Facing Challenges with Confidence | Daily News

Facing Challenges with Confidence

Compering at the 48th Annual Islamic Day
Compering at the 48th Annual Islamic Day

Faaiz brings up a very good point when she says that all humans need to be respected equally. For example, white collar workers are treated differently than blue collar workers. But this is just one aspect of the problem. We need to look at the broader picture. It is sad that in today’s world people form opinions on other people based on their profession.

“People must be treated equally, it should not be based on their profession. We need to help people understand that no profession is lower than the other and every profession has its place in society. But the level of respect given to people in different professions worries me. Many are treated differently. All humans are equal and everyone should be treated equally and no one should be disrespected based on their profession,” said Faaiz.

Equal opportunities

She points out that problems like inequality in income distribution and lack of access to infrastructure facilities have certainly caused problems in society.

“These social disparities only serve to strengthen my purpose, which is to help create a society where people are treated with respect and a society where people are treated equally. Here I’m glad to say that my school has widened its wings to eradicate these differences through multiple projects by conducting awareness programmes and engaging in provision of necessities for those who are in need,” said Faaiz.

Failure only serves to motivate Faaiz. It makes her want to keep going and keep on fighting. It makes her want to monitor her own abilities and evaluate her strengths and weaknesses. Her network of friends, teachers and family have boosted her levels of confidence.

“I feel anxious whenever I’m faced with a new challenge. Such as when I am on stage to talk to an audience of around a hundred people or when I’m at the crouching position waiting to hear the words GO at the track event at school. Or it could be when I’m sitting at the exam hall waiting for the paper to be distributed. The anxiety is real. But, I’ve realized, it’s a good sign. I feel anxious because I deeply care about the outcomes from each of those challenges. And that drives me to perform better every time I’m faced with a new challenge.”

Many people entertain self-doubt. They are always second guessing themselves. Faaiz believes that this should not be the case. People should be given the freedom to express themselves in a way they prefer, and no one else can ever decide on what someone else needs to do. Be the kind of leader you want to follow, for leaders are not born they are made she says.

Key to success

If you are a leader, a follower or even a team member, you need to understand that you have to maintain a high level of consistency.

Because consistency and discipline are the key to success. “Leaders should be mentally prepared to face any form of challenge regardless of how hard it’s going to be.

Rational thinking and will power needs to be inculcated in one’s self. These are the kind of leaders the world really needs I believe.”

She has a powerful message for the youth. To anyone who wants to be a leader - just be yourself, be true to yourself, inculcate good values in yourself, take up challenges and face them bravely so that you will one day turn back and realize how strong you were. Also make the maximum use of the opportunities that come your way, don’t hesitate to speak up for yourself and your fellow members, find ways to improve not only yourself but those around you as well, and always try new things which will bring about the skills you never knew you had. And finally you never stop learning.

“My ambition is to be an accountant and a corporate law consultant. My dream is to establish a charity organisation to help those in need. I dream of a time when children in rural areas have equal access to facilities and infrastructure similar to what children in more developed parts of the country get, creating a society where there’s no disparity, a society where people are selfless, helping each other uplift their living conditions,” explained Faaiz.

She goes onto explain that the secret to her success has been her consistency. She has made maximum use of the opportunities that came her way, displaying consistency not only academically but also in all her extra- curricular activities. Being able to gain membership to most of the active clubs in school enabled her to showcase her talents, helping her realize her strengths and weaknesses.

“A great big thank you to my Principal Mrs. Nasriya Munas for her supporting and motivating words which has always brought out something I’ve never thought I had in me. I remember the day I walked up to madam in grade 11, asking for a subject change simply because I couldn’t score well in my term exams and I remember how she refused to let me change subjects stating that she had confidence in me that I’d score well if I worked on it a little more. That was when I realized that if I really worked hard I could achieve my goals.

In addition to my family, one of the main reasons for who I am today has been my school, teachers and my friends. A big thank you to all my teachers who have nurtured me throughout. Undoubtedly they are one of the greatest pillars of my success, because I am who I am because of their constant guidance and support. I’m also thankful for my teachers in charge of the Prefects’ Guild who have been the beams of light enlightening our minds, standing by our side at all times. The reason for us to stand strong and united as one family was because of the motivating and the inspiring words of our teachers in charge of the Prefects’ Guild. Being the Head Prefect of Muslim Ladies’ College has been my goal ever since I was appointed as a Junior Prefect when I was in Grade 5. I would also like to thank my fellow members of the guild for their constant support throughout our tenure as prefects, for working with utmost sincerity and dedication. If it wasn’t for their support I wouldn’t have been able to carry out my duties and responsibilities successfully,” pointed out Faaiz.

She concluded by thanking her parents, saying that they have taught her some of the greatest lessons in life. “I’ve been inspired just by looking at them and how hard they’ve made it to this point and the level of hardships they’ve faced just to make us enjoy all the luxuries in life. They taught me to be independent, understanding, empathetic, respectful and to be true to myself.

They’ve always taught me to be content with whatever I’ve been blessed with. I know that in this world there are those less fortunate then myself.”


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