Let’s Change the Misconceptions Together

Hamna Qasim
7 min readJun 4, 2020
Image Source: evidencebasedteaching.org.au

Today I’m going to talk about not only a single misconception, but several. Those bulk of misconceptions that stop us from living our life at its fullest. Those misconceptions that ruin our lives and their burden makes us feel miserable. It’s time to put stereotypes to rest and the naysayers because we need to live a happy life and make this world a better place for us as well as for the coming generations.

Misconception # 1: The misuse of the ‘dis’ in ‘able’

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In today’s world, people with some disability or disorder were objectified as an emblem of grief, misery, mercy, lifelessness and nothingness. This is such a wrong picture that was being portrayed from such a very long time. We have to change the perception of people as being disabled you can still change the world with a big smile on your face, and you can tell the world that you are happy the way you are. No one has the right to objectify these people. They are human beings, they breathe, they have souls, and they are alive. They neither need your sympathies nor empathies. Let them live. No one has the right to ‘dis’ their abilities. They are capable enough to breathe and to live every moment of their lives.

Misconception # 2: You can’t succeed in life without A’s and A*’s

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How many of you spend the 15 to 20 years of your life striving for higher marks and outstanding grades? 90% of the people suffer from the pressure to achieve good grades in each level of education either from their parents, friends or families. So what do you think? Do these grades that you strive for, make you happy?

Truth be told, as the owner of Alibaba, Jack Ma said: “You don’t need to be in the top three in your class, being in the middle is fine, so long as your grades aren’t too bad. Only this kind of person has enough free time to learn other skills.”

The subjects we study in our education system serve us as a burden. To further add on this burden are the tests and exams. I don’t say that there should be no exams or tests but the problem is the way we perceive them. Students spend day and nights studying just to achieve higher marks and grades, but not exploring the reason behind education. Education is similar to awareness. Education is provided to be a better human. But what we solely focus on are the grades which not only snatch the ability from us to learn other skills but also, the purpose of how to live life as a beautiful human.

You must do all the hard work to excel in the education system, but don’t overburden yourself with the grading pressure. Spare some good amount of time to learn other skills, step into entrepreneurship and thrive to be a good human. Take all the subjects we study as the skills that we need in our lives. Take them as a source of learning to enhance your life. Only then, you’ll be free from this grading misconception.

A reminder: “Sometimes it’s better to bunk a class, and enjoy with friends. Because now, when I look back, marks never make me laugh, but memories do.” — A.PJ. Abdul Kalam

Misconception # 3: Success lies in money and fame

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Let’s talk about success. What is success? Mostly, many people have this same view regarding success — they want to become rich, others want to be famous, and the day they become rich or famous, they’re successful. But there are very few who say that the day we can pay back to society, we will think that we’re accomplished and that we are successful. And exactly, that is the real success.

When you work hard, fame and money — they both are byproducts. I’ve seen people saying that oh, this person got lucky, that’s why this person is famous and rich. Always remember, the harder you work, the luckier you get. There is no shortcut, but keep focusing on the fact that success lies in money, material and fame cannot make you happy. Real success is when you’re able to sleep with a contented heart and when you’re able to change someone’s life. So when you look back at your life, you see that you tried your best to give the best to the people around you. This defines your success because that is true success.

Under any circumstances, life gives you two options either to quit or accept yourself the way you’re and live life at its fullest. So it depends on you — which option you choose. Be productive. Explore your hidden talents. Try to do something good for the country you live in and then, you’ll feel good, you’ll feel proud about it.

Misconception # 4: You cannot turn adversities into opportunities

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This is the very perspective I’m talking about. The things that you consider as your weakness or adversity are not. They are your strengths and that is priceless. Your weaknesses allow you to explore what you had in you that you never knew it. The problems, the adversities are like a wound from where the light enters you. Then why not make use of this opportunity. Opportunities are all around you. Take them. Try to preserve your ethnic jewels adorned by very graceful, strong and powerful souls.

Misconception # 5: Blaming people and things for the failures and always having excuses on the finger-tips

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I feel sorry for people who play this blame-game. They say they feel caged. They cannot perform well, they cannot excel because the system is not allowing them to do, not letting them grow as a person. They’re not excelling in their careers.

But the fact is, your mind is free and so is your soul and your spirit. You can dream big. You can think big. You can aim high. You can aspire to inspire. Nothing should stop you. There should not be an excuse for not doing anything in life. You must have big dreams, big plans and you have to work on them. Be grateful for what you have, and trust me you’ll always end up having more.

Stop your excuses.

  • Don’t have money? Quit going out every weekend.
  • Don’t have the time? Turn off the TV.
  • Don’t know anything? Pick up a book.
  • Don’t know the right people? Attend a networking event.
  • Out of shape? Exercise more.

Seems too hard? Take the first step. We all know what we have to do, but most people still don’t do it because it’s hard to go out of their comfort zone and easy to make excuses. Always remember, a comfort zone is a beautiful place, but nothing grows there.

Do you want to excel? Do you want to grow? Do you want to be powerful, passionate and great professionals? The moment you’re going to learn it, the sky’s the limit. So be thankful, be cheerful, be alive, and don’t let anybody ‘dis’ your abilities.

Misconception # 6: Introverts are arrogant, rude. They don’t want to talk to anyone

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In my opinion, it’s not true! Introverts want to talk to you. Trust me, I’m an introvert and we have a lot of ideas floating around our heads, but at first, we may be a little shy. Once an introvert gets to know you and trust you, they won’t shut up. Don’t let other people decide what you’ll be. Decide it yourself. And never stop doing your best just because someone doesn’t give you credit.

Misconception # 7: You’ve to change yourself for others

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You don’t need to change anything about yourself. You must love everything about yourself because you matter. If someone asks you to change yourself, always keep in mind that why should you change yourself for someone else? Did anyone change him or herself for you? No. No one will ever change him or herself for you. And whosoever comes in your life, who wants you to change, is not yours. If someone accepts you the way you are, so it’s really good. You’re blessed.

I’m flawed, full of errors. But I’ve never been put down by the Supreme God. So as it is. I’m grateful. I don’t wanna change but that doesn’t mean I don’t wanna feel the process of life. It’s all a cycle. Every day is a new day. Love whatever you have achieved, it’s given to you all for a reason. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

— Don’t become a slave to misconceptions and society.

As seen on:

  1. https://interact.pk/let-s-change-the-misconceptions-together
  2. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/lets-change-misconceptions-together-hamna-qasim/?published=t
  3. https://issuu.com/hamnaqasim90/docs/let_s_change_the_misconceptions_together.docx

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Hamna Qasim

A Millionaire in the Making || Driven Entrepreneur || COO at Inteliract