“The beginning is the most important part of the work.” Plato.

My wife and I love going to concerts and over the years we have been very fortunate to have seen some of the biggest acts in the music industry. One of the items on my bucket list was to see The Stereophonics in concert.

I am very grateful that I got to tick this off my list when I saw them perform last December in Birmingham. They didn’t disappoint, it was a brilliant concert. The sound quality was excellent and the voice of lead singer Kelly Jones was so clear. It is now in my top 10 favourite concerts of all time.

During the performance Kelly told a lovely story about how the band started from humble beginnings. He explained that he grew up in in the Welsh village of Cwmaman in the Cynon Valley. One of his neighbours was Stuart Cable, who played drums, Kelly played guitar.

They formed a band and it was from this that The Stereophonics was eventually created. They used to practice twice a week at the youth club in the village. They used a trolley with squeaky wheels to transport their amplifiers, guitars and drums. On their way to the youth club, they went past a working men’s club where one of the band’s members mother was playing bingo. The squeaky wheel used to make quite a noise and everyone at bingo knew they were going past!

During the concert, Kelly told a story that made a link from the beginning of the band to the night of the concert. He said from a trolley that had a squeaky wheel they had progressed a great deal. He stated that now in order to put on concerts during the tour, they had needed 4 tour buses, 9 trucks full of staging and equipment and a large group of people behind the scenes. Over the years they have performed with many artists including Tom Jones, U2 and David Bowie. That’s quite a change from a single trolley!

For me the story was a reminder to us all that something wonderful can be created if you put enough effort, belief, patience and passion into it. It encourages perseverance and a recognition of the value of tiny steps and small efforts at the start of a project. The story can be used to reassure or inspire someone who is starting out on a project, new direction or adventure.

It reminds us that the little acorns planted today will become mighty oaks in the years to come.

This week, why not pause for a few moments to reflect. Consider if there is a new project or hobby that you want to start or a group that you want to join. If so, what will your first step be?

Alternatively, is there someone you know, who is just starting out on a new path who may need a bit of inspiration, encouragement or reassurance?

To arrange a free no obligation consultation, please contact Stephen Pauley via the contact form or by e mail: Stephen@befirstclass.co.uk