The Secret to Successful Guidance

Author: He Rongfei / Country: Mainland China
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-06-01
Features: If you want to succeed, you must first examine whether your success philosophy is correct. Does becoming a high official or making a lot of money count as success? Does being a famous writer, actor, or scientist count as success? Yes, but also no. Taking being an official as an example. Success cannot be measured solely by how high one's rank is, but more by how the position was obtained, why one became an official, and what one does after holding the position. Zhou Enlai and Deng Xiaoping were successful individuals. They dedicated their lives to the revolution and earned the trust of the people, which in turn earned them the positions and power bestowed upon them by the people. After becoming officials, they devoted themselves wholeheartedly to governing the country and benefiting the people, working tirelessly until their very last breath. In contrast, traitors like Qin Hui, who relied on flattery and conspiracies to seize the position of Prime Minister, later betrayed loyal officials like Yue Fei and ended up disgraced for all eternity. How can such people be considered "successful"?
When looking at officials around us, we see that some have achieved promotion through their hard work and talent. After becoming officials, they remain diligent and honest in their service. Even if their ranks are not high, they are still considered successful. On the other hand, some rely solely on flattery and false reports of achievements for promotion. Once in office, they exploit their power for personal gain, and the public curses them behind their backs. Such people, no matter how high their rank, are not truly successful.
Similarly, success cannot be measured solely by how much money one has, but more by how that money was earned and what one does with it after acquiring it. Earning money through legitimate means and using it to benefit society is what truly constitutes success. Many renowned entrepreneurs in Zhejiang, such as Xu Wenrong, Nan Cunhui, Shao Qinxiang, Zhang Pengfei, and Yu Jinfang, started from humble beginnings through hard work and later used their wealth to alleviate poverty, promote education, and support social welfare. They are undeniably successful individuals. Conversely, some who earn money only care about wasting it on themselves, indulging in luxury and pleasure, and refuse to do anything beneficial for society or others. No matter how much money they have, such people cannot be considered successful.
As for wealth obtained through theft, robbery, smuggling, drug trafficking, or money laundering, it is not only a crime but also a far cry from success. Among successful people, there are those who achieve great success and those who achieve smaller successes. Great figures like Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping are great successes, but numerous outstanding grassroots officials are also successful. Writers like Lu Xun are great successes, but it is unrealistic to expect all writers to reach Lu Xun's level. As long as they produce works that benefit society, they are successful. Entrepreneurs like Lu Guanqiu, Zong Qinghou, Feng Gensheng, and Li Rucheng are successful, as are many small business owners who manage their businesses well. Great successes are rare, but successful people are not.
Being a towering tree is a success, and being beautiful flowers or green grass that enhance the environment is also a success. Success is not the exclusive domain of celebrities. As long as you put in effort, do things that benefit society and others, achieve something, and make contributions, you can be considered successful, regardless of its scale. Success is multifaceted. It is difficult for one person to succeed in all areas. Lu Xun and Anton Chekhov were great writers, but Lu Xun lived to only 56, and Chekhov lived to only 44. Many scientists, artists, and entrepreneurs died young, achieving success in their careers but suffering from poor health. Those who succeeded in both career and family often neglected their children's education, and families that were not harmonious are not uncommon.
Overall, it is rare for a person to succeed in all areas. However, we should not demand that everyone succeed in every aspect. Success in one area is also success. In this way, as long as we strive, everyone can achieve it. Success in one's career can come at different times. Some achieve success in their youth, some in middle age when they are at their peak, and some achieve it later in life. Each person's environment, experiences, career characteristics, and opportunities are different, which leads to success occurring at different stages of life. Generally speaking, dancers and fashion models often rely on their youth for success. Professors, scientists, high-ranking officials, and top managers are more likely to achieve success later in life because knowledge and experience require long-term accumulation.
It is never too late to strive for success. A retired teacher who achieved success after starting a private school said, "Life's entrepreneurship begins at sixty." Nowadays, there are many people in their 70s and 80s still attending university, learning English, or studying computers. It is still necessary to remind those who achieve success at a young age not to believe that early success guarantees lifelong success. If they become arrogant because of it, they will be like shooting stars that flash briefly—such fleeting brilliance cannot be considered true success.
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