#LifeLessons - The Biggest Life Learnings Of Sarah Brook

NAME: Sarah E Brook

INSTAGRAM HANDLE:

@the.sparkle.foundation

@sarahebrook

JOB TITLE: Founder and CEO of The Sparkle Foundation

Sarah Brook is the Founder and CEO of The Sparkle Foundation, a fast-growing charity transforming lives through sustainable initiatives across the UK, UAE, and beyond, as well as being the first Humanitarian Golden Visa Holder sponsored by the UAE Government. Since founding Sparkle in 2015, she's supported over 50,000 lives, including 30,000 in Malawi, through education, healthcare, nutrition, and community empowerment. Over the past 10 years, Sparkle Foundation has provided 5,000 children with education, 31,000 medical treatments, 700,000 meals, and raised over AED 10 million. This year marks their 10-year anniversary, unveiling a bold 2030 vision to reach 100,000 lives, expand classrooms, and deliver 500+ meals daily, solidifying her reputation as a leader in the charity sector in humanitarian impact.

Today Sarah shares her biggest life lessons with us:

#LIFELESSON – 1

We’ve been taught to see success through titles, salaries, and follower counts - but that’s not the full story. For years I battled imposter syndrome, giving myself my own job title and assuming the CEOs and board members around me knew better. But the truth is, they hadn’t walked my walk, faced my challenges, or carried my vision. Real success isn’t what people see on LinkedIn; it’s staying true to your yourself, keep showing up when no one is watching, walk your path with purpose even when things get hard or when you’re misunderstood, or when recognition doesn’t come.

Most people will never walk the same road you do and that’s what makes your journey yours. So, stop chasing comparison. Be the best version of yourself, live with integrity, and trust that the rest will follow.

#LIFELESSON – 2

I wasted too much energy defending myself this year- replying to comments, scheduling meetings to resolve things I supposedly did, sending endless emails, trying to prove my truth to people who had already made up their minds. I thought that by explaining, I could change perceptions, but the reality is, some people are determined to misunderstand, and no amount of clarity will satisfy them.

The life lesson? You don’t owe explanations to those committed to misunderstanding you. Your energy is precious, your peace is invaluable. Protect both. Focus on your growth, your values, and the people who actually see and respect your truth. At the end of the day, reputation is fleeting, but peace of mind is everything.

#LIFELESSON – 3

Don’t get caught up if people don’t reply, just try again. Persistence isn’t always glamorous, but it’s what separates those who succeed from those who give up too soon. If you are truly passionate about something, keep knocking until the right door opens. Rejection isn’t a stop sign, its redirection, a signal to refine your approach or wait for the opportunity that’s meant for you. Every “no” brings you closer to the “yes” that’s meant for you.

If they don’t see your value, that’s their loss not yours. In a world full of AI, automation, and noise, nothing beats the personal touch. Genuine relationships, built on authenticity and effort, open more doors than cold emails ever will. Nurture those connections, invest in people, and trust that the right opportunities often come through those who recognise your dedication and integrity.

Through it all, never forget the people who believed in you along the way. Their guidance and faith are the invisible scaffolding that keeps you moving forward when the path gets tough. Value them, celebrate them, and let their belief fuel your journey. Success isn’t just reaching a destination, it’s the lessons, the relationships, and the growth along the way.