Focus on the Goal, Not Obstacles : Story of principal and his student

“Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal.” – Henry Ford

There was an old school in a rural area run by a poor teacher who also served as the principal.

One day, a student came into his cabin and asked angrily, “We have no playground, half of the benches are broken, there’s no proper lighting, and the fans don’t work. Why shouldn’t I leave this school?”

The principal listened patiently and asked, “What about studies? Are they good?”

The student replied, “Yes, studies are excellent, but what about the other things?”

The principal went into deep thought, then handed him a glass of water and said, “Go and take a round of all the classes and come back, but mind you, do not spill a single drop of water. After completing your task, I will answer all your questions.”

The student went from one class to another, taking each step consciously without taking his eyes away from the water even for a single second. After an hour of hard work, he returned to the principal’s office.

The principal asked, “Tell me, did you notice the broken benches, dim light, or anything that you complained about?”

The student said, “No, this time I didn’t notice any of those things. I don’t know why, but I didn’t see them.”

The principal smiled and said, “This time you didn’t notice any of those things because your energy was entirely focused on protecting the water, which was your goal. Our purpose is to provide you with high-quality education at nominal fees, and if your aim is to get an education, then you should stay; otherwise, you can leave.”

“What’s your answer, boy?” the principal asked.

“I want an education. I understand that the prime aim of schooling is to get quality education, and the rest are secondary, which can be neglected for the higher aim,” said the student.

The principal said, “Go and fulfill your aim.”

There are two types of people in this world. The first are pessimists, who see only obstacles and difficulties on their path. They make excuses like, “What will people say?”, “What if I fail? ”How will I arrange money for my dream?”, or “I don’t have enough experience.” Their doubts often overpower their dreams, stopping them from moving forward.

The second type are optimists. These people are fully dedicated to their goals. They see challenges not as curses but as opportunities to awaken their inner strength. They firmly believe in the wisdom of the Greek philosopher Herodotus, who said, “Adversity has the effect of drawng out strengths and qualities in a person that would have remained dormant in its absence.”

One of the greatest examples of an optimist is Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. Born into the Dalit caste, labeled “untouchable” in Hindu society, he faced unimaginable hardships and inhumane treatment. He was forced to sit outside the classroom because no teacher wanted to teach him. He often remained thirsty at school because he wasn’t allowed to touch the water pot.

Despite these challenges, Dr. Ambedkar never allowed obstacles to hinder his life’s greatest goal: to become an educated person. He excelled in elementary school and, with the help of a scholarship, pursued higher studies abroad. His unwavering passion for education made him a symbol of knowledge. He earned 32 degrees, including three PhDs, and became one of the most educated people in the world. Remarkably, this very man went on to draft the Indian Constitution, shaping the foundation of modern India.

Life is not a bed of roses; it is filled with thorns. Challenges are inevitable, but how we respond to them defines our success. As Vince Lombardi said, “The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of talent or knowledge, but a lack of willpower to overcome obstacles on the path to their goals.”

Remember, no matter how tough the journey gets, your determination and belief in yourself can help you rise above any challenge.