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Leanne Manas: People want success until they see what it takes

Many young people think success should come easy, according to popular TV personality Leanne Manas.

"Everyone wants to be successful until they see what it takes," she told the audience at a business women's breakfast hosted by FNB and Smile 90.4 FM in Cape Town earlier this week.

"You have to pick yourself up and continue 'practising' until you reach your goals."

She cautioned that the reality is nothing in life comes easily - it takes a lot of work.

Not every day will be good, but that is part of the learning curve, she said.

She told the audience, consisting mainly of women, that the reality is women do not believe they are "unstoppable". In her view, that is women's greatest "fault".

"We don't believe in ourselves. It's fine to be where you are in life right now, but are you really happy where you are right now?" she asked.

"A comfort zone is a beautiful place, but nothing ever grows there. Enrich yourself. Maybe study something. You are the person that can make a change. Don't be afraid to fail. Be afraid not to try."

She suggested not to dwell too much in negativity but rather to work towards a goal - and enjoy the journey on your way there.

She told the story of how her career in broadcasting started by having to answer phone calls at a traffic desk. When she sought guidance on how to progress further, she was told by her then boss - a woman - that she "just did not have a talent for broadcasting" and would not go very far in the industry.

"In that moment I had to decide if I still believed in my dream and would do everything in my power to make my dreams come true, or just walk out the door and forget about my dreams," said Manas.

"I told myself that I am not going to allow another woman to discourage me from pursuing my dreams. We as women must lift each other up. That woman should have encouraged me. Actually, in the end her behaviour inspired me to be bigger and better."

Manas suggested that one should surround yourself with people who care about you. "Don't let others discourage you. Use your gifts. Everything is a lesson. Dig deep.

"You don't know how strong you are until being strong is your only choice," she quoted Bob Marley.

"It is very important not to sweat the small things. Do not surround yourself with toxic people who do not want you to succeed."

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