By Ahmed Kidwai
Growing up I have been kicked, pushed, sworn at and much more.
The thing that sets me apart though is that I get back up. Not only that but I get back up and use these negatives as a fire to succeed. This typically happened in school, in terms of academics.
Growing up I was always fascinated and exceled at Science, Math, P.E but nothing really artsy – however my teachers always looked at this as a negative. Constantly being put down because I used both hands to write, I could barely read, and my French was not good (they teach French as a complementary to English where I am from).
When I hit 3rd grade I just couldn’t take it anymore.
In 3rd grade they decided they’d split up the class into groups to work during free time. One group was the “smart kids” the other was the kids who were a little slower. I was so offended by this even in third grade that I exploded.
I told myself I’d do anything and everything to become the best and from then on I’ve been on cruise control to success.
Believe in yourself!
“A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him.” - David Brinkley
So many times I see people giving up because someone else has told them, “You aren’t good enough.”
Who cares what anyone else says!
It is your life.
Make it the best you can, push yourself to the farthest limits and at the end of the day you can at least know you worked harder than anyone who told you that you could not do it!
To me it takes more to do something then say something.
An example of this was when I was talking to a former high school teacher and I was telling them my aspiration to go into medicine. They looked at me a little strange and said “hope you’re smart enough.” I smiled and prompted to respond politely, but in my mind I took it offensive. That night I studied as hard as I could for my upcoming finals, negative comments just drive me to do better.
Stay organized!
“Action is the foundational key to all success.” - Pablo Picasso
I don’t even know where to start about organization!
It is absolutely necessary to do well in whatever you want to succeed in! You need to remember important dates, papers you need for a meeting, maybe a pencil for class and so much more.
You need to be on the ball.
How exactly do you think things will work if you are spending hours trying to find the date of a dentist appointment when you have to write a business plan, or make notes for class!? These sorts of things cut into YOUR valuable time.
Optimize the 24 hours you have in a day by staying organized!
An example of this that has happened to me recently is trying to locate my physics notes to study for my Physics final. I was very careless about keeping my notes together and now I am missing key things. Going back to my textbook to make notes is so tedious and time consuming! I honestly believe I’d have been better off keeping my notes in order.
As of now I will never make this sort of mistake again, it is so costly!
Concluding, I can not reiterate more: believe and stay organized and not only will you succeed but you will be more than satisfied with your life!
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{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
Ahmed
I strongly agree with you Success is on the inside, and the best part about the journey to success is it makes you much stronger in life. You are a true champion because you overcame and are still overcoming those haters and nay sayers.
success is for the strong people and you and I my friend are strong because we will do what it takes to succeed
Kenny Fabre recently posted..Building Backlinks by using Anchor Text to Comment on Niche Related Blogs or Websites
Twitter: smartboydesigns
January 25, 2012 at 11:42 am
Thank you for sharing those thoughts, Kenny.
What is it about hurtful comments that cut so deep? And do you believe it’s as simple as a choice, that allows us to overcome or let those comments hurt us?
Interesting thoughts indeed.
Christian Hollingsworth recently posted..Revival
Best of luck to you and YOU are so right that YOU are the determinant of your ultimate success – to HELL with the nay-sayers!
Bruce Sallan recently posted..NEWS OF THE MOMENT
Twitter: smartboydesigns
January 25, 2012 at 11:43 am
Love your thought here, Bruce. Hell with the nay-sayers!!!

Christian Hollingsworth recently posted..Revival
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January 25, 2012 at 11:40 am
Hi Ahmed and Christian!
Ahmed, you give us a strong message here. Self-confidence is the key to success. Organization is a part of our path to get to the destination.
Nice article.
Thank you for sharing.
Lenia recently posted..How learning languages can change your life
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January 25, 2012 at 11:48 am
A great way to summarize the post, Lenia. Thank you.
Christian Hollingsworth recently posted..Revival
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January 25, 2012 at 2:41 pm
i can really relate to a lot of what your saying. my moto is never ever give up.
someone once told me that the world is full of intelligent people who gave up.
Twitter: smartboydesigns
January 30, 2012 at 2:25 pm
That’s a great motto to hold within your heart always!
Christian Hollingsworth recently posted..3 Tactics for Growing Your Email List
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January 25, 2012 at 5:56 pm
Hi Ahmed,
This was definitely a touching and thought-provoking post. I can relate to this in my own way because of some issues I used to have with social anxiety. My past with social anxiety had gotten to a point where I had developed a bit of an anxiety-induced-stutter which made me a bit of an awkward person in social settings.
I can laugh about it now, but at the time it was mortifying.
I learned at one point that if I wanted to improve, I had to be my own best friend. It’s too easy to absorb the negative feedback in life for some reason…I had to work at embracing the positive in myself and basically hold my head high and just GO FOR IT.
Always go for it. If you want it GO FOR IT. Never wait for others to validate you because that validation may never come and all you will do is waste your time and emotion on what could have been otherwise.
Thanks for sharing your story!!
And great choice of guest bloggers, Christian!!
Cat Alexandra
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January 30, 2012 at 2:27 pm
Thanks for opening upa nd sharing your thoughts, Cat. So beautiful. It sounds like you know so much now, because of what you’ve experienced. Just think of all the people you can now connect to because you’ve felt what they’ve felt. That’s so wonderful! I guess the difficult times of life turn into something great – often.
Christian Hollingsworth recently posted..3 Tactics for Growing Your Email List
Hi Ahmed,
You really stated great points there. Being organize and believing in your capabilities will definitely not only make you successful but also gives you a satisfying life. I just want to share that you don’t need to chase success but what you need to do is chase excellence. If you excel in whatever you’re doing, then i’m certain that success will chase you.
Twitter: smartboydesigns
January 30, 2012 at 2:28 pm
I’ve never thought about life in that way. Wow.
Chase excellence. Success follows.
THAT’S definitely the best quote I’v heard all week. Thank you for sharing, my friend. I have a lot to think about now!

Christian Hollingsworth recently posted..3 Tactics for Growing Your Email List
That very much true Ahmed for being successful only one thing can stop us and that one thing is “US”, who don’t believe in its own talent, power, etc and listen to others statements.
Thus its US who can stop for being successful not the OTHERS.
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January 30, 2012 at 2:29 pm
So very true. Love that you know this, and put it to practice in your life.

Christian Hollingsworth recently posted..3 Tactics for Growing Your Email List
The main thing is to believe in yourself and in your opportunities and potential. In this case you’ll achieve everything you want
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Hi Ahmed and Christian!
Ahmed, you give us a strong message here. Self-confidence is the key to success. Organization is a part of our path to get to the destination.
Nice article.
Twitter: smartboydesigns
January 30, 2012 at 2:30 pm
Thanks, you two, for sharing these thoughts. Lovely!
Christian Hollingsworth recently posted..3 Tactics for Growing Your Email List