Control Your NEXT

Have you ever felt like things just don't go your way, regardless of how hard you worked?

I have had that, not once, not twice, but many a times I have wondered out loud, amidst a pile of documents and unfinished reports, where am I going next.

NEXT. It's a powerful word.

It implies you are moving forward, anticipating the unexpected, knowing that your future actions will dictate how your life moves. It is that powerful.

"In writing the story of your life, don't let someone else hold you pen."

                                                                                                              -someone else

Sometimes it's the little things you do differently that act as trigger points, to change your thoughts, your perspectives, your standings, and suddenly, you get a clear view of where you are heading in the next five of ten years. I have had that, and so have you.

For instance, I am glad to have stood out for myself during the recent work event. No, I am not the kind of employee who likes to hog the limelight, if that's what you think. I am usually quiet unless the situation calls for my opinions. Occasionally, I fight for myself if need be.

So what I did was, I voiced the exact opposite opinion from my boss when other employees are busy confirming his views are correct. Right then and there, I knew I was never going to be a people-pleaser, I am going to be me, a person who will voice her opinions when others refrain to, and frankly, there is nothing wrong with that.

In fact, I am quite proud of what I did. What I did sets me apart. Let me be the sole yellow umbrella in a sea of black, I don't confirm to the norm, and that's what unique about me.

What I am trying to say is, when you decide to do something, or agree to anything, ask yourself this, " Am I doing what I think is right?". More often than not, you will be surprised that alot of your decisions are based on what others want you to do, or what you perceive they want you to.

True enough, society dictates the acceptable norms, but what did successful men(and women) like Stephen Hawking, JK Rowling, Nick Vujicic have in common? They defied the norms! In a status quo society that limits the capability of the disabled and the unfortunates, these wonderful icons said to-hell-with-limits, go ahead and make a mark of themselves. Stephen Hawking, despite being paralysed, is a reknown theoretical cosmologist and physicist; JK Rowling wrote her best-selling Harry Potter books whilst juggling the tasks of being a single mum; whilst Nick Vujicic did what most ofus with four limbs could never do: he motivates others. Had they gave up on their hopes and chose to not beat the odds, I wouldn't be able to write this piece and tell you(and myself) to please, believe in your strengths and only then, you can progress for the better. When I said progress for the better, I don't necessarily meant being rich and famous. No, what I meant was for you, to make an impact on others' life, and have achievements that one day, you can look back and tell your grandchildren about.

"It was 2016, grandma decided to change the whole structure of the department. It was a small change, but it made big impacts on grandma's life..."

Okay, that was a yawn fest, I am no good at being a grandma, but as long as you get the point.

Merely put, when you let others hold the string to your kite, how can you say sky's the limit when you are at best, floating 500 feet off the ground and going nowhere higher?

Don't let others dictate your decisions and your thoughts. You owe that to yourself and Nick.