The pressure to “have it all” can be overwhelming. Career, family, nice house, gym membership, cocktail bars, holidays, dog… the list goes on. But is it possible to have it all at the same time? Probably not.

I started working when I was just 10 years old. I wanted things – new shoes, Christmas presents for my family, school trips to France – and I knew I had to work for them. Over the years, I’ve had what I wanted, but not always at the same time. It’s a bit like playing a piano – you can only get a wonderful tune if you don’t play all the keys at once.

Life is unpredictable, and things don’t always come when we want them to. But that’s okay. My journey hasn’t always been a straight line – I’ve faced roadblocks and chicanes along the way, like bereavement, family illness, and divorce. When I mentor other women, I remind them to celebrate what they HAVE achieved, rather than focusing on what they haven’t.

We’re bombarded with images of the “perfect life” on social media, but we know that’s not reality. It’s up to us to stop comparing ourselves to others and focus on our own achievements. So before you get overwhelmed by the pressure to “have it all,” remember that some pianists play jazz and others a concerto, both sound great!