so hello everybody today my talk is how to pursue your passion and this is a
to pursue your passion and this is a
to pursue your passion and this is a particularly important topic because
particularly important topic because
particularly important topic because we’ve we hear it many times but I want
we’ve we hear it many times but I want
we’ve we hear it many times but I want to make the argument today that pursue
to make the argument today that pursue
to make the argument today that pursue your passion is one of the most useless
your passion is one of the most useless
your passion is one of the most useless pieces of advices and why is that so why
pieces of advices and why is that so why
pieces of advices and why is that so why is it that Steve Jobs and Bill Gates and
is it that Steve Jobs and Bill Gates and
is it that Steve Jobs and Bill Gates and other successful business or political
other successful business or political
other successful business or political leaders they say pursue your passion
leaders they say pursue your passion
leaders they say pursue your passion it’s not bad because they’re wrong it’s
it’s not bad because they’re wrong it’s
it’s not bad because they’re wrong it’s bad because they don’t tell us how to do
bad because they don’t tell us how to do
bad because they don’t tell us how to do it or exactly what passion is so today
it or exactly what passion is so today
it or exactly what passion is so today I’m gonna talk about three things number
I’m gonna talk about three things number
I’m gonna talk about three things number one my own journey to pursue passion
one my own journey to pursue passion
one my own journey to pursue passion number two what misconceptions people
number two what misconceptions people
number two what misconceptions people have when pursuing their passion and
have when pursuing their passion and
have when pursuing their passion and number three actually two easy steps you
number three actually two easy steps you
number three actually two easy steps you can do to follow and find your passion
can do to follow and find your passion
can do to follow and find your passion so my journey starts at the University
so my journey starts at the University
so my journey starts at the University of Pennsylvania I was accepted to study
of Pennsylvania I was accepted to study
of Pennsylvania I was accepted to study finance at the Wharton School and I
finance at the Wharton School and I
finance at the Wharton School and I thought my life was complete because I
thought my life was complete because I
thought my life was complete because I have two parents who work in finance I
have two parents who work in finance I
have two parents who work in finance I live in Hong Kong and so I’m on track to
live in Hong Kong and so I’m on track to
live in Hong Kong and so I’m on track to be one of the investment bankers so when
be one of the investment bankers so when
be one of the investment bankers so when at university you have 80 choices over
at university you have 80 choices over
at university you have 80 choices over the four years to take any kind of
the four years to take any kind of
the four years to take any kind of courses you want and I thought I was
courses you want and I thought I was
courses you want and I thought I was going to major in finance because I was
going to major in finance because I was
going to major in finance because I was at Wharton and I first realized that
at Wharton and I first realized that
at Wharton and I first realized that finance was not my passion I had the
finance was not my passion I had the
finance was not my passion I had the ability I did not have the passion
ability I did not have the passion
ability I did not have the passion because I was studying the same finance
because I was studying the same finance
because I was studying the same finance course with my friend I asked him can I
course with my friend I asked him can I
course with my friend I asked him can I borrow your cheat sheet a cheat sheet is
borrow your cheat sheet a cheat sheet is
borrow your cheat sheet a cheat sheet is a sheet where you can write your
a sheet where you can write your
a sheet where you can write your formulas down legally for the for the
formulas down legally for the for the
formulas down legally for the for the exam and he said I don’t have a cheat
exam and he said I don’t have a cheat
exam and he said I don’t have a cheat sheet and I said what do you mean you
sheet and I said what do you mean you
sheet and I said what do you mean you don’t have a cheat sheet and he said oh
don’t have a cheat sheet and he said oh
don’t have a cheat sheet and he said oh because I don’t need to memorize the
because I don’t need to memorize the
because I don’t need to memorize the formulas because I spent so much time
formulas because I spent so much time
formulas because I spent so much time reading about this anyway if I forget
reading about this anyway if I forget
reading about this anyway if I forget the formula in class I can just prove
the formula in class I can just prove
the formula in class I can just prove prove the formula from first principles
prove the formula from first principles
prove the formula from first principles in math and I said I thought to myself
in math and I said I thought to myself
in math and I said I thought to myself you know how am I ever you know we have
you know how am I ever you know we have
you know how am I ever you know we have the same mathematical ability but do I
the same mathematical ability but do I
the same mathematical ability but do I spend my whole day reading about finance
spend my whole day reading about finance
spend my whole day reading about finance no and so I realized that ability is
no and so I realized that ability is
no and so I realized that ability is important but passion is what takes you
important but passion is what takes you
important but passion is what takes you to the next level and it will help you
to the next level and it will help you
to the next level and it will help you win the race in the end so finding that
win the race in the end so finding that
win the race in the end so finding that finance was not my passion I tried to
finance was not my passion I tried to
finance was not my passion I tried to major in different things I I took a
major in different things I I took a
major in different things I I took a selection of courses from every
selection of courses from every
selection of courses from every different departments in the end I
different departments in the end I
different departments in the end I actually ended up with two degrees and
actually ended up with two degrees and
actually ended up with two degrees and five majors you can see I’m super I’m
five majors you can see I’m super I’m
five majors you can see I’m super I’m super greedy big
super greedy big
super greedy big one of my majors is politics philosophy
one of my majors is politics philosophy
one of my majors is politics philosophy and economics so I couldn’t even choose
and economics so I couldn’t even choose
and economics so I couldn’t even choose between a three so I just took a
between a three so I just took a
between a three so I just took a combined major and so my mom always says
combined major and so my mom always says
combined major and so my mom always says why is spending over a million dollars
why is spending over a million dollars
why is spending over a million dollars on a college education what are you
on a college education what are you
on a college education what are you studying
studying
studying and you’re not even studying finance of
and you’re not even studying finance of
and you’re not even studying finance of why we’ve hang so much and I said no we
