Ordinary? - [website] Published: 7th of Feb 2011 by: (c) Staff Training Staff Reporter
Staff Training is currently running a series of interviews with people we feel have done extraordinary things in ordinary circumstances.
These are people who have beaten the odds and succeeded where others thought they might fail, or simply decided to make a change in their lives for the better.
Oftentimes people don’t even realise or acknowledge that what they’ve done is extraordinary, like a mid life career change, or being the first member in the family to get a driver’s licence. In South Africa we have a generation of young women who are the first in the family lineage to enter office jobs. We have individuals stepping into roles of support and caring for 20 and 30 abandoned children without any official assistance. This is a country filled with amazing people. We would like to introduce some of them to you! We couldn't think of a better place to start than in our own office!
Matthew is a 21-year-old Capetonian with a passion for the written word. When he came to his last year of schooling (and had just moved back to his mother) he discovered that the high schools in the area were full, and if he wanted to pass his matric he would have to work on it from home.
Matthew’s brother had matriculated a few years previously and thus had some matric books (although they were different subjects to the ones Matt had been taking), so he decided to motivate himself, change his subjects in his last year and get the qualification anyway.
Matthew is now working as the Staff Training journalist – something he says he’s always wanted to do – and claims that while trying to find motivation for schoolwork as a 17-year-old guy is a difficult thing to do, he would never have gotten where he is now if he didn’t persevere on those days when he felt like giving up.
We asked Matthew a few questions about his personal achievement to see what he’s got to say.
To begin with, why don’t you tell us a little bit about yourself: What are you like? What do you like doing? And what’s important to you in life?
Well, I’m a 21-year-old-guy and I really enjoy writing, it’s something I’ve always wanted to be able to do as a job. I also love music and playing guitar. That’s basically how I divide my time these days – writing and playing guitar.
Which one do you do at the office?
(silent stare)
What’s your favourite day of the week and why?
Definitely Friday! The week comes to an end and you get a chance to rest before the next week starts demanding your attention!
You did your matric from home, using your brother’s books and certain subjects you hadn’t done at school before; what’s the best part of having accomplished that?
The best part is that it enabled me to get out there and start working, but more than that it made it possible for me to use the skills I most enjoy as a way to earn money. Without having passed grade 12 I wouldn’t have gotten very far, so just that I’m able to start a career doing what I love is the best part.
What struggles did you have to overcome to achieve this goal?
Finding the motivation to do the work instead of flicking on the TV, keeping the day structured, keeping up with the curriculum and catching up on the new subjects were all struggles I faced.
What specifically was the most difficult thing you had to do to get to where you are now?
You’ll laugh, but finding the motivation to wake up in the mornings and start doing schoolwork when you’re the only one at home was the hardest thing. I’m not a morning person at all and I believe sleeping in is one of life’s little treasures, but I had to get up everyday regardless of how I felt because if I didn’t do the work it simply wouldn’t be done. There was no one to copy answers from, and if I didn’t learn the material I was only cheating myself.
What was the easiest?
I think the actual work probably was. I like learning new things and some of the work was actually very interesting.
What personality trait do you think contributed most to your success?
I guess I would say my tenacity. I became determined to pass my last year of high school come hell or high water, and while it wasn’t always easy I stuck with it.
What motivated you to achieve this for yourself?
I knew that without getting my matric I would have a hard time trying to find work in the field that interests me. I would think about what I want in my future and what I need to do to achieve it and passing my matric was one of the things that needed to be done.
What still lies ahead for you?
Well my career is only beginning really, there’s much I’d still like to do. I’d like to advance my career and maybe get into editing a bit more.
What is the most exciting thing you’ve ever done in your life?
Spending a year in England – that was really exciting. Meeting new people, seeing new things, I’d like to go again someday…
What is one everyday item you could not live without?
I’d have to say my guitar. Playing music makes even the worst days that little bit better.
What message have you got for someone who might also be facing struggles at the moment in trying to achieve what they would like to achieve?
Persevere. Just because it gets difficult doesn’t mean it’s not worth doing and the reward is usually worth it.
What would you like to be doing in ten years’ time?
I’d like to be an editor for a magazine or newspaper. I’d like to be running the show I guess, but we’ll see…
Who would you say has been the most influential person in your life?
Umm, I’d say my older brother. I look up to him and we’re really good friends.
In our lifetimes we never stop learning new things, but what do you think is the most important thing that you’ve learnt so far?
That virtually nothing is impossible. We are capable of amazing things if we just put our minds to it and stick with it when the going gets tough.
Thank you for sharing your story with us Matthew, we wish you well in your future endeavours. We pretty much know that you will make a success of it!
If you’ve got an extraordinary story you’d like to share with us, or would like to nominate someone you feel has a story to tell, please contact us at info@stafftraining.co.za
