From Merit to Market - How Motivation is the New Moolah

We all love success stories, and that’s perfectly fine. But, somewhere along the line, we start to envision our own success in the same way and begin building sandcastles in the air. That’s where the problem begins. 

(Picture credit: Pixabay)

I have a pet peeve with success stories. Too often, they end up sending the wrong message to the wrong people. Take the movie 12th Fail, for example. It has garnered widespread praise for the stellar performances of its lead actors and the powerful social message it conveys. It became one of the most celebrated films of the past year, and for many, it has served as a source of motivation.

While seeking motivation on a personal level isn't inherently wrong, there’s a danger when such narratives are used to misguide and mislead young minds into unnecessary struggles. This creates a vicious cycle, where the goal isn’t success in an examination, but rather a money-making racket that thrives behind closed doors.

In a country like India, we’re funneled into competitive examinations from a very young age. What began as a merit-based system has now morphed into a market-driven one. Motivational movies have turned into pawns in this deceptive game, with snippets taken out of context circulating on social media for material gain. Students, often with little discernment, follow anyone who seems like a charismatic speaker on YouTube, irrespective of their credentials or merit.

One significant consequence of this narrative is that parents fall into this trap and set a benchmark, urging their children to work hard and “follow their dreams”. Meanwhile, coaching institutes, often operating under deplorable conditions, capitalize on this inspiration to lure more and more aspirants into overcrowded classrooms, dangling the elusive dream of success in front of them.

It’s not just the exaggerated motivational narratives that are the issue. The real problem arises when these stories end on a high note, leaving the narrative to close on an uplifting, feel-good sentiment. But here’s the thing: we often forget that it’s just a movie. One cannot make life-altering decisions based on a reel of emotions. We cannot blindly follow the idea that pulls at our emotional strings the most.

We should view inspirational stories for what they are: tales of people who worked tirelessly and eventually succeeded. However, when we deceive ourselves into thinking that we too can replicate this journey without fully understanding its complexities, the problem emerges. The reality is, not everyone will be able to ride the same boat, because that boat isn’t big enough for everyone chasing the same dream.

When our hope, optimism, and expectations from the future lead us down this path, we risk accumulating more emotional baggage than intellectual strength. That’s not a recipe for success — it’s a disaster waiting to happen.

I’m not a pessimist. I’m simply tired of hearing that a particular path will always lead to success. I refuse to become a rat chasing the cheese while someone else fattens their wallet at my expense. 

In the end, I always return to this thought to maintain my sanity:

 

"दादी, नानी जब बच्चों को कहानियाँ सुनाती हैं, तो वो इसलिए नहीं सुनाती कि इस से बच्चे का कुछ ज्ञानवर्धन होगा। वो इसलिए सुना रही हैं कि वो सो जाएगा।

तो, अगर 2 घंटे की एक फिल्म तुम्हारी 24 घंटे में से 22 घंटे पर भारी पड़ रही है ना भाई, तू देखना छोड़ दे।"