Hi Reader,

"You're so lucky!" my husband said. Then he paused. "Wait, no. It's not luck."

"No," I said. "It's not."

Because almost nothing I've built in my life has ever really been luck.

I'd just come back from a day in the city with a few friends I've made through LinkedIn. It's an odd little crew — seemingly so different, from different backgrounds, born in different decades, each of us running our businesses by a completely different model of life.

But we share one thing: the hard work we've each poured into growing a business in an unlikely place — LinkedIn.

And sitting with us at that table was LinkedIn's top female creator, Lara Acosta.

Truth be told, she's the reason we all know each other — we each joined her very first program, Literally Academy. But we weren't there for an event she was hosting, or a panel, or a creator meet-up like the ones where we first met. We were there simply as friends. As peers. Sharing parts of our lives and stories the others hadn't heard before.

I knew how special it was to be in that room. How rare it is to sit across from someone you admire so deeply. And it's not just her. The friends around that table have built remarkable things too — Guy, now well known for his expertise on global data centers; Alan, a leading UK mortgage expert; Anjali, helping up-and-coming entrepreneurs grow online.

Sitting there, I could feel just how grateful I am for this life I've created — for the opportunities I said yes to, the doors I nudged open just a little further, just to see what would happen if I did.

That same instinct — reaching for the thing that felt out of reach — is why I keep finding myself in rooms I once only dreamed of.

It's why I sat learning mediumship with Sean Collyns, one of the world's leading mediums, a few weeks ago. Why I've now had the pleasure of meeting Rebecca Campbell in person four times, with more visits already planned.

Each one of these names is a person whose at the top of their game. Someone who worked their butt off, who tried more things that failed than worked, and who built something remarkable in their field. They're inspiring people — not ones I'm trying to become, but ones I want to be surrounded by.

And I made that happen. I can sit here in my home in London and look at the world I've built with nothing but joy and peace, knowing I'm on the right path.

So no — it wasn't luck that brought me here.

But it wasn't my hard work alone, either. It was the sacrifice and dedication of my incredible parents, who made sure I had the best education and believed in me at every stage, always showing up when I floundered. And it's my husband, who believes in me no matter what — often more committed to my growth and success than to his own.

I didn't get here alone. I had a village around me. And the "luck" was something I created for myself, by reaching further and further into what felt so far out of reach — until one day I looked up and found myself surrounded by the very people who would once have lined my vision board.

So if you've been holding yourself back — waiting for the right moment, waiting until you feel brave or confident enough to do the thing you already know you want to do — let this be your sign to stop waiting.

Take the next step with messy imprecision, and find out what happens when you do.

And do one thing for me right now: hit reply and tell me the single thing you've been waiting to feel ready for. Just name it. I read every reply.

I know you can do it. I believe in you fully.

I can't wait to see what magic you'll create.

Amanda