by Sujit Sanyal 

Years ago, there was an ad promoting Bata’s ‘Power’ joggers. The copy of the ad read something like this (this is from memory, the ad was published in 1990–91):

You have done your round and are planning to return home. But you want to take a few more steps. You want to do better than yesterday. So tired, sweaty, you still push yourself. Those few extra steps. The body is giving up, but the spirit is pushing you…something to that effect.

Let’s come straight to the question: can you take a few extra steps on your own, or do you need someone to tell you? To guide you? To push you?

The best motivation is self-motivation. And you can only inspire yourself because you only know your mind best.

Courtesy : timeline.com

If we look at people around us, you will find that some of the legends have achieved because they were committed to themselves. To their ambitions. Aspirations.

Take a look at Wilma Rudolph.

I loved the feeling of freedom in running, the fresh air, the feeling that the only person I’m competing with is me.

A single point of motivation for generations before us and generations to come. A real-life hero. She contracted infantile paralysis at age 5 and while she recovered from polio, she lost the strength in her left leg and foot. Yet, she went on to win 3 Golds and 1 Bronze over 2 Olympics. That too in track and field. A legend in her lifetime.

And Helen Keller.

Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.

Courtesy : independent.co

Helen Keller is the epitome of optimism.
A fever that left her both deaf and blind, one cannot imagine what Keller must have gone through in her childhood, unable to make sense of the society she lived in. It was her teacher, Anne Mansfield Sullivan, who understood the needs of the child and with love and compassion, she dragged her out from the world of confusion and doubts.
With her teacher’s help, Keller learned to read and write and went on to complete her graduation in 1904. She dedicated her life to the amelioration of blindness. She won the Lions’ Humanitarian Award, the French Legion of Honor and election to the Women’s Hall of Fame, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Keller remained close to her teacher for the rest of her life. In fact, Keller was holding her hands when Anne died.
Keller has been an inspiration for many who find it hard to stream through the darkness, but she crossed over to the other side with the brightness that filled her heart and soul.

Two different people from two different worlds. But both wanted to take a few extra steps in life. They wanted that they should be counted. Both wanted to achieve for themselves.

This is what you have to ask yourself. Do you have a road map? Do you think you have played your game? That you have reached your full potential? If the answer to the last question is yes, then forget playing ahead. Shut shop. Go home.

Think and think hard. And then, if you need some hand-holding as we all need, come to us. We will tell you inspirational stories that will motivate you. Charge you. Recharge you!