Born to be Successful

A short personal essay on some of my thought on setting goals to date.

When I was young I always thought that I would be a super successful. Not only did I think it, I knew it. I could feel it. Hours upon hours were spent rehearsing for the moment that I would instantly become a star.

It was fairly obvious that I would be discovered singing in my room and be thrust into stardom, the world watching as I took my rightful place as pop royalty. With my hairbrush replaced by a real microphone, off I would go directing my own video clips and stage shows with my friends as my backup dancers. Because obviously we were all highly talented dancers, even if we had never taken a dance class in our lives. We were naturals, I mean we had won a school talent comp and everything!

I’m sure you’re just as shocked as what I was when this didn’t become my reality. My childhood passed by and no, I was not selected as the main feature of the Sydney Olympics Opening Ceremony and then go on to release a song named “Strawberry Kisses”, (which in hindsight may have been a blessing). I didn’t even hear about the auditions, I wasn’t even given a chance! Had I been, I was pretty sure that I would have nailed the part. I mean I have red hair I was clearly immensely talented. What else was there to it?

Anyway, as I got older I set some new goals. Because the success was bound to still come my way.

What was the new goal, I hear you eagerly ask? To become the youngest, ever editor of Cosmopolitan Australia. Pretty attainable, right?

I mean Mia Freedman did it, so evidently I could do it too. I would re-establish the magazine. Make it relevant again. Talk about real sex issues, like; what happens if I get an STD? What’s the best ways to approach anal for the first time? Buying whips and ball gags on a student budget. You know, useful information that everyone wants to know. The magazines would be flying off the shelves. My Cosmo revolution would create discourse on matters of sex and most importantly I would be super successful.

Yet I soon found out that you had to interview just to work there for free!! While simultaneously discovering that working in a fashion cupboard for eight hours a day isn’t actually my thing. Sorting through designer goods wasn’t going to get me to where I thought I would be.  Plus, of course, the fact that “print media is dying” and none of these b*****s were willing to budge in a crisis like that. Why couldn’t they see that myself as editor would put an end to print media dying - well at least Cosmo �" assuming that my grand plan had any credibility? Why!!??

So here I sit, 23 years of age, waiting for a Centrelink payment to come through. Because my s****y retail job won’t give me enough money to actually live off and conveniently the country is in the middle of an employment crisis.

But I’m still sure I’m bound for greatness. I’m super motivated, especially when I’m listening to inspirational songs, like Macklemore’s “Ten Thousand Hours”. That is, of course, until “Thrift Shop” comes on and I naturally get up to dance. And then perhaps I’ll listen to Beyonce to continue the killer booty shaking moves I’ve got going on. I’m practically the white Beyonce. I can most definitely sing and dance almost identical to her. Did I mention that I’ve never even had any dance classes?

Maybe I should become a pop star.

Author's Note

what do you think of the flow of the story, is it funny, did it make sense, how could it be improved.

Reviews

[Chris]

Ok, I chuckled. a sense of the naivete was engaging at the start. The flow into sexuality awareness/consciousness felt jarring because there really was no adult transitioning. Coming back to earth at the end - well, she didn't bounce so badly her tush got bruised.

[charlie]

I would expect a personal essay to have a little more of almost everything (content, length, personal substance/depth, genuine and untried humour [maybe even spring boarding from or into] some critical analysis...), especially from one who does (or at one time did) desire to be the next Mia Freedman, or what have you.
With that said, I think this could be a good rough first draft for what you're aiming at: a personal essay that is worth your readers' time.
I applaud your intent, and hope you will continue trying to develop as a writer. I wish you well, Rachel.

[vaishnavi]

really nice story
i do totally agree with Trevor Bergshoeff's comment
by the way its really well written keep it up :)

[Vanessa van Gersie]

sorry but this story is just funny it's almost as if you were expressing sarcasm in outlining your talents and everything...'BLACK BEYONCE' don't we all have dreams.

[Trevor Bergshoeff]

hahaha I can totally relate to this one. Sounds like my thought process sometimes.

I liked how the story came back around. You started wanting to be a pop star, and ended wanting to be a pop star. Not only does it provide good closure (which is good for technique's sake) but it also talks about how our minds work. We go from one thing to the next, only to come back to the beginning and start all over.

As far as improvements go, I could probably go through nit pick a bit and suggest things to do, but overall it was fine. Nothing sticks out that says 'fix me.' So I'll just say, write more lol.

[Abdul Alsaaidi]

Everyone has a story to tell...
I see the disappointment and the desire to do more in life and be successful. It was clear and interesting. I enjoyed reading your little story.

[Stephen]

Sounds not that bad. Everyone's born to be successful with much desire and potential of living...and your this write's filled with much power ..a power of realness, a power of having what you want to putting hard and hard efforts and bleed into the words.

Well .. now as you wished to know what we think so, from my point of views .. i'd want to say that yeah, the flow of the story's not that bad, it's pretty cool and yeah, it's a bit funny especially when I reach the end of the write and yeah ..yeah, of course, it's penned with your hard efforts so yeah, it does make sense and last .. you can be improved reading allot of stuffs as much as you can and making conversations with other talented writers talking with them about writings and reading their stuffs as well..it's a best way to learn and gain much skills...and believe me, this's the only one site around the world which provides this facility helping writers to get improved. So, am even thankful to this site and this's a great one ever to learn, write, read and share and get improved.

[Rachel]

Thanks for the tips guys, I really appreciate it!

[NoelHC]

Funny, witty, self deprecating. I like your style here, and think you have nailed that whole mindset of fame being just around the next corner, if somebody would just discover you.
The flow was fast and furious, and I found it quite humorous.
It made sense, this whole attitude can be seen on any of the reality shows, when the early cuts are made, and the candidate cannot believe that American Idol or what ever show does not just send all the rest of them home, now, instead.
Improvements? Hmmm, you write clearly, and are easy to understand. I would like to see this expanded upon, and have more of it to read.
Well done.

[A. Amos]

I was enjoying the read, till you mention Beyonce and inform about yourself white beyonce; i lost interest...reason if you want to be a star bring you as flavour. Let the world know you, why people consider you star? You have talent as writer...