Shaan’s mother once told him, ‘don’t complain’: The lesson that stayed with him

Playback singer Shaan, a prominent figure in Bollywood for nearly three decades, shared a cherished memory of his late mother's advice that profoundly impacted his outlook on success. While speaking to Blue Dot Productions Between 2Notes, Shaan recounted how his mother confronted his tendency to complain about others' achievements. She simply said, "We have plenty. Don't complain." This poignant advice resonated with Shaan, leaving a lasting impression on him.

Psychologist Rutuja Walawalkar from Mpower, Aditya Birla Education Trust, emphasizes that our interpretation of effort significantly influences our performance and how we handle life's challenges. In many cultures, struggling against all odds has been romanticized, leading people to equate constant hardship with virtue. However, Walawalkar argues that this perspective is problematic, as it can cause individuals to believe that their hard work only deserves recognition when they are visibly struggling.

According to Walawalkar, hard work is effort directed towards a meaningful goal, while struggle involves resistance and emotional suffering. When we romanticize struggle, we risk glorifying stress and burnout while overlooking the value of consistent, meaningful effort. Gratitude and humility are crucial in shaping our perception of success.

Gratitude allows us to view effort as a privilege, focusing on the resources and support that enable hard work. Humility, on the other hand, keeps us grounded, acknowledging that success is often the result of circumstances, guidance, and teamwork, rather than just personal effort.