Dr. K.S. Chandrasekar
World is now facing lot of uncertainties and we are living in a VUCA(Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous) world. In order to be successful, it becomes increasingly difficult over the years that too with the Artificial intelligence slowly engulfing our day to day life. However one should know that every opportunity comes with hurdles. When Steve jobs and Warren Buffet during the AGM of the Hathway foundation were asked about how can a person be successful, pat came the answer simultaneously from both of them that it is FOCUS which is of paramount importance. By mentioning Focus, they intended that one should have a clear goal to achieve in life and what and where they want to reach. The confidence you project in your ideas and yourself is how you define your career path. Approach every job with enthusiasm and dedication considering it as the most important task in your hand. Embrace high risk for higher rewards which is difficult in the early years. However, that is the time where experiments and risks can be taken. If you want to master something, teach it. The more you teach, better your learn. Teaching is a powerful tool to learning. Remember, it’s not over until it’s over. Never stop until you win. Those who relax while reaching the end of the goal will not get the results they desire. Those who have succeeded are the ones who have continuously learning or doing a deliberate learning of new skill sets or new knowledge. A book on “Blue ocean strategy”, “Fortune at the bottom of the Pyramid” has hugely supported institutions/organisations who have been finding their purpose being defeated.
Learning is a continuous one. The former President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam was a firm proponent of learning till death. Deliberate learning is different as we study those areas we are not exposed to. Some of the successful people have mentioned that reading 10 pages a day such deliberate learning will make a person complete. One of the important aspects of the successful people is that they never quit or they never make excuses. They also have the innate trait that they never blame anyone as such and most of the time, they take the blame. Sathish Dhawan, renowned space scientist took the blame for the failures and when they successfully launched rockets, he made others in the team including Dr.APJ Abdul Kalam to address the press meet. That is one of the hall marks of successful people.
According to Bill gates, it is essential to be surrounded with people who challenge, teach and push to be one’s best self. This comes from the person who is now a role model for many.Good people give us happiness. Bad people give us experience, worst people give lessons but best people give memories. Hence it is important to ensure the best people are around in order to be successful. Similarly it is understood that there are nine open minded people one has to have in their life viz.,
The listener, the encourager, the inspirer, the challenger, the empathiser, the accountability partner, the brutally honest, the practical motivator and the optimist. These people can actually help, challenge and sympathise with you for your deeds and actions.
Winston Churchill once said, “Success is not final, Failure is not fatal, it is the courage to continue that counts”. If you look at Albert Einstein, Abdul Kalam, Michael Jordan, Walt Disney, Steve Jobs etc., they have failed initially.JK Rowling was rejected several times. She says that each failure is a lesson that prepares you for eventual success. This gives us the importance of Perseverance and Persistence which will help to reachthe goals. The phrase “One step at a time, you’ll get there” conveys a message of perseverance and patience. It suggests that large goals or difficult tasks may seem overwhelming at first, but they can be achieved by breaking them down into smaller, manageable steps. The quote encourages persistence, reminding us that success doesn’t happen all at once; it’s the small, steady actions that eventually lead to achieving our desired outcomes. It also reassures that, as long as we continue moving forward, we will eventually reach our destination, no matter how long it might take.Rather than focusing on the entire journey or the end goal all at once, the idea is to focus on making consistent progress, one step at a time.Warren Buffet says to narrow your focus. If you have 20 goals, focus on top 5. This concentrated effort leads to better achievement.Success doesn’t happen overnight, but those who persist are the ones who eventually make it happen. So, take the setbacks in stride and keep working.
Everyone should always think that next time will be my time.”* But without action, “next time” never comes. One will end up watching opportunities slip through your fingers.Stephen King, celebrity author mentioned that “Ever wonder how successful people seem to predict the future? They don’t – they create it!” Embrace the power to craft your own destiny and turn dreams into reality. It’s time to stop waiting and start building! Remember, your future is in YOUR hands. Talent is a gift but grit is the weapon. Once the Cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle said that both Sachin and Kambli were talented and Kambli was much more talented. However Sachin used his hard work, grit and determination won the race amongst the two and became the World’s greatest. Obstacles sharpen the skills.
Growth demands focused imbalance. Temporary discomfort leads to lasting success.
Being present reduces stress and boosts clarity. Smile-it’s a proven productivity booster. If you are going first time to a gym, you will find that your muscles are paining in the first two days. But if you persist and continue the routine, success will beacon. Small, consistent actions lead to exponential results. Helping others creates ripples of impact. “Even a small dot can stop a big sentence. But few more dots can give continuity”. Every ending is a new beginning.
One should plan and act accordingly. There is a8+8+8 Rule. The number of hours one needs to distribute in a day that includes, 8 hours of hard work, 8 hours of good sleep and 8 hours spent on 3Fs, 3 Hs and 3 Ss. 3Fs means family, friends and faith. 3 Hs mean Health, Hygiene and Hobby and finally 3 Ss mean Soul, Service and Smile.
In a famous book on Atomic Habits by James Clear, he says Success is the product of daily habits not once in a lifetime transformations. 1% better every day is equivalent to 37.78% better every year. As per Upanishads, it clearly says that ” You are what your deep, driving desire is.As your desire is, so is your will.As your will is, so is your deed.As your deed is, so is your destiny.” Follow your destiny and work hard success will come. Wait to complete success in a slow and steady manner.
(The writer is Vice Chancellor, Cluster University of Jammu)