Shawshank Redemption is a 1994 
Hollywood movie. It was released alongside The Forrest Gump (a mega hit) and went practically unnoticed for some time until it was released on Home Video.
In the movie, the lead protagonist Andy Dufresne is imprisoned for life for a crime he has not committed. While in prison, Andy is befriended by Ellis Boyd Redding “Red” who is one of the oldest and most ‘influential’ inmates.
Andy spends his time in prison reading and carving out neat rock figures using a small rock hammer he acquires. He seemed to have a liking for Geology. He spends a lot of his time alone. No one knows what’s going on in his head. There is a mystery that surrounds him.
After 19 long years, Andy Dufresne escapes from Shawshank prison.
Over the years, he secretly digs a tunnel out of his cell with the rock hammer. He achieves success… he is free…
It’s not that the other inmates were enjoying their stay in there. Hell no.
It’s obvious every other prisoner wanted to be free.
But only Andy got free.
So what set Andy apart from the other inmates?
The answer is ingeniously wrapped in the word ‘Geology’ that has a blink-and-a-miss mention in the movie.
Geology is the study of the effect of pressure on
materials in the earth’s surface over a period of time. Carbon atoms, acted upon by pressure, temperature changes and time, turn into precious diamonds.
Andy was focused.
He applied pressure with his rock hammer.
He did this for 19 long years.
He didn’t get diamonds. He got freedom.
He was successful. Don’t you think?
Look at the lives of all the successful people around you.
Look at your role models. Look at anyone you want to emulate (for good).
Look at success as a whole.
Success may have many definitions, but it has two things in common.
SUCCESS IS ALL ABOUT TIME AND PRESSURE.
I repeat:
SUCCESS IS ALL ABOUT TIME AND PRESSURE.
The Taj Mahal took years & years and a whole lot of effort to become the marvel that it is.
Richard Branson (Virgin Group Chairman) started off at age 16 and over the years, built an empire spanning all possible industries.
Michael Phelps always goes for Gold. This swimmer spends half a day in the pool and is today the world’s best swimmer.
No words can embody the work done by Mother Teresa for humanity. For over 45 years, her painstaking efforts have given a new life to countless individuals.
Ask Arnold Schwarzenegger about bodybuilding and his Mr. Olympia titles. I’m certain he will talk about time and pressure.
Michael Jackson, Bill Gates, Donald Trump, Einstein, etc are all success stories. Even Hitler was a success (success has many definitions, remember?).
All the above successes were focused on what they wanted. That is a prerequisite for success.
But it’s surely not enough.
Success is about persevering and doing whatever it takes.
Success is about facing the challenges as they come.
Success is about being ready with a rock hammer and striking continuously.
Success is about applying pressure… incessantly.
Success is about putting in a lot of time and yet being ready to put in more.
People who find it difficult to achieve success are either not putting in enough time or not persevering enough or both. Analyze for yourself.
So whenever you think about getting successful or want to emulate a success story, remember that you need to put in a great deal of time and apply a whole lot of pressure.
Remember Andy.
It took him 19 years & a rock hammer to get free.
He knew Geology.
He was successful.
P.S.
Remember, there are no secrets. There’s only focus and hard work.
I can’t help but put up the trailer of ‘The Shawshank Redemption’. This movie alone has a thousand and one lessons on life. We will explore them in detail some time in the near future.