Never Give Up Early Believe In Yourself

Learn with UG | Don't Give Up Too Early One decision. Five more minutes (or maybe even just 30 seconds). That could have changed my life. During my conversation with Maham Khalid on Hustle Podcast, I shared a story that I have never forgotten. In 1993, while studying B.Com, I visited the LUMS campus with one dream—to study there.@Hustle @Mahaaamk @Ahmed Fozan Podcast I walked into the admissions office and asked about the fee. They said, "Five lakh rupees." For me, that number was unimaginable. I quietly turned around and walked away. I never asked another question. I never asked about scholarships. I never asked about financial assistance. I simply assumed it was impossible. Seventeen years later, after building my career and earning enough to afford it, I returned to LUMS. This time, as an MBA student. A week before graduation, the founder of LUMS, Syed Babar Ali, visited our class. When he asked if anyone had a story to share, I told him mine. I said, "Sir, it took me 17 years to get into LUMS." He listened carefully and then said something that I will never forget: "I wish you had stayed for five more minutes. If you had received admission, money would never have been the reason. We would have found a way." That sentence hit me harder than anything else. For 17 years, the obstacle wasn't money. It was my assumption. But in my view, even if I had just paused for 30 seconds, taken a deep breath, and asked one more question, I might have found a different answer. That day taught me one of life's greatest lessons: Don't give up on yourself too early. Sometimes the answer isn't "No." Sometimes you just haven't asked the next question. Resources matter. But being resourceful matters even more. If you have a dream, don't walk away after hearing the first obstacle. Stay five more minutes. Or at least give yourself a 30-second window to think, reflect, and ask again. Ask one more question. Knock on one more door. Life often changes for those who don't give up too soon. 🎙️ Shared during my conversation with Maham Khalid on the Hustle Podcast. Full podcast link in comments. Written with AI. Thoughts are mine. No likes needed. If this post encourages one person to stay five more minutes before giving up, the objective is achieved. #LearnWithUG #DontGiveUp #KeepGoing #MindsetMatters #GrowthMindset