Oct 9, 2011

So You Wanna Change the World

But you don't know where to begin? You just feel it. And you want to believe in it.

Back in college, I had this org mate who shared an insight that he got when he attended a Harvard sponsored conference in Singapore. He told me that several years from now, the world will be shifting to the "creative economies." A time when the financial and technical "geniuses" are close to being obsolete because systems have already been set up and you just sort of plug the variables to get what you want, scientifically. The world will need people who can think outside of the box. Maybe that's why representatives from Singapore were sent to the Philippines to study our educational system because they perceived us Filipinos as very "ma diskarte."

That will be the time when people like Steve Jobs or Leonardo Da Vinci's will shine out.

Steve-Jobs1.jpg

Because of that insight, he told me several times that I'll change the world. "Don't forget us when you're rich and famous!" Haha! Maybe he said that jokingly, but those statements really had a profound effect on me. It made me believe in myself that it can be possible. It's not just another distant dream of an idealistic college student who hasn't tasted yet what it's like to be out there in the real world.

But belief from yourself and others can only take you so far.

You have to ACT on it! Strike whilst the iron is hot. I know a lot of idealistic and passionate students who are so excited to be alive and help out to solve the ailing needs of the world, but who don't know where to start. Here's a practical tip. Find a group of friends who can help you feed that passion and idealism. Talk about ideas, but don't let them die. Write it on a notebook. You might not have the resources now but even if months or even years passed and you stumble upon that note, you might just be moved to rekindle that energy and act on it.

Don't let your passion and idealism die. Let's be conscious of how the media, capitalism and even our own educational system dilutes our drive to go beyond our comfort zones and change the world through our innate passions. In the immortal words of the late Steve Jobs, "You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart." Let's all help change the world for the better!

3 comments:

JC Soriano said...

salamat dito Neil! I hope you do change the world. and I hope we can help.

Mike Gallego said...

there's just a few people like steve jobs and da vinci. not everyone can become like them no matter how they try. :) it's enough to dream.

James Fernando said...

I think that if you want to make an impact in this world, you first have to make an impact in your small groups at the moment. And you have made a big impact in I'mabosco right Mike? Never let go of what you believe in. As long as you believe in it, it could come true in the future. Let us change the world!