Striving Towards Excellence

-Karthik Gurumurthy

Today marks the birthday of tennis legend Martina Navratilova, and there’s a story about her that completely changed how I think about limitations.

When someone asked how she maintained her focus, physique, and sharp game even at 43, she gave the most humble yet powerful reply: “The ball doesn’t know how old I am.”

That response hit me because it reveals a fundamental truth: we need to stop ourselves from stopping ourselves. Every game in life—whether it’s career, relationships, or personal growth—is actually played on a six-inch battlefield: the space between our two ears.

Here’s what I’ve realized: We don’t really live in our houses, apartments, or offices. We live in our minds, which is unlimited space. Life feels great when things are sorted and uncluttered up there.

But keeping our mental space messy ruins everything. Picture this: hatred growing on the table, regrets piling up in corners, expectations boiling in the kitchen, secrets stuffed under the carpet, and worries littered everywhere. That’s no way to live in your real home.

The key to performing well in any arena of life comes down to one thing: controlling the quality and quantity of your internal dialogue.

I love this formula: Performance = Potential – Internal Interference.

The ball doesn’t know your age, your background, your past failures, or your current fears. Neither does your next opportunity. The only thing standing between you and your potential is often the conversation happening in that six-inch space.

What’s the dialogue like in your mental home today?