Monday 07 / September / 2026
As he walked down memory lane, he was vividly able to trace the dreams that had once filled his heart. Like episodes of a film, each one came racing before his eyes one after another, vivid yet fleeting. They passed him by before he could capture them, before he could turn them into tangible results, before he could bring about the change he was so eager to see in the world.
The story goes that Saif was constantly pulled back by an invisible force, something he could neither see nor explain that deprived him of the courage to speak up. It was as though a lock had been placed on his voice, keeping him trapped in a stalemate, caught between what he dreamed of becoming and what he was actually able to do. His life plot took him from one situation to another, the common denominator of which was his preference for being quiet. He would watch his friends and colleagues speak, regardless of how humble or ordinary their contributions might be. But when it came to his turn to speak, he would become a shrewd delegator and a master of procrastination. He would be swift in passing the bucket to someone else, justifying it by saying that his turn would come next time. However, next time would never come. How many presentations went that way? How many group discussions passed while he remained silently dead, watching from the sidelines? He had brilliant ideas, but those ideas were like the ebb and tide, swinging restlessly inside his mind, yet remaining besieged in his throat. They never found their way into the open. His colleagues tried to encourage him. His professors inspired him to step out of his comfort zone. But all efforts seemed to be in vain. It seemed that life inside the comfort zone was tempting in the short run. It was safe. It was familiar. There was no exposure, no judgment, no risk of failure. But deep inside him, there was a fierce struggle a strong wind of objection blowing against such a status quo. When he was alone, he would roar like a wounded lion. He would scream within himself: Why can’t I? Why don’t I act? Why do I keep allowing myself to remain this way? It was a venting process that would sweep through his mind like a powerful wind. But soon, his fury would abate, the storm would calm, and everything would return to normal. The fears were many: the fear of being criticized or laughed at; the fear of making a mistake; the fear of opening up; and a score of unhealthy justifications that kept him locked inside the walls of his comfort zone.
Time passed, and he eventually graduated with a high grade point average. But his job seeking episodes opened another agitating and unfortunate chapter in his life. He recalled applying for a job as an accountant. He went through the announcement and studied the requirements carefully. He did his homework about the company and prepared himself well. Deep inside his mind, he was saying, this is my opportunity. I know this field. I can answer the panel’s questions. I am ready.
Then came the D-day. The moment he entered the building, darker thoughts began invading his mind. Nervousness crept in. His heart started racing. His throat became dry. His palms turned cold and sweaty. When he finally sat in front of the interviewing panel, he was no longer comfortable. More importantly, he was certainly not confident. The answers that sounded so convincing inside his mind suddenly became weak when they had to travel through his voice. His body language spoke a different language. His tone of voice narrated the rest of the story. One job opportunity after another slipped through his fingers, unsuccessfully.
And once again, he found himself standing at the same familiar crossroads, knowing he had the ability, but unable to translate that ability into action. I am sure that, as you read these lines, many people like Saif have come to your mind. Perhaps his story resembles situations you have experienced yourself, moments when you had something to say but chose to remain silent, opportunities you allowed to pass by, or ideas that remained trapped inside your mind, never finding their way into action. Maybe, in some way, there is a little bit of Saif in all of us.
Mohammed Abdullah Qahtani, the 2015 World Champion of Public Speaking, was once haunted by stuttering, something that exposed him to ridicule and made him the subject of mockery among his classmates and people around him.
In his book, ‘The Power of Words: The Journey of a Stuttering Champion’, Mohammed narrates many incidents from that difficult chapter of his life experiences that could easily have pushed him further into isolation and silence. But somewhere along the way, he decided that this would not be the end of his story. He took a leap of faith and insisted that he would no longer remain besieged within the walls of his comfort zone.
The lock that had held him back for years was eventually unlocked. And once the lock was broken, he soared. He went on to win the World Championship of Public Speaking, turning what had once been perceived as his greatest weakness into a source of strength and inspiration. His journey became a powerful reminder that sometimes the very walls we believe are protecting us are the same walls preventing us from discovering who we can truly become. His story has since become a remarkable source of inspiration for young people around the world, a testimony that the courage to step beyond our limitations can transform not only our lives, but also the way others see what is possible.
In her book ‘Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway’, Susan Jeffers explores fear from a different perspective. She argues that fear is not necessarily a psychological barrier that we must first eliminate before taking action. Rather, much of what we experience as fear is learned and conditioned, which means that we can learn to respond to it differently. We do not have to wait for fear to disappear; we can feel the fear and do it anyway. Jeffers identifies three levels of fear:
• Level One: Fears about things that happen. These include external situations such as rejection, failure, criticism, illness, loss, aging, or financial difficulties.
• Level Two: Fears about what we think might happen. These are deeper fears connected to our identity and sense of self such as what if I fail? what will people think of me? what if I am not good enough? or what if I make a fool of myself?
• Level Three: The fear of not being able to handle it. Jeffers considers this the deepest level, the belief that “If this happens, I won’t be able to cope with it. The real fear, therefore, is often not the event itself but our belief that we will be unable to handle whatever comes our way. To handle fear, Jeffers recommends taking action despite the fear rather than waiting until we feel confident.
She encourages people to replace the question How can I get rid of my fear? with How can I move forward despite my fear? Her approach includes taking small steps outside the comfort zone, making decisions, accepting uncertainty, taking responsibility for our choices, and repeatedly confronting what frightens us. Through action, we teach the brain a new lesson: I can do this, and I can handle the consequences.
This week, students resumed their studies at schools and universities across the country after a long summer holiday. It is therefore timely for teachers, professors, and parents alike to spot cases like Saif early and provide them with the psychological safety, encouragement, and support they need to confront their fears at the bud before they grow into formidable challenges that keep these young people locked within this mental trap.
Let us help them come forward. Let us create an environment where they feel safe to speak, to make mistakes, to experiment, and even to fail without the fear of being ridiculed or judged.
Let us help them discover their “Aha!” moments, those moments of realisation when they suddenly become aware of what has been holding them back and recognise the magnitude of the behavior that has kept them confined.
Most importantly, let us help them develop that sincere desire to unlock their locks. Because the key to transformation is not always found outside us; sometimes, it is already in our hands, waiting for us to have the courage to turn it. It is only when they unlock the lock that they will be able to soar high, unleash their potential, and embark on the journey of becoming the best versions of themselves.
One soothing remedy for empowering them to unlock the lock is to encourage them to join the Toastmasters programme just like Saif & Mohammed did. It can become a journey of self discovery. one that gradually helps them find their voice, build their confidence, and discover abilities they may never have known they possessed.
Once they embark on this journey, they may never look back. They will learn that fear does not have to be a barrier; it can be a companion on the road to growth. They will learn to feel the fear and do it anyway, and, in doing so, discover the gifts that lie on the other side of fear. Sometimes, all our youth need is a safe place to speak, someone who believes in them, and the courage to take that first step
An Omani writer focusing on youth development and cultural issues.
