#10YearChallenge: Inspiring stories of change and success

We'd asked you, dear readers to take the #10YearChallenge.

Thank you for your responses! Please keep them coming.

Gokul Jayapal, 45 who has been living in Toronto, Canada for the past 15 years revealed how he inspired himself to take risks:

Change is inevitable in life. While most people resist change, I changed everything in my life in the last decade except my body weight.

I successfully managed to maintain the same weight, around 67 kg.

I am married and we have 3 kids. As a family, we've been lucky to travel to exotic places like Cuba, Jamaica, Cayman Islands and Newfound land.

I always think of these words by author Mark Twain: 'Twenty years from now, you will be disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did.'

His words always motivated me to venture into uncharted waters in my life like trading stocks.

Few years ago, I quit my job as my passion for stock market grew every day.

With my wife’s enormous motivation and support, I am committed to becoming more successful in trading and investing in stocks.

For me, to success means to enjoy your life with high values and deep beliefs and make your dreams come true.

Ajit Kumar, 44 from Trivandrum talked about the incidents that motivated him to lose weight and look good:

After marriage, I began to put on weight. I looked like an inflated balloon which could burst at any time.

Once the waiter passed the bill over to me suggesting the elder brother (I am the younger one) should pay it.

While travelling in a train, a coin fell down and I struggled to lift it up. I felt that a few people were laughing at me.

These incidents motivated me to lose weight.

My brother, a fitness addict, motivated me to work on my body so that I look my age and people don't bully me.

I'd be happy if my story motivates someone.

Usman Malik, 42 from Bangalore is now an entrepreneur.

You too can participate in the #10YearChallenge!

Send us a picture of you from 10 years ago along with a recent picture and tell us what has changed for you.

Have you achieved a goal you set for yourself?

Have you lost weight?

Did you find your dream job?

Did you turn entrepreneur and start your own company?

Maybe you found love, got married or simply ended a bad relationship.

Or you just discovered a new skill or passion and quit everything to start a new journey.

Tell us what are some of the best lessons you've learned and how it has changed you as a person.

Share your interesting experiences and learnings with us!

Simply e-mail us on getahead@rediff.co.in (subject: #10YearChallenge) along with your NAME, AGE and LOCATION, if possible. We'll feature the best responses on Rediff.com.