Me, Wo and Moi

I think most kids of this generation have had it pretty good - or maybe it's just the people I know. We all come from good families who support, emotionally and financially, all the decisions we make. A friend recently wrote about people who disapproved of her year of travel claiming it was time and money wasting. I must say I love to travel and I feel that travel opens your eyes to different cultures and different people - it is an invaluable experience. But when is it enough?

I caught up with an old friend recently and I asked him what he did during his 6 months off. He said not much, and quite frankly it got him lazy. He asked why I didn't take some time off after finishing uni since I was still quite young. I said I suppose I wanted to stay ahead while I had the advantage and I had already gone on exchange as part of my degree and done quite a substantial amount of travelling. But we both agreed we decided to start in the corporate world because it was time to give back to our parents - become somewhat financially independent. I know the "allowance" I give my parents from my pay packet isn't very much to them, but in some families when your pay might mean getting your younger sister through school, no amount is too little.

My friend noted that kids nowadays are getting too selfish. All they think about it themselves and what they want to do - and it's true. I come home after a week of work and complain about how tired I am and how I deserve a holiday while my Dad started working (and I mean hard physical labour) at the age of 16 and not once has he complained or demanded a holiday. And he had a lot more on his plate.

So I often think what is it that drives him. What makes him get up early every morning, do everything he does and still enjoy it because I definitely want a piece of that. My Dad has an interest in all things. And what drives him is anything that makes money. While my interests are limited he doesn't believe that passion alone is enough to make you successful. The Chinese are practical people and my Dad is one Chinese businessman. As much as I love making jewellery, my Dad was often stop and say "Fhen, it's just a hobby. Passion won't put rice in your bowl". And he's supported this comment with practical examples of friends and family.

Most people I know however, seem to lack the ambition and drive of the older generation. I look at my parent's group of friends and all have come from humble beginnings and have made their living with little or no education and a whole heap of dedication. Quite frankly, we have the resources to exceed what they've achieved. We've all been well educated and been well developed in aspects beyond the books. I don't see much of this happening which is very disappointing. Maybe it's because we're all still young or maybe we've been brought up to be consumed with only ourselves. Ever since I was young, my parents would tell me "You don't have to be the brightest to succeed as long as you work hard, but you will definitely fail if you're lazy, even if you're smart" and it's something I've always taken to heart.

I came across this article and it very accurately describes to modern generation today - Tribal Workers - definitely worth your time.