Think Like an Immigrant!

In the year?1519, Hernán Cortés arrived in Veracruz (what we now know as Mexico) with six hundred men and, upon arrival, made history by destroying his ships. This had sent?a?clear message to?his?men: There is no turning back. They had to be victorious! Retreat is easy when you let yourself have options. This was a story of sheer grit, determination, positivity and 'crazy' optimism!

As an emerging leader, one of the most important things that I share with many other immigrants - the modern day Hernán Cortés - is endless optimism, grit and perseverance. Not generalizing the experience of all immigrants, I can argue that all immigrants have at least one thing in common: every immigrant wants an opportunity and they all have endless optimism for it in life! I am not only enthusiastic about my future but also a bit fearful about it. Why am I a bit fearful? Because number of expectations are high but number of unknowns are higher!

As a result, I always push myself to go an extra mile and try to be the finest and hardest working person in the room....Why??Because failure is not an option.

What would failure mean? I would have to pack my bags and return to India - my country of birth. [unless I decide to go willingly for additional personal reasons or due to country's VISA issues]. But, I came here from India to provide my family with a better life. "I'm a Migrant", an Immigrant - the first one from my family, that has decided to create this process of refinement of life and lifestyle for my family.

For this, I live my life with 'crazy', 'sickening', 'unbelievable' optimism. I am always optimistic about my future and I don't take a single day for granted. To maximize the opportunity, I work super hard, make sacrifices, and relentlessly focus on making the world a better place.

Be paranoid and optimistic - Paranoid, in the sense that you are always sizing up the competition, always striving to stay one step ahead, and never, ever resting on your laurels. Optimistic, because anything else is self-defeating, and a luxury you can’t afford.

So regardless of your situation whether you are a 'modern day Hernán Cortés' or not, live your life like an immigrant!?Be optimistic about the future, but be paranoid about securing it at the same time, because?being just fine enough or being average is not an option!

#ThinkLikeAnImmigrant #Success

#Optimistic #Paranoid

#HardWork #Relentless #Sacrifice #Focus #NeverGiveUp