Humankind is now racing pell-mell into a future of limitless potential. Those with the vision and the imagination to grasp breathtaking concepts and ideas will be at the crest of a wave of exhilarating progress as we break entirely new ground that will make the infotech revolution and the jet age look like small beer.

Best of all, it’s not too late to jump on the bus... if you have the spunk to get up there and elbow your way alongside Bill Gates and his company. And here’s a no-punches-pulled guide on how to master the subject(s) of your choice as suggested by a recent issue of the Business Insider, allowing you to get one foot on the ladder of success:

1. Do a blunt appraisal of your personal pluses and minuses. What are you best at – is it cerebral, mechanical or physical? Put another way, are you unique in any one field? Also, do you like doing it?

2. If you are considering infotech, don’t you think the field’s already overcrowded? What’s your chance of making some breathtaking breakthrough? Wouldn’t it be better to single out one exclusive and little-known field, and then conquer and finally dominate it?

3. During your childhood what game/activity gave you greatest pleasure – and could it have a modern application today?

4. Who was your most imaginative and exciting teacher, and which of his lessons might today show you the way forward?

5. Become a mentalist. Shrewdly observe all those you come in contact with. Analyze their behavior and detect their weaknesses. Then gradually develop the art of dominating them; your mind over their lesser minds. This ability to exert your power over others will prove essential to your future career.

6. Do not suffer fools. Dominate and exploit them, then move on.

7. In your formative years from teen to 20s, keep your personal learning curve rising, Don’t measure progress by your earnings. Absorb all the learning you can from your job, then go up to the next plateau.

8. Do not betray arrogance or superiority, but, without being deliberately two-faced, be prepared to adopt a demeanor of inferiority, since you will learn more that way.

9. If what you’re doing is “easy as pie”, you’ve chosen a “soft” goal, and aren’t putting your mind or body under any strain. Wimps don’t succeed!

10. What will pay off in the long run is practice, practice and more practice. Hone those skills ad infinitum.

11. Repetitive strain?. Adjust either your posture or your chair.

12. Never stop looking for a true savant capable of showing you bold new ways of problem-solving. Model your development on him/her.

13. Remember, the most fruitful relationships with your peers are interactive. But never stop adapting and bettering others’ ideas.

14. Let’s say you think you’ve reached the level of a master. Don’t let egotism burst your bubble. Come down a couple of levels and show humility when mixing socially.

15. Accept criticism, reject arrogance.

16. If you are a female, your path upwards will be still tougher. Be aware!

17. Boldness is your best friend. Never stop thinking out of the box.

18. Impatience is your biggest enemy.

19. Some of you will be delving into the abstract, others mechanical advances. The future in both is limitless.

20. Never take your eye off the ball! Whatever your goal, always keep it in the forefront of your mind, and disregard side issues.

21. Your goal may appear irrational, but by now you have spent much time chasing it, so far unsuccessfully. Go through all the basic steps for a re-check. Patience, patience, patience...

22. Mechanical experts failed to create a powered aircraft that flew. The task fell to bicycle mechanics Orville and Wilbur Wright.

23. George Stephenson (1781-1848) discovered the strength of steam power by holding a teaspoon in front of a boiling kettle’s spout. His observant brain led to the invention of the steam locomotive.

24. Charles Darwin (1809-1883) nearly flunked university since he was always immersed in his samples, not listening to lectures. He had a searching mind, plus the quality of patience. Result: “On the Origin of Species” plus much, much more.

25. Thomas Edison (1847-1931) altered life for mankind by inventing many significant improvements including phonographs, motion picture cameras and a long-lasting practical light globe. He founded 14 companies including General Electric. He spent only three months at school, where his teacher described him as “addled”. His mother then became his teacher. As a kid he sold candy and newspapers on trains, then rose to be a telegraph operator. He worked night shifts because that allowed him the solitude to continue his endless experiments.



Published 28.12.2012
China Daily

The author is deputy chairman and secretary-general of the China Energy Fund Committee.