“ THE SECRET POWER IS YOU “

“ THE SECRET POWER IS YOU “

Few days back, my sister commented on the pictures I posted on my Facebook during the seminar I attended in Switzerland. And the post read, “You are a living proof that nothing is impossible!” I knew exactly what she meant. And every time she tells me that, I feel some sense of pride not because of the weight of my professional accomplishments, but because of the purpose of such accomplishments - as an opportunity to inspire and bless others who do not have the confidence in themselves.

I was a timid girl always hiding behind my text book in high school. My hair had a body of its own when the trend was straight and soft. I was not one of the head turners as I did not belong to the group of the privileged and famous. I was consistently an audience of the lyre band, never a member. Neither was I an achiever. I never ran for any student council position thinking that students voted only for the pretty, brainy and famous. While Mama consistently pinned ribbons and medals for my honor student brother and sister, she was never present in any recognition day for me because I was never in the honor roll.

To give you a clear picture of myself in high school, with my very low self-esteem, I was but a number among a number of students.

Growing up, I would often hear people say that for one to really succeed, she has to be either smart or pretty! I was neither of the two.

When I went to college, I felt like I had moved from a small town wherein everyone knew everyone to a huge city fraught with people from all walks of life. I saw girls who were both pretty and smart, pretty but not smart, smart but not pretty, talented, pretty and smart, and the likes of me in high school – thinking they’re not pretty, talented or smart.

“Thinking”, that was my cue. I just thought, “Who said I wasn’t pretty nor smart?” Actually, no one did. It was my own insecurities and frustrations that validated that thought! That awful thought which was clearly just in my head.

And so, in college, I dumped the awful thought and applied for a service crew job. I worked for six months respectively in Dunkin Donuts and KFC. I feared not being able to experience being a working student for quite long because of the same thought – the smart and pretty would be prioritized! Well, it took me the word “thinking” to realize that your perception of yourself is much more influential to your success than the perception of others.

Some may react that successful people find it very easy to persuade people to believe in their formula to success when the truth is, some are just not as lucky as they are. I must admit that sometimes, I also believe that there is luck involved in the process, but the primary and major variable in the formula is one’s will power and perception of herself.

One day, I chanced upon a powerful quote from a book that I found in my sister’s drawer - The Secret by Rhonda Byrne. “ Remember that your thoughts are the primary cause of everything.” Speak thinking that you are smart and take a stride believing that you are beautiful. Your thoughts will exude exactly such! That completed my realization! Anything is possible for people who believe in the beauty of their own thoughts.

I wasn’t an honor student in high school nor a dean’s lister in college. Then, I “thought” of working abroad. From an administrative career in Dubai, I rose from the ranks, one senior position to another, from one company to another. And now, I have nearly two decades of professional career obtained from internationally-acclaimed 5-star resorts and hotels – previously worked at Lux* Resort & Hotel, Maldives as the Regional Director for Human Resources. Currently, working in Accor Group as Area T&C Manager - The Maldives and Cluster Director of Talent & Culture for Pullman Maldives Maamutaa and Mercure Maldives Kooddoo Resort.

Back then, I could not even write down thoughts nor communicate verbally in English in a well-structured and organized manner. Then, I “thought” of trying to socialize with professionals from various fields and positions. I stepped out of my circle and stepped into new circles. By now, I have mastered the art of communicating with people in all levels with clarity, sincerity, and substance.

Back then, I never succeeded in holding the attention of the class during a speech culminating activity. Then, I “thought” of attending self-development trainings, enhancing my professional capabilities, and widening my network of contacts. Now, I have been developing training materials and conducting them myself aimed at inspiring and influencing our employees to believe and invest in themselves.

Back then, I never had the opportunity to share the stage with famous student dancers, singers, speech masters, and beauty pageant candidates. Then, I “thought” of consistently keeping my presence felt in the international corporate scene. In 2017, I shared the stage in India with 99 other HR practitioners having been nominated in World HRD Congress as 100 Most Influential Global HR Professionals. Now, I have been frequenting venues for global recruitment, HR Conferences and corporate events.

I was never a lyre band member nor a cheerleader in intramurals. Thus, not a head turner. But, I have won the heart of a decent, charming man – my Chef husband.

I am not implying to the young generation that excelling in school has no bearing in one’s success in the future. Academic excellence of course, is a goal and yes, it prepares a person towards greater achievements. And yes, graduating with flying colors will always have its advantages. But, I’m sharing my insecurities during my younger days with the hope of getting my message across - that there is also an opportunity for the irony of things to occur. Yes, the unimaginable happens and it does, not based on luck or circumstances, but on ourselves, on the beauty of our own thoughts. That is the secret!

It doesn’t really matter which university you attended, or if you graduated with honors or with none, if you won beauty contests or you did not, if you were one of the head turners or you were not, if you grew up with a silver spoon on a silver platter or in a financially-challenged situation. The only thing that matters is our confidence to try despite whatever perception others may have on our capabilities. Our success depends on us! If there is someone next to GOD who can transition our insecurities, frustrations, and heartbreaks into triumph, it is us!