Читать книгу Goals to Gold - Lee Sandford - Страница 7

I grew up in a stable, loving family, something I assumed was fairly normal until I got out into the world and started meeting people who came from broken homes. I soon began to realise how fortunate I was. We may not have had a lot of money, but I always had love and stability as well as a great deal of support and encouragement. My parents never pushed me academically, but when I decided it was my dream to become a professional footballer they were behind me every step of the way. This helped instil the right attitude in me from an early age. I worked hard, I was disciplined, and I always appreciated what I had.

This stood me in great stead later in life. When I embarked upon my second career, as a professional trader, I found I was able to draw on the confidence and discipline I’d developed in my early life and in my time as a footballer.

I believe it was the foundations my parents laid for me that gave me the best chance of success in both my careers. When I see people struggling, when I see some of the baggage they carry that holds them back, I wish I could give them the support I had. I see the way their deep-rooted insecurities and lack of true self-confidence create obstacles and I wish I could take those barriers away. Now I have a family of my own, I strive to give them the same comfort and stability that my brother and I got from my mum and dad. I believe that the most important gifts you can give your children are security and the space to learn and develop their unique skills; this will ensure they get the very best start in life.