October 19, 2023

“Believe you can, and you are halfway there.” This quote by Theodore Roosevelt remains a cherished source of inspiration for me. The fundamental prerequisite for achieving success is having unwavering faith in oneself, acknowledging one’s capabilities, and recognizing one’s potential.

But do we genuinely harbor this belief within us? At various points in our lives, we all grapple with self-doubt, questioning, “Can I really do this?” It is often accompanied by the disheartening notion of, “I don’t think I can.” Many stories of success remain untold because individuals lacked self-belief and succumbed to the weight of societal expectations that engulfed them like a black hole.

This sense of self-doubt and the criticism received from people and surroundings, which ideally should have been sources of support on the path to success, can shatter one’s confidence, making it difficult to trust the simple phrase, ‘I CAN DO IT.’ Consequently, individuals start questioning their self-worth.

I have a vivid memory from my early childhood at the age of four. Back then, my passion for singing was already quite profound, and I eagerly entered a singing competition. However, the immense size of the audience instilled a deep sense of stage fright in me, rendering me incapable of standing alone on that daunting stage. The memory of the audience’s laughter, witnessing a child standing there and shedding tears, left a lasting impact on me. This experience held me back from venturing onto the stage independently for a decade, until a significant turning point finally presented itself.

I am profoundly thankful to a select group of individuals who played a pivotal role in boosting my confidence and providing essential encouragement for me to believe in my singing abilities and maintain an unwavering ‘never give up’ attitude. As the quote fittingly suggests, I embraced this belief in myself, and it became the turning point that propelled me forward without looking back.

Today, I stand before sizable audiences with confidence, fulfill the role of an educator by delivering lectures, and even take on the responsibility of hosting events. All of this can be attributed to my profound self-realization of my own self-worth, which was nurtured through a positive environment and an optimistic mindset. Unfortunately, in today’s world, such positive environments are often lacking. The prevailing stigma of competition has misled many into comparing themselves to others, fostering feelings of inadequacy and undermining belief in one’s own worth and capabilities. This can have detrimental effects on mental well-being.

As individuals, we have the power to contribute to the betterment of society and create a brighter world by fostering a positive atmosphere, nurturing self-belief within ourselves, and extending support to others. We can help affirm their capabilities and inspire them to persevere without surrendering. The initial steps can be taken within the home environment and further reinforced in the educational settings of our so-called second home—our schools.
Take Michael Jordan, one of the most renowned figures in the history of sports, as an example. In his early years, he faced rejection due to his short stature during the selection processes. As he grew older and pursued basketball, he encountered numerous setbacks, failing to make over nine thousand shots and losing over three hundred games twenty-six times. Frustration was a constant companion, but he held onto his self-belief, never surrendering to adversity. His unwavering dedication and consistency paved the path to his eventual success.

In conclusion, from this point forward, let us all embrace the conviction that ‘WE CAN’ and take action to achieve our goals.