Fear Vs Dare

I was the best Table Tennis player in my department. Others may disagree.

Contest chair, fellow toastmaster and friends,

I used to play a decent game of table tennis during my MNC days. It was very hard for others to win over me. I could return most of the smashes. I stand behind the TT table to slowly return and play till the opponent losses their patience. Then they will slash outside the table or hit on the net, I used to win points. Then I could see my colleagues faces, Wow faces, Especially Bhavya’s. She was my Collegue. I never smashed though because, I was not sure about my smashes. I may hit the table. else, I will loss. So, did not take risk Because I was scared to loss my girls appreciations.

When I gone for department tournaments, I always lost. There was good people to smash me, till I get tired. On the other hand I have never tried to smash. I kept trying, not to loss.

Dear Friends, I had this fear of failure. How many of you have this fear of failure? Yes, we are cousins.

Remember the time, you wanted to propose that gorgeous girl in your class? What was in your mind? If she say no.

What is your mind, when you approach to do something important?

Yes, our fear failure.  It is very common, it is not just with us. It is almost same for everyone, when approach to do bigger action.

In 1984, Los angels Olympics. P T Usha represented India in 400 M Hurdles. She was a sprinter but due to non-impressive performance in 100 M, 200 M. She forced to compete in 400 M Hurdle. She was young, in experienced. In that Olympics, Hockey was India’s hope and all media coverage was for Hockey, P T Usha was left alone. She run for qualifying round and through to Semi-finals. Semi Finals, PT Usha didn’t have much media coverage, She have qualified to Final. Same time, Indian hockey team lost and all media and Indians hope fall on PT Usha. In Final, she carried the entire nations hope for medal. She felt the pressure. She stood at the line and heard the whistle, other peers mistake. Umpire call for the re run. PT Usha lost the rhythm, she had only one thing in her mind, she said to herself ‘I did not want to compete race in the last position’. Her fear of failure, caught her. Second whistle blow the referee, that was the worst start in her carrier. But she didn’t leave, she pick up from the start and gave a tight competition. Referee had to call for video referee to declare the winner. PT Usha, lost her browns medal at 1/100^th second. India lost that medal at that fear of failure. With all respect to PT Usha, she tried all possible but we lost it.

Then, I have watched Roger Federer interview recently. Interviewer asked him, his secret of success. He said, I love winning, I just love winning. Others have fear of failure. I don’t have any fear, instead I want to win, each ball.

That’s mindset of a winner, When you approach any action,  What are the mind set you have? Fear of failure then pressure of winning.

When you met that first girl, did you have fear of failure ? or you imagined your first date?

Now, I have done one important change in my table tennis. I have decided to win, no more fear of failure. Learn to smash, No more impressive returns for girls. I started enjoying and playing far better game than before.

It is same, with all our actions, When we ask for promotion? Go with attitude of getting promotion . When we are in the dilemma of starting the business or continue the job, go with attitude of becoming an industrialist.

Friends, We all have fear of failure and desire to win. But at the time of highest actions, Keep your desire to winning much much bigger than fear of failure.