Edge Forum

What do you do?

 I do Project Management, Life Coaching, training and mentoring, public speaking and enjoy lots of fun times with the people I love.

 What was your journey to get to where you are?

 After finishing my degree I did some management consultancy for myself. Unemployment was high at the time, and I found it difficult to find work. I took the opportunity to go to the United States to live. I found it really difficult at first to get a job, but eventually worked for two great companies in New York; Goldman Sachs, Wall Street and Aris Isotoner (near to the Empire State Building in Manhattan). I returned to England after a couple of years to get married. I started a clerical job in an IT section of a local authority, which shortly led to a Systems Analyst role and eventually into Project Management. Prior to starting a family, I worked for the Home Office as an I.T. Project Manager and during my children’s early years, I did some I.C.T. training while I searched for my purpose. I now do a job that I would do without pay, ‘helping people from poor areas’ into employment. I have also done some very rewarding work with the homeless and visited prisons.

 What was you education like?

 I went to school in one of the most socially deprived areas in the country, where our school was often the bottom of the school league tables. Around half of the people in my area had no qualifications from school and although I tried hard to leave school with some credentials, I came out with just a few. After trying a year at Sixth Form at another school, I went to college still having very little qualifications. I eventually got onto a BTEC computer course. At college one of my teachers said that ‘he didn’t think I would be able to manage an IT degree’. Determined not to end up in a factory like my mum, I pushed myself and a few years later obtained a BSc with Honors in Information Systems. I became one of less than 5% of those that left my school to obtained a degree. I have never stopped learning and have obtained some other qualifications including Prince 2 in project management and EFQM (European Foundation for Quality Management). Which means that I can help organizations within Europe to assess the quality of their practices in areas such as leadership and ICT.

 What does success mean to you?

 Success means to me, having quality of life; that’s being able to have the opportunity to have quality time alone and to spend time doing the things that I love with my husband, family and close friends.  Success also means, being completely debt free, and having enough to improve the lives of others all over the world. I currently wake up to a picture which was sent to me by the orphanage that my husband and I support in India.  Through money we sent them recently they were able to purchase hundreds of books.  That’s true success, enhancing the lives of others.

 What challenges have you faced?

 The first challenge I can remember was my father leaving when I was five years old.  He was my world. I encountered a troubled childhood. However God spoke to me at a very early age and persuaded me to keep going. Because of this belief in God my challenges ever since have been easier. 

 How do you maintain being yourself? (How do you stay true to yourself and keep being who you are?)

 I surround myself with some great and honest people.  One of the best is my husband.  We have been married for what seems like ‘forever’, but he is so pure and humble and great to be with.  Although somewhat challenging at times, I also have fixed in my mind the memory of my mum’s tears as we struggled through during my childhood. Having time alone with God every day helps me to stay real.

 Did you have any support? (Explore family and friends; what did your parents say?)

 My greatest support system has been my personal relationship with God.  When others have let me down, I have been able to find comfort, through prayer and His word.  It’s taken me years to get there. I have no sisters and one brother that lives abroad. My mother always tried her best to encourage me, although sometimes she has questioned me when I wanted to achieve more.

 What drives you? (Include what kept you going through the hard times?)

 I believe that given the opportunity, I can do almost anything within reason. I may never climb the real Mount Everest, but I have battles that I climb every day because I believe in the vision and dreams that I have for myself. When I have heard ‘thank you’ from someone in need, it makes my entire being full of joy. I try to hear ‘thank you’ every day by servicing others. I had a vision once of speaking in India to lots of women, I know I will do it one day.  Enhancing the lives of others is my biggest driver.

 Who is your role model?

 I have had several role models over the years.  The first were my parents, then as I grew up Sidney Poitier in the film ‘To Sir, with Love’ (1967), became pivotal in my life (especially when I encountered racism for a number of years as blacks made up less than 2% of the population in my area). Martin Luther King Jr., became my next role model pre-teens and then Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela and Mother Teresa. I was blessed to be brought up in church and some of the people in leadership have been great examples of Christ-like figures.

 What advice would you give to young people?

 Have a goal no matter how unrealistic it may seem to you or others, and ‘stay focused’ on your goals.  Believe in yourself and your abilities to do anything and achieve anything that is in your mind to do (your purpose for living has been planned by the creator of the universe). Remember that difficult situations make you strong and though it may seem that you have gone off track, the only time you can not get back on, is if you are dead. Even if you are imprisoned in your mind, you can go beyond your circumstance and achieve your goals. Nelson Mandela or Joseph in the bible, were in prison through no fault of their own, they became leaders. Determine what success means to you. Look at the lives of others around you that are successful. Remember though that being famous and having material things do not always give you all that you need. Michael Jackson had fame and riches, but did it come with joy and peace? Find out what’s right for you. What difference will your living on this earth make? Decide and go for it.

 What do you think education should be like?

 Education should be a lifestyle.  You should always be learning if you want to grow as an individual. Learning/education never ceases. We learn each day. Education should meet everyone at the point of their need. Whether rich or poor, each should have access to the right learning environment, which would allow the individual to reach their fullest potential. I have seen that those who are financially successful are those who often put in the time and effort in learning more and excelling beyond their peers.  People will pay you for your skills and knowledge. King Solomon, the wisest king that ever lived, obtained great wealth because of his knowledge, wisdom, and understanding.  Ask God each day for all three, and you will have riches beyond your expectations. I do!