Falling is not the problem, when you fall there will be at least a couple of supporting hands to lift you up. If not, you have the means and ability to get up yourself. Falling is not the issue but not GETTING up is the challenge we all must overcome.
How many of you have failed in certain aspects of your life? How many of you gave up every time you fell?
We are all born in this world through a combination of chromosomes and one sperm dot beats a million sperms to be eventually born as YOU. You are already a winner, the day you were born. But, unfortunately, we are exposed to a world of fellow human beings with a different agenda for you.
Life as a toddler, the most cherished memories, can be fun but as we grow up, all we are taught is to compete in whatever we do and beat the competition by hook or crook. The pressure of surpassing expectations of parents, family, peers, teachers etc. dents the competitive spirit in you at every stage.
How many suicides do we read about today of children who failed to make their mark in studies?
Not only among students, failures are everywhere around us. Life keeps throwing the curve ball at every unexpected moment and pushes you down on your knees and tests every combating skill of yours to see if you have the will to get up and face it.
What are the most common failures to which people succumb to in life?
- Failure at studies, meaning not achieving the desired results
- A failed serious relationship
- A failed friendship
- A failed career choice
- A failed healthy bank account
- A failed attempt at greatness
- A failed understanding of what’s to come
Let’s look at some statistics under the ambit of this terminology called “Failure” in different aspects of life. I have just picked up one area namely Education to highlight the misery and to which extent the young ones are driven crazy to take such a decision.
Hindustan Times, a newsprint in India came up with some appalling statistics on suicides committed by students due to failure in Studies.
EVERY HOUR, ONE STUDENT COMMITS SUICIDE IN INDIA.
In 2015, the number of student suicides stood at 8,934. In the five years leading to 2015, 39,775 students killed themselves. The number of attempted suicides, many unreported, is likely to be much higher.
India has one of the world’s highest suicide rates for youth aged 15 to 29, according to a 2012 Lancet report
Maharashtra – 1,230 of 8,934
Tamilnadu – 955
Chhattisgarh – 625
Folks, this is just the tip of the iceberg. I can go and on and list out the lives that were lost because they did not want to get up.
Forget losing your life, which is the worst-case scenario adopted by cowards but we as individuals have also given up on many things which we either passionately followed or tried our hands at new things but never had the urge to take it forward after a few let ups.
Be it learning a new instrument, presenting your project speech, a certification course to facilitate your career growth, running a marathon, quitting smoking or alcohol…the list goes on and on.
We start with all earnest but stumble at a point and then give up. The obstacles are meant to be there to test your tenacity and passion to pick yourself up from where you left and pursue with the goal in your mind.
That brings up a fundamental question, isn’t it? Why do People fail and give up? There are many reasons why people fail and give up, but let me share some of them which I truly believe are the frontrunners: –
- Lack of Persistence
- Lack of conviction
- Lack of Discipline
- Poor self esteem
- Fatalistic attitude
Lack of Persistence
More people fail not because they lack knowledge or talent but because they just quit.
Persistence means not doing the same repeatedly and expect a different result but to change your approach every time you fail by learning from your experience.
Lack of Conviction
People who lack conviction take the middle of the road. But what happens in the middle of the road? You get run over.
Decide what is important to you. Let your passion show even in mundane tasks.
Lack of Discipline
Discipline takes self-control, sacrifice and avoiding distractions and temptations. It means staying focused.
Don’t be a perfectionist. What is important is to excel in what you do and believe me success will come running behind you on its knees.
Poor Self Esteem
Poor self-esteem is a lack of self-respect and self-worth. You might have failed, but you’re not a failure until you stop trying.
These are people who look and search outside rather than delving deep into their inner self to find out the person they want to be.
Fatalistic Attitude
A fatalistic attitude prevents people from accepting responsibility for their position in life. They attribute success and failure to luck. They resign themselves to their fate, regardless of their efforts, that whatever must happen will happen anyway.
Let me tell you the Golden rule I follow in my life: –
I am responsible for my happiness and success. My attitude determines my altitude.
Friends, it’s always easy to give up but the fun is to challenge yourself and I promise, you will be amazed with what you can do, if you put mind over matter.
Failure is part our life. Remember, it is a stepping stone in your journey that is getting you to where you need to be.
Let me sign off with this famous quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson
“The Greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall!”
Never Give up!
KannasKaleidoscope 