The Winner Within

We all carry within us both a winner and a loser, and the choice to embrace the winner or succumb to the loser is entirely our own.

One day, the employees of a company arrived at their office to find a curious notice on the door. It read: “The person responsible for the hindering of your progress in this company has passed away. It was an invitation to the funeral prepared in the gym area.  Every employee was grieved by the news. They never thought that they would read a notice as such on a fine morning – the news of the death of one of their dear colleagues.

Surprised and intrigued, the employees were filled with a mix of emotions. At first, they were sorrowful. How could someone from their midst—perhaps a colleague, friend, or even mentor—be responsible for holding them back? As they reflected on their experiences, their sadness slowly shifted to curiosity.

They slowly made their way to the gym to attend the funeral, one by one. As they entered, a strange sense of anticipation filled the room. They whispered among themselves, wondering who this person could be. After all, hindering someone’s progress meant holding back the company, their careers, and even the nation's growth. Well! At least he died”.

The room was silent as they approached the coffin, eager to finally learn who had been responsible for the delays and setbacks in their lives. But as each employee peered into the coffin, a shock awaited them—inside was not a person, but a big mirror.

Each employee looked into the mirror and saw his reflection staring back at them. Next to the mirror, a sign read:

"There is only one person who can limit your growth: You. Only you have the power to transform your life. Happiness, success, and progress begin when you take responsibility for yourself. Your life doesn’t change when your boss, friends, or circumstances change—it changes when you change. The most important relationship you have is with yourself."

The employees were speechless. At that moment, they realized that they had been their own greatest obstacle. It wasn’t external factors, but their own limiting beliefs, fears, and lack of self-belief that had held them back.

The lesson was clear: If you want to win in life, you must first look inward, take ownership, and break free from the chains of self-doubt. The power to succeed has always been within you.

What can we draw from this story? The true hindrance to progress is not external—it is our mindset. When we stop blaming others and recognize that we are the only ones standing in the way of our success, we unlock the potential of the winner within.