I’ve also learned that it’s all very well doing a job because the money is good, but what really matters is happiness. So don’t rush into your career and educational choices. Look at different ways of fulfilling your dreams and don’t be scared to try new things while you’re young. You have plenty of time. Most importantly, believe in your abilities. That way you’re giving yourself the best shot of getting the life you really want.
LESSON #3: YOU’LL ALWAYS HAVE PRESSURE
That’s the truth. There’s always some sort of stress going on: at work, home, school, with friends or family. It’s part of life, but it’s not always bad. It can spur you on to get things done. If you can manage it properly, you can hit deadlines and impress your boss. You can surpass personal goals and improve your life.
When Alfie and I were first starting our YouTube channels and things were getting serious, Jamie Oliver invited us to work with him on a video. Alfie and I had been friends for a while. We’d done plenty of stuff together on our channels, and we’d been trying to break a lot of world records for the Guinness World Records YouTube channel. Jamie reckoned that his mentor, the Italian chef, Gennaro Contaldo, could break the record for the number of fresh ravioli parcels made in a minute, which was some challenge.
It was our job to present the attempt on video and our reaction, when we were asked, was crazy. We were both thinking, Wow, this could be cool, but, man, this is nerve-racking! We knew that Jamie was a monumental figure on TV and that he could really help our online presence, but it was hard not to build up the situation in our heads. What if I fluffed my lines? What if I swore? It was exciting but really scary. In the end I realized we both had to relax, to not overthink the stress involved and take every moment as it came.
Me, Alfie, and Jamie Oliver. First time we met and cooked with him.
We both traveled to Jamie Oliver’s studio in London and met all of his team, including Gennaro, but there was no sign of the man himself. What a drama, though! No joke, there were about forty members of the crew running around the place. Alfie and me were pretty lo-fi at the time: we were one-man shows, literally, with our laptops and cameras, so to see this huge team carrying lights and running cables through the studio was a crazy experience.
It was only when we were miked up for the first time that the director explained what would be happening.
“Right,” he said. “Just to give you the lowdown, Jamie’s gonna come in soon. When he does, boom! You guys run the show. It’s your thing. Cool?”
We didn’t know what to do, but from the minute Jamie walked in everything was fine.
“What’s going on, boys?” he shouted as he rocked up.
It was a great icebreaker. Suddenly the nerves were forgotten. We were running on adrenaline, working with the pressure. It sharpened my mind and helped me to perform better. It helped Gennaro, too. He smashed the record, nailing twenty-four ravioli in a minute.
LESSON #4: MESSING UP ISN’T THE END
In fact, if you don’t let the failure dissuade you from what it is you’re trying to achieve, it’s probably just the beginning of something new. Don’t believe me? Look at most of the successful businesspeople in the world: none of them have got to where they are without making mistakes. Simon Cowell, Richard Branson, Alan Sugar, Peter Jones: I’ve read their autobiographies and none of them were put off by the fear of making mistakes.
Whenever they were knocked down, they didn’t stay disheartened for too long. They got right back up again, learned from their errors, and continued on their quest for success. You can do that, too. If you have a goal, the determination to succeed, willpower, and an understanding there will be setbacks along the way, nothing can stand in your path.
“When I was five years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down ‘happy.’ They told me I didn’t understand the assignment, and I told them they didn’t understand life.”
—John Lennon
EXAM JITTERS: THE CURE
When it came to exams I was never the best. I rarely put all my focus into nailing them, and studying was always a bore to me. If ever Niomi and me were studying in the school library together, I’d always be making excuses to duck out of the work. At any moment I might pop off to get us some snacks or drinks, or I’d make phone calls outside, or watch movies on my phone. Anything to avoid doing the practical stuff. I used to distract her so much when we were “studying.” I’d even draw pictures all over her work notes. She’d always laugh, but I was probably a bad influence.
That was both good and bad. Good because I never stressed myself out over exams. (Sure, I’d get a little nervous, but I’d rarely work myself up into a state.) Bad because my lack of focus sometimes meant that I’d take my eye off the ball altogether.
One time while I was at college, I was waiting to leave the house for an end-of-year Psychology exam. I had ten minutes until the test started, but I only lived a couple of minutes away, so I flipped on the TV. My attitude was, Oh, I’m all right, I can drive there and make it in time. I left everything until the last minute and, typically, I hadn’t planned for my day. When the time finally came to leave, I realized my pencil case wasn’t organized, and I was running around, grabbing my pens in a panic. Once I’d got to college I couldn’t find a parking space. I was driving down the road screaming and yelling at myself; I was so annoyed.
I was only five minutes late in the end, but when I walked into the gym where the exam was taking place, everyone turned around to look at me. I must have looked a mess. I was sweating and panting, but at least I’d learned a valuable lesson: always be prepared for an exam, right down to the last detail. Make sure you have the correct equipment. Make sure you know where you’re going. Oh, and make sure you know what exam you’re taking.
