Winners Make Commitments Not Excuses

Eyes on the goal

Veer was disappointed. He had managed a mere 50 per cent in his Maths test and he knew if he did not score at least 80 in the exam next month, his rank would suffer. That wasn’t his only worry. The annual Sports Day was fast approaching and he was determined to win the 200 metres race. He had to practise more.  He tossed and turned in his sleep and woke up late on Sunday morning, looking tired and weak.

“What is the matter beta?” his mother asked with concern seeing his state at the breakfast table. Veer told her about his Maths score and the fact that he wanted to win the race, and that he hardly had time.

His Mother told him that he had to become like Arjuna in the Mahabharata. Arjun was the greatest archer of all times. “Do you know why?” When Veer shook his head, his Mom said, “Because he did not take his eyes off his goal.” Arjuna’s bow never missed the target, because his eyes could see nothing else but the target when he aimed. “Let us start working on your two goals right away. But, promise me that you will cooperate, follow my instructions and remain committed.” Veer nodded firmly. “Of course I will,” he said with determination.

Monday morning, his alarm went off at 5 in the morning. As his hands reached out to shut it off, he saw his mother standing next to his bed. “Get up. You need to do at least five rounds of the park, before you bathe, eat breakfast and catch his school bus,” she said and disappeared. Veer struggled to open his eyes, but his mother was soon back with a glass of water, from which she sprinkled cold water on his face and eyes. He sat up and ten minutes later, was dressed to run. His mother sat on a bench and kept track of the time he took to complete each round.

After he returned from school, his mother served him lunch and allowed him to rest for exactly an hour. She then made him sit and solve at least ten maths problems before he attacked his other homework. Whenever he was stuck, she put him on a call with his cousin, an engineering student , who helped him crack the sums. Before dinner, he skipped and ran up and down the stairs at least 20 times. This became a regular routine. His mother put up a poster on the wall in front of his bed that said, “Losers make promises they break, but Winners make commitments they always keep.”

Even on weekends, he woke up early and ran as many rounds as he could. He found his stamina improving. He had learned to eat everything that his mother gave him. After all, it was all good for his body and muscles. He increased his protein intake and consciously avoided his favourite cheese burst pizza and potato wafers. He soon realised that he could easily kill the urge to grab a handful of chips if he imagined himself holding the trophy for fastest runner. Within a week of regular interaction with his cousin, who was a Maths genius, he had received so many useful tips that the Maths exam did not seem so much of a nightmare anymore. In fact, he started enjoying the subject so much that he began looking for exercises on the Net to solve before hitting the bed every night. He would write the number of sums he solved each day on the calendar. As the number grew, so did his confidence. The goal was in sight!