One Chance

"Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work"

- Thomas Edison

What's your passion in life? If your could do one thing for the rest of your life what would it be?

Today I went to see the new film "One Chance", the biopic about the life of Britain's got talent winner, Paul Potts. If you are not sure who Paul Potts is then here's a clip of his Audition on the talent show.

I've never really heard the story or read the biography of Paul Potts, only from what I had seen on the TV show but his story is fascinating. Ok, so some parts have been added in to the film to make good film watching material but the majority of the film is true to life and the story is amazing.

Paul goes through so many things that to most people, would simply stop us following our dreams, going for our goals. Bullying, missed opportunities, illness, depression, tumour, humiliation, heartache. I could go on but I'll let you watch the film instead to find out the details.

The thing is Paul Potts had a dream, he had ambition, he knew what his goal was and he wasn't going to let anything stop him from reaching it. When the audition for Britain's got talent appeared this truly was his one and only chance of making it....and good job he did. Today Paul Potts is a well known Opera singer in over 20 countries around the world, selling millions of records and even having a blockbuster film about his life! Not bad for someone who seemed to have every possible door of opportunity slammed shut in his face.

But that's just it. For many of us, when the door closes we give up. We turn around and go straight back home. We pack it all in because it didn't go to plan. Imagine if Paul Potts had given up after the first door was closed in his face, I'm sure it would have been a very different story. It certainly wouldn't have ended up on the big screen.

Paul Potts saw his one chance and never gave up chasing his dream. 

And so I end with this thought.

What is your dream? What is your goal in life? Had many doors slammed in your face? 

For most of us the answer is probably 'yes.' I've tried, I persisted but it just didn't work. I wonder what the outcome would be if more of us had the mindset that "No" isn't the answer we are willing to settle for. What about if "No" just isn't good enough? What are you willing to do to make your dream a reality? What barriers do you need to break to get to your goal?

Paul Potts defied advice, defied the odds, went against the opinions of professionals to reach his goal. Why? Because he was stupid? Because he was living in dream land? No, not at all. The reason why Paul Potts is where he is today is because he was passionate about Opera and knew that it was what he wanted to do in life. "No" just wasn't good enough. To him there were no barriers. What a mindset to have!

So, whatever your goal or dream, keep working at it. Don't give up at the first hurdle, the first slammed door, the first barrier you cross. Don't settle for "No". Instead keep on chipping away, carrying on, knocking the doors. You never know when someone just might open the door and give you your "One chance."

Bywyd sydd yn byw - Just living life!

RM