My first job aged 15, was working on a market stall every Saturday selling ladies clothes. I got that job myself, I had no support or encouragement to do it. I was always very determined and driven, despite suffering crippling anxiety and having a speech impediment. Something in me was stronger than the worry.

Then, I went to art college for two years from the age of 16, and I worked summer jobs in factory’s. Again, this was off my own back. My parents never got involved in my career and didn’t really seem to care much. 

I dropped out of college aged 18 when I didn’t get into Uni. It was a huge mistake but I thought I’d take a gap year to build my portfolio. There was huge unemployment in those days, so I became a singer and guitarist in a professional country band led by my uncle. I really loved those times. We had such fun.

Next, I worked for my Dad as a steeplejack’s assistant. My Dad was a bricklayer who rebuilt chimney linings. It was tough gruelling work but I am proud that I kept up with those lads and climbed with them to heights of 400 feet, working 12 hour shifts, 7 days a week.

I eventually gave up travelling around the country with my Dad and got a job back home working in a DIY store as a kitchen salesman. I loved that job but they wouldn’t promote me so I left.

After that, I became a life insurance salesman. That was tough work, doing cold calling door to door, and on telephones. It couldn’t last.

Entirely, I became salesman on Evening Gazette newspaper selling advertising space. That would have been around 1987 I think. It was a great job but I had a lot of personal problems and quit.

Then I got a job as a car salesman, selling Peugeot new cars. It was a truly boring job and I made the decision to go back to University.

Aged 28, I left employment and studied art for five years and became a qualified art teacher. My initial thoughts were that this was going to be five years of hell. I didn’t think I wanted to spend that long in education. But on reflection I loved every minute of it. I was doing a subject I was passionate about and the people on the course were great. 

Once qualified, it led me into my first teaching jobs. I was thirty three and would remain in education for the next 28 years. Teaching was a superb career that I loved every minute of. The kids were amazing and I loved my subject. In retrospect, I wish I’d gone into primary teaching instead of secondary. Although I loved teaching older kids, it was working with younger children that made me realise I enjoyed their positive, creative energy. That would have suited my own temperament much better. 

I retired last year. I had worked out a financial plan ten years ago that would enable me to retire early. It was ten years of careful diligence that paid off. I realise now that I lost out on lots of jobs because of undiagnosed ADHD. The toll it took on my career was enormous. It cost me promotions, job opportunities and a more successful career path. But hey, there’s no point moaning about it. I’m lucky and I’ve had a career I’ve loved. Not everyone can say that.