Monday, October 8, 2012

LUCKY


Several years ago, at a training program, when asked to name an inspirational achiever, many mentioned Amitabh Bachchan. When asked to identify the primary quality behind the success of the superstar, a majority said that he was ‘lucky’. In response, I shared the following observations:

Amitabh is ‘lucky’ to possess a rare and resonant voice. But the fact remains that he was so ‘lucky’ that All India Radio refused to hire him because they found his voice to be mediocre.

Amitabh was ‘lucky’ to star in so many super hit films that we have lost count of his successes. But the fact remains that he was so ‘lucky’ that his first 11 films fared poorly at the box office.

Amitabh was ‘lucky’ to make such a lot of money... everything he touched was rewarding. But the fact remains that he was so ‘lucky’ that, just ten years ago, his house was to be auctioned by the banks due to bad debts.

Amitabh is a case of ‘pluck’, not luck. As his 70th birthday approaches, he puts in more hours and efforts than colleagues do at half his age. At every high point in his career, he never sought to relax in his glory. At every adversity, he re-invented himself and attempted risks and challenges.

To be better at living, we must learn to never give up. We need to take failure head-on and not allow it to demoralise us. People, who leave their lives to the vagaries of luck, will not make progress. But those, who respond to daunting challenges with pluck, will endure!

Do not believe Amitabh when he says he is plain lucky
to BE BETTER at anything, we need only pluck… truly!

- Pravin K. Sabnis

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