What are you most proud of in your life?
At different points in life, we often face a dilemma: should we relax or take things seriously and put in the extra effort? Whether it’s work, studies, or any personal pursuit, there’s always that question—should I work those additional hours?
The regular hours you spend on something will simply keep you moving along with the flow of life. But it’s the extra time and effort you invest—learning more deeply, finishing that pending task—that builds self-confidence and helps you stand out from the crowd.
My Journey: Early School Days
Let me share a personal example to explain this better. During my early school years (class 1 to class 5), I was a bright and confident student (at least I like to think so 😉). Later, I was selected to join a government-run residential school for nurturing bright students: Morarji Desai School.
That’s when I realized that real competition existed. I was no longer the top student—our class had 45 equally brilliant students. This shook my self-confidence. I became hesitant to ask questions, and my public speaking skills suffered.
But instead of giving in to this setback, I chose to put in extra effort. I spent late nights studying, thoroughly learning each concept. By the end of the 6th grade, I had not only regained my confidence but also topped the class once again, this time among a group of high achievers.
Building Confidence Through Efforts
What mattered more than the result was the transformation. I became more confident, more comfortable asking questions, and earned respect from both teachers and classmates. The extra effort I put in that year gave me the momentum I needed for the next four years. Even though I didn’t put in the same level of effort every year after that, the confidence I gained kept me near the top of the class with relatively little effort.
If I had chosen to relax in that first year, I would likely have remained an average student. It’s like Newton’s First Law: “An object in motion stays in motion.” The initial push you give yourself can set the course for years to come.
The College Experience: A New Challenge
When I joined college for my pre-university and university courses, the same pattern repeated itself. The subjects were harder, and I needed to put in extra hours to stay ahead. However, this time I took a slightly different approach: I focused on learning thoroughly in the first month of each semester and then relaxed for the next six months.
This strategy allowed me to keep my place on the list of top students, though I did see average scores in the subjects where I didn’t invest enough time. The takeaway here is that even though I coasted through at times, the extra effort I put in early on continued to pay off.
Early Career: The Power of Extra Hours
When I started my career, I found myself in a similar situation. Whether it was due to the startup culture or my own desire to stay at the top, I consistently put in extra hours during my first 2-3 years. This hard work propelled my career forward, resulting in exponential growth.
With the knowledge and experience I gained in embedded systems and software development, my journey became smoother over time. I could complete tasks with minimal effort and maintain a high level of quality, staying recognized as a top performer throughout my career.
Now, as I transition into a slightly different field, I’m once again putting in the extra hours. I’ll update you soon on how this turns out, but I’m confident this approach won’t fail me.
Why Extra Efforts Matters?
The key message here is that the effort you put in truly counts. It may seem excessive for your current role or level of education, but it’s what keeps you ahead. It gives you the confidence to tackle future challenges. Without that extra push, I guarantee you’ll stay where you are—or worse, you may even fall behind.
Of course, relaxing and taking time off is equally important. But periodically, you need to put in those extra hours, challenge yourself, and push through the difficult phases. It’s like nurturing a tree: in the early years, it requires constant effort and maintenance, but once it starts bearing fruit, minimal effort will sustain it for a lifetime.
A Principle for Startups and Life
The same principle applies to startups. The initial years may be full of struggle, but with the right amount of effort and planning, those early challenges can lead to a breakthrough. Once that happens, the fruits will continue to grow for years to come.
If this blog has given you the push to put in that extra effort and take your life to the next level, then I consider my writing a success. Go out there and conquer the world. And when you do, I’d love to hear how this principle has worked for you.
Author : GeetaLahari
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