POPSUGAR is dedicated to heroing the voices of women, people who identify as women, and non-binary people who are powering a brighter future and making an important difference through their work. People who are truly, ‘unstoppable’. For our latest Unstoppable series, we’re profiling the ‘Class of 2023’ — the women who are driving towards a better future. We’re focusing on women across a range of industries, including beauty, sustainability, fashion, public policy and more. You can find all the pieces here.
When I was six or seven-years-old, I vividly remember being in awe of my parents. They seemed to know everything about everything. As a teacher, Mum became my personal Google search.
“Hey Mum, why is the sky blue?” I would ask. “The sky isn’t blue — your eyes just interpret it as being blue!” she would respond.
“Why does it rain?” I would question. “Because the water gets too heavy for the clouds to hold up!” she would answer immediately.
“Where do babies come from?” I would probe. “Um, well…” that one was a little harder for her to answer.
As time passed, I started to think that maybe she’s not quite as awe-inspiring as I first thought. Particularly when she insisted that I should be home by 10pm after the Year Six Social, when others were allowed to stay until midnight. And again, when she didn’t let me watch ‘The OC‘ when everyone else in my class was watching it.
These apparent “injustices” snowballed into teenage contempt. Yet in adulthood I have come full circle. My mum regained her god-like status as I compared the hurdles she had to jump through at my age. She is by far the most selfless, brave, and resilient person I know and has shaped me infinitely.
So, when POPSUGAR Australia asked me to write a piece about what makes me unstoppable, I thought it only fitting to write about the most unstoppable person I know and the lessons she has taught me. I hope they are as valuable to you as they have been and continue to be for me:
Lesson #1: Dream Big, and Act on It
After facing some tough few years teaching in Victoria during the COVID-19 lockdowns, Mum wanted to work in the Northern Territory for a year. Although this was what she wanted, she was also terrified. She hadn’t lived alone for more than 20 years and did not know anyone in Darwin. But she went ahead with it regardless. And slowly, over time she built new routines, friendships, and experiences.
Seeing her follow her curiosity, inspired me to tap into mine. I’d wanted to combine my policy background with my interest in technology and digital platforms for a while but didn’t want to take the risk. After seeing her take the biggest risk of her career, I decided to stop fearing change and start researching, speaking to people and applying for roles. Now I work in the field.
Takeaway: Take those bets. You cannot control the outcome but if you don’t try at all, you’ve already lost.
Lesson# 2: If You’re Going to Do Something, Do It Well
A motto that Mum loves is this: give everything you do 100 percent. She embodies it in everything she does: whether it is preparing for her classes, cooking a meal or learning to code. She directs all her energy on the task in front of her.
I like to think this trait has rubbed off on me. After an impulsive entry into Miss Universe Australia in 2019, I chose to continue past the first stage, justifying the decision as a great story to tell my grandkids. Once committed, I dove right in. This meant learning everything I could about digital marketing; waking up at 6am to work out every day for months; obsessively studying the kinds of questions asked and experimenting with various methods to make my hair look perfectly coiffed. I ended up winning the competition, but even if I hadn’t, I’d never regret it because I gave it my best.
Takeaway: Throw yourself at opportunities. Regardless of the outcome, you will always have the sense of satisfaction from having given absolutely everything in the tank.
Lesson #3: If at First You Don’t Succeed, Try Again
Mum is relentless. She does not dwell on mistakes or failures and instead persistently chips away at a problem until she solves it — whether it is a curly math equation or a particularly complex recipe.
I have made so many mistakes and failed SO MANY TIMES I do not know where to start, countless job applications and interviews, scholarships — you name it. And I have no doubt that I will continue to fail. But I keep trying and iterating — consistently, relentlessly — thanks to the attitude that Mum has modelled for me. Eventually, as she would say in total maths teacher mode, ‘success becomes a matter of probability’.
Takeaway: Dealing with mistakes or failure is not easy and rebounding can be even harder. But it’s that rebound rate that brings you closer to success.
So, I hope you take those bets, throw yourself at opportunities and fail fast and often. If you’re feeling stuck, Mum is no longer offering her Google search services but you can reach out at @priyaserrao.
