For IEOR 171 at UC Berkeley, we are to make our own Ted Talk styled video for the final. Here are my ideas from my life experiences that I think would be worth sharing with peers and others.
1. Finding ways to create professional opportunities based on your passions
Growing up, I spent almost all my time outside of school playing sports or video games. From joining community rec leagues to spending hours each night on my computer, I fell in love with the idea of competition in any way possible. But because I was never truly elite in any of these, I treated it only as a hobby because I didn’t see how I could make a career out of it. After looking into it more in college, however, I realized I could still work in sports or esports, on the business or analysis side rather than as a player. From this I simply want to emphasize that you shouldn’t give up on your passion if it isn’t clear at first how you could realistically make a job out of it. If there is something that you have a burning love for that keeps you up at night and gets you out of bed, there will be some way to channel that passion into productive and useful results — and if there isn’t, make one.
2. Changing your mindset to change your life
A lot of people, including myself for most of my life, can often get complacent when they fall into a routine. Whether its school or work, it can feel as if you’re not working toward anything in particular and just going through the motions. The first step to get out of this rut is realizing that there is always something more you desire — it’s human nature. It could be anything from improving your physical health to getting a promotion, but you have to understand that you are the sole contributor to the success of these underlying goals. Once this becomes clear, it’s much easier to make the leap into making progress toward transforming your life however you choose.
3. Having flexibility in the face of obstacles
The COVID pandemic seems to have knocked the wind out of many, especially teenagers, college students, and young professionals. Our entire way of life has changed, and it can be difficult to adjust. However, being able to make quick adjustments in the face of such daunting obstacles or changes is one of the most valuable qualities in a person and leader. Flexibility in how you approach tasks, projects, or even everyday life can allow you to be productive and continuously churn out your objectives regardless of the circumstances. Oftentimes, it is during these times of high stress and anxiety that true leaders are born by demonstrating how they can adapt and thrive in uncertainty.
