British musician and songwriter Phil Collins rose to international prominence in the latter half of the 20th century. He frequently thought about how his career as a performer had come about in an unexpected way, despite his enormous success.

Before starting a prosperous solo career, Collins was a member of the band Genesis. Given his position, his statement that he didn't want to be a singer may seem odd, but it illustrates the process that many artists go through to discover their calling. Sometimes life leads us down unexpected paths, much like when you plant a seed in your garden and it grows into a tree you never thought possible.

After his parents divorced when he was a child, Collins, who was born in London and raised mostly by his mother, turned to music as a means of expression and escape. He joined Genesis as a teenager and began playing drums at a very young age. He initially prioritized his role as the band's drummer over that of singer or songwriter.

It was almost a coincidence that he turned to singing. Collins took over as Genesis' lead singer during live performances after the band's lead singer left in 1975. At first uneasy about this new role, he eventually discovered his voice and started penning songs that had a profound impact on listeners all over the world.

Collins' assertion highlights a larger trend: many prosperous people didn't initially plan on pursuing their current course or line of work. His transformation from a reluctant vocalist to a Grammy Award-winning performer serves as a reminder that even the most surprising life turns can result in enormous success and happiness.