why we’ve hang so much and I said no we
why we’ve hang so much and I said no we bought one degree I got five majors for
bought one degree I got five majors for
bought one degree I got five majors for a forum for majors for free so it was a
a forum for majors for free so it was a
a forum for majors for free so it was a great deal so that’s what I learned in
great deal so that’s what I learned in
great deal so that’s what I learned in Business School is to how to make more
Business School is to how to make more
Business School is to how to make more make get more bang out of your buck so
make get more bang out of your buck so
make get more bang out of your buck so so here’s me at university pan Sylvania
so here’s me at university pan Sylvania
so here’s me at university pan Sylvania five majors I still have no idea what I
five majors I still have no idea what I
five majors I still have no idea what I want to do so when you don’t know what
want to do so when you don’t know what
want to do so when you don’t know what you want to do the easiest thing is just
you want to do the easiest thing is just
you want to do the easiest thing is just to do what everyone else is doing so so
to do what everyone else is doing so so
to do what everyone else is doing so so my next job I tried to get an internship
my next job I tried to get an internship
my next job I tried to get an internship in an investment bank so I was working
in an investment bank so I was working
in an investment bank so I was working in Hong Kong it was 9:00 to 5:00 but it
in Hong Kong it was 9:00 to 5:00 but it
in Hong Kong it was 9:00 to 5:00 but it was 5:00 a.m. and then I just thought
was 5:00 a.m. and then I just thought
was 5:00 a.m. and then I just thought what is the point of life I’m just
what is the point of life I’m just
what is the point of life I’m just sitting here
sitting here
sitting here there’s aircon but that’s about it so my
there’s aircon but that’s about it so my
there’s aircon but that’s about it so my second job I took a job in management
second job I took a job in management
second job I took a job in management consulting and so why do I have this
consulting and so why do I have this
consulting and so why do I have this list of six industries it’s because when
list of six industries it’s because when
list of six industries it’s because when you go to one of these institutions it
you go to one of these institutions it
you go to one of these institutions it might be an American institution it
might be an American institution it
might be an American institution it might be a British it might be a local
might be a British it might be a local
might be a British it might be a local institution you sort of have parents or
institution you sort of have parents or
institution you sort of have parents or societal expectations that if you have
societal expectations that if you have
societal expectations that if you have the ability you are going to do one of
the ability you are going to do one of
the ability you are going to do one of these six things and so by default I
these six things and so by default I
these six things and so by default I wasn’t doing finance not doing
wasn’t doing finance not doing
wasn’t doing finance not doing Investment Banking so I thought I was
Investment Banking so I thought I was
Investment Banking so I thought I was special and better than everyone else so
special and better than everyone else so
special and better than everyone else so I went to the second one which is
I went to the second one which is
I went to the second one which is management consulting so I don’t take
management consulting so I don’t take
management consulting so I don’t take pictures when I’m at work but here’s a
pictures when I’m at work but here’s a
pictures when I’m at work but here’s a picture of me rowing in New York City
picture of me rowing in New York City
picture of me rowing in New York City I’m enjoying my time as a management
I’m enjoying my time as a management
I’m enjoying my time as a management consultant but over time two years when
consultant but over time two years when
consultant but over time two years when I was in New York working there I
I was in New York working there I
I was in New York working there I realized that prestige is totally an
realized that prestige is totally an
realized that prestige is totally an illusion what does that mean it’s
illusion what does that mean it’s
illusion what does that mean it’s because my friends really didn’t care
because my friends really didn’t care
because my friends really didn’t care where I worked and the people who are
where I worked and the people who are
where I worked and the people who are not my friends they care about where I
not my friends they care about where I
not my friends they care about where I worked and so why did I care about these
worked and so why did I care about these
worked and so why did I care about these people who don’t care about me over
people who don’t care about me over
people who don’t care about me over they’re not my friends and so prestige I
they’re not my friends and so prestige I
they’re not my friends and so prestige I put in brackets here in quotations
put in brackets here in quotations
put in brackets here in quotations because I think it really is only
because I think it really is only
because I think it really is only prestigious to people who think it’s
prestigious to people who think it’s
prestigious to people who think it’s prestigious but in reality we derive our
prestigious but in reality we derive our
prestigious but in reality we derive our own meaning in life so that was my first
own meaning in life so that was my first
own meaning in life so that was my first step I decided to leave my management
step I decided to leave my management
step I decided to leave my management consulting job and so what else could I
consulting job and so what else could I
consulting job and so what else could I do instead so I try to do something a
do instead so I try to do something a
do instead so I try to do something a little different so my next step was to
little different so my next step was to
little different so my next step was to move to Hong Kong and I thought you know
move to Hong Kong and I thought you know
move to Hong Kong and I thought you know dun finance I’ve done consulting what
dun finance I’ve done consulting what
dun finance I’ve done consulting what can I do and I thought maybe the third
can I do and I thought maybe the third
can I do and I thought maybe the third way to pursue my passion is to follow
way to pursue my passion is to follow
way to pursue my passion is to follow the footsteps of people who have made it
the footsteps of people who have made it
the footsteps of people who have made it in Hong Kong and whether you like it or
in Hong Kong and whether you like it or
in Hong Kong and whether you like it or not real estate tycoons are you know
not real estate tycoons are you know
not real estate tycoons are you know considered successful in Hong Kong and I
considered successful in Hong Kong and I
considered successful in Hong Kong and I thought if I was going to be successful
thought if I was going to be successful
thought if I was going to be successful and passionate maybe I should try real
and passionate maybe I should try real
and passionate maybe I should try real estate so I’m working in a real estate
estate so I’m working in a real estate
estate so I’m working in a real estate fund this is a building that we helped
fund this is a building that we helped
fund this is a building that we helped to deconstruct and reconstruct a
to deconstruct and reconstruct a
to deconstruct and reconstruct a shopping mall that’s right next to the
