Nothing to Lose!
Photo by Luza
Dr. A.P.J.Abdul Kalam, the eleventh president of India was popularly known as the People’s President. Many years back when I was in the midst of a life-changing career overhaul, I read an article about him that inspired me tremendously.
“Two days before his nomination as the candidate for the Presidency, he was at CARE Hospital in Hyderabad. At a two-hour meeting with neurologists and senior doctors, he was discussing whether they could design a chip that could be implanted in mentally retarded children to compensate for their lost faculties. The doctors were apprehensive. They put forward all sorts of doubts, but then Dr Kalam told them, ‘I am not interested in listening to 100 ways by which it cannot be done. Can you tell me one way in which it can be done?’
One of the defining traits of a successful entrepreneur is his ability to focus on the possibility in the midst of a zillion doubts thrown at him. Sam Walton, founder of the retail empire Wal-Mart used to say, “High expectations are the key to everything; Capital isn’t scarce, Vision is”.
To persevere with a dream with a single minded determination, an entrepreneur needs not just boat loads of courage but also a willingness to abandon much of life’s comforts and safety. He may have to pick himself up and get on with it, often again and again. To quote William Shedd, “A ship is safe in harbor, but that’s not what ships are for.”
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Loved to read about the incident about Dr. Kalam. He was indeed an inspiration to a whole generation of Indians.
I also loved reading about Dr. Kalam. Thanks for posting the link to the original article as well. The quote about the ship was most apt to digest the message in your article. Thanks for posting!
Though not an entrepreneur, this article came my way when i needed it most. Very good
This article gave courage to people who want to pursue his/her dreams and ready to give up what he/she has. Thanks for sharing.
very encouraging for me as i am starting a new project,so,thank you very much.
Loved another article of yours, again. Thank you for reminding us about Dr.Kalam and also for putting wisdom in so many different ways.
Your articles always provide a new click for me to look at life.
Nice story about Abdul Kalaam – a prompt reminder to each one of us of the greater expectations from self and sacrifices of the inspiring people we come across in life.
thank you for sharing. came to me at the right moment in life.
The motivational quotes are suitably pointed . In future blogs would like to hear from Ignited minds & India 2020 of Abul Kalam.
Keep posting such blogs in future too.