HOW TO SUCCEED IN LIFE

R.Srinagesh

A small boy asked his father once, “Daddy, who is a millionaire?”

The father explained that a millionaire is a person who has a million rupees with him.
The boy thought for a minute and then, declared, “Well, Dad. I am a TENAIRE”.
He had ten rupees with him!

This is an important attitude to success.

You have to start somewhere. And I believe Sri Abddul Kalam has shown us the way.

His first statement is I DREAM.

This every one does, some for a short while, so me a little longer, some a little more
longer.

His second statement is I THINK OF MY DREAM.

Alas, many do not reach this stage. They spend a couple of minutes at the most on the
first stage and dismiss the dream, only to console themselves, if only I had this, if only I
had that, if only I was …………..

In Sanskrit, there is a sloka, which says, „ SOME DO NOT START THE WORK
FEARING THE HURDLES THEY HAVE TO CROSS. THEY ARE THE WORST.
SOME START, BUT WHEN THEY COME ACROSS A HURDLE, THEY GIVE UP.
THEY ARE NOT SO GOOD. BUT THE BEST, HAVING STARTED, WILL NEVER
GIVE UP UNTIL THEY SUCCEED, NO MATTER WHAT HURDLES THEY FACE.
THEY ARE THE BEST.”

Ask yourself to which category you belong!

Prakash Padukone, the renowned badminton ace has set an example for us. When he was
playing badminton, there was no one who could stand up to him in India. But when he
went abroad, there were many who came up from a competitive environment and had
sharpened their skills. Prakash Padukone could have given up his badminton, consoling
himself, if only India had better quality players…….He did not. Instead, he started
practicing against two or three opponents at a time, which gave him the competitive edge
that could make him All England Champion in 1980 and World Champion in 1981.

This is the second most important step to success. Do not worry about what YOU DON‟T
HAVE. Assess what you have and analyse how you could utilize available resources to
achieve your dreams. Lateral thinking helps you here. Dont look at things the way every
one looks. Look from a different angle, be creative, as yourself why not, instead of I cant.
There is NOTHING YOU CANT. Use whatever you have to achieve whatever you want,
the honest way.

If you get a doubt as to whether you are moving in the right direction, make an
introspection as to (a) whether you are giving excuses for not doing, (b) whether you are
depending upon untruths to rationalize your actions – inactions, rather- and (c) you are
deviating from your set goals.

The answers to these questions should help you take corrective actions wherever
necessary and proceed towards realizing your goals.

Perseverance is the third step. The best never give up. Never ever. Remember, the
difference between the intelligent and the idiot is the INTELLIGENT PEOPLE NEVER
COMMIT THE SAME MISTAKE AGAIN. They learn from the past mistakes, take
corrective steps and proceed. These are the people who become achievers.

Remember, when you were born, you were nothing. At the time of reading this, you are
something. Becoming SOMETHING THE WORLD remembers you for is in your hands.
If only, you build your life in the frame work of Self Respect, Loyalty to your goals and
sticking to a Value system.

Author may be contacted at rsrinag@gmail.com