The first day at IIT Kanpur was a roller coaster of sorts. The newcomers braved the intense heat in search of a humble abode. Tied to their heavy luggage like an external body part, the students made their way through the process, like a warrior charges through the enemy. I was one of the warriors.
I was undoubtedly me. But something in me had changed. My instinct was indicating that a minor alteration had ensued at a subconscious level. I wasn't sure whether getting into a top college was messing with my mind. After the formalities were done and the essentials were purchased, I was left with the rest of the evening to myself. The earlier me would have succumbed to the lethargic charm of the bed. The procrastinator archetype was rampant in me a few years ago. But now, with enough experiences under the wing, I was motivated enough to fight that urge of giving up. I went out. Suddenly, a radical thought invaded my mind.
"There are a million ways to look at the world."
I kept repeating this line to myself, like a mantra. In an instant, my world view changed. I started looking around at the buildings, the greenery, the people interacting with each other, and saw possibilities. Another thought gripped me with equal intensity.
"Nothing can be achieved unless it is translated into goals, and traversed through milestones."
So I pursued my thought. I made a goal to talk with as many people as possible. I made a goal to explore the funny in me. I embarked on hardcore networking, talking with random people (newcomers, just like me), getting to know them. I was going down the street and chatting up with strangers left and right. It was overwhelming, but I had a goal in mind. I wanted to be the best networker in the world. That was my way of conquering the world. As a bonus, I became marginally more knowledgeable that night. It can be surprising what doors can potentially open if we let people into our lives.
Statistically speaking, the only way to succeed is to keep trying. The more you try, the more are your chances of succeeding. Failure can be discouraging. But it doesn't need to be so. It can be a motivational booster if you let it be so. Statisticians and mathematicians have concluded that there is no limit to how efficient one can get, provided she is relentless in her pursuit and driven by positive thoughts.
Throughout the night, miraculous events kept on unfolding. My relentless thirst for conversations led me to share ice cream with strangers, and even get to play the drums. Life can hit you with surprises, if you let it do so.
I have come to the conclusion that the only thing limiting us from achieving our potential, is ourselves. Sometimes we can be too harsh on ourselves. If only we let ourselves be more than what we are, we may become something unimaginable. And who knows what that can be? Let your imagination fly!