Success and the Formula: Lessons from a Diwali Weekend

 

How a weekend of cleaning and decorating revealed the real ingredients of success — Open Mind and Mental Toughness (OMMT)

I returned home on a Friday night, with the weekend being the last one before Diwali the perfect time for deep cleaning and decoration. Normally, I approach this ritual with mild reluctance. Deep cleaning has never been my strength, and I usually prefer leaving the decoration work to an electrician. Thankfully, Leena, as always, takes charge of most of the heavy lifting, especially in the kitchen.

This year was no different by Saturday, the kitchen sparkled under her supervision. The other rooms, however, were still waiting for attention. I rolled up my sleeves and spent the entire Saturday in a whirlwind of dusting, scrubbing, and rearranging.

On Sunday morning, I laced up my running shoes for my weekend run. After a six month gap, I finally hit a milestone a 10 km run! The previous week I had managed only six, so this felt like a personal comeback. Returning home energized, I decided to take on something I had always avoided  the light decorations.

What I had routinely outsourced to an electrician, I completed myself this time. It took almost the entire day, but by evening, our home glowed ready for Diwali, well in advance. As it turned out, that extra effort was a blessing. Technical glitches and some mischievous monkeys damaged the lights later, but since we were ready early, we had enough time to fix everything before Diwali night.

And that’s when it struck me this wasn’t just about preparing for Diwali. It was about understanding why success often eludes so many, even when the effort seems equal.

Why So Few Succeed

This year, my son and a few family friends’ daughters completed their 12th standard exams the gateway to higher education. Across India, millions of students attend coaching classes for NEET and JEE, but only a small fraction secure admission into medical or engineering colleges.

These students work incredibly hard, sacrificing sleep and social life, often applying similar methods and strategies. Yet, most don’t make it. Why?

The same pattern exists in professional life. Think of Satya Nadella (Microsoft), Sundar Pichai (Google), Arvind Krishna (IBM), and Nikesh Arora (Palo Alto Networks). Millions of Indians go abroad seeking opportunities, yet only a few reach such leadership positions. Many others have equal intelligence and drive so what sets these few apart?

Lessons from Diwali: The Success Equation

As I reflected on my Diwali preparations, I found an unexpected connection. When I decided to handle the decorations myself, I stepped out of my comfort zone. That single belief I can do this was the key to starting.

Similarly, every student or professional begins with belief and effort. But belief and effort alone don’t ensure success. What truly matters is how one responds to setbacks. When the lights got damaged, I didn’t give up or get frustrated; I adjusted, repaired, and completed the job.

That’s when I discovered what I now call my formula for success OMMT: Open Mind and Mental Toughness.

OMMT — The Formula for Success

An Open Mind allows you to embrace new challenges, learn from mistakes, and adapt quickly. Mental Toughness helps you persevere when things don’t go as planned. Together, they form the foundation of success.

But OMMT must be practiced fearlessly. You need the courage to start, the patience to face obstacles, and the discipline to continue without frustration.

I’ve had my share of small wins and many setbacks in life. Yet this experience made me realize why certain efforts succeed those who make it big are not necessarily the most talented, but the most consistent in applying OMMT.

South African cricketer Jonty Rhodes once said, “Only if you practice as if it’s the real game, will you truly excel when you play the real game.” The same principle applies to life every effort counts as practice for your larger goals.

Defining Success A Personal Perspective

Success is deeply personal. It means different things to different people, and it evolves over time. For some, it might be:

• Waking up on time consistently

• Completing a daily workout

• Reaching office punctually and meeting KRAs

• Fulfilling family expectations

• Achieving financial independence

• Pursuing a hobby guilt-free

In Conclusion

This Diwali, I didn’t just clean my house  I cleaned my perspective on success.

Success isn’t about luck or privilege. It’s about stepping out of comfort zones, maintaining an open mind, staying mentally tough, and fearlessly facing the inevitable setbacks along the way.

If you can practice OMMT consistently not just once, but in every small effort you’ll discover that every challenge, every failure, and every comeback can light up your life like Diwali itself.