If ever I was to take a test again—and I really hope I don’t have to—I’d prepare in a thorough way. Well, if I’ve not left my studying to the last minute, of course. Which I strongly suggest you don’t do. But if I was prepared on THE DAY BEFORE, I’d relax. Maybe I’d look at a checklist of reminders and studying bullet points for the exam, but beyond that there’s really no point. If the relevant info isn’t in my head twenty-four hours before a test, then it’s never going to get there. Rather than studying, I’d exercise, hang out with friends, or go into town to see a movie. Anything to take my mind off the next day.
THE NIGHT BEFORE: I’d watch another film, or box set, but nothing too stressful. Watching a mind-bending movie or something really depressing is not a good idea. But fun, easy viewing like Scrubs, Friends, How I Met Your Mother, or The Big Bang Theory are always good for a laugh. Once I’m chilled, I’d spend ten minutes reading through my notes as a final refresher.
I always find it’s good to listen to something relaxing the night before an exam, whether that’s a chill-out soundtrack, classical, or some acoustic stuff. It sets me into a calm rhythm. Whenever I’m working, I’ll often find a laid-back playlist on Spotify and have it in the background. If I need to get stuff done, I’ll put some music on—that’s always helped to focus me in the past.
ON THE DAY: I’ve found that high-pressure situations are easier to deal with if I accept the nerves first. I try to use them rather than fight them—the butterflies help me to focus. It’s also worth remembering that everyone else will be stressed, so never feel like you’re freaking out on your own in an exam situation. Unless it’s a driving test, in which case: “Aaaaaargh!!!”
Once the teacher has uttered those cringey words “Three–two–one . . . you may begin . . .” my advice would be to shut everyone else out around you, especially the overachieving kid at the next table who’s written 500 words in the first ten minutes. Play your own game. If you’re thinking, Crap! She’s written so much! I need to get more down. . . . just imagine they’ve written a load of total gibberish.
AFTERWARD: Don’t get involved in the post-exam analysis. Everyone
puts themselves through it, almost from the minute the papers have been handed in, and it’s always torture. If someone asks you what you scribbled down for the last question of your summer finals, just say: “It’s done. I’ve got three months to relax and party. I’m going to worry about the paper once my results are in.”
Easier said than done, I know, but it’ll save you a whole load of stress. You should be celebrating, not overanalyzing any potential mistakes. Don’t throw away your study notes, though. Just in case . . .
“You can only do so much, and then you’re at the mercy of fortune.”
—Woody Allen
GETTING A REAL JOB
I didn’t want to get a part-time job when I was at college. I was seventeen when Mom first said to me, “Marcus, you need to earn some money for yourself.” She was right. I wasn’t receiving a grant for my education, and although Dad was giving me $300 a month to support myself, I was paying rent at home. At the time, I thought it was a pretty strange request as none of my friends were doing that with their parents. Though, looking back, those bills gave me an understanding of how important it was to pay something important every month. Still, my allowance wasn’t enough, especially as most of my friends were working. I could see they were able to afford nice clothes, nights out, and fun stuff, whereas I was limited with my cash flow.
In the end I bit the bullet. Right, I thought, I’m getting a job! I printed off several résumés and walked through the Churchill Square shopping center in Brighton, dropping them off at all the shops—Debenhams, Hollister, Next, and River Island. After a couple of weeks, Next called me up. They wanted me to attend a group interview and I was really excited. Cool! Someone actually wants me! And I might get some free clothes as well. . . .
I had no experience of interviews at all back then. We used to do a thing at college called “icebreakers.” Whenever a new class started up, everyone introduced themselves to the people sitting nearby. I hated it—I used to cringe inside—and I had the same awkward feeling about my interview with Next.
It went well, though. I was asked back for a trial day, to see if I could cut it in the high-flying world of affordable fashion, and talk about a baptism of fire! There was a heatwave that day and our air-conditioning had broken down. It felt like it was a hundred degrees in the building. Staff members were walking around complaining. I kept my mouth shut and stuck to my job, which was to guard the open fire escape, making sure some air could rush in, while stopping any potential shoplifters from legging it out the back with a bag of ties.
I got the job in the end, but I can still remember the nerves all too well. It was a nightmare, and not too dissimilar to being on The Apprentice, I’d imagine, which I watched religiously every week back then. (I looked into getting on the show, but according to the terms and conditions I was too young.) What the experience (and Lord Sugar) taught me was that it wasn’t enough to simply write a good résumé. Getting a job often begins with seeing the ad, and it ends when you close the door behind you after an interview, but there are more than a few pitfalls along the way.
GO FOR IT
Always be realistic. If you’re a great taxi driver, the next step isn’t necessarily to be a Ferrari test-car driver. Having said that, it’s always worth aiming a little higher, just in case you get through the interview stages with flying colors. You might unexpectedly land a super-cool gig.
