It’s important to lead by example and show your kids you can live your dreams!

When I was growing up, I always wanted to be an actor and make movies, so essentially I also wanted to be a producer. I didn’t know what producers did back then, so that was never the name I gave to my dreams.

My sister and I would write scenes and act them out, when I think back we were hilariously funny.

My Mum always told me I could be anything I wanted to be, but always pushed me down the path of a ‘normal’ job.

She would say only a few lucky people in the world get to be actors. It wasn’t until I persevered with my dream and had a few break throughs and convinced her I was capable, that is when I gained her confidence and she became one of my greatest supporters.

Not only as a parent do you need to lead by example, sometimes, you need to give your kids the room or opportunity to prove themselves.

Here is why I felt I needed to prove I could do it:

1. There are more than a few lucky people acting in this world, just because you are not world famous, doesn’t mean you can’t act or are not good at what you do.
2. If you truly want something nothing will stop you doing it. Do what you love.
3. Life is a huge big jigsaw made up of many pieces; do something towards your goal everyday and when you look back you will be happy you did.
4. There are many paths that lead to the same destination, while I may be writing now and taking a detour, it is all part of the greater plan; I have never lost hope of the end goal.
5. And with the end goal in mind, allow the goal posts to move.
6. What is normal anyway? Normal for you will be completely different for me.

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Dream big

I have always told my kids, they can do whatever they chose to do in life, and encouraged them to dream big!

So your child is not the best football player / actor / teacher, but that is what he wants to do? Never discourage their dream, when you think of it, the only person that can make someone give up, is that person!

Always encourage your kids, no matter how farfetched you think their dreams are. Allow them to prove you wrong.

Practice makes perfect – nobody becomes great overnight 

If there is one thing I learned while I was an Agent, it was that no one becomes great overnight. For some people it can take a lifetime, for others not as long. I watched many people try and fail and try again.

Teach your kids that practice and persistence is the key to achieving their dreams. After all, you never fail until you stop trying! And for every person the media has seen as an overnight success, usually years of blood sweat and tears has gone into achieving that dream.

Don’t just make ripples, make waves 

So you are reading this and probably still wondering, why I am writing, instead of acting? For me, it is all part of the bigger picture. In Hollywood, the people achieving their dreams don’t limit themselves to one thing; here are just a few examples:

• Amy Schumer – Actor, Producer, Writer.
• Angelina Jolie – Actor, Producer, Director.
• Lena Dunham – Writer, Actress, Producer.

After I co-wrote my first screenplay (which won 4 awards), I had a few people saying I couldn’t write by myself or it was a fluke to win, so I felt I needed to prove them wrong, not just for me but for my family. I wanted them to see that I was capable of writing. My book started as a screenplay and the idea became so big it became a trilogy of books. As my kids have often pointed out to me at the cinema, most movies are based on books.

So dare to dream, but allow the goal post to move!

Have you followed your dreams or encouraged your children to do the same? Please share your experiences below.

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