[Letters] Benchmarking willpower

The editorial “In youth is valor” (Korea JoongAng Daily, Dec.14) provides motivation for changing the mental makeup of our youth in South Korea and elsewhere in the World, including India. The willpower of Choi Joon-shik is worth benchmarking by youth the world over.

He has become a true ambassador and role model that deserves recognition in more than an editorial.

To face the future, the youth must take up special roles in the world economy. They are the harbingers of change; it is they who have to lay the foundation of a new and just social order.

Their vast energies have to be tapped and channeled for the task of national building and world peace.

Therefore, a sense of involvement of youth in the process of development has to be created.

As a humble teacher, I wish to express my concern for the bright future of our youth, especially in terms of prosperity, progress and peace

Recently, I read the book “Don’t Eat the Marshmallow Yet…” by Joachim de Posada & Ellen Singer (2005), with great interest and enthusiasm. I read it in one go find ways to motivate my students. It revealed the secrets of success in work and life.

How do we achieve such success?

We should use valuable principles of success: these include applied knowledge to gain power; waiting for the right moment to take advantage of opportunities; keeping promises; and thinking long term.

To get what you want from people, they must have a desire to help you. They must trust you. The best way to get people to do what you want is to impress them. Successful people are willing to do things that unsuccessful people are not willing to do. Success depends on what you are willing to do today in order to become successful tomorrow. Eat meals at home, spend less money, reduce entertainment expenditures and be positive to keep your focus.

True sustainable success can only come with patience, perseverance and a steady eye on one’s long term goal.

We need to find the beauty in ourselves and others.

It is an ornament. Its contemplation can bring joy. Admire other’s beauty in the real sense of the concept, which is beautiful in itself.

Learn to highlight the beauty of your thoughts through literature, actions and words.

To act on new ideas, one needs to think of their difficulties with patience and faith in goals, which are necessary, but not really sufficient.

To make it sufficient, we should accept the advice of others with benevolence. Let youth practice the lessons presented in Don’t Eat the Marshmallow Yet.

Professor M. M. Goel,

ICCR chair professor of Indian Economy, Graduate School of International & Area Studies, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Seoul