What connects a comedian who interviews celebrities in a fried chicken shop, a teenage darts sensation and the new boss of a 96-year-old Italian fashion house?¹

They all feature on The Sunday Times' Young Power List: a showcase of 25 inspiring young people who are making an impact on the world.

The list contains celebrities, such as footballers Bukayo Saka and Leah Williamson, racing driver Jamie Chadwick and Irish pop singer CMAT.

Amelia Dimoldenberg has 2.3 million YouTube subscribers that watch her offbeat interviews over fried chicken.² Seventeen-year-old darts player Luke Littler shot to fame after coming second in the world championships.³ And 26-year-old MPMember of Parliament. There are 650 MPs representing people in different areas of the UK. Keir Mather won his seat after overturning a 20,000-strong majority.⁴

There are others who have found success in quieter ways, such as Jacob Nathan, head of plastic recycling lab Epoch Biodesign and Josephine Philips, founder of clothes repair app SOJO.

The nominees have all shared advice for those who would follow in their footsteps.

Some think focus is key. Joe Seddon of Zero Gravity, a social enterpriseBusinesses which trade for a social or environmental purpose. that connects disadvantaged students with opportunities, says: "Don't bank on being an overnight success. It's about playing the long game." 

Racing driver Jamie Chadwick thinks risk-taking is important. "Don't be afraid," she says, "to put yourself out of your comfort zone."

CMAT thinks that hard work is essential: "You just have to work really hard and sacrifice pretty much every element of your personal life, but it's worth it." 

Yet others think you should put wellbeing first. "Don't take the weight of the world on your shoulders," urges Philips. Mather says: "Being kind to yourself is important."

Is "just do it" the best advice?

Yes: Seize the day. If you have a passion that needs to be unleashed on the world, exhibit it whenever you can. And if you have a great idea, do it quickly, before someone else does.

No: Fools rush in. You should understand exactly what you want to do and how you might be able to achieve it before committing to any cause or course. A smidgenA small amount of something. of caution rarely causes harm.

Or... All success comes from a specific situation. Advice from the successful is not very useful. We should listen instead to those whose ideas failed, learning from their mistakes to avoid making our own.

MP - Member of Parliament. There are 650 MPs representing people in different areas of the UK.

Social enterprise - Businesses which trade for a social or environmental purpose.

Smidgen - A small amount of something.