May 10, 2014

If Opportunity Doesn’t Knock…Build A Door

Wake up, go to work, get 40 winks. Wake up, go to work, get 40 winks. Wake up, go to work, get 40 winks etc etc (I think you get the jist). These are the 3 ‘W’s’ that my life revolved around this time last year as I sat and waited for my big break in the media industry.

 Unfortunately for me, it took one sorry year to realise that nothing came from sitting and waiting other than a stiff bum and an aching lower back…not issues that your average 20 year old should be worrying about. But hey, at least the realisation happened!

People often talk of these miraculous epiphanies and ‘eureka’ moments that change their life and I (like most I’m sure) think that they are complete and utter rubbish. Or at least I used to.

In October last year, as I celebrated (or commiserated) my one year anniversary working as a debt collector (party on), I had my light bulb moment. Albeit one that I’m not entirely proud of due to how I handled it but I’m young and mistakes happen.

Maybe I shouldn’t have waited until my Parents were on the other side of the world in Philadelphia to call and let them know that I was handing my notice in the next day. Well no, I definitely shouldn’t as their reaction was, ‘pack your bags,’ in not so many words. And no, they didn’t mean for me to hop on the next flight to Philly with them…in my dreams.

I rationalised the situation and decided to wait until they were back to talk it through (more for my own safety and well-being but I still did it), which surprisingly for me was actually the right decision. Who’d have thought it…Parents DO know what they’re talking about??

So there I was…new to the world of being a twenty something and about to make a decision that would change the rest of my life. I’d made contacts, organised plenty of work experience and saved up some pennies to keep my car running for…well…the time being, so I did it. My notice period had begun and I was slowly but surely counting down the days until the rest of my life.

Hurrah!!

It’s been 4 months and 12 days of media industry heaven (not that I’m counting) and I can truly say that I’ve never been happier…or more skint!

So there you go, money doesn’t buy happiness but happiness does lead to success. I’ve happily and successfully gained 1 role presenting local radio, 1 networking event at Channel 4, 2 work experience opportunities at ITV and BBC, too many to count researching, running and script writing roles with East Coast Pictures, 1 presenter interview at Channel 4 and so so so much more (and breathe)!

I may not be Holly Willoughby (yet) but I’m certainly a fair few steps closer than I was in my ‘3 W’ routine.

So there we have it, proof that sometimes the scariest and most ludicrous decisions can lead to stories of success and remarkable achievement.

**WARNING – only sometimes…do not try jumping down stairs in the hope that you fly**

But definitely do try making yourself an opportunity instead of waiting for it to come your way because the chances are that it just won’t. After all, you only have one life (YOLO) so wouldn’t you rather end up regretting something you did do rather than something you didn’t?

Go build some doors, People!

Written by Abbie Dewhurst, 20, Freelance TV & radio presenter

Follow her on twitter: @Abbiedew.