You can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future.

- Steve Jobs

I had just dropped out of London College of Fashion, fashion illustration was not my calling.

[I may have been better suited to a degree in Fine Arts but that is something I no longer dwell on]

Dropping out was the best decision for me.

I tried to make it on my own in London, but man was that tough!

I had no network

No work experience

No real friends or family around

I really didn't know what I wanted to do with my life and I was still trapped in the mindset that whatever job I got, I would have to stay in for a LONG time.

How do you decide that?!

Not prepared to make the commitment just yet I came across an internship at a Jewllery company.

Nothing fancy I was in the basement assembling acrylic pieces together for 8 hours a day.

As it was an internship I was rewarded with 15 Pounds for my daily work (just under $20)

The internship was only for 2 weeks but by the end of it I was miserable!

I was struggling with where I lived

Struggling with the British weather

Struggling to 'figure out what I wanted to do'

I didn't just want to get a job working in the pub - yes at that point that is all I thought I was capable of doing.

I decided London wasn't for me and I was going to head home to Hong Kong. (Born and raised)

At least back there I had connections and knew I could pick up some freelance work.

Cut back quickly... Story Time!

I was introduced to the world of modelling at 15.

Some of the art students at my school were offered the chance to be dressers at a professional catwalk hosted at the British Embassy.

It was an experience I will never forget!

I loved doing the dress rehearsals

I loved the creativity of the garments

I loved the hustle and bustle of backstage

I loved seeing the final looks come together

I loved watching the models in hair and makeup

[One of the reasons I thought Fashion Art school was for me]

They surprised us though… We were unaware that there was a public show at a later date where all the student dressers got to be the models!!

I was a shy, awkward and under confident kid... Think glasses and braces.

Getting my hair and make up done backstage, was the first time I ever felt beautiful. Looking back I think it was the first time I began to grow an ounce of self confidence.

I was so terrified and excited all at the same time!!

Waiting in the wings...It was my turn next.

My heart was racing

Don't fall, Don't fall - I repeated to myself as I walked down the catwalk.

It was a hot and humid evening and I could feel the stick on boobs I was wearing slowly peeling themselves free.

A scene flashed in my mind... right at the end of the catwalk one of them was going to fall out the bottom of the dress!

Luckily this didn't happen.

I also didn't fall flat on my face! PHEW!

It was exhilarating!!

My first thought after finishing that show. "This is a job?"

So before leaving the UK I remembered that event and reached out to all the agencies in HK

At the age of 18 I decided then and there.

I was going to stop trying to figure out what it is I wanted to do with my Entire Life, and start figuring out what I Didn't Want.

My 'Don't Want' list at that point included:

• Have a boss

• Work in an office

I wasn't the prettiest or even skinniest of models compared to the Russian goddesses that were out there but luckily being in Asia I had 2 trump cards.

Blonde Hair & Blue Eyes

That was my in, I had an income...So far so good.

I had escaped office life, and I didn't have a boss.

This is what I want to be doing FOREVER!

But I knew modelling had a shelf life - all they do is talk about how old you are getting for the industry when you hit 23

However working on creative projects, with creative people…

That struck a chord with me that has never left.

At the time I didn't really mind what part of the creative process I was taking part in.

The Domino Effect

- A domino effect or chain reaction is the cumulative effect produced when one event sets off a chain of events.

You don't have to have it all figured out at once, in fact you will probably never have it all figured out - That’s half the fun!

Looking back this was my domino effect moment, this is where I have started to connect the dots in my life.

Modelling led me to Events

Events -> Alcohol Sales

Alcohol Sales (believe it or not) -> Supplement Sales

Supplement Sales -> Gym Receptionist

Gym Receptionist -> Personal Training

[Before I could start as a trainer a spine injury took me off my feet for over a year and I fell back on my art]

Much to my chagrin I got my first official job and boss.

Graphic Designer for a protein company

[As soon as I could stand for longer than 30 mins at a time I was on the gym floor... and the cycle continues]

Personal Training led me to Teaching Wing Chun Martial Arts

Martial Arts -> building a Social Media Agency

[That same injury took me off the gym floor and I realised the artist inside me never left the building]

Social Media Agency led me to building my Personal Brand

Personal Brand got me to here.

Yup there was at least 5 years in there where I had a Job and a Boss!

It was a much needed learning curve in my journey, at the end of the day bills have to be paid.

But I was still trying to figure out ‘What do I want to do’

Enter stage left - The One Person Business Model

This all brings me full circle to the Creator Economy we are entering in now, and why I suggest everyone work on building a personal brand on the side.

"Humans are broad and multivariate. Try your hand at everything because you only have one life." - Naval

I don't believe we are made to do only one thing in life.

Unfortunately ‘Job Roles’ don’t tend to change with us

Your interests change

Your priorities change

Your relationships change

Your body changes

Your mind changes

If you are looking for that ‘something more’ in life I recommend you look into building a one person business.

The best part is you don’t have to know exactly where it will take you.

Just start to document and write about life and the lessons you’re learning along the way…

You will find within your story lie the building blocks you need to create something of your own.

So… If you are currently battling with the question of

“What do I want to do with my life?”

Try another question…

Start with “What Don’t I want to do with my life?"

Then jump into it from there.

Try the job you think will give you the insights you need

Build the project that you’ve always wanted to start - just because!

Remember - You can always change your mind and try something else.

Skills are transferrable and with each new experience you will level up.

Each new start will open opportunities and pathways in your career you couldn’t even imagine possible.

You may end up doing something completely different to what you start.

But you will only find your path through this life by diving into the deep end and gaining experience.

Could I ever have imagined modelling would lead through that rollercoaster of experiences? Nope!

Have faith that the dots will eventually connect looking backwards.

Maja Howard