The flip side of this situation is if you aim a little lower—a job where you’re slightly overqualified, for example—then you’re more than likely going to be the best candidate, giving you the opportunity to get the job, make the position your own, and work your way up from there.
GET YOUR RÉSUMÉ RIGHT
I wrote a résumé back in the day, but it was put together with a lot of help from my sister. I basically copied several things that she’d written on hers. I made claims to being “diligent” and “works great as an individual as well as in teams.” But I also learned to never write “using Facebook” in the “Hobbies and Interests” section. A candidate who does that can look unimaginative, and maybe a bit of a slacker. Unless, of course, your job is online-media-based. In that case you’re all right (though don’t quote me on that). It also doesn’t go down well if you write “socializing.” It’s a bit like saying “I love going to the club.”
Since those days, I’ve learned that a résumé has to be versatile—you might even need to write a slightly different résumé for every application you do. Look at the job you’re going for and tailor your words accordingly. If the role requires leadership skills, say, list the things you’ve done in the past that needed you to take charge. Likewise, organization, diligence, and time management. Then make sure the résumé is a couple of pages long with ABSOLUTELY NO SPELLING OR GRAMMATICAL ERRORS—rite?
NO FIBS
Because you will get caught. Especially if you’ve claimed to be a stuntman in your spare time.
LOOK SMART
This should go without saying, but make sure you look snappy during your interview, even if the company representative you’re meeting is laid-back and cool. Dress well. Shower. Clean your fingernails. And make sure you knock on the door before entering for your interview. Then smile and firmly shake the hand of the person you’re meeting (but don’t break their knuckles). First impressions are always important.
Dress well. Shower. Clean your fingernails.
THINGS TO SAY
• During the interview: I’d really like to work for your company.
• If you get the job: Thank you. (Well, obviously.)
• If you don’t get the job: Thank you for taking the time to meet me. If another opportunity comes up, please do consider me.
Trust me, people remember good manners because they’re so rare these days.
FIVE WAYS TO ORGANIZE YOUR SUPER-BUSY LIFE
I’m not really disorganized, but I’m not the most time-efficient person either. I used to leave things to the last minute, like packing my bags for school or work. Luckily I’ve got a lot better at arranging my life, as you’ll soon find out.
Back in the day, though, my little sister, Heidi, was the most organized person I knew. She would get home from school, unpack her stuff, and repack it for the next day. My attitude? Get home, throw my bag on the floor, and then inevitably wake up the next morning in a blind panic.
So, what have I got today? I’d think. Oh, yeah, Math, PE, double Science . . . Aaaagh! Where is everything? Mom!
I know. Annoying.
I’ve gotten better now. I’m very good with timings, and I don’t like being late. Before meetings I’ll always watch the clock and I like to ready myself, because when I’m motivated I’m super-organized. If I have a goal to achieve I’ll rearrange my life to hit that target. Don’t get me wrong, I have my moments of chaos, running around in a rush to make a meeting, grabbing things as I fly out of the front door, and generally stressing myself out. But for the most part I’m pretty zeroed in in terms of organizing my life.
Want to know how I made the switch? Well, follow these steps and you’ll be ruling the day like the Queen.
1 SET GOALS
First up, the basics: listing goals, big or small. I use notes in my phone to organize myself. If ever I’m lacking in motivation, or feeling a bit disorganized, I’ll flip back to my phone, check my notes, and refocus. It’s a big help, and these goals fall into two categories:
#1 YEARLY TARGETS
In December, just before New Year’s Eve, I’ll write a list of what I want to achieve during the following year. It’s a “blue-sky” manifesto—a load of targets I’d like to hit in an ideal world. So at the end of 2014, for example, I typed in the following:
THE MARCUS LIST, 2015
1. Become a boss at Minecraft
2. Laugh more
3. Launch a new business
4. Move to London or LA
5. Hit 3 million subscribers
6. Travel to a different country
7. Make another rap so
ng
8. Write an award-winning, bestselling book (still hoping for this)
As you can see, the goals in my phone aren’t just work-related. There are some life goals as well, and whenever I’m lacking in motivation I’ll look back at them. Right off the bat I’ll know whether I’m sticking to my aims or not. It’ll get me back on track if I’m drifting. Also, with a yearly list, I have clear targets. Even though I might forget some of them (I just had to check my phone to recall all of those points), subconsciously they’re burned onto the back of my brain.
It’s amazing. Often I’ll find that when I go back at the end of the year, I’ve actually made most of my targets. I might have even surpassed my expectations. That’s the perfect endgame.
#2 DAILY TARGETS
I’ve started doing this more recently, and it helps big-time. Whenever I have a lot to do, I find that writing a checklist of targets in the morning sets me up for the day. It’s like a pathway to a successful twenty-four hours. It’s not the same for everyone, I know. Some people will wake up and just know what they have to do, and when. My mom is like that. She’s organized. Everything is filed neatly in her head. Heidi’s the same.
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