Experts decode the challenges and pitfalls that come with sudden fame

With the inaugural Women Premier League WPL the female cricketers of this country will finally mount their charge to the top of the popularity charts High among them is the new Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Smriti MandhanaYo Yo Honey SinghThe cricketer received the highest bid of Rs 34 crore at the inaugural auction setting a benchmark in the sport However with fame come its own hurdles Names such as Vinod Kambli and Ben Johnson are proof that talent can falter at this final hurdle Rapper Yo Yo Honey Singh and actorcompegravere Kapil Sharma are also proof of high performing individuals finding it difficult to deal with fame and attentionBut what do the truly successful get right to ensure that they keep their place in history Sports psychologists and a life coach and mentor decode the factorsIndian womenrsquos team members cheering while watching the live WPL auction Pic CourtesyYoutubeMoney does not matterSouth Africabased sports psychologist and coach Shyamal Vallabhjee is familiar with these challenges He points out that Mandhanarsquos bid value makes no difference to her skill ldquoThe response to an external stress is different for each individual The responsibility that driven achievers feel towards their team and performance would not depend on money It is their skill and ability that has brought them to this positionrdquoNarendra GoidaniBut Narendra Goidani a life coach and founder Life School points out ldquoDiscipline refers to practice done while keeping an objective in mind Once you are successful in achieving that the rules of the game changerdquo In times like these the individual has to evolveKeep your values aliveMugdha Bavare lead sports psychologist to Indian Olympic athletes suggests that the desire for fame transcends professions Everyone aspires for fame and adulation but handling pressure and attention that come with it is different ldquoTheir personal values play a key role at such timesrdquo she saysMugdha Bavare and Dhinchak PoojaGoidani agrees and says ldquoSometimes people stop working towards improving themselves and staying focused and sharp This can be disastrousrdquo One example is actor Macaulay Culkinrsquos fame as one of the most popular child actors which did not necessarily translate into success during his adulthood The same could be said of YouTuber Dhinchak Pooja who no longer has the same clout as she once didTo avoid this misstep requires more than just coaching and a driven mindset Goidani notes that it is important during these times that people accept success as only a part of their lifersquos journey ldquoAn achievement is part of a longer journey Once you see it as a part then you remain grounded towards yourend targetrdquoLearn from your mistakesAs a clinical psychologist Vallabhjee believes that failure is also a part of the same journey He admits that every high achiever regardless of their profession is vulnerable to mistakes in the course of a career He explains ldquoYou have to work on elements that are in your control You trust that with experience the individual will align those skills according to the changing external variablesrdquoThis sense of vulnerability becomes a key defense against the building of an ego adds Bavare She observes ldquoThere are going to be a lot of expectations and pressures as you rise up the ladder But if you accept them you will be betterpreparedrdquoShyamal VallabhjeeDonrsquot be selfishHowever Vallabhjee warns against retreating into a silo during difficult situations ldquoIt is also not good for the individual to focus just on themselves and become selfish A team player has to do everything in their power to contribute positively and change the environmentrdquo he saysKeep your friends closeGoidani notes that the people you surround yourself with also play an important role ldquoIt is important to have a group of people who are brutally honest at all timesrdquo he points outVallabhjee notes that this is where a mentor comes in ldquoA mentor or external support system brings stability to the narrative and invests in the growth of the individualrdquoFor Bavare this role is taken up by parents ldquoFrom the sports perspective I have seen youngsters struggle and find a stable centre in their parents This value system and upbringing is important to how they approach challengesrdquo she notes ldquoTheir words might not be good for your ego but they will catch your slipupsrdquo Goidani concludesCool mantras to stay focused Meditate and practise breathing exercises to stay calm Trust your team and function to their benefit Choose a mentor within or outside the profession to guide you through the difficult moments Trust the advice of your parents or friends who spot your mistakes Remember that your professional sucess is not your only identity