Turning Failure into Fuel: Lessons from Two Icons

The period between October and December in India is always eventful, blending personal festivities and professional engagements. October ushers in the joy of Delhi winters—a memory that lingers more than a reality these days—and marks the onset of the Festival of Lights, Diwali, accompanied by several other celebrations that stretch into November.

On the professional front, this time of the year brings an array of corporate conferences and annual summits. Recently, I had the privilege of attending one such event, the Gartner It Symposium Xpo Summit, representing my company, Sify Technologies Limited .

For those unfamiliar, these conferences are akin to large-scale events in other industries but serve as a confluence of brilliant minds from across the globe, primarily from the IT sector. It’s an arena where people discuss, debate, and absorb insights from Gartner and other experts about the evolving trends in technology.

However, my takeaway this year wasn’t solely about the tech-focused sessions. It was about something deeper—sessions that go beyond technology to touch the core of human experiences. These moments aligned perfectly with the essence of my blog series, Life, which centers on drawing lessons from daily observations that transcend domains.

This year, two exceptional speakers graced the event: Bear Grylls and Leander Paes. Neither belongs to the IT world, except as users, but both are master storytellers of their own life journeys. Their stories are a testament to resilience, grit, and determination—qualities that resonate universally.

Here, I attempt to distill the essence of their messages, hoping it inspires others as much as it inspired me.

Key Lessons from Bear Grylls and Leander Paes

1.???? Dealing with Failure Failure is inevitable but also transformative.

Bear Grylls shared his journey of being rejected in his first attempt to join the British Special Forces (SAS) due to not being "fit enough." Despite the gruelling process and his fears, he returned and succeeded, becoming one of only four selected cadets out of 90 applicants.

Leander Paes recounted his early struggles at a tennis academy, where he repeatedly lost matches. Despite family challenges, including his parents’ divorce, he returned to training with renewed determination, eventually becoming one of India’s greatest tennis players.

Key Takeaway: Failure is the doorway to success. Embrace it, learn from it, and let it propel you forward.

2.???? Facing Your Fears Fear is universal, but growth lies in confronting it head-on.

• After a near-fatal accident that left him with a broken back, Bear Grylls overcame paralysis and his fear of skydiving to pursue a life of adventure.
• Leander Paes gave up a promising football career because he refused to relinquish his Indian citizenship, choosing instead to represent India in tennis.

Key Takeaway: Life rewards grit. Face your fears—they often hold the key to your growth.

3.???? Igniting the Fire Within Passion and perseverance fuel extraordinary achievements.

• Leander’s unwavering fire to win a medal for India drove him to train harder, from building lung capacity in high-altitude cities to enhancing his physical endurance.
• Bear Grylls conquered the Everest, driven by an inner fire that overcame his physical and mental limits.

Key Takeaway: Never lose the fire within. It’s your most potent tool in overcoming adversity.

4.???? Faith in Yourself and Beyond Belief in oneself and the support of loved ones can move mountains.

• In the final Olympic tennis match, Leander overcame immense pain from an injured wrist, drawing strength from his faith in God, his father’s words, and his own determination.

Key Takeaway: Have faith in yourself, your family, and a higher purpose. This faith can sustain you through life’s toughest challenges.

Timeless Wisdom: A Reminder from the Bhagavad Gita

Listening to these extraordinary individuals reminded me of a timeless verse from the Bhagavad Gita:

??????????????????? ?? ????? ?????? (Karmanye Vadhikaraste Ma Phaleshu Kadachana)

This verse emphasises focusing on your actions without attachment to the results. Success is often the byproduct of sincere effort, not a guaranteed outcome.

Final Thoughts

The stories of Bear Grylls and Leander Paes reaffirm that life’s challenges are stepping stones to growth. Whether it’s failure, fear, or uncertainty, each obstacle holds the potential to shape us into stronger, more resilient individuals.

As Martin Luther King Jr. famously said: "If you can't fly, then run. If you can't run, then walk. If you can't walk, then crawl. But whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward."

These lessons, though universal, gain renewed significance when heard from those who’ve lived them. May their words inspire us to keep moving forward, no matter the odds.