Defying Limitations

I was at my (Toastmasters) club's meeting on Saturday and among the amazing speeches that I listened to, one of them did not stop resonating with me and I thought it would be good to share. It was a speech delivered by a Past President of the club, Amy TRAORE SHUMBUSHO - one of the people in the club whose speeches I long to always listen to. I had thought I knew what it was to challenge oneself in the face of limitations. But challenging oneself when the limitations are inherent demands another level of discipline and determination.

The story she shared was that of Fauja Singh, a marathon runner who has beaten a number of world records in multiple age brackets. To be a marathon runner who has made a name on the world stage is no mean feat and many athletes who make it to the world stage have something in common. And that is that they usually start early - at a very young age. But Fauja's story was a far departure from this. Fauja Singh did not walk until he was five years old. His legs were thin and weak, and he could hardly walk long distances. Because of this, he was often teased, and he was called by the nickname "danda" (Punjabi for "stick") for the next ten years.?

He did not let the mockery of his body structure and his physical limitations succeed in taking away his passion for running. He shook them all off as he continued to pursue his love for running. However, it was not until the age of 89 that he took seriously to running and ended up in international marathon events. At 93, Fauja Singh completed a marathon in 6 hours and 54 minutes, 58 minutes quicker than the world best for the 90-plus age bracket. At the age of 100, he attempted and accomplished eight world age group records in one day, at a special? event in Toronto, Canada. He retired in April 2023 at the age of 101 but still enjoys going to marathons to cheer on marathon runners. Despite the seemingly overwhelming setbacks, Fauja stood out as an inspiration to plenty in his adopted country Britain, his country of origin India and to several others globally.?

When expectations are imposed on us by society, family members or friends, it can be limiting and confining. They often tend to dictate to us what we should or shouldn't do, attempting to shape our choices and control our mindset about what is achievable and what is not. However, it is the limitations we place on ourselves that are most defining. For it is nearly impossible to perform beyond the limits you have put yourself. Often, we do not even realise that we have set these boundaries for ourselves that have in many cases spun off our past experiences, fears or perceived inadequacies. These limitations often erode our self belief and prevent us from taking risks, pursuing our passions or even stepping out of our comfort zones. Until we challenge these self-designed expectations, we may never discover our hidden strengths that will evolve into the passion that will gear us towards personal fulfillment.?

Cultivating a habit of self-belief requires a number of things but the first biggest step is to embrace failures as opportunities for learning. Keeping in mind that growth only occurs after lessons have been learnt and put into use. Without a mindset of picking lessons from every disappointment, the cycle of disappointment and limitations will continue to spin. And learning is not always limited to the acquisition of knowledge through study, experience or teaching. Learning is an intricate process that needs us to learn, unlearn, and relearn. It involves seeking knowledge, exploring new ideas, doing away with old beliefs and being open to alternative viewpoints. By appreciating a growth mindset and adopting a position of lifelong learning, we can adapt easily to changing circumstances and optimise available opportunities not only for personal but also for professional growth.

After embracing failure and picking out the lessons, strengthening our self-belief is essential. It involves developing a strong sense of confidence and trust in one's abilities. If you don't first believe in yourself, getting others to believe in you is likely not going to work. Self-belief does not always stem from strings of successes. In fact, it is needed most during periods of setbacks and difficulties. Self-belief is like the muscles in our body. The more you work out, the bigger your muscles get and the stronger your body is. What you get from building your muscles is not just the strength to carry stuff, but your body's general resistance to some ailments and illnesses. Persevering in the face of challenges, and maintaining unwavering determination is how self-belief is fortified.

When we challenge self-imposed limitations and societal norms, it helps us to look inwards and take on uncertainties readily and more courageously. Our mindsets are renewed and the trust we have in ourselves multiply. The process transforms our mindset from a prohibitive one to a progressive one. When that happens, we not only ignite positivity in ourselves, we also become catalysts for inspiration in others around us. Just like Fauja Singh who did at 90 years what many people will fear to do at 30, it always seems impossible till it is done. So, resist the urge to conform to your own limitations. Instead, defy those limitations.