The Courage to Disappoint

Have you ever felt the crushing weight of trying to live up to someone else's expectations?

When we talk about the "Inner Stutter," we often think about the fear of failing.

But sometimes, the thing that paralyzes us the most is the fear of what other people will think if we don't take the "safe" or "prestigious" route.

Look at the story of Om Gupta. At just 19 years old, Om became the youngest speechwriter, researcher, and intern to ever join the government of India.

Today, he writes speeches for high-level politicians, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi—a role typically reserved for professionals in their thirties or forties.

But this incredible professional milestone almost never happened.

When Om was graduating from high school, he had the grades to apply for medical school.

For his family and community, this was a highly valued, prestigious path. But deep down, Om knew that medicine wasn't the right fit for him; his true passion was in the humanities.

His Inner Stutter immediately kicked in. He was terrified of the judgment he would face. What would his family and friends say if he chose his passion over the expected route?

For Om, growing up in a collectivist culture meant that overcoming this fear carried the added pressure of potentially impacting the reputation of his loved ones, making the stakes feel even higher.

His fear of societal expectations almost silenced his desire to pursue his true path.

So, how did he break through?

Om realized that defeating fear starts with self-awareness. He had to honestly ask himself why he was considering medicine—was it for himself, or simply to go with the flow of external expectations?.

He adopted a powerful mindset shift, asking himself: "Why be average at what others want me to do when I can excel at something I want to do?".

Om recognized that while he might face disappointment from others initially, living an average life to fulfill someone else's dream was a much worse fate. He leaned into self-acceptance, let go of the fear of judgment, and boldly pursued his passion for the humanities.

Had he allowed the fear of judgment to dictate his fate, he would currently be sitting in a biology lab instead of writing speeches for the Prime Minister.

The "Yes Way" Takeaway:

Om's ultimate advice is a powerful wake-up call for all of us: "Do not get swayed by the wind!". You are the only one who has to live your life, and people are ultimately not responsible for your failure or your success.

Your challenge this week: Take a hard look at your current goals. Where are you currently making choices (or hesitating to take action) simply because you are afraid of what society, your family, or your peers will think? Drop your thoughts in the comments below! 👇