Chapter 1: The Reality of Success Stories

In a world where triumphs are celebrated, it’s often easier for individuals to showcase their transformation from struggle to success once they’ve built a strong foundation of confidence. While there's nothing inherently wrong with this, it can leave many feeling inadequate rather than motivated. Amidst the noise of success stories, it’s crucial to acknowledge our in-between experiences.

What challenges are you facing today? Let’s start a conversation about our moments of failure, as they are universal.

After assisting numerous entrepreneurs, I often hear the question, “If you’re so proficient, why haven’t you expanded your reach?” Is it procrastination? Perhaps laziness? Many of us grapple with consistency, but for me, that’s not my greatest hurdle.

Here’s my personal tale of struggle: I strive to improve my public communication skills. Anxiety can be a formidable opponent. It transcends mere shyness; one moment you may feel energized and confident, and the next, anxiety can diminish your spirit, impacting your daily life and relationships.

The unpredictability of anxiety can be maddening and disheartening, often without a clear trigger.

My anxiety often leads me to shy away from projects and opportunities that require public visibility. In fact, I once ran a travel blog that I intentionally let lapse, ensuring no one was aware of my involvement.

Years ago, I participated in a college promotional effort alongside my peers. While they reveled in the opportunity for exposure, I opted to change my account name after receiving numerous positive messages, wanting to remain inconspicuous.

The rationale behind my actions eludes me still. During a successful brand campaign that garnered nearly 200,000 views for a startup, I never included it on my resume. Why? I felt too anxious about the attention it might draw.

I have frequently canceled plans with friends, family, and colleagues, as the thought of venturing outside can be overwhelmingly taxing. I even withdrew from family events, including my brother's wedding, where I only attended for photographs and logistical support.

The mere thought of addressing a crowd instills such dread that opting out becomes my go-to choice. The anxiety surrounding professional communications is so intense that I often prepare myself a week in advance, finding it far easier to respond via text than engage in phone conversations.

However, I’m beginning to make strides in my journey, gradually becoming more comfortable with engaging on social media and sending connection requests.

The irony in my situation is that I’ve managed to conceal my struggles so effectively that anyone asked to describe me would provide a contradictory portrayal.

So, why am I sharing this today? Because I am still navigating these challenges and want to shed light on my "in-between" journey.

People often wait until they’ve achieved success to showcase their before-and-after stories. But what about the in-between? Why not discuss it now? We don’t always need a success narrative to inspire others. These tales can set unrealistic expectations for those still trying to find their footing, often fostering feelings of inadequacy.

Let’s share our stories of struggle while we are still evolving! It’s perfectly okay if you have no clear path or progress to report. What matters is acknowledging your current challenges.

So, what’s your story of struggle? Share in the comments and let the world know that you too will rise to meet your goals, as success and failure are part of a continuous journey.

I felt encouraged to write this after being inspired by Yamini Rangan’s LinkedIn post on imposter syndrome. I owe gratitude to Zulie Rane for introducing me to this platform, as well as to my mentors who have guided me along the way.

Much appreciation goes out to:

• Vinod Nakra
• Vanita Ahuja
• Riddha Basu
• Vps Nihar Nanyam, MRICS
• Shanan Burman
• Sumit Deshmukh & Vikas
• Deepak Kanakaraju
• Amol Patel
• Murali Raghavan
• Vignesh Prem
• Sakshi Sakhlecha
• Soumyajeet & Rahul — Growth Studio

I feel incredibly fortunate to have crossed paths with so many amazing peers and project colleagues who have made my experiences in college, public spaces, and the workplace much more manageable.

Chapter 2: The Importance of Normalizing Failure

The second video titled "Let's normalize talking about failure as a music artist" emphasizes the need for open discussions regarding failure in the creative industry. It serves as a reminder that everyone faces setbacks, and sharing these experiences can foster understanding and support within communities.

Let's continue to encourage each other and embrace our journeys, both the highs and the lows.