Becoming the GOAT*: Stuff you need to know about life that they don't teach at school

By Eleanor Baggaley

You can really achieve all you want, even if that doesn't seem likely to you right now. Whatever your current circumstances, your home life, your school life, you really do have the freedom to choose.

Only you can make the decision to do what you want to do, be who you really want to be and find your place in the world.

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• Language: English
• Publisher: Eleanor Baggaley
• Release date: Feb 1, 2022
• ISBN: 9781739150105

Book preview

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Becoming

the GOAT*

stuff you need to know about life that they don’t teach at school

Eleanor Baggaley

Becoming the Goat

ISBN: 978-1-9999914-8-7

First published in Great Britain

in 2022 through Amazon self-publishing

service Kindle Direct Publishing.

Prodiuced in the UK by The Book Writers’ Resource

www.tbwr.co.uk

Copyright © Eleanor Baggaley

Eleanor Baggaley has asserted her right under the Copyright, Design and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.

Disclaimer:

This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, resold, hired out, or otherwise circulated without the author’s prior consent in any form of binding or cover and without a similar condition, including this condition, being imposed on the subsequent publisher.

Acknowledgements

I have so many people to acknowledge and thank for supporting me on my journey to write and publish Becoming the GOAT.

In October 2020, James Palmer invited me to join a book challenge, at that point I had no idea where it would take me. I thought I was going to write a book about women in STEM who have changed the world for the better. Watch this space for that one! From that challenge I joined Michael Heppell’s Write that Book Masterclass. That was where I started writing the book you are now holding.

Since then, it has changed its name from ‘Follow Your Yellow Brick Road’ to ‘Becoming the GOAT’. The learning experience through that masterclass and the two masterclasses that followed helped me more than I could ever have imagined. In Write That Book I gained a whole new group of friends; Michelle, Vic, Karen, Sally, Jenny and Brenda. I owe a great deal of thanks to them, our #LWP. I had many wobbles over the year it took me to write the book, I doubted myself more times than I care to remember and I worried that I wasn’t capable of writing this book—ironic given its content. Each time they told me I could do it and I regained confidence in myself because of their support, guidance and belief in me. Without them I would not have reached the finish line. Talking of which, Mandy and David at The Book Writers Resource Ltd were there to support me over the final hurdle with editing, turning it into an actual physical book. I’m truly grateful for their guidance during a crucial time.

As you will see, my children are mentioned throughout the book, my previous books are named after them. They inspire me to write and to make the world a better place for them and for you. I want to acknowledge my past students, especially those who I am still in touch with and most importantly Rhya. She was a student I taught who sadly passed away at 14 years old, leaving an imprint in my heart. From that period, I learned a valuable lesson: life is short, set your intentions, make it happen and be your greatest.

There are lots of other friends, family members and my focus group, who have supported me throughout the last year while I’ve been writing. I am truly grateful for each and every one of you, there just isn’t enough space to list you all. If you’ve been in my life at any point over the last year with words of encouragement, accountability or advice, then thank you from the bottom of my heart.

I have to thank my husband, Andrew. He has occupied the children on many occasions over the last year so that I not only had time to write but also had peace and quiet in order to do myself, and hopefully the book, justice. He is a constant support and I could not hope for anyone better to be by my side, encouraging me every step of the way.

Finally, thank you. Thank you for taking the time to read this book. I really do hope you take something away from it and that it helps you to become your greatest.

Introduction

I hated high school, absolutely hated it. I did all of my work in lessons and at home, I answered questions in class and even did pretty well in my exams, but I hated the experience.

So, the reason I hated school wasn’t that it was difficult or that I struggled in class, truth be told, I didn’t. I hated school because I felt like I just didn’t belong. I was bullied at times by some of the more popular kids in my year group, primarily because I did quite well but also because I had bright, white-blonde hair. Even in my friendship groups, as they developed and expanded to incorporate people we didn’t know from other primary schools, that sense of living on the edge of the group grew. I would do what was needed to fit in and be liked by these friends to ensure I wasn’t alone, but was I the real me?

I’m not sure when it started but there is no doubt that I’m a people pleaser. Maybe it was as a result of being bullied, or being on the edge of the circle—who knows? I want people to like me, I want them to appreciate me and the value and support I can provide. I am also a perfectionist. I ensure that what I do offer or the information I provide is correct, I like to make sure I get it right. It was one of the things I became aware of as a teacher, and I think, one of the most important life lessons to remember and apply throughout your life. Honesty: if I don’t know something, I’ll admit it. You will probably be able to think of some teachers that fit the two categories, those who try and blag their way through, even though you and they know they are not so sure, and those who admit that they need to go away and think about it or find out some more information. Which do you value and respect most?

It’s strange but also not, that I then chose to go to a completely different sixth form to do my A levels. Was it because I was still searching for where I belonged? Was it that I enjoyed the change and I’d moved away from my past tormentors? I think it was probably a combination of the two, but I’ve never really given it any thought until today.

Well done if you’re still reading; you’re probably wondering why I’m rambling on about this, so to the point. My own experience of being at school shaped the teacher I became, to ensure all my students felt valued, to encourage them to be themselves, to enjoy school as well as a love of learning. My time and experiences in teaching ultimately influenced me in writing this book.

You are valued; you are appreciated; you belong right where you are; you are able to achieve all that you want. I hope my experiences and learnings help you to be your greatest without waiting a lifetime to find out how.