How Far Have You Come?

I'll admit, I was hesitant to write this small article. After all, LinkedIn is a place that thrives on stories of braggadocio and "oh look at me, how awesome am I?" As a Brit I am definitely not in that camp, even though I do live in the USA now. Stiff upper lip, stay reserved, and for goodness sake don't even think about showing off.

This is not a post about showing off. In fact, with what I'm about to reveal, I may well strip away a veneer of mystery that many may have of me. That sharp British guy, from an English town, with that oh-so air of respectability - shattered. I am not from royalty. I am not even from middle-classery. My beginnings are humble to say the least, and I am writing this to encourage people who are in similar backgrounds right now to keep on keeping on. And also, for people who escaped the doldrums to chime in and let others know that a better life is possible.

I come from a North-East England town called Hartlepool. You don't know it. Most don't. And that's fine. My dad was a custodian of a local school, my mum was a cleaner. We never went on vacation, we didn't have a car, and we rarely ate out. When we did, it wasn't at a Michelin Star restaurant. Usually, the local greasy spoon cafe.

My strongest memory growing up was bath night. We didn't have any money so we could only afford to run a bath once a week. And we shared it. Friday night was bath night. My dad would run the bath and my mum would get in first. Then my dad. Then my sister. I was last. I didn't mind; in fact, I liked to be last because I got to soak the longest, even if it was in water that was not exactly pristine.

I loved to draw. And paint. Our home was cold, and carpet was in short supply. My bedroom was covered in remnants from the carpet that had been removed from the living room, and floor boards were showing. But I didn't care. Why? Because I had a pad of paper, a pencil, and my imagination. And my parents may not have had any money, but my god they loved myself and my sister and that was all we needed.

I was lucky enough to go to college. The first in the family (and as far as I know, the only one), and thankfully I lived in England so it was possible. Our taxes paid for college, and if they hadn't I would not have received an education. This is what I consider good fortune. For others, it's being born into a very wealthy family, like Kendall Jenner. Well, I don't have millions to prop me up and I will never have her wealth. But then again, there are kids right now living in poverty who will never escape its clutches. So, luck is relative.

And that brings me to the crux of this article. How far have you come? Where did you start? What did you overcome, and how have you succeeded? This is not a request for bragging. Merely, a simple ask for stories about breaking free from your own personal restraints and powering through.

There are no doubt people reading this in a similar situation. Let's face it, the Internet and social platforms reach everywhere. They need inspiration. They need to know they can do it. And if I can go from where I was to being a successful (not rich by any means, but standing on my own two feet) freelancer, then they can too.

So, let's hear it. Where did you start? What did you overcome? And what advice do you have for anyone who is trying to be better? I want to hear it, but there are many others that need to hear it. Over to you.