“On Sound Foundations” – Uncorrected Extract: “Part One – From Casual Links To Permanent Connections: “Chapter 1 – How Did I Get Here?
“That was the question I kept asking myself through the Spring of 2009. I was busy preparing my presentation for the launch of my new company, Savvy Business. I knew the story backwards, of course, so that was no problem. The only thing I couldn’t decide was – where did it start?
“Well, officially, it was in July 2008 when we launched the first version of savvybc.com; but, really, it was when I first had the idea in April 2007 – although, no, actually it was when I made my very first legal podcast in August ’06 … or was it 2005, when I first found out what a podcast was …?
“I finally decided to pick up the story in 2006, although in fact its roots go back much, much further – all the way back to a pushchair in 1969 – and beyond.”
I wrestled with a similar issue when it came to the starting point for the book. In the end, I went way beyond that pushchair, to 1939, when Mum became an evacuee and Dad a POW.
Why? Because my parents perfectly illustrate one of the main themes which runs through the book, my speaking engagements and life in general – the choice between being a survivor or a victim. Yes, I did say ‘choice’. We talk about someone being a “born survivor” don’t we, but are they? Are survivors, or victims come to that, born or made? Wearing my ex-noncommittal-lawyer’s hat, maybe I should say I don’t know – it’s probably a bit of both; but actually, my own experience has shown me we often have more choice in the matter than we know and sometimes become ‘victims’ simply because we don’t know all our options. I used to see myself as a victim – someone to whom life happened; someone stuck in the backseat on her own journey, while other people drove. These days, I do my best to happen to life – and I’m definitely behind the wheel! The change was my choice and one I’m so glad I made. It led directly to that “EUREKA!” moment at 5.00am on 6th November ’09, to the book and everything which looks set to follow.