What’s a “Par”?

The Story

I came home from the US Marine Corps with a plan.
I was lining up to join Australia’s version of the DEA.
But life had a plot twist waiting.

One day, I wrote a couple of short articles about beach rescues I’d witnessed — just ordinary stories I felt someone might care about. 
I sent them to the local paper.

A week later, I was offered a job as a journalist.

There was just one small problem: 
I had no idea how to be a journalist.

On Day One, I quietly leaned over to a mate on staff and asked: 

“What’s a par?”
(That’s journo-speak for ‘paragraph’ — something I’d written plenty of, just not by that name.)”

But here’s the thing: I said yes. 
I showed up. 
And I paddled hard under the surface until I found my rhythm.

Within a couple of months, I’d scored a front-page byline and had a growing portfolio of strong, honest news stories to my name.

That one small step — sending in a story — launched a whole new chapter. 
It led to a media career I never could’ve planned… but wouldn’t trade for anything.

One Final Thought

You don’t need to know everything before you begin. 
You just need to start. 
Say yes. 
And then back yourself — especially when it feels like you’re in over your head.