I’ve enjoyed an incredible year.
Working with wonderful people, travelling to beautiful places, the publication of my book, Compelling Communication…
And the highlight, winning a big shiny award for my course, Compelling Communication Skills.
(That's some of the team, and the hosts of the gala evening in the photo - if I look rather pleased, it's because I was!)
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But life in Cambridge hasn’t always been as happy as that. Far from it.
Which is where the golden secret of success in life comes in.
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When I first moved to the city, seven years ago, I didn’t know anyone.
So I had to begin networking, to find opportunities.
After a few weeks of that, I was delighted to be invited to Pembroke College, part of the University of Cambridge, to give a talk on media careers.
This could be a big breakthrough.
The university is so important in Cambridge, and I thought this moment could be the gateway to lots of fascinating work.
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So I prepared well, put together a good workshop, full of information and interactions...
And guess what happened?
The room was set up for 75 students…
But only three turned up. Just three.
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And okay, they were lovely, and the session was worthwhile.
But I left the college that night feeling very deflated, and very, very reflective.
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I thought I had something to contribute here.
But I came to conclude that Cambridge - rightly, given its history - expects excellence.
And I was nowhere near that standard.
Which meant I could shrug my shoulders and give up. Or try something different.
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So I began to study communication. The theory and the practice.
Examine the great writers, public speakers and storytellers. Think about why they were so good.
From there, shape those insights into teaching, full of education and entertainment.
Whether presenting skills, storytelling, or writing.
And then, begin to make that the core of my work.
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Slowly, I noticed I was getting more bookings.
The feedback was improving.
And the number of people coming along to my events was growing.
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So I continued learning, and trying to improve.
Until one strange day, a kind Cambridge professor suggested I run a course for the University.
I was rather taken it back, to say the least.
Actually, being honest, I was stunned.
- Me? A far from academic, state school kid, run a course at Cambridge?
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But I took a deep breath, put it together...
And I’m proud to say Compelling Communication Skills became highly successful.
From there, came the companion book, Compelling Communication…
And then the shiny award.
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And so we return to the moral of the story:
How did I get to stand on that stage, amid all those hundreds of people, under the spotlights, celebrating our triumph, with a grin like a lighthouse?
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It was all down to hard work.
For which there is no substitute if you want success in life.
It's. As. Simple. As. That.
