Focus on Courage of Conviction

Yesterday, I had the honour of returning to my old school to present the end-of-year awards. Standing just across from where I once sat as a self-doubting 12-year-old, I shared the four words that changed my life forever:

‘Have courage of conviction.’

First spoken to me in 1987 by my art teacher Mrs Jones, those words lit a spark. They echoed through my life as I battled doubt, ignored my natural strengths and even questioned my future after a careers computer suggested ‘librarian’ while friends got actress, vet or lawyer. I didn’t realise then that trusting my inner compass would become the greatest lesson of all.

Now, decades later, I’ve followed my desire path — from coaching and podcasting to publishing a book co-authored across time with my late grandfather, whose wartime scrapbook helped me challenge the belief that I ‘wasn’t good enough’.

I shared with the students how courage of conviction presents in real life: how my daughter Holly, who collapsed during the Brighton Marathon, reframed failure, ran again in London, raised over £2,000 for charity and graduated with First-Class Honours; how my son Eddie, whose life was saved because I trusted my intuition after a rugby injury, even when doctors weren’t alarmed. That inner voice of wisdom, it really mattered.

I urged students to live from the inside out and to:

• Notice what matters to you. Your values are your compass.

• Be aware of invisible pressures from school, family, social media, society telling you who to be. Rewrite those scripts.

• Make small brave choices as they compound.

• Reframe failure. It’s just a lesson with a different name.

• Celebrate the moments which reflect courage and self-trust.

As I passed on Mrs Jones’ words to a new generation, I saw the message land in parents, teachers and students alike.

Have courage to begin. Have courage to continue. Have courage of conviction.

Focus on Courage of Conviction. Focus on Why!

REFLECTION WITH ACTION:  Trusting yourself is the first step toward becoming who you're meant to be. Today, what one small choice could you make that aligns with your values even if it feels uncomfortable?