Age is just a number. Don't let that limit you.
Joseph Schooling & Myself
Age is just a number. This photo serves as an inspiration as well as a reminder of this fact.
Both Joseph Schooling & myself achieved success in our respective career ladders at a tender young age. He became a Gold Olympic Medalist around 22 - 23 years old, and for myself I also became a company director around that age.
In fact, many at times when I hear many youths these days lamenting about their lack of opportunities to succeed, I feel a little sad - because I know that opportunities do not lie around waiting for us.
We have to prepare ourselves day after day, and when the window of opportunity open up - because of all our preparations (Malcolm Gladwell’s Outliers, 10,000 hours concept), we will then possess the opportunity to seize it in our hands.
My 1st speaking experience in NUS (with Laurent Junique & Dr Patrick Liew)
I had always wanted to impact youths back when I was around 18 to 20 years old, as such I kept serving school communities as well as various youth entrepreneurship organisations - which led me to my very 1st speaking speaking assignment in NUS Business School.
I remember it clearly as though it was just yesterday. I was seated with two other seasoned entrepreneurs (Dr Patrick Liew who led Success Resources & HSR / Laurent Junique, CEO of Teledirect), and I was the only 20 years old seated amongst them.
But because I had prepared sufficiently all these while, it was not a daunting task to represent my age group and share my earnest views on how youths planning to start a global business - can now take baby steps towards their goals through leveraging on digital technology.
My 1st Speaking Assignment in China (to 400 Pax)
This episode happened yet again last year, when one of the biggest conferences in China decided to message me via LinkedIn - inviting me to speak in Shen Zhen, to a group of C Suite to C-2 Suite audience on the topic of Global Marketing & Branding.
One of the biggest lessons I have learnt in my 9 years of working - there are always opportunities out there despite all the challenges that we might face (be it age or experiences etc), as long we make a conscious effort to make preparations way ahead of any potential opportunities.
As a fellow wonderer of life, my greatest belief is that age is not the obstacle between us and our desired success. Our lack of preparation are the true reason why we do not move on.
Stop whining and start preparing ahead. All the best!