A Quit to Success

We know the real life school/college drop outs turned inventors/millionaires. Still, failing and quitting are two terms that are not appreciated. It is even bad if there are no convincing reasons.

Quitting doesn't always means failing. Especially, when you know what you are going to do next and the attitude to support it by hard work and commitment. And when you redirect the momentum (in quitting) towards your new path, achievements are just milestones in your path.

A recent phone conversation took me a little long down the memory lane. Though it is a bit long, the pictures are very clear and sharp in my mind. A college student taking  a decision to quit his course in the middle.

Completing his school education as an average student, he had gone for higher studies with a niche specialization during those days. Somehow, he was not able to cope with new environment. One fine day, he took a decision to call it off. And I happened to be one of the first few to hear the news. During those days, considering our social circumstances and his age, it was a difficult decision to take and stand by it. It was a crime to discontinue your studies, just because you can’t adjust.

But he knew what he is going to do next. Nothing impressive.  A normal thing that any average student would choose to.

The twist of the story happened when he did the normal thing in an extra ordinary way. He was the university topper for his Bachelors. He continued it in his masters. Then he went on to research. And my phone conversation mentioned at the beginning was that he will be conferred with Phd in December.

I am not sure whether he had all these planned, when he quit. But I appreciate him for two things,

1) His courage to take that decision and stand by it.

2) The ownership he took for his decision, with the hard work and commitment. I have personally witnessed it, at times.

Coming back to my phone conversation, I could sense the pride of his dear ones who stood by his decision. I too feel proud of you my friend. Keep going!!!