Failed your GCSE’s?
It’s really not the end of the world.
Here’s why…
I’m just going to put this out there…
I failed Maths 4 times, got a D (now known as a 3) in Business Studies, have no A-Levels and an undiagnosed learning disability, yet I’ve solely grown and established a successful business for the last 10 years and couldn’t be happier.
F.A.I.L = First Attempt In Learning.
Yes, it is possible to suck at school and still be happy and successful. In fact, there are people in the hair & beauty industry that earn more than Doctors, travel the world, work with celebrities and are living their best lives.
I struggled in school- I couldn’t focus, I couldn’t retain or process information like everyone else and I was told often;
‘you have to be really clever to do that.’
I’ve been knocked down, a LOT… I actually tried really hard too. But my teachers thought I was careless and incapable. I failed my Maths GCSE and at the time, thinking I would never be able to have a successful career without this qualification, I decided to re-take it again, and again and again.
I failed. Every. Single. Time.
The reason I’m writing this is that I want you to know that regardless of this, I wake up every morning and am genuinely excited to work. I work when I want, how I want and with who I want. I love my job and none of the above has got in the way of me doing this. It doesn’t even feel like work to me, it’s my passion. You don’t get that with every job.
Those that do get through all of this, pass their exams and go onto uni because that’s what they feel is expected of them by their parents, teachers, auntie, grandad, whoever might then be unhappy in a job they hate for the next 45 years. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying academics are wrong or bad, they’re just not for everyone. Those that do pass their exams and go onto uni then that’s great if it’s right for them.
Stop listening to those little ‘voices’ in your head that are telling you, ‘you can’t do this’, ‘you’re not good enough’ or ‘you’ll never do that’. I’m telling you if you’ve got the drive and the determination, you can.
Believe in yourself
Become self-aware, accept what you’re good at and your weaknesses. Try lots of different things. Spend your time with different types of people and most importantly do what you love, even if it’s not trendy right now. And don’t worry if you haven’t got it ‘all figured out’ yet, there are plenty of 58-year olds that still don’t have it figured out. And let’s be honest, there is no figuring it out anyway. It doesn’t end and there is no out!
There are plenty of creative, talented, hardworking and intelligent people in the hair & beauty industry. You can earn while you learn, qualify with no debt and be your own boss. If this is your dream and your vision, SCREW UNI and go for it.
And remember this- you will fail sometimes, we all do, it’s all part of the process. Even if it takes 3, 7 or 10 times, you will succeed if you keep trying. Unlike 99% of people who give up, be that 1% that doesn’t. What have you got to lose? If you fail, your only back where you started, if you don’t try you could live with regret for the rest of your life. YOU got this.
Hannah xx
The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge, but imagination. A. Einstein.
