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Stephen Monks's avatar

The best read on a dreary Sunday, slightly hungover, in bed.

What a journey, what a range of hair styles.

Always been a fan and know this will continue - I can hear your voice in your writing and your interior inspiration/influence has pushed me on. The best piece of advice, ‘just do it when your other half isn’t at home’

has worked wonders. Keep on keepin on x

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Lisa Dawson's avatar

Thanks so much for reading Stephen! That’s so lovely to hear. And HA! Yes, I’ve lived by this rule for years 😂 happy sunday xx

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Mrs Paula Atkinson's avatar

So interesting! As someone who has had the same career for 28 years (and still wouldn't do anything else as I love it) it is refreshing to hear that you don't have to know your path and can adapt with your interests and have an amazing career! X

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Lisa Dawson's avatar

Yes I was really exceptionally unfocused 😂 but I wouldn’t change any of it, thanks so much for reading! Xx

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Shiralee Williams's avatar

Fab read … who do you fancy playing you in the film version?!? 😄

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Lisa Dawson's avatar

Haha! Thanks so much for reading xx

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Jen Baden Howard's avatar

This is wonderful! So glad to have discovered your Substack via Jo Thompson. The 80s pub photo 😳 is so familiar, I was almost searching for my friends and I in it! 😂 What a fab story.

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Lisa Dawson's avatar

Thank you so much for reading! Yes the pub photo and the hairstyles feels like yesterday, so many hairstyles 😳😂 xx

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Jo Thompson's avatar

Wow, I absolutely loved this, Lisa. Aside from the fact that I did a double take at some of those hairstyles, and that my interests at the time were on a par with yours - I honestly thought I'd caught a glimpse of my 80s self- it reminds us to seize opportunities, to walk away when we need to, and that you just NEVER KNOW.....

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Lisa Dawson's avatar

Thank you so much for reading! Ahaha those hairstyles were another level. Such good times 😂 And YES to seizing it all. One of the good things about getting old is not caring so much and just doing it anyway xx

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Jo Thompson's avatar

Loved it!

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Lisa's avatar

I can relate ALOT to your life. Secretarial skills led me to some interesting jobs and no qualifications or career path as such. As for the 80s...the hair, the pub ... oh yes. Its lovely to read a success story like this x

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Lisa Dawson's avatar

They were good times! Secretarial skills were so flexible and the opportunities were endless. Fun times! Thanks so much for reading xx

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Sara Pugsley's avatar

Always enjoy your writing.

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Lisa Dawson's avatar

Thank you so much and thanks for reading xx

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Samantha's avatar

Brilliant read Lisa x

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Lisa Dawson's avatar

Thank you and thanks so much for reading xx

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Jo Richardson's avatar

Interesting to read. We do have some parallels, I was a PA after doing a year secretarial course at school as that was what they did if you weren’t going to uni. I’ve had so many jobs, the best being working in Bermuda and then advertising. Did a lot of temping too. They were the heady days where you worked hard but also had a lot of fun, cracking those wine bottles open at 6pm in the office and practically living there, but once I had my daughter the hours just didn’t work. I still feel I have a lot to offer, starting Instagram just to show at over 60 you’re still relevant which I’m loving and has made me realise your 60’s can be a great time too x how fab that you are doing what you love

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Lisa Dawson's avatar

Being a PA was great fun wasn’t it? I had so many opportunities arise and it definitely gave me a solid work ethic, long days but we played hard too! Thanks so much for reading xx

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Jo Richardson's avatar

It definitely was x

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Karen's avatar

A great read and interesting career paths/choices. It was like stepping back in time and I marvelled at how much you remembered. Me, I can just about recall what I ate for dinner last night 🤦🏼

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Kate McCauley's avatar

Loved this article. It's amazing how life turns out when you don't have a set path in mind. I worked with Stuart Rose's wife for a few years back in the mid to late '80s. Even babysat their kids a couple of times. x

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Danni Wing Desombre's avatar

Loved reading this! Have followed you for years and love that you have remained authentic and relatable!

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Monica Eisenberg's avatar

👏👏👏👏👏!!!!!

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Marjory Mackie's avatar

Loved reading this (also love your Instagram account) and great advice for my daughters who are just at the start of their careers. And yes, my secretarial studies course was also the one thing from school that has been useful all my life!!! 😂

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Jane O'Keeffe's avatar

Loved reading this. My path isn’t that similar but so much resonates. I did a touch typing course whilst resitting my A levels which I thank myself for daily. I also temped every uni holiday which helped sustain my overdrawn, flush, overdrawn cycle for many years. Never really had a plan but largely lucked out anyway so can’t complain.

I think there is a lot more pressure to know what you want to do early now and I attribute that in part to uni fees - no one felt guilty about drifting through it when it was free 😬

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Feb 18, 2024
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Lisa Dawson's avatar

It was a rollercoaster with no direction 😂 but it was fun. Thanks so much for reading! Xx

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Jo Thompson's avatar

Hear hear!

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