The power of not thinking too much | Pranjal Priya | TEDxCCOEW

Summary

Pranjal Priya, a model and law student, shares her journey from being crowned Miss Universe India 2024 first runner-up to embracing challenges in pursuit of her dreams. She reflects on the importance of action over waiting for the 'right time,' highlighting how risks and self-belief are crucial to success. She encourages others to overcome their doubts, trust their intuition, and take steps toward their goals. Emphasizing self-love and the value of learning from failures, Pranjal’s message is one of resilience, empowerment, and the power of living in the present moment.

Takeaways

• 😀 Embrace the uncertainty: Waiting for the 'right time' is often an excuse to avoid challenges. Take action even when unsure or underconfident.
• 😀 Small actions lead to big outcomes: The journey to achieving big dreams often begins with a single decision and consistent actions, no matter how small.
• 😀 Self-belief is crucial: Having faith in yourself, especially during difficult times, is key to overcoming obstacles and achieving goals.
• 😀 The universe often presents opportunities at unexpected times: Challenges may come during chaotic or tough times, but they can lead to unexpected opportunities.
• 😀 Failure is part of the journey: Most things in life won't work out as planned, but it's important to let go of failures and use them as learning experiences.
• 😀 Risk-taking is necessary for success: Success is often linked to taking calculated risks, even when outcomes are uncertain.
• 😀 Treat yourself as your own best friend: Self-love and support are essential for mental strength, especially when external sources of support falter.
• 😀 Your perception of yourself defines you: Don’t let others' opinions dictate your confidence. Focus on your own perception and efforts towards your goals.
• 😀 Faith in the process is powerful: Trust that things will work out for the better, even if there are setbacks along the way.
• 😀 The power of now: Don’t wait for the right moment, create your own opportunity by taking action in the present and pursuing your dreams immediately.

Q & A

What motivated Pranjal to participate in the Miss Universe India pageant despite initial doubts?

Pranjal was motivated to participate after realizing that waiting for the 'right time' was just an excuse to avoid uncertainty. She decided to take action even when life was chaotic and academic pressures were high.

How did Pranjal start her journey towards becoming Miss Universe India?

Her journey began at age 14 when a neighbor suggested she should try for Miss India. This planted the seed, and she started watching pageants, eventually realizing her passion for them.

What key lesson did Pranjal learn about timing from her experience?

Pranjal learned that waiting for the perfect time is often an excuse for procrastination. Instead of waiting, she took action and faced uncertainty, which ultimately led her to success.

What was Pranjal’s experience with the concept of 'faith' during her journey?

Pranjal divided faith into two parts: external faith, which is believing things will turn out better, and internal faith, which involves self-love and belief in one’s own abilities. Both forms of faith played a crucial role in her mental resilience.

How did Pranjal handle the academic pressures while preparing for the pageant?

Despite academic pressures, Pranjal learned to embrace the chaos. She balanced her studies with her pageant preparations, accepting that life’s challenges could coexist and even lead to growth.

Why does Pranjal emphasize the importance of taking risks?

Pranjal believes that risk-taking is directly linked to success. She encourages people to take risks because, even if things don’t work out, the experience is invaluable and helps one grow.

What role does 'letting go' play in Pranjal's philosophy?

Letting go is crucial for peace and happiness. Pranjal believes that out of 100 attempts, most will fail, but the ability to move on from those failures is what ultimately leads to growth and success.

How does Pranjal view failure in relation to success?

Pranjal views failure as an essential part of growth. She believes that failures provide valuable lessons and that learning to embrace and learn from failure is key to long-term success.

What is Pranjal’s advice regarding self-belief?

Pranjal advises treating yourself as your best friend and life partner. She stresses that self-belief is necessary for success and that internal motivation is essential, especially when external support falters.

What did Pranjal mean by saying 'other people's perceptions do not define me'?

Pranjal emphasizes that people's opinions, whether good or bad, do not define her worth. Instead, it is her own perception of herself and the efforts she puts toward her goals that truly matter.