ARJUN PEREIRA finds what’s common behind the world’s biggest success stories: it isn’t luck, but plain, consistent hard work
When we look at the mega success of artistes, athletes or entrepreneurs, we are generally short-sighted and view only the tip of the proverbial iceberg. When we talk about world-famous bands like The Beatles, we only remember their sold-out concerts, recall their bestselling albums, and hum their popular numbers like Hard Day’s Night, I Want to Hold Your Hand, and Yellow Submarine. We only recall their albums, songs, their knighting by British royalty and their fame and glory in the public eye and on the world stage.
Let’s take up the life of Roger Federer, the superstar tennis player who has been playing on the world’s best courts since 2003 when he won his first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon. Ever since, we have observed his seemingly effortless grace, his gazelle-like movements, the elegance of his serve, forehand and one-handed backhand, his super quick running and uncanny returns. We have read about the raucous admiration he commands, the glory of his triumphs at Wimbledon, the US Open and many more….
Recently, we watched Novak Djokovic secure the much-coveted Gold at the Paris Olympics on August 4, 2024 and marvelled at his sporting longevity, his grit and determination. Djokovic beat the out-and-out favourite, the 21-year-old Spaniard, Carlos Alcaraz on the Philippe-Chatrier Parisian clay court in a very entertaining and enthralling match. However, what is even more intriguing is that Novak Djokovic was born on 22 May, 1987. That makes him 37 years old and for him to beat a 21-year-old wonderkid and prodigy in a highly physical and mentally demanding sport like tennis is a rare and certainly, an unprecedented feat. This was just after Alcaraz drubbed Djokovic in three straight sets in the 2024 Wimbledon final less than a month ago.
As spectators, we only take cognisance of the final burst of glory achieved by these singers, musicians and athletes. We concentrate only on that blow that finally shatters the glass ceiling and catapults them onto the world stage.
Perhaps, the same can be said for someone at the top of a corporate firm or business. We only see their fancy post and designation and forget their initial years of struggle or even the constant hard work they have to keep putting in to retain their topmost position.
The fact is that The Beatles, which initially comprised only of John Lennon and Paul McCartney began their music careers at unknown clubs in Germany’s Hamburg in 1957. They played non-stop for eight hours a day, seven days a week, until two o’clock in the morning, and on many occasions, for little or no pay at times, happy just to hone their skills, and to work on their stage act. But they kept working on their unique approach to music and endured relative obscurity for years before they finally hit the big time in the United Kingdom. But, it was only after that, that they began performing to sold out crowds in the USA in 1964, appeared on the famed Ed Sullivan Show and then finally got back home to find a frenzied mob of admirers at London’s Heathrow airport. This grand, head-turning success came after two years of toil, after John, Paul and George Harrison gave it their all, until they became such naturals at their performances that they could wow audiences effortlessly at every new show.
Roger Federer too mentioned in a recent graduation speech at Dartmouth college that his game was never effortless and that his ‘effortless skill’ was, in fact, the result of countless hours of hard work, dedication and focused commitment to his game. Considering the fact that he first burst on the tennis scene in 1998, when he played his first ATP tour match, it took him five years of consistent hard work to bag his first big Grand Slam title in 2003.
It wasn’t easy for Novak Djokovic, either. Most people are needlessly prejudiced towards him because of his anti-vaccination stance and they shrug off his talent as something that naturally came his way, downplaying the many years of hard effort that he put in to reach the top. He started training to be a tennis player from the tender age of four and went through endless hoops and struggles to become a professional tennis player. His childhood was spent in a war-torn region, now known as Serbia. Even after he became a professional tennis player, he struggled with a dairy allergy and retired from many matches before he completely overhauled his dietary regimen in 2010 to eventually become the mega champion that he is today.
The fact of the matter is that even champions face numerous challenges on the path to virtuosity, but their secret to success is that they consistently push through to eventually bag gold and to shine the brightest in whichever field they choose. That’s how longevity is assured.
Arjun Pereira, a writer and editor, is also a singer, composer, lyricist and guitarist. He loves the outdoors and is often seen enjoying a vigorous game of tennis both mornings and evenings. He has worked for several leading publishing houses and corporates and loves to travel, soaking in new experiences and cultures. His subjects of interest are sports and music.
Djokovic Photo courtesy: Kanzhehalishka/goodfon.com