Who Is Writing Your Life's Story? | Nazim Ud Daula | TEDxBangladeshAgriculturalUniversity

Quick Overview

The speaker, Nazim Ud Daula, asserts that writing one's own life story, rather than following prescribed paths like becoming a doctor or accountant, is the true way to live a fulfilling life, citing his own journey from fearing accounting to embracing creative writing and copywriting despite societal expectations.

Key Points: The speaker prefers writing his own life story over following external expectations like becoming a doctor or accountant, which he notes often come with higher perceived financial security. He recounts being told by an influential person (Jaria Apu) after an accident that he should become a writer/copywriter, a path he eventually embraced. The speaker initially studied Commerce at Dhaka University but disliked accounting, which was the expected path for him to secure a good job and marriage. He actively pursued creative work secretly, publishing four books (including 'Bloodstone' and 'Shorong') before openly pursuing writing. The speaker argues that passion, like singing or writing, leads to better outcomes and fulfillment than paths chosen purely for financial security. He contrasts his current fulfilling creative career with the perceived dissatisfaction of those who followed the expected path (like the doctor friend who became a film makeup artist).

Context: The presentation is a TEDx talk delivered by Nazim Ud Daula at TEDxBangladeshAgriculturalUniversity, where he shares his personal journey of defying conventional career expectations—specifically moving away from the expected path of accounting towards creative writing and copywriting—to pursue what he is passionate about, encouraging the audience to write their own life stories.

Detailed Analysis

Nazim Ud Daula begins by thanking the organizers and establishing that his preferred medium for expressing his thoughts is writing. He contrasts his current life with the expectations placed upon him, particularly the societal pressure to pursue accounting for financial stability and marriage prospects, despite his lack of interest in the subject. He recounts that after a serious accident involving a bullet, an influential person named Jaria Apu encouraged him to pursue writing. Although he initially studied Commerce, he later switched to writing, starting with secret writing projects, including publishing four books (like 'Bloodstone' and 'Shorong') while working in client service at an ad agency. He points out that his friends who followed expected paths (doctor, banker, BCS) are often unhappy or have deviated from their original training (e.g., the doctor friend now doing film makeup). The speaker emphasizes that if one pursues something they genuinely enjoy, success and fulfillment follow naturally, contrasting the high income of doctors with the lower income of writers, yet asserting that the writer's path is more fulfilling because it is self-chosen. He concludes by stressing that creating one's own path, even when it seems impossible or goes against advice, is essential for leading a life you truly desire.