Winston Churchill: Make Your Own Success

August 07, 2024 Jen Forsman

Hi Stagers!

Welcome to the second issue of the Win at Life blog, dedicated to helping people claim their life, especially in their 20s and 30s. Why? Because these are the most defining decades of our lives.

Just chew on this:

The first 10 years of your career have an exponential impact on how much money you'll earn and your job satisfaction in later years.

Saving and investing in your 20s and 30s can significantly boost your financial stability and retirement savings, thanks to compound interest.

More than half of Americans are married, living with, or dating their future partner by 30.

You're most at risk of addiction in your early 20s, right around the time symptoms of poor mental health start creeping in.

The brain caps off its second and longest growth spurt in your 20s as it rewires for adulthood.

What does all of this mean?

It means that whatever you want to change about yourself, now is the time. At Stagefully, we urgently want you to win at life. It's why I started Stagefully, and why we do what we do.

We want to see you move from Stagemaker to Stagemaster by your 40s—to not only win at life but also own your stage (aka be boss and enjoy it, personally and professionally). Winning at life is not a one-size-fits-all; it looks different to everyone.

Most people fake it. Success. Happiness. Health. Wealth. They fake it for one primary reason: They didn't make it (as in, literally create it for themselves).

We know success isn't something that falls from the sky and into your lap. It's something made brushstroke by brushstroke. It's messy, incredibly messy. There's no window dressing it. You fail over and over again on your way to painting masterpieces. And that's okay because failure is required for success.

Like a baby learning to walk, you gotta learn to take it to make it. Each hit. Each fall. And just keep on rolling. Sure, they say you have to fake it till you make it. And maybe there's some truth to that because making takes time. But making it also takes a lot of sleepless nights, blood, toil, sweat, and tears. Making it takes even more patience, and no one likes to talk about that. It isn't sexy. Masterpieces are only sexy upon completion when viewed from afar.

But it's the incremental daily successes (aka the small wins) that compound into epic wins. In other words, they're required. So, this week, we're spotlighting Winston Churchill, a prime example of a Stagemaker turned Stagemaster, because there's much we can learn from his life and legacy. Like a proverbial cat with nine lives, Churchill navigated life's stages with tenacity, resilience, adaptability, and relentless determination.

As a famed writer, painter, statesman, military leader, and family man, Churchill understood some brushstrokes are messier than others. That may be why he took up painting at 40: to make sense of the beautiful messiness of life and to just keep at it. Today, we draw inspiration from his life and his beloved feline companions as we celebrate National Kitten Day.

Win at Life: Winston Churchill

Early Life and Education:

Enduring Family Struggles (1874): Born on November 30, 1874, to Lord Randolph Churchill and Jennie Jerome. Endured a strained relationship with his parents. His father, a prominent politician, was often distant and demanding, rarely showing affection or approval. His mother, an American socialite, was heavily involved in her social life and largely absent during Churchill's childhood, leaving him feeling neglected and longing for parental affection.

Overcoming Health Issues (1874-1880): As a child, Churchill faced significant health challenges, including bouts of pneumonia and other illnesses that left him bedridden for long periods. These early struggles were marked by a near-fatal case of pneumonia at age 2, during which his mother and nanny feared for his life. Churchill's resilience and determination to recover became evident early on, setting a foundation for the tenacity he would later display in his public life. His early health battles also instilled in him a profound empathy for others who suffered from illness and adversity.

Navigating Academic Struggles (1881-1892): At ages 7-18, struggled with difficulty in school, particularly in subjects like mathematics and Latin. Despite these struggles, excelled in English and history, eventually gaining admission to the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.

Early Military and Political Career:

Serving in the Military (1895-1899): At ages 21-25, commissioned as a second lieutenant in the 4th Queen's Own Hussars. Sought action in various conflicts, including in Cuba, India, Sudan, and South Africa, using his military experience to launch a successful career as a war correspondent and author. Leveraged his wartime experiences and writing to gain public attention and establish a platform for his political career.

Entering Politics (1900): At age 26, entered politics and became a Member of Parliament (MP) for Oldham. Faced the challenge of transitioning from military to political life but used his oratory skills and public speaking to make a mark, establishing himself as a rising star in British politics.

Switching Parties (1904): At age 30, changed from the Conservative Party to the Liberal Party, facing criticism but seizing the opportunity to champion progressive reforms. Promoted social reforms, including labor rights and unemployment benefits, cementing his reputation as a forward-thinking politician.

