I feel I would always stretch and perform better, and fight harder, if I were intimidated by situations, or Individuals, or in a competition. As a high performer in my class, I would get intimidated to ‘want to do better’. As a competing entrepreneur doing better, I always wanted to be that better person. Intimidation helped me do better in areas where I had the potential in me, and it was underexploited.
I have also been intimidated by individuals and in situations like athletics, sports, music, stage performing, and many more. While at school, I would get intimidated by better performers, better athletes and better classmates. But I always had an inhibition to share my insecurity even with my family and closest of friends.
I can see today’s world, particularly in the early childhood education systems and largely in the school education system, helps children deal with intimidating situations, helps them to have the courage to share it, and accept help. That will help each one of them become better individuals, and emotionally stronger.
And when I progressed to college and started to do better, academically and in sports, I grew in confidence. Eventually, life teaches you to work harder on your strengths and accept your weaknesses — particularly, if you are born with it. I started to notice all the fortunate aspects of my life — my parents, good friends, and then a few lucky breaks — gave me the confidence to manage intimidations better, and turn them into opportunities.
Is there an aggression in me? I don’t know. As an entrepreneur, an accidental entrepreneur, I was always told that you needed to have ‘fire in your belly’ to succeed. You should have the perfect ‘elevator pitch’ to get Investors interested. Your customers have to feel the passion in you for your business.
I still hear and read inspiring books, inspiring speeches, inspiring individuals, celebrities, successful personalities, and icons. Even today, at 58 years of age, I still feel intimidated in the presence of such personalities. It takes me time to start feeling at ease.
I have some good friends and colleagues who do not feel intimidated and can carry themselves with dignity, and are at ease in such situations. I am always told that they train their minds that way. I wish I knew how to. Maybe I should do a course like ‘I am okay, you are okay’!
Firstly, I should admit that I am not sure how to define success — particularly in the journey of entrepreneurship:
Wealth you create for yourself and your colleagues?
The Social Impact your business has made?
Leadership traits that you demonstrate?
The number of jobs you help create?
In summary, I feel you need to get intimidated and feel intimidated so you work that much harder.
I still feel intimidated by situations. It happens when I get to a deadlock situation where the challenge lies in an area beyond my influence, like the pandemic Situation.
It is said that you should not worry about what is not in your control! Of course yes, but if it was in your control and was intimidating, you would stretch harder to find the solution.
