bhaskar saikia

Nothing is constant—except change. The dunes of a desert shift with the winds, and even the most still pond is in motion, turning slowly toxic in its stagnancy. Life, too, is not meant to remain still. Those who resist change know—just as well as those who embrace it—that change is not only good, it is inevitable. But it’s the fear of the unknown that stops many in their tracks, paralyzes their will, and eventually leaves them living a life half-lived.

1. The Fear of Change

Fear of the unknown is the first great problem. It’s easy to dream, but harder to act—because action demands courage. And when you finally gather that courage, you’ll hear the skeptics. They’ll laugh at your dreams. They’ll call them foolish. But remember this: skeptics laugh first, winners smile last.

Winston Churchill once said,

“A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.”

So don’t adopt the world’s pessimism. Take the leap. Chase the wild, uncertain, exhilarating path of your dream.

2. The Voice of Skeptics

Even after overcoming fear, you’ll meet doubt in human form—skeptics. These critics will question your every move, often from the safety of their own comfort zones. But here’s the truth: most of history’s great innovators, artists, and leaders were first ridiculed before they were celebrated.

The dreamers, the doers—they don’t wait for validation. They persevere, quietly, consistently, until the world takes notice.

3. The Excuse of Time

The final hurdle? Time—or the perceived lack of it.

You’re busy. Your job, your family, your inbox, even your dog seems to demand more than 24 hours. You whisper to yourself, “Where’s the time?” But the answer lies in how you choose to spend it.

Vilfredo Pareto’s famous 80/20 rule tells us that 20% of our efforts produce 80% of our results. The key, then, is prioritization.

Look at the world around you. Presidents run nations. Working mothers run households with grace and still find time to knit sweaters or pack surprise tiffins. They don’t have more hours—they just choose wisely how to spend them.

The Leonardo Lens

One name that often inspires me is Leonardo da Vinci—the original Renaissance man. He was not only a master painter but also a scientist, inventor, architect, engineer, philosopher, and more. Mona Lisa, The Last Supper, and countless journals and ideas were all born within the same 24 hours that we each receive every day.

So what stops us?

Not time. Not lack of talent.

Often, it is simply our own hesitation.

Life doesn’t wait. It flows, it changes, it challenges. But it also rewards those who dare to change with it, those who shrug off doubt, and those who make time for what truly matters.

Don’t be reactive. Be proactive. Let your journey be one of action, purpose, and possibility.

Let others laugh first.

You, my friend, will smile last.