Between the age of 17 to 30, make yourself a sponge. Absorb as much as you can and as quickly as you can. Don’t chase after money. Chase after knowledge and what will make you who you are in the future.”
As a Chinese American, what is the most fundamental thing that is on the top of the list in our family teachings? Study hard, get good grades, get into a good college, study harder, get a good job and work your way up. There is absolutely nothing wrong with their teachings – because that is how they learned. That is what has worked and produced results in their time.
But, how likely is it for us to follow their footsteps and success in this world? The truth is, we will survive. No more than that. This piece of art “On a Plate” by Toby Morris perfectly presented that simply just working hard is not going to promise you the future that you want. Don’t get me wrong, I am by no means saying that we shouldn’t work hard. We should. the point is to work hard – with a purpose into the right direction.
Most of us weren’t born with a silver spoon. Most of us weren’t born with a golden plate. If you are like me? You’ve probably been through a lot and has many stories.
Some people were given the best. Some people were deeply love, given the best. The the $100 computers but the best computers out there. But sadly, these are the people that spend the rest of their lives in and out of rehab. There are people that has been through ultimate pain, Physically, emotionally, spiritually, but these people are those whom contributes the most to society.
Back in the days, it is all about what you know and that is the very reason why our parents want us to study hard and get good grades. When we were in high school, things have changed. It is not ONLY about what you know, but also WHO you know. Hence all the clubs, extra curricular activities, the organizations, and the charity events. That gave us a edge over those who only studied hard.
Now it is not only about WHAT you know, WHO you know. – but, WHO KNOWS YOU.
Life is a game of contribution, the more you contribute. The more that knows you. Work hard, AND smart. So cliche is it.
Jason Y. Zhang 