Читать книгу A Head Full of Everything - Gavin Oattes - Страница 6

Now, before we get properly started here, I'm keen to get something out of the way.

I know there's likely to be only one real reason for you to be reading this book, and that is your parents bought you it, right? Possibly even a teacher, but my money is on the parents!

Why? Because ‘It might be helpful’. There is of course a chance you bought it for yourself which is totally cool but I'm guessing for most, this book was gifted to you.

It just means that if you were given it by your parents then you've probably questioned the real reason for them giving you it, i.e. exactly what is it they think I need help with?!

And based entirely on the fact it's a gift from your parents, I'm probably going to have to work a bit harder to prove to you this book is actually a proper kick‐ass read. And even now you've just questioned the fact I used the phrase ‘kick‐ass’. Damn those parents!

But whatever the basis is for you now owning a copy, you've got it in your hands for a reason. Something out there brought you to this point and you're currently at the ‘opening few pages stage’ of this book, in other words over the next few pages you'll be trying to decide if you'll keep reading or not? And, well, you've probably questioned just who the author is, what age he is and what does he know about being a teenager!

Please allow me to introduce myself, I promise to keep it brief….

My name is Gavin Oattes, I stand on stage, and words come out of my face.

Ok, maybe that's too brief!

I basically get booked to write and deliver talks for awesome companies such as Nike. Even cooler though is the fact I sometimes get to speak to extraordinary organisations such as the NHS. But the coolest part of my job is speaking to teenagers.

I started out in comedy as a teenager. In the beginning people told me to get a proper job. I tried that but really missed the ‘not so proper job’. So I took the proper job, and the not so proper job, stuck them together and somehow ended up running a business that I love. And having now worked with over 1.5 million teenagers and some of the biggest companies in the world, someone has had the crazy idea to let me write books! I'm just going to go with it and who knows, maybe this way I'll get to make a bigger difference and work with millions more.

You see that's my goal, to make a difference in the world. That's it. I had no plans to be an entrepreneur, I'm not academic, I worry loads, I'm not cool, I can't sit still, I've failed hundreds of times, I overthink things and I doubt myself every day. But I work really hard and I love what I do.

Oh, and I love to swear. Please note, I only use the occasional mild sweary word in this book or else I'd get into trouble. In fact, I'll probably still get into trouble. You'll notice though, whilst I might occasionally say bad words, I don't say bad things … there is a difference!

So back to whether you'll keep reading or not. That's technically my job, so let me tell you this; this book might just change your life. At the very least it will challenge your thinking and give you a good laugh along the way. And I promise, it will help you.

‘Help me with what?’ I hear you ask. You see, we all need help from time to time but that's a question only you can answer.

I just need you to do two things … keep an open mind and pop your phone on silent!

‘You’ll turn out ordinary if you’re not careful.’

—Ann Brashares