shopping mall that’s right next to the
shopping mall that’s right next to the World Trade Center and the Excelsior and
World Trade Center and the Excelsior and
World Trade Center and the Excelsior and so I was there one day we were finishing
so I was there one day we were finishing
so I was there one day we were finishing off the deal and I was tasked with
off the deal and I was tasked with
off the deal and I was tasked with collecting all the contracts that that
collecting all the contracts that that
collecting all the contracts that that we had to make sure the tenants were
we had to make sure the tenants were
we had to make sure the tenants were gonna move out soon and so when we
gonna move out soon and so when we
gonna move out soon and so when we closed the deal my colleague asked me he
closed the deal my colleague asked me he
closed the deal my colleague asked me he said oh how do you feel about finishing
said oh how do you feel about finishing
said oh how do you feel about finishing this deal and I asked him what do you
this deal and I asked him what do you
this deal and I asked him what do you mean what do you feel what am I supposed
mean what do you feel what am I supposed
mean what do you feel what am I supposed to feel and then he said oh don’t you
to feel and then he said oh don’t you
to feel and then he said oh don’t you feel like you’ve accomplished something
feel like you’ve accomplished something
feel like you’ve accomplished something remarkable you’re gonna you’ve
remarkable you’re gonna you’ve
remarkable you’re gonna you’ve contributed to having a building in the
contributed to having a building in the
contributed to having a building in the Hong Kong skyline that’s a major
Hong Kong skyline that’s a major
Hong Kong skyline that’s a major achievement and I said you know what I
achievement and I said you know what I
achievement and I said you know what I did today was I took a box you asked me
did today was I took a box you asked me
did today was I took a box you asked me to count the contracts I counted 29
to count the contracts I counted 29
to count the contracts I counted 29 contracts and then I put it back in the
contracts and then I put it back in the
contracts and then I put it back in the box what do you mean I’m building a
box what do you mean I’m building a
box what do you mean I’m building a building so I realized that once again
building so I realized that once again
building so I realized that once again because he had the passion he saw it as
because he had the passion he saw it as
because he had the passion he saw it as something meaningful something bigger
something meaningful something bigger
something meaningful something bigger than what it was I didn’t have the
than what it was I didn’t have the
than what it was I didn’t have the passion I was trying to do someone
passion I was trying to do someone
passion I was trying to do someone else’s passion and to me I told him
else’s passion and to me I told him
else’s passion and to me I told him today at lunch I had a fried rice inside
today at lunch I had a fried rice inside
today at lunch I had a fried rice inside there were these green peas I didn’t
there were these green peas I didn’t
there were these green peas I didn’t like I was counting them out of the
like I was counting them out of the
like I was counting them out of the fried rice and I showed him my pile of
fried rice and I showed him my pile of
fried rice and I showed him my pile of peas and it’s the same thing that
peas and it’s the same thing that
peas and it’s the same thing that there’s peace and then there’s contracts
there’s peace and then there’s contracts
there’s peace and then there’s contracts like what’s the difference so so a few
like what’s the difference so so a few
like what’s the difference so so a few months later I left this company too
months later I left this company too
months later I left this company too because I was trying to live the life of
because I was trying to live the life of
because I was trying to live the life of someone else this was a third attempt
someone else this was a third attempt
someone else this was a third attempt and so something really funny happened
and so something really funny happened
and so something really funny happened when I was working in real estate was
when I was working in real estate was
when I was working in real estate was that in real estate there’s the tycoons
that in real estate there’s the tycoons
that in real estate there’s the tycoons who bid the auctions there is also the
who bid the auctions there is also the
who bid the auctions there is also the people who the business owners because
people who the business owners because
people who the business owners because they ran still shopping the shops and
they ran still shopping the shops and
they ran still shopping the shops and then number three their investors so
then number three their investors so
then number three their investors so there are people with excessive wealth
there are people with excessive wealth
there are people with excessive wealth of themselves or other people and during
of themselves or other people and during
of themselves or other people and during my time at this real estate fund no one
my time at this real estate fund no one
my time at this real estate fund no one ever asked me well you know what do you
ever asked me well you know what do you
ever asked me well you know what do you think of this real estate what do you
think of this real estate what do you
think of this real estate what do you think of this investment
think of this investment
think of this investment and said my manager was always saying oh
and said my manager was always saying oh
and said my manager was always saying oh oh you know Jeremy went to warden so
oh you know Jeremy went to warden so
oh you know Jeremy went to warden so that he’s gonna be handling your Excel
that he’s gonna be handling your Excel
that he’s gonna be handling your Excel model and so all the clients they would
model and so all the clients they would
model and so all the clients they would come in and they would never ask me what
come in and they would never ask me what
come in and they would never ask me what I thought about the business or the real
I thought about the business or the real
I thought about the business or the real estate they would just ask me how do I
estate they would just ask me how do I
estate they would just ask me how do I get my kid into warden how do I get my
get my kid into warden how do I get my
get my kid into warden how do I get my kid into the Ivy League and so I just
kid into the Ivy League and so I just
kid into the Ivy League and so I just realized you know since no one cares
realized you know since no one cares
realized you know since no one cares about my knowledge and real estate or
about my knowledge and real estate or
about my knowledge and real estate or finance maybe I should just do education
finance maybe I should just do education
finance maybe I should just do education instead and then the word of mouth
instead and then the word of mouth
instead and then the word of mouth started continuing and then I think two
started continuing and then I think two
started continuing and then I think two months into my job these managers and
months into my job these managers and
months into my job these managers and the founders they started bringing their
the founders they started bringing their
the founders they started bringing their kids to work on Saturday and I had to
kids to work on Saturday and I had to
kids to work on Saturday and I had to tutor them and then so the conference
tutor them and then so the conference
