard.

I’ve made my fair share of cups of tea over the years being the newbie; I’ve cleaned the toilets in the pub because that was what my job involved. I’ve done the crappy jobs that I believed I was better than, I’ve worked late, volunteered, gone hungry as I’ve worked through another lunch break, and been scolded by at least one boss over the years. But what I know to be true is that without these experiences and the opportunities to learn, to fall down, to thrive and also to sit back while others got their fifteen minutes of fame, I wouldn’t be where I am today. 

So to the school leavers and the twenty somethings, and to my son in the future  – don’t take this the wrong way, but take it as something to really consider – take a moment to look around you and appreciate how hard other people have worked to get where they are; respect their experience and knowledge, even if you don’t agree or you think it can be done differently, and until you have walked in another persons shoes, don’t judge. It’s great to know what you want and I admire it, but it’s even better to be humble enough to try and understand what it’s actually going to take to achieve it and not just expect it to land in your lap. Then go and work to make it happen. Success doesn’t just happen; it must be worked for and the journey can often feel like you are chasing the pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. And even when we do actually achieve what we set out to, although satisfying in many ways, it can also be a very long and lonely road which few others will truly understand. 

So my advice to those searching for success, fame, fortune, lights…whatever. Know that you have to work for what you want. Be grateful for the opportunities given to you, big or small, wanted or not. Be positive, always. Be kind, always. Smile often and be careful what you wish for, cos it may just come true. 

Georgie x