Decoding the keys to success

TEDx is a mega global platform that invites motivational speakers from different walks of life. Here, each of the speakers narrate their personal accounts, which enable the audience to see the bigger picture of life, and make them realise that the glass is always half full and not the other way around. This year, on January 23, 2025, Amity International School, Gurugram 46 organised TEDx on the theme AIMPACT, where thinkers, innovators, and changemakers shared real-life stories of courage, perseverance, creativity, and transformation. Here’s an insight into what these inspiring speakers shared on the platform. 

Magical formula

“You may be the fastest sprinter in the world, but if you are starting from the wrong point, you will never win the race. So, opportunity is that point which gets you in the game. The chances of your success are going to be directly proportional to the number of right opportunities you avail. This opportunity matrix has two simple dimensions - competency and likability. According to a Harvard study, managers tend to choose candidates who are more likable compared to the candidates who may be well-qualified but less likable. The second dimension of this opportunity matrix is competency. Malcolm Gladwell said that ten thousand hours of dedicated and passionate practice can make you a master of any area. So, the deeper you go, the higher you rise. Besides opportunity matrix, the two enemies that constantly block your growth are the human tendency to lay blame on something or someone else and the fear of failure. And to overcome these, one needs to keep taking action that gets you going and opens new doors for you.”

Be persistent

“A single incident doesn’t define you. You are shaped by your beliefs. So, you must dream big and put your heart and soul into chasing those dreams. The three Ps necessary to achieve the same are ‘Passion’, ‘Perseverance’ and ‘Persistence’. When you’re truly passionate, you’ll persevere, enduring challenges. That’s also where persistence shows up - not giving up, no matter how hard it gets. There are also the three Es that are equally important - ‘Energy’, ‘Enthusiasm’ and ‘Execution’. The more you believe in yourself, the more energy you will pour in. It is also important to believe in your team. That is when you find the enthusiasm to execute plans. Most people underestimate teamwork, but we cannot be successful just by ourselves. Success comes when we believe in others as well. Yes, failures may come, but they’ll always be stepping stones.”

Find a purpose

“The key is making your own decisions. Do not let parental or peer pressure influence your choices. My first job was at a news channel where I felt that I couldn’t contribute much to the society. So, I joined Amitasha where I worked for the less privileged girls, under the guidance of Chairperson, Dr (Mrs) Amita Chauhan. This inspired me to pursue a Masters in Social Work from Delhi University. In my second year, I was placed in Asia’s largest prison, Tihar Jail, for my fieldwork. Working with prisoners, especially in reformation and rehabilitation, was a life-changing experience. When COVID lockdown happened, I contacted an NGO, got a pass, and began distributing essentials like food, medicines, and PPE kits. People found me through social media, offering support and resources. This experience proved that no learning ever goes to waste. Whether you’re a student of journalism or a social worker, your skills will always find a purpose, if you have the will.”

Face your fears

“You don’t need to be great to start, instead you need to start to be great. History tells us that powerful people do not come from powerful places, they make the places they inhabit powerful. Many start-up ideas die inside one’s mind before being executed. And the reason is the fear of failure. Success is celebrated and appreciated everywhere but failure isn’t acknowledged. I believe that, just like death is the ultimate truth of life, failure is the ultimate truth of success. Failure is inevitable. However, one can minimise the amount of failure by consistency. If you focus on any one skill and be consistent at it, you’ll eventually master it. That is why successful entrepreneurs round the world believe that consistency is the key to success. The trick is: if you divide the hard climb to success into smaller, achievable parts, the journey becomes less overwhelming. And step by step, you will conquer the goals you have set for yourself.”

Failure is crucial

“In my journey - through architecture, art, culture, and life - failure has been my most loyal companion. Failure in general is a word which is perceived as a very negative entity, but according to me, failure is actually not the opposite of success, it is the foundation, the bedrock of success. I have treated life like a Rubik’s Cube - complex but solvable. But there are some important factors that one must also keep in mind. Number one is discipline. If you are not disciplined, you will not be able to achieve anything you desire. Discipline is directly proportional to the hard work you put in. Then, however hard it gets, you are not supposed to give up. The mindset that you set out with is also important. Always believe that if someone else can do it, then I can do it too. And finally, you must be true to yourself. Always talk to yourself, accept your flaws, ask questions, and keep going. Never give up and make sure to explore, create, and inspire so that you can ideate, enact, and create an impact.”

Yes to success

“When people ask me what helped me transform from a girl with self-doubt into someone who topped her university and anchored in front of 5,000 people, I always go back to my 7Cs. The first is ‘Communication’ - reading, writing, speaking, and most importantly, listening. It gave me clarity and confidence. Then came ‘Courage’. It took courage to say no to distractions, to ask for help, and to stay the course when I felt uncertain. ‘Consistency’ made the impossible feel achievable - whether it was showing up to study, or simply keep going. I learned to ‘Create’ my own definition of ‘cool’ by not following trends but honouring what mattered to me. I also learned to ‘Cheer’ for myself - because the world doesn’t always clap at the beginning. The sixth is ‘Curiosity’ - asking questions, staying open, and nurturing a learner’s mindset. But the most powerful C of all is ‘Champion’. I reminded myself daily: I am a champion - not because I won medals, but because I refused to give up. The 7Cs weren’t just a framework, they were a lifeline. And if they helped me rise, I believe they can help anyone find their voice - and their victory.”

Boxes that spoke back

“The pandemic left us with more than isolation - it gave us a flood of cardboard. As deliveries piled up and kabadiwalas disappeared, I found myself surrounded by discarded boxes. At first, they seemed like just more waste. But over time, they became my canvas. With no painting material at hand, I turned to whatever was available - kajal, lipstick, and even sindoor. It was an experiment, one driven by a need to create something meaningful out of what felt like endless clutter. What emerged from this project was The Afterlife of Boxes, an art exhibition where everyday materials were transformed into powerful visual stories. Each box I used represented a moment of resilience. The artwork evoked emotions in viewers - whether it was the simple memory of a lost shoe or the profound solidarity felt by millions during the pandemic. Even major corporations like Amazon and IKEA took notice, realising the potential of repurposed materials for sustainability. Sometimes, all it takes is a little shift in perspective. A world full of discarded boxes turned into a world full of possibilities.”

Small acts of courage

“Where there is a will, there are many ways. Where there is a challenge, there are many solutions. When faced with a difficult time, show courage. I am not talking about courage that includes big acts of bravery like the one displayed by armed forces, firefighters etc. In daily life, these can be just small acts of courage. Like a child raising his hand in the classroom to ask a question. Being visually impaired, I have shown courage at many stages - asking my father to let me go to school on my own, learning to sign my name for a bank account, choosing a professional course that wasn’t my first choice, and eventually carving a career in leadership and then as a diversity, equity, inclusion professional. Each of these acts might seem small, but they helped me shape a meaningful life. Love yourself, embrace yourself, take those little steps, and believe in those small acts of courage and the victory is all yours.”