Monday, 5 May 2025
Good morning teachers and Shungtakians.
Today is the first school day after the 2-week Chinese New Year holiday. May the Year of the Dragon be filled with opportunities and blessings.
Hard work and motivation are two essential factors for success in any endeavor. They go hand in hand and play a significant role in achieving goals and overcoming challenges. While hard work is the consistent and dedicated effort we put into a task or goal, motivation is the driving force behind our actions.
A new year symbolises a new beginning and a new resolution. Let me share with you here the 5 tips for harnessing hard work and motivation:
- Set clear and specific goals: Define what you want to achieve and break it down into smaller, manageable steps.
- Find your why: Understand your motivations and the underlying reasons driving your actions.
- Develop a positive mindset: Cultivate optimism, resilience, and a belief in your abilities to overcome obstacles.
- Create a routine and stick to it: Set aside regular dedicated time for your tasks.
- Stay adaptable and flexible: Adjust your approach as needed and learn from failures or setbacks.
You might have heard the story, “Che Yin and Fireflies”. Surely he was the one who put the above 5 points into action.
Che Yin was a famous minister of the Jin Dynasty and was famous for his erudition. He has been diligent and eager to learn since he was a child, but his family was so poor that sometimes he couldn’t even afford the oil for lighting the lamp. As a result, Che Yin wasn’t able to study at night, which distressed him very much.
One summer night, Che Yin sat outside the house and got bored. At this time, the fireflies flying around in the grass attracted his attention, and those little insects were flashing! He fetched a small pocket made of white yarn and quickly caught dozens of fireflies into his pocket. The light emitted by so many fireflies gathered together was just like a small lamp. Che Yin took the “light” and happily went into the house to read. That way, Che Yin finally became a learned person after years of hard work.
Hard work and motivation create a powerful synergy. They are the key to success. Shungtakians, the school motto, “Ora et Labora” has been a constant reminder for all of us about the importance of prayer and hard work. Let us learn from our weaknesses and limitations, set clear directions and purpose for the second term and strive for excellence.
Dr. Tang
19 February 2024