When we see people at the top of their profession it’s easy to imagine how great their life must be but what’s hidden is the price they pay to get there. Behind every high achiever is a very interesting and usual totally unique story filled with challenges.
Edie Falco is a perfect example
Most people were introduced to Edie first on the HBO series “The Sopranos.” She played the wife of Tony Soprano. Others may know her from her more recent starring role on the showtime series Nurse Jackie. Now she’s a star but she didn’t start that way. Today she has 3 Emmy’s and 2 Golden Globe awards to her credit. She has what many would consider a dream life. She has arrived.
But to get there she had a lot to overcome
For one thing success did not come quickly. She worked for 15 years as a waitress to pay her bills so she could act at night. She was never sure it would be anything more than a part time thing. The stress of keeping up the long hours waitressing, auditioning and acting part time added up fast. The stress drove her to alcohol as it has done to so many others. She became an alcoholic and lived the life that all of that entails.
Eventually she made the decision to change
She got fed up. She decided she wanted a different life. She made the changes necessary to dig herself out of the pit. She joined Alcoholics Anonymous. She adopted a healthier diet. She started running 5 miles per day, everyday—no matter what.
Gradually the changes started to make a difference.
She had more energy. She had a better attitude. She became more disciplined and focused in all areas of her life. She started to get better parts. She began getting more attention and moving up the ladder. Six years later she got her role on the Sopranos. And now she has her own show.
Edie’s story shows that if you’re willing to make the tough changes, and pay the tough prices a world of new opportunities can open up for you as well.