tutor them and then so the conference room of the school of the of the office
room of the school of the of the office
room of the school of the of the office was my tutoring center and so I actually
was my tutoring center and so I actually
was my tutoring center and so I actually made more money on Saturday than my day
made more money on Saturday than my day
made more money on Saturday than my day job and so I just took that as my last
job and so I just took that as my last
job and so I just took that as my last sign I need to quit I need to do
sign I need to quit I need to do
sign I need to quit I need to do education so fourth step I moved to
education so fourth step I moved to
education so fourth step I moved to education and so if I wasn’t going to
education and so if I wasn’t going to
education and so if I wasn’t going to live a glamorous life like this I was
live a glamorous life like this I was
live a glamorous life like this I was still in the mode of you know glamour
still in the mode of you know glamour
still in the mode of you know glamour and prestige so I decided I wanted to
and prestige so I decided I wanted to
and prestige so I decided I wanted to pursue education in in my opinion a
pursue education in in my opinion a
pursue education in in my opinion a famous way so I actually went to to
famous way so I actually went to to
famous way so I actually went to to become a celebrity turd in Hong Kong
become a celebrity turd in Hong Kong
become a celebrity turd in Hong Kong teaching English mostly and so this job
teaching English mostly and so this job
teaching English mostly and so this job is you know one of my friends kept
is you know one of my friends kept
is you know one of my friends kept telling me for you know many many years
telling me for you know many many years
telling me for you know many many years you should do this you should do this
you should do this you should do this
you should do this you should do this and I said okay I’m though I’ll do it so
and I said okay I’m though I’ll do it so
and I said okay I’m though I’ll do it so I was the only one he convinced out of
I was the only one he convinced out of
I was the only one he convinced out of his friends to do it and so this job is
his friends to do it and so this job is
his friends to do it and so this job is actually really hard to get so in Hong
actually really hard to get so in Hong
actually really hard to get so in Hong Kong there are two major companies
Kong there are two major companies
Kong there are two major companies there’s a and then there’s B I
there’s a and then there’s B I
there’s a and then there’s B I interviewed with both and then they both
interviewed with both and then they both
interviewed with both and then they both gave me a job so I went to company a so
gave me a job so I went to company a so
gave me a job so I went to company a so I went to a company a I worked as an
I went to a company a I worked as an
I went to a company a I worked as an assistant for one of the major tutors I
assistant for one of the major tutors I
assistant for one of the major tutors I laid as videos I I did some marking I
laid as videos I I did some marking I
laid as videos I I did some marking I made some notes for him and then six
made some notes for him and then six
made some notes for him and then six months into the job I just thought you
months into the job I just thought you
months into the job I just thought you know when when are you going to put my
know when when are you going to put my
know when when are you going to put my face on the bus or I’m just gonna be
face on the bus or I’m just gonna be
face on the bus or I’m just gonna be here so so so he said what so he said
here so so so he said what so he said
here so so so he said what so he said you know we don’t we you can keep
you know we don’t we you can keep
you know we don’t we you can keep working hard and what think about it one
working hard and what think about it one
working hard and what think about it one day and I realized the whole thing was a
day and I realized the whole thing was a
day and I realized the whole thing was a scam he had tried to scare me to sign a
scam he had tried to scare me to sign a
scam he had tried to scare me to sign a contract so I couldn’t work anywhere
contract so I couldn’t work anywhere
contract so I couldn’t work anywhere else and then I would just be there so
else and then I would just be there so
else and then I would just be there so because I had turned down company B
because I had turned down company B
because I had turned down company B before six months later I went back and
before six months later I went back and
before six months later I went back and I said just joking I changed my mind I’m
I said just joking I changed my mind I’m
I said just joking I changed my mind I’m here
I went to Company B and then it was not
I went to Company B and then it was not that simple they they ignored me for
that simple they they ignored me for
that simple they they ignored me for weeks so I called them I called everyone
weeks so I called them I called everyone
weeks so I called them I called everyone in the company and they ignored me for
in the company and they ignored me for
in the company and they ignored me for three weeks and so I thought oh no I
three weeks and so I thought oh no I
three weeks and so I thought oh no I I’ve lost this whole path what can I do
I’ve lost this whole path what can I do
I’ve lost this whole path what can I do and so I was not gonna let them say no
and so I was not gonna let them say no
and so I was not gonna let them say no to me because I wanted to I really
to me because I wanted to I really
to me because I wanted to I really wanted to do this job and so my first
wanted to do this job and so my first
wanted to do this job and so my first step I realized that the company all the
step I realized that the company all the
step I realized that the company all the numbers in the the directory they
numbers in the the directory they
numbers in the the directory they started with the same six digits as 3/1
started with the same six digits as 3/1
started with the same six digits as 3/1 actually don’t call them but uh but uh
actually don’t call them but uh but uh
actually don’t call them but uh but uh they start with the same six digits so I
they start with the same six digits so I
they start with the same six digits so I just called I you know the founder is
just called I you know the founder is
just called I you know the founder is called person a I asked I call I started
called person a I asked I call I started
called person a I asked I call I started from zero zero and I went all the way to
from zero zero and I went all the way to
from zero zero and I went all the way to ninety nine and then I just called I
ninety nine and then I just called I
ninety nine and then I just called I just called a person every day and I
just called a person every day and I
just called a person every day and I talked to them and I said oh I’m
talked to them and I said oh I’m
talked to them and I said oh I’m actually doing this can you transfer me
actually doing this can you transfer me
actually doing this can you transfer me to the right person I’m looking for the
to the right person I’m looking for the
to the right person I’m looking for the assistant manager secretary whatever and
assistant manager secretary whatever and
assistant manager secretary whatever and then they kept ignoring me at they took
then they kept ignoring me at they took
then they kept ignoring me at they took a message and I never got through so and
a message and I never got through so and
a message and I never got through so and then I was like oh oh no I’ve put my job
then I was like oh oh no I’ve put my job
