Yes…There were celebrating failure stories where we learnt from experiences. Then there are success stories that make us euphoric.
And then there is this story that I want to share it with you all.
Good things must be shared, and this story is dedicated to my fight and my subsequent win.
My first win over my greatest enemy.
As you read you would know who that enemy was..
Sorry if this gets verbose, I will try to keep it short..
It was 4th of January 2011…
Place(venue) – XYZ
Occasion– My first ever interview. (being from a middle class family and dad on a verge of retirement, this job was a must!)
Mummy had already told everyone in the building that after 6 months her son would be proud employee of XYZ!
Atmosphere, you guessed right, was dense. Sweat drops reached the eyes through the temple area and legs shivered. It was my first interview. First corporate interview. My future depended on this interview.
My mom’s dreams, dad’s aspirations were among the few of them who were waiting desperately to hear this good news.
I was nervous and excited too. I knew I had a good chance because I had topped the aptitude test, knew more about the company than anyone else.
But one more emotion was getting all over me. I knew I had to battle it out in the interview. I knew this was gonna be a tough fight.
My name was called. I went inside with my enemy..
Interviewer: Hi Good morning. Please sit.(with a pleasant smile)
Me: Good Morning sir.
Interviewer: So, Tejas Tell me something about yourself:
Me: …………………..
I wanted to start desperately, but just coudnt. All my thoughts, ideas were clustered. They were ready to come out and impress the interviewer. But they just could not. They wanted to get free.
But you guessed right my enemy was stopping them. He had such a strong blockade that I just could not say anything.
The interviewer waited patiently. He waited and waited.
I eventually closed my fist with all the energy possible, hit my fist on my thigh and uttered my first line.
Me.. I…am….T..T..T…Tejas N…N..Nimbargi…
This continued for the next 20 minutes. The battle was over. I lost…
I was defeated badly by my enemy..
Yes that enemy was stammering.
I couldnt get the job….
Photo Credit: www.stammeringnodisease.blogspot.com
January 4th evening
Place:My Home
I now knew what support was. How valuable parents are. I knew they were sad. But their face didnt show sympathy. All they gave me was hope.
Hope is one of the good things in the world, perhaps the best! (Shawshank Redemption)
I was surfing internet the whole night just to know how stammering could end. I read testimonials. Listed out some things that I had to do in the 15 days!(My next battle was after 15 days!)
This time it was Infosys, Accenture and L&T…. 3 companies.
What I did in those 15 days:
1) Spoke aloud in front of mirror.
2) Did breathing exercises
3) Started my Pranayam again..
4) Started talking slowly
Most important, didn;t lose hope!
I kept telling myself that this time, I am not gonna let my enemy win…
This practice and the self motivation went on for 15 days.
I knew this was not a permanent and quick fix solution. This would require months,..years..
I just wanted to see a different Tejas..a stronger one…in the subsequent interviews…
and this continued…..
Date 18th January 2011
Place: TSEC(My engg college)
Everything was same except the place..
I went inside…with my enemy……
and the interview went on for half an hour for Infosys, 2 days later for Accenture and then for L&T..
ONLY ONE THING WAS DIFFERENT THIS TIME.
I WON!!!!
Won all three battles!!
P.S- 2013 I am a confident speaker. Have won competitions for Toastmasters, given client presentations.
Stammering is not an enemy now.
He is a guest. Who comes very rarely, shows up, but I know how to tame him..
Life is good. 🙂
Pardon my bad English and thank you for your patient reading…