Marrying and Starting a Family (1908): At age 33, married Clementine Hozier on September 12, 1908. Maintained their marriage for 56 years until he died in 1965. Together, had five children: Diana, Randolph, Sarah, Marigold, and Mary.

World War I, Interwar Period, and World War II:

Facing Criticism as First Lord of the Admiralty (1911-1915): At ages 37-41, faced criticism for the Gallipoli Campaign, a failed naval assault during World War I, leading to his demotion and resignation. Used this setback to reflect and later return to politics with renewed vigor.

Coping with Personal Struggles (1921): At age 46, faced the death of his daughter Marigold, who was 2 years old when she died of septicemia. This personal tragedy strengthened his commitment to his family and public service.

Financial Struggles and Purchasing Chartwell (1922): In 1922, at age 48, Churchill purchased Chartwell, his beloved country home. Despite financial struggles, he invested in the estate, which became a place of solace and creativity. Chartwell's maintenance often strained his finances, but it remained a cherished retreat for him and his family. His cats, including the famous Jock, roamed its grounds, providing companionship.

Enduring Political Isolation (1920s-1930s): During his 50s and 60s, known as his "Wilderness Years," faced political isolation and criticism for his opposition to the policy of appeasement towards Nazi Germany. Used this time to write and warn about the dangers of Nazi Germany, which later validated his stance when World War II broke out.

World War II Leadership (1939-1945) Leading as Prime Minister (1940-1945): At ages 65-70, faced immense pressure and the challenge of leading Britain through World War II. His leadership and speeches inspired the British people to endure and eventually triumph in the war. Dealt with strategic military decisions, maintained morale, and managed international diplomacy, forging strong alliances with the United States and the Soviet Union, which contributed to the eventual defeat of Nazi Germany.

Post-War Period and Later Life:

Handling Election Defeat (1945): At age 70, despite leading Britain to victory, faced defeat in the 1945 general election. Focused on writing his memoirs, which won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1953, further solidifying his legacy.

Returning to Power (1951-1955): At ages 76-80, returned as Prime Minister, facing challenges of post-war reconstruction and managing declining British influence in global affairs. Implemented post-war recovery policies and advocated for peace and stability, strengthening Britain's international relations.

Battling Health Issues: At age 79, in 1953, suffered a severe stroke, which impacted his ability to govern. Demonstrated resilience by continuing to serve as Prime Minister despite his health challenges. His proverbial nine lives were further tested by subsequent strokes and health scares, yet he continued to contribute to public life with unwavering determination.

Retiring (1955): At age 80, retired from the position of Prime Minister but continued to serve as an MP until 1964, using his retirement to reflect on his legacy and continue writing.

Passing Away (1965): Passed away on January 24, 1965, at the age of 90, from a stroke.

Legacy at Chartwell: Today, Chartwell continues to honor Churchill's legacy, including his love for cats. The tradition of having a marmalade cat named Jock at Chartwell continues with Jock VII, ensuring that Churchill's love for feline companions lives on.

Summary

Winston Churchill faced numerous personal and professional challenges throughout his life, including health issues, strained family relationships, political setbacks, financial turmoil, and the immense pressures of wartime leadership. Despite these challenges, he transformed many of them into opportunities. His leadership during World War II, the social reforms he championed, his writings that won the Nobel Prize in Literature, his role in post-war recovery policies, and his enduring marriage to Clementine, which supported him through personal and professional turmoil, all contribute to his legacy as one of Britain's most outstanding leaders.

His numerous battles with pneumonia, strokes, and world wars throughout his life highlight his extraordinary resilience and determination, embodying the proverbial nine lives of a cat. Churchill's beloved feline companions, including Jock, Nelson, and Tango, provided him with comfort and companionship, ensuring he was never without a cat by his side, whether at his office or his estate. Today, Churchill's famed country estate, Chartwell, continues to honor his legacy, including his love for cats. The tradition of having a marmalade cat named Jock at Chartwell continues with Jock VII, ensuring that Churchill's love for feline companions lives on.

Closing Thoughts

As you continue to go about your day, we'd encourage you to contemplate what success looks like to you personally and professionally. That is, what it looks like to win at life and to start taking action to stage your dreams in reality, by urgently questing after them.

Thank you for being part of our community as we take heart alone together. May we each grow to create our own success while lifting one another up, making a positive impact in the world.

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Thank you for reading! I appreciate you!

Wishing you and yours a lovely day.

Fondly,

Jen Forsman

Founder, Stagefully | Creator of the Stagefulness Philosophy

"Inspiring a better tomorrow, through a meaningful today."

#stagefully #stagefulness #stagemakers #stagemasters

Sources

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