then I was like oh oh no I’ve put my job I’ve been kind of been an assistant for
I’ve been kind of been an assistant for
I’ve been kind of been an assistant for six months what do I do
six months what do I do
six months what do I do so all the tutors even the founders they
so all the tutors even the founders they
so all the tutors even the founders they actually work as a tutor too and so I
actually work as a tutor too and so I
actually work as a tutor too and so I took the timetable of the tutor the
took the timetable of the tutor the
took the timetable of the tutor the founder and then I just looked where is
founder and then I just looked where is
founder and then I just looked where is he gonna be and so I just went to every
he gonna be and so I just went to every
he gonna be and so I just went to every single class that he was because there’s
single class that he was because there’s
single class that he was because there’s only two doors and so one door you don’t
only two doors and so one door you don’t
only two doors and so one door you don’t use it so I just waited therefore I went
use it so I just waited therefore I went
use it so I just waited therefore I went to every single class for 21 days and
to every single class for 21 days and
to every single class for 21 days and then he said I’m busy and busy and busy
then he said I’m busy and busy and busy
then he said I’m busy and busy and busy and then the 21st day he said okay I’ll
and then the 21st day he said okay I’ll
and then the 21st day he said okay I’ll let you talk to someone and then I got
let you talk to someone and then I got
let you talk to someone and then I got the job and then he didn’t put me on a
the job and then he didn’t put me on a
the job and then he didn’t put me on a restraining order so that was great so I
restraining order so that was great so I
restraining order so that was great so I got the job so this is just some photos
got the job so this is just some photos
got the job so this is just some photos but there was one interesting thing so
but there was one interesting thing so
but there was one interesting thing so he offered me a job I had to wait until
he offered me a job I had to wait until
he offered me a job I had to wait until July to start the job because it’s a
July to start the job because it’s a
July to start the job because it’s a academic cycle and so I just thought to
academic cycle and so I just thought to
academic cycle and so I just thought to myself the contract is so many years I
myself the contract is so many years I
myself the contract is so many years I will be in my 30s when I’m done with a
will be in my 30s when I’m done with a
will be in my 30s when I’m done with a contract what in my life do I really
contract what in my life do I really
contract what in my life do I really want to do that I’ve never done before
want to do that I’ve never done before
want to do that I’ve never done before and I need to do when I’m still young a
and I need to do when I’m still young a
and I need to do when I’m still young a young adult and taking a deep breath in
young adult and taking a deep breath in
young adult and taking a deep breath in my moment of truth I just reflected on
my moment of truth I just reflected on
my moment of truth I just reflected on my teenage years and I knew what my
my teenage years and I knew what my
my teenage years and I knew what my dream was my dream was always to be a
dream was my dream was always to be a
dream was my dream was always to be a Abercrombie & Fitch model at the store
Abercrombie & Fitch model at the store
Abercrombie & Fitch model at the store so
so
so it’s something that’s really personal to
it’s something that’s really personal to
it’s something that’s really personal to me someone gave me a t-shirt when I was
me someone gave me a t-shirt when I was
me someone gave me a t-shirt when I was a teenager and I was so ashamed to wear
a teenager and I was so ashamed to wear
a teenager and I was so ashamed to wear it because I just thought I was so
it because I just thought I was so
it because I just thought I was so different from the Abercrombie & Fitch
different from the Abercrombie & Fitch
different from the Abercrombie & Fitch model so I went to interview I worked
model so I went to interview I worked
model so I went to interview I worked out for a month I went to interview for
out for a month I went to interview for
out for a month I went to interview for the store model and they said they would
the store model and they said they would
the store model and they said they would call me in a week and then one week
call me in a week and then one week
call me in a week and then one week later they did not call me so I I called
later they did not call me so I I called
later they did not call me so I I called them back and I said did you lose my
them back and I said did you lose my
them back and I said did you lose my number maybe you couldn’t read my number
number maybe you couldn’t read my number
number maybe you couldn’t read my number right and then and then they just said
right and then and then they just said
right and then and then they just said no we didn’t call you that’s it that’s
no we didn’t call you that’s it that’s
no we didn’t call you that’s it that’s it so I was determined to get this job
it so I was determined to get this job
it so I was determined to get this job because it was my teenage dream so I
because it was my teenage dream so I
because it was my teenage dream so I worked out religiously for six months to
worked out religiously for six months to
worked out religiously for six months to become very muscular and I actually live
become very muscular and I actually live
become very muscular and I actually live near the store so every day I get off
near the store so every day I get off
near the store so every day I get off the mini bus it’s right at the door and
the mini bus it’s right at the door and
the mini bus it’s right at the door and I would look in and I’d see these guys
I would look in and I’d see these guys
I would look in and I’d see these guys that are always more muscular than me so
that are always more muscular than me so
that are always more muscular than me so what can I do
what can I do
what can I do can I do six months my my other job is
can I do six months my my other job is
can I do six months my my other job is starting I need to land as quickly so I
starting I need to land as quickly so I
starting I need to land as quickly so I just thought how could I make myself
just thought how could I make myself
just thought how could I make myself muscular when I’m not muscular my idea
muscular when I’m not muscular my idea
muscular when I’m not muscular my idea you can see it executed on the right a
you can see it executed on the right a
you can see it executed on the right a little bit I was at home I I wore I took
little bit I was at home I I wore I took
little bit I was at home I I wore I took all my t-shirts I wore eight of them at
all my t-shirts I wore eight of them at
all my t-shirts I wore eight of them at the same time and then I work out and I
the same time and then I work out and I
the same time and then I work out and I went in and I got the job so yeah so on
went in and I got the job so yeah so on
went in and I got the job so yeah so on the right hand side I think I’m wearing
the right hand side I think I’m wearing
the right hand side I think I’m wearing four t-shirts I had to ask for four to
four t-shirts I had to ask for four to
four t-shirts I had to ask for four to pad myself but Abercrombie and Fitch was
pad myself but Abercrombie and Fitch was
pad myself but Abercrombie and Fitch was a really big turning point for me
