E5: This is Me, Myself & I with Paul Smith

About Paul

Paul Smith (aka Smiffy) runs Paul Helps People because people have always been at the heart of everything he does. Born with cerebral palsy and a visual impairment, Paul has faced many challenges that have given him a genuine empathy and understanding to help other people face their own battles, many of which are invisible to the outside world. Paul wears two hats as an independent travel agent which he has done for the last 43 years, and as a Utility Warehouse advisor for residential, commercial energy and the telecoms sector.

Summary

In episode five of Never Too Late to Dream, Caroline chats with Paul Smith. Paul shares his journey of overcoming physical challenges to build a successful career in travel and utilities. Born with cerebral palsy which resulted in a weaker right side and coping with a former speech impediment, Paul credits his parents’ refusal to accept a medical diagnosis as the foundation for his strength and resilience. Success for him is defined by proving what he is capable of rather than monetary gain. He advises others to break large dreams into manageable “chapters” and to use visual aids to maintain focus. Paul’s dream theme song is This is Me from the Greatest Showman because it represents being proud of his identity and achievements.

Highlights

What do you do?

(0:01:43) “I’m an independent travel agent and have been doing that for 43 years this year… I’ve become a utilities advisor not only for residential people but for commercial energy and telecoms as well.”

What challenges did you face growing up?

(0:03:53) “I was born with cerebral palsy, which affects me through a blockage in the left hand side of my brain… My parents wouldn’t accept the diagnosis that I would be quote unquote a vegetable… positivity has been a very big factor in my life.”

What has been the main thing that got you unstuck?

(0:09:47) “Having parents who believed in me — that was the main thing… if you can believe in yourself, then that is half the battle.”

What advice would you give your younger self?

(0:11:40) “Don’t give up. Don’t allow the people in your life to tell you what you can’t do. Go out and show them what you can do, and focus on the positives, not the negatives.”

What does success mean to you?

(0:15:48) “Success is not necessarily monetary. It’s about showing myself what I’m actually capable of doing… more importantly, yourself what you can and are capable of.”

Where do you see yourself in the future?

(0:20:24) “Within the Utility Warehouse business, I want to reach the top… I have to break it down into manageable chunks.”

What would you say to someone who has put their dream on the back burner?

(0:22:55) “Give yourself some time to sit down and revisit it…. don’t let it out of your sight.”

Paul’s Links

• Email: paul@paulhelpspeople.co.uk
• Book a chat: https://calendly.com/paulhelpspeople/30min
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulhelpspeople
• FaceBook: https://facebook.com/paulsmithphp
• UW Linktree: https://linktr.ee/paulhelpspeople
• Travel Linketree: https://linktr.ee/wottravel

Dream Theme Song

This is Me – Keala Settle (from The Greatest Showman)

Next Guest

Rafiat Adekunle (Ep6): https://freetosoarcoaching.com/