Dr. Buddhi Malla
Famous motivational speaker Les Brown once said, ‘You need to make a commitment, and once you make it, then life will give you some answers.’ Brown underlines the importance of commitment in achieving success in life. This statement holds truth in various aspects of life, from sports to personal growth.
In 2007, Sachin Tendulkar was not just a name in the cricket world; he was a legend. Often referred to as the ‘God of Cricket’, he was admired for his incredible batting skills and records. However, during an ODI match between India and Australia, a relatively unknown bowler named Brad Hogg took the wicket of Tendulkar. This moment stunned cricket fans worldwide, but Sachin turned this incident into a life lesson and an inspiration for people all over the world.
After the match, Brad Hogg revealed an interesting encounter. He had approached Sachin Tendulkar, asking him to sign a cricket ball. In response, the cricket genius wrote ‘Never again, mate’ on the ball. This simple act of signing the ball with those words signified Sachin’s commitment to never allowing such a mistake to happen again.
Sachin’s commitment was not just an empty promise. Over the years, he faced Brad Hogg numerous times but never got out to his bowling again. This incident validated not only Sachin’s exceptional talent but also his unwavering commitment to correcting his mistakes and improving his game.This story is not just about cricket. It’s about life. It’s about every one of us who faces challenges, defeats, and setbacks. It’s about embracing adversity and using it as a stepping stone towards greatness.
Think about your own life. How often have you faced obstacles? How many times have you stumbled, fallen, or failed in your pursuit of your dreams? It happens to all of us. Life’s journey is not always a smooth path, but it’s in those moments of challenge that we find our true character. It’s in the face of adversity that we can decide to say, “Never again.” This story serves as a source of inspiration. In a similar way, we should be able to make commitments in our interactions with friends, family, and colleagues. By saying, “I will not repeat such a mistake,” we set ourselves on a path to success.
In life, everyone makes mistakes. However, only those who are willing to make corrections and commit to not repeating their mistakes can achieve success. We should not be afraid or nervous about our mistakes but rather embrace them as opportunities for growth and improvement. Sachin’s commitment to his craft serves as a reminder that we can all achieve greatness through dedication and self-improvement.
Now, let’s shift gear to a unique story that illustrates the power of commitment and self-improvement. This story involves a potato and a lady’s finger.
Once, a potato fell deeply in love with a lady’s finger. He gathered his courage and proposed to her. However, the lady’s finger rejected him in a harsh manner, criticizing his appearance, saying, “How dare you propose to me? Have you ever looked in the mirror? You are so fat and ugly. Look at me – I am slim and beautiful, and my skin is soft.”
The potato was deeply dejected but determined to be loved by others. He knew he couldn’t change his physical appearance, but he could work on his qualities. With unwavering commitment, he started improving his behavior and personality.
The potato’s hard work and dedication eventually paid off. His politeness, decent nature, and positive attitude attracted many other vegetables, and he made friends with them. The potato could mix with a variety of vegetables in cooking, but, lady’s finger requires potatoes to make curry, and it doesn’t pair well with other vegetables, except for potatoes.
The story of the potato and lady’s finger imparts several valuable lessons. The potato’s determination to improve himself despite facing rejection is a testament to the power of unwavering commitment. It shows that determination can lead to positive change and personal growth. Similarly, the potato made a commitment to better him and stuck to it. His commitment was the driving force behind his transformation. It emphasizes that commitment is the key to success. Furthermore, the potato’s story highlights the importance of self-improvement. He couldn’t change his physical appearance, but he worked diligently to improve his character and behavior. This demonstrates that personal growth is achievable through dedicated efforts.
In life, everyone faces failures and rejections, just as the potato did. However, what sets individuals apart is their ability to accept failure as a lesson for success. The potato’s story reminds us that even in the face of rejection and criticism, unwavering commitment to personal growth can lead to remarkable accomplishments.
Commitment is a powerful force that drives individuals to achieve greatness. Whether it’s the story of Sachin Tendulkar’s commitment to cricket excellence or the tale of the potato’s commitment to self-improvement, both narratives underscore the significance of commitment in achieving success. Sachin’s journey teaches us the value of commitment, corrective action, and self-confidence in pursuing our goals. The potato’s story emphasizes the importance of determination, commitment, and self-improvement in overcoming obstacles and achieving personal growth.
In life, we will encounter challenges and setbacks, but it’s our commitment to improvement and learning from our mistakes that will finally lead to success. Like Sachin and the potato, let’s commit to our goals, take corrective action when needed, and embrace failure as a valuable lesson on our path to success. As Les Brown wisely said, “You need to make a commitment, and once you make it, then life will give you some answers.” So, make that commitment and watch as life responds with the answers you seek.”
In this article, we can learn about the significance of commitment through the stories of cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar and a humble potato. These stories are self-explanatory in demonstrating how commitment can lead to remarkable achievements and personal growth.
(Author Dr. Malla is a Banker)