a really big turning point for me
a really big turning point for me because I was able to detach myself from
because I was able to detach myself from
because I was able to detach myself from my past identity also one really
my past identity also one really
my past identity also one really important thing in the interview is that
important thing in the interview is that
important thing in the interview is that you have to say the slogan at the bottom
you have to say the slogan at the bottom
you have to say the slogan at the bottom it says hey what’s going on so every
it says hey what’s going on so every
it says hey what’s going on so every time a customer walks by you say hey
time a customer walks by you say hey
time a customer walks by you say hey what’s going on to make the store see
what’s going on to make the store see
what’s going on to make the store see more American and the importance of this
more American and the importance of this
more American and the importance of this it was the first time I realized that
it was the first time I realized that
it was the first time I realized that English is so important because it at
English is so important because it at
English is so important because it at Abercrombie & Fitch there are two jobs
Abercrombie & Fitch there are two jobs
Abercrombie & Fitch there are two jobs one is called model so you had the
one is called model so you had the
one is called model so you had the storefront like this and then the other
storefront like this and then the other
storefront like this and then the other job is called impact where you are
job is called impact where you are
job is called impact where you are somewhere in the back so I just realized
somewhere in the back so I just realized
somewhere in the back so I just realized that whether you become model or impact
that whether you become model or impact
that whether you become model or impact it depends not only on the way you look
it depends not only on the way you look
it depends not only on the way you look but how will you speak English and so
but how will you speak English and so
but how will you speak English and so and so when you say this line and you
and so when you say this line and you
and so when you say this line and you say it while your English is good you
say it while your English is good you
say it while your English is good you are presentable then you work at the
are presentable then you work at the
are presentable then you work at the storefront as a model
storefront as a model
storefront as a model and if you are if your English is not
and if you are if your English is not
and if you are if your English is not good if you cannot speak well then you
good if you cannot speak well then you
good if you cannot speak well then you you will be in called an impact and you
you will be in called an impact and you
you will be in called an impact and you will be at the back folding clothes and
will be at the back folding clothes and
will be at the back folding clothes and so I realized that I realized that
so I realized that I realized that
so I realized that I realized that whether you are presentable why do you
whether you are presentable why do you
whether you are presentable why do you speak English it will determine whether
speak English it will determine whether
speak English it will determine whether or not you are the model or the impact
or not you are the model or the impact
or not you are the model or the impact and that really has affected my my
and that really has affected my my
and that really has affected my my tutoring job and so mm-hmm so when I
tutoring job and so mm-hmm so when I
tutoring job and so mm-hmm so when I pursued my passions
pursued my passions
pursued my passions you know unexpected things happen so my
you know unexpected things happen so my
you know unexpected things happen so my parents were really concerned that I was
parents were really concerned that I was
parents were really concerned that I was majoring in linguistics they don’t know
majoring in linguistics they don’t know
majoring in linguistics they don’t know what it is it’s not even English so what
what it is it’s not even English so what
what it is it’s not even English so what are you gonna do with it so one day the
are you gonna do with it so one day the
are you gonna do with it so one day the magazine called me and this is Cecilia
magazine called me and this is Cecilia
magazine called me and this is Cecilia charm on the left she’s talking with her
charm on the left she’s talking with her
charm on the left she’s talking with her two sons in broken English and the
two sons in broken English and the
two sons in broken English and the magazine asked me what do I think about
magazine asked me what do I think about
magazine asked me what do I think about her use of grammar and so I told them oh
her use of grammar and so I told them oh
her use of grammar and so I told them oh she made a mistake in these two words
she made a mistake in these two words
she made a mistake in these two words and then it became a cover story about
and then it became a cover story about
and then it became a cover story about how she’s a negligent mom because she
how she’s a negligent mom because she
how she’s a negligent mom because she cannot speak English on the right I’m
cannot speak English on the right I’m
cannot speak English on the right I’m being interviewed by CNN about what
being interviewed by CNN about what
being interviewed by CNN about what students think about Donald Trump so I
students think about Donald Trump so I
students think about Donald Trump so I just I never you know six years ago when
just I never you know six years ago when
just I never you know six years ago when I graduated as a linguistics as a
I graduated as a linguistics as a
I graduated as a linguistics as a linguistics major as one of my majors I
linguistics major as one of my majors I
linguistics major as one of my majors I never thought that you know six years
never thought that you know six years
never thought that you know six years later I would use this in such a way but
later I would use this in such a way but
later I would use this in such a way but looking back I was really happy that I
looking back I was really happy that I
looking back I was really happy that I just went from my interest and life will
just went from my interest and life will
just went from my interest and life will work itself out if you do well enough
work itself out if you do well enough
work itself out if you do well enough and you persist long enough so I want to
and you persist long enough so I want to
and you persist long enough so I want to talk about what passion is not because
talk about what passion is not because
talk about what passion is not because it’s so easy to get confused between
it’s so easy to get confused between
it’s so easy to get confused between something nice and passion so first of
something nice and passion so first of
something nice and passion so first of all passion is definitely not prestige
all passion is definitely not prestige
all passion is definitely not prestige prestige is an illusion it lives in the
prestige is an illusion it lives in the
prestige is an illusion it lives in the minds of other people but not yourself
minds of other people but not yourself
minds of other people but not yourself so always think about what you want and
so always think about what you want and
so always think about what you want and not what society tells you think about
not what society tells you think about
not what society tells you think about if no one cared about this thing would
if no one cared about this thing would
if no one cared about this thing would you also care and very often the answer
