Lessons in Perseverance: My Journey from Setbacks to Success
My Journey: From a Moment of Ignorance to a Life of Impact – Lessons in Perseverance and "Falling Forward":
Hey everyone, I want to share a bit of my own journey with you. It wasn't always smooth sailing, and there were definitely moments when I felt lost or discouraged. But looking back, those challenges were often the stepping stones to bigger things.
The Wake-Up Call: Recognizing the Need to Learn
Growing up, I studied in Malayalam medium until the 6th grade. When I switched to English medium, it felt like entering a whole new world. I remember one quarterly exam vividly. There was a simple question: "Identify the person who toils in the field and produces the food we eat." I drew a blank. When my friends effortlessly answered "farmer," I was genuinely shocked by my ignorance. It was a humbling moment, a stark realization of how much I needed to learn and grow. Instead of feeling defeated, this moment sparked a fire in me.
Taking Ownership: The Dictionary Challenge
That feeling of ignorance fueled a strong desire to improve. I decided to tackle my vocabulary head-on. My ambitious plan? To memorize the Concise Oxford Learner's Dictionary, two pages every single day. For months, I diligently sat in the public library, immersing myself in the world of words. This wasn't glamorous, but it was a conscious decision to take ownership of my learning.
Stumbling Blocks and Stepping Stones: The Public Speaking Fiasco
My newfound vocabulary gave me the confidence to participate in a public speaking event. I was the first one up. But as soon as I started, my mind went completely blank. I stood there, frozen for what felt like an eternity, utterly embarrassed. It was a painful experience, and I felt a wave of shame. However, I refused to let that be the end of the story. I saw it as a stumble, not a fall.
The Power of Practice and Asking "Stupid" Questions
Determined to overcome my stage fright, I practiced relentlessly. My audience? The mirror and a row of chairs in my room. I rehearsed and rehearsed until I felt more comfortable. I also made a conscious decision to be unafraid to ask "silly questions" in class. Initially, it felt awkward, and I could hear whispers behind me. But as I continued, something shifted. My boldness grew, and more importantly, my thinking became clearer. Those "stupid" questions were actually unlocking my understanding. By the time I reached Class 10, my hard work paid off – I received a Government merit scholarship.
Conquering Physical Challenges: The Swimming Journey
My first real taste of challenging norms came in Class 5, when I decided to learn swimming at the local pool. As a lean, somewhat frail kid, I was surrounded by strong, accomplished swimmers, some of whom openly doubted I had the 'right build' for the sport. That skepticism, however, only ignited my competitive spirit. I made it my personal mission to prove them wrong. Rising with the dawn, I was the first one at the pool every morning at 5:30 am, dedicating an hour to rigorous practice before school. Alongside this, I focused on eating better and committed to exercises designed to build my strength. The very next year, that dedication bore fruit: I won the sub-junior backstroke event. This early triumph fueled a passion that eventually led me to proudly represent Kerala in both swimming and water polo.
Academic Excellence and Early Career: The Rewards of Dedication
My dedication in school continued. When I applied to the College of Engineering Trivandrum for my B.Tech, I topped the list of candidates for Mechanical Engineering. After graduation, I had the incredible opportunity to work at the prestigious Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) for four years. This was a dream come true, and it was a testament to the foundation of hard work I had built.
Facing the Ultimate Challenge: The Civil Services Examination
While at ISRO, I became interested in the Civil Services, an examination known for being one of the toughest in India. The odds are daunting – only a tiny fraction of the millions who apply are selected. My first two attempts at the preliminary exam ended in disappointment. It was easy to feel dejected, but I refused to give up. I decided to give it one more shot, making a significant change by choosing Anthropology as my optional subject. This meant studying a master's level curriculum in less than a year. Through intense focus and hard work, I cleared the preliminary, the main exam, and the interview, finally joining the Civil Services.
An Unexpected Path and a Higher Calling
I chose the Indian Postal Service because it offered a unique opportunity to join the Indian Army as a commissioned officer later in my career. Interestingly, the government announced one more chance for the Civil Services exam that year. I cleared the preliminary again. But by then, I had developed a deep connection with the Indian Postal Service and decided to stay. After 18 years of service, I was temporarily commissioned into the Indian Army as a Colonel, eventually rising to the rank of Major General, heading a Corps.
A New Arena, A Familiar Lesson: Tackling Golf and Rediscovering Resilience
Years later, at 37, I embarked on a new athletic challenge: the captivating world of golf, starting on the beautiful courses of Thailand. Bangkok, with its plentiful driving ranges, offered what seemed like endless opportunities to hit balls. Unfortunately, I fell into a classic beginner's trap – chasing power and distance above all, launching countless shots without any real focus on accuracy, which is the cornerstone of any skilled golfer's game. Unsurprisingly, this undisciplined practice quickly led to the unraveling of my technique. When I played on the actual golf course, my shots were consistently and wildly off-target, often leaving me struggling with an embarrassing score, sometimes 25 over par, and a deep sense of frustration. Despite all my effort, the ingrained bad habits stubbornly resisted improvement. It wasn't until after several months of intensive corrective work back at Army Golf Courses that a pivotal introduction changed everything: I discovered the transformative power of visualization. From that point, I began to meticulously visualize every detail of the golf shot sequence for every club in my bag, a practice that started to rebuild my game from the ground up.
These distinct experiences – the hard-won success in swimming fueled by sheer grit and determination, and the journey of overcoming significant setbacks in golf through a new mindset and relentless stroke corrections – were profoundly formative. They instilled in me invaluable lessons not just about sport, but about the very essence of sportsmanship. Chief among these was cultivating a resilient, 'never say die' attitude, a quality that has since empowered me to navigate numerous academic and life challenges with greater grace and perseverance.
Your Turn to Rise: Lessons from My Journey to Fuel Yours
So, after sharing all that, what’s the big takeaway for you? My hope is that my story fires you up a little, because it proves one crucial thing: whatever limits life seems to throw at you, or even those nagging self-doubts, can be smashed through with sheer hard work and a refusal to ever back down.
Looking back, my journey was packed with moments where quitting would have been the easy way out – that cringeworthy public speaking fail, the initial stumbles in my studies, the doubts about my physical abilities for swimming, or those tough setbacks in the Civil Services exams. Any one of them could have been a full stop. But here’s the secret: I chose to see them as commas, as chances to pause, learn, and then hit "play" again with even more determination.
My story isn't some tale of overnight success or natural-born genius. Far from it. It’s built on a few core beliefs that I know can work for you too:
- Embrace Every Challenge: Don't see difficulties as roadblocks. See them as awesome opportunities to learn something new and get stronger.
- Unlock the Power of Consistent Effort: Think small steps, big results. Those daily efforts, even when they feel tiny, add up to massive achievements over time.
- Learn to "Fall Forward": Mistakes are inevitable. The trick is to not just fall, but to fall forward. Analyze what went wrong, grab the lesson, and use it as fuel to try again, but smarter this time.
- Find Courage in Vulnerability: Seriously, don't ever be afraid to ask those "silly" questions or admit when you don't know something. That’s not weakness; it’s the gateway to real understanding and growth.
- Be Your Own Biggest Believer: There will be doubters – sometimes that biggest doubter is the voice in your own head. Tune it out. Hold onto your determination, trust your effort, and keep pushing towards what you want.
Whether you're navigating high school, college, or just starting out on a new path, remember this: life is full of incredible opportunities for growth, often disguised as challenges. Your response to these moments is what truly shapes you. So, embrace your unique journey, learn from every stumble, and never, ever underestimate the incredible power of your own perseverance. Your potential truly is limitless – now go out there and make your mark!