you also care and very often the answer
you also care and very often the answer is no number two prestige is not money
is no number two prestige is not money
is no number two prestige is not money so at a certain point when you start to
so at a certain point when you start to
so at a certain point when you start to make a certain amount of money when you
make a certain amount of money when you
make a certain amount of money when you start to make certain amount of money
start to make certain amount of money
start to make certain amount of money the you you don’t want to work as hard
the you you don’t want to work as hard
the you you don’t want to work as hard if you don’t like what you’re doing
if you don’t like what you’re doing
if you don’t like what you’re doing that’s why people with a lot of money
that’s why people with a lot of money
that’s why people with a lot of money they actually don’t want the money
they actually don’t want the money
they actually don’t want the money because they just do it for fun that
because they just do it for fun that
because they just do it for fun that their job or their career number three
their job or their career number three
their job or their career number three Fame is also not passion
Fame is also not passion
Fame is also not passion those three are easy but I have number
those three are easy but I have number
those three are easy but I have number four number five are a little more
four number five are a little more
four number five are a little more difficult to understand a hobby or an
difficult to understand a hobby or an
difficult to understand a hobby or an interest is not necessarily a passion so
interest is not necessarily a passion so
interest is not necessarily a passion so for instance you know playing video
for instance you know playing video
for instance you know playing video games all day long it’s it’s fun but it
games all day long it’s it’s fun but it
games all day long it’s it’s fun but it really isn’t a passion I’ll tell you why
really isn’t a passion I’ll tell you why
really isn’t a passion I’ll tell you why later and sometimes even an industry or
later and sometimes even an industry or
later and sometimes even an industry or a job is not really a passion that’s
a job is not really a passion that’s
a job is not really a passion that’s because you know I can be a teacher or a
because you know I can be a teacher or a
because you know I can be a teacher or a tutor that’s what I do I go to class
tutor that’s what I do I go to class
tutor that’s what I do I go to class every day or five times a week and I do
every day or five times a week and I do
every day or five times a week and I do I like every moment of teaching you know
I like every moment of teaching you know
I like every moment of teaching you know honestly no but but I I enjoy it when my
honestly no but but I I enjoy it when my
honestly no but but I I enjoy it when my students send me a message saying oh
students send me a message saying oh
students send me a message saying oh because of your class I was able to go
because of your class I was able to go
because of your class I was able to go to university which was never possible
to university which was never possible
to university which was never possible before or I was able to migrate with my
before or I was able to migrate with my
before or I was able to migrate with my family to Australia or even I just never
family to Australia or even I just never
family to Australia or even I just never gave up because of you or sometimes
gave up because of you or sometimes
gave up because of you or sometimes people say oh I got a job at ANF and I
people say oh I got a job at ANF and I
people say oh I got a job at ANF and I go take a picture with them so so so
go take a picture with them so so so
go take a picture with them so so so passion is north these five things
passion is north these five things
passion is north these five things instead what is it so the importance of
instead what is it so the importance of
instead what is it so the importance of passion can be reflected in the
passion can be reflected in the
passion can be reflected in the education system when you apply to top
education system when you apply to top
education system when you apply to top universities everywhere in the world
universities everywhere in the world
universities everywhere in the world they’re looking for these few things so
they’re looking for these few things so
they’re looking for these few things so this is for America but it’s the same
this is for America but it’s the same
this is for America but it’s the same everywhere so at the bottom there’s your
everywhere so at the bottom there’s your
everywhere so at the bottom there’s your GPA which is your school grades you have
GPA which is your school grades you have
GPA which is your school grades you have your SAT and your ap or IGCC scores your
your SAT and your ap or IGCC scores your
your SAT and your ap or IGCC scores your exam scores but after those qualitative
exam scores but after those qualitative
exam scores but after those qualitative factors everything above is qualitative
factors everything above is qualitative
factors everything above is qualitative so there’s your activities your
so there’s your activities your
so there’s your activities your interview your recommendation your essay
interview your recommendation your essay
interview your recommendation your essay it’s no longer about abilities or skills
it’s no longer about abilities or skills
it’s no longer about abilities or skills or talent is actually about why you
or talent is actually about why you
or talent is actually about why you choose to do something or what it means
choose to do something or what it means
choose to do something or what it means to you and so everywhere you go people
to you and so everywhere you go people
to you and so everywhere you go people there’s an abundance of ability there’s
there’s an abundance of ability there’s
there’s an abundance of ability there’s abundance of talent but actually
abundance of talent but actually
abundance of talent but actually something that people lack is passion
something that people lack is passion
something that people lack is passion and because the tournament or the
and because the tournament or the
and because the tournament or the competition is so intense that it’s easy
competition is so intense that it’s easy
competition is so intense that it’s easy to forget what’s important and
to forget what’s important and
to forget what’s important and meaningful to you so the reason why it’s
meaningful to you so the reason why it’s
meaningful to you so the reason why it’s important is that when there are a lot
important is that when there are a lot
important is that when there are a lot of students that come and say oh I have
of students that come and say oh I have
of students that come and say oh I have no passion or the mom might say oh my
no passion or the mom might say oh my
no passion or the mom might say oh my child just likes to play computer games
child just likes to play computer games
child just likes to play computer games all day long and what they think is that
all day long and what they think is that
all day long and what they think is that if I had passion I have a magic potion I
if I had passion I have a magic potion I
if I had passion I have a magic potion I drink it and I’m suddenly interested
drink it and I’m suddenly interested
drink it and I’m suddenly interested enthusiastic determined motivated so on
enthusiastic determined motivated so on
enthusiastic determined motivated so on the left-hand side it’s the common but
the left-hand side it’s the common but
the left-hand side it’s the common but incorrect notion of passion which is
incorrect notion of passion which is
incorrect notion of passion which is it’s instant
it’s instant
it’s instant and you get it you dream about it and
and you get it you dream about it and
and you get it you dream about it and suddenly you have the inspiration to be
suddenly you have the inspiration to be
suddenly you have the inspiration to be a successful person but it’s not like
a successful person but it’s not like
a successful person but it’s not like that
that
that on the right hand side is what I believe
on the right hand side is what I believe
on the right hand side is what I believe passion looks like a little more it’s
passion looks like a little more it’s
passion looks like a little more it’s over time it’s much longer it comes in
over time it’s much longer it comes in
over time it’s much longer it comes in waves that get bigger and bigger and
waves that get bigger and bigger and
waves that get bigger and bigger and bigger every time so you get something
bigger every time so you get something
bigger every time so you get something you you know you you move away from it
you you know you you move away from it
you you know you you move away from it you fail a little and then it comes back
you fail a little and then it comes back
you fail a little and then it comes back bigger and then it comes back bigger
bigger and then it comes back bigger
bigger and then it comes back bigger every time it could be the same thing it
every time it could be the same thing it
every time it could be the same thing it can be something different it can build
can be something different it can build
can be something different it can build on your previous experiences so passion
on your previous experiences so passion
on your previous experiences so passion is something sustainable over time it’s
is something sustainable over time it’s
is something sustainable over time it’s not necessarily an emotion it’s actually
not necessarily an emotion it’s actually
not necessarily an emotion it’s actually more like determination but more
more like determination but more
more like determination but more specifically there are when people say
specifically there are when people say
specifically there are when people say passion they are thinking about interest
passion they are thinking about interest
passion they are thinking about interest or inspiration it’s actually not bad at
or inspiration it’s actually not bad at
or inspiration it’s actually not bad at all I think that passion is these seven
all I think that passion is these seven
all I think that passion is these seven things number one you actually have to
things number one you actually have to
things number one you actually have to have interest in what you’re doing but
have interest in what you’re doing but
have interest in what you’re doing but you need six more things number two you
you need six more things number two you
you need six more things number two you need talents right because if you’re not
need talents right because if you’re not
need talents right because if you’re not good at it then no one’s gonna value it
good at it then no one’s gonna value it
good at it then no one’s gonna value it number three you need to be determined
number three you need to be determined
number three you need to be determined to persevere throughout the adversities
to persevere throughout the adversities
to persevere throughout the adversities number four there needs to be a
number four there needs to be a
number four there needs to be a sufficient monetary award if you’re
sufficient monetary award if you’re
sufficient monetary award if you’re doing it for a career you need to be
doing it for a career you need to be
doing it for a career you need to be able to pay your bills number five there
able to pay your bills number five there
able to pay your bills number five there needs to be significance beyond the
needs to be significance beyond the
needs to be significance beyond the individual level so if you’re doing it
individual level so if you’re doing it
individual level so if you’re doing it for yourself it gets boring after a
for yourself it gets boring after a
for yourself it gets boring after a while but if you’re able to help and
while but if you’re able to help and
while but if you’re able to help and impact others that is a passion so
impact others that is a passion so
impact others that is a passion so number six you need courage because you
number six you need courage because you
number six you need courage because you have to say yes to new things I need to
have to say yes to new things I need to
have to say yes to new things I need to learn to say note in old things or the
learn to say note in old things or the
learn to say note in old things or the things that you don’t want in your life
things that you don’t want in your life
things that you don’t want in your life anymore and number seven definitely
anymore and number seven definitely
anymore and number seven definitely takes time it’s not an instant thing so
takes time it’s not an instant thing so
takes time it’s not an instant thing so how do pursue your passion people say it
how do pursue your passion people say it
how do pursue your passion people say it how do you do it it’s very simple
how do you do it it’s very simple
how do you do it it’s very simple actually I’ve boiled it down into two
actually I’ve boiled it down into two
actually I’ve boiled it down into two steps number one you have a list of
steps number one you have a list of
steps number one you have a list of things you can do you eliminate them so
things you can do you eliminate them so
things you can do you eliminate them so for me I knew I didn’t want to do
for me I knew I didn’t want to do
for me I knew I didn’t want to do finance and then I knew I didn’t want to
finance and then I knew I didn’t want to
finance and then I knew I didn’t want to be an investment banker and I took these
be an investment banker and I took these
be an investment banker and I took these out one at a time and so I took action
out one at a time and so I took action
out one at a time and so I took action on everything else
on everything else
on everything else I studied several majors you can just
I studied several majors you can just
I studied several majors you can just take some courses and then the second
take some courses and then the second
take some courses and then the second thing after I had one iteration I tried
thing after I had one iteration I tried
thing after I had one iteration I tried again so I went further down one path I
again so I went further down one path I
again so I went further down one path I took some out that I didn’t want and
took some out that I didn’t want and
took some out that I didn’t want and then I just keep repeating so in summary
then I just keep repeating so in summary
then I just keep repeating so in summary for everyone in the audience who still
for everyone in the audience who still
for everyone in the audience who still hasn’t found his or her passion yet
hasn’t found his or her passion yet
hasn’t found his or her passion yet don’t stop it’s it’s not that difficult
don’t stop it’s it’s not that difficult
don’t stop it’s it’s not that difficult just stop dreaming start doing and you
just stop dreaming start doing and you
just stop dreaming start doing and you won’t find your passion because if you
won’t find your passion because if you
won’t find your passion because if you continue your passion will find you
continue your passion will find you
continue your passion will find you thank you
thank you
thank you [Applause]
”
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