Professor Phan Văn Trường is a Vietnamese professor who has made important contributions to science and education. In recognition of his achievements, he was awarded the Medal for the Cause of Education by the President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in 2010. Additionally, he has held several high-level leadership positions in global businesses across various sectors, including business, construction, transportation, and electricity.
Professor Phan Văn Trường is also the author of well-known books such as Cơn lốc quản trị, Một đời quản trị, Một đời thương thuyết, and Một đời tìm đường. In this episode of Have A Sip, he offered meaningful advice on personal development for young people from an educational and economic perspective.
Perfectionism doesn't always reflect true improvement
A core principle that Professor Phan Văn Trường follows is not striving for perfection in a single task. “Not doing your best” means staying objective, allowing yourself to improve continually, and remaining careful and patient in every detail.
Many people often chase immediate gains in their personal and professional lives. We need relaxation, but it should be relaxation with continuous effort. On this path, we should aim to do well in our work while enjoying the satisfaction of adding value through our efforts, whether small or large, for ourselves and society.
Although it may appear contradictory, balancing mental relaxation with intense effort is critical for accomplishing big goals. Each person must calm their mind while focusing on reaching the greatest results.
What’s the true measure of greatness?
According to Professor Phan Văn Trường, the difference between failure and outstanding success depends on the willingness to consistently challenge yourself. This fine line is the determining factor in obtaining great success.
When you are the best in the world, for example, selling the best lemonade, you must maintain its quality every day. That glass of lemonade was delicious yesterday, delicious today, and must be delicious tomorrow as well. Many Vietnamese companies often choose to lower prices to compete, but what is more important is how to promote the product.
If a product is really excellent and maintains its unique value over many years, with the mindset of always striving to be the best, consumers will be willing to pay a premium for it. This creates a seller's market, where businesses have the authority to set prices.
In reality, fastidious people often achieve sustainable success and always lead. He encourages people to adopt this philosophy in their work and daily lives, not only to achieve temporary success but also to develop long-term value throughout their lives.
Confidence: The key to unlock self-esteem
Confidence and self-esteem are two core factors that help us achieve self-improvement. Professor Phan Văn Trường shared that the reason we do not have self-esteem is because we are not confident. Only each person can see their own disadvantages most clearly.
More important than confidence is the awareness of why we have the right to be confident. Many people often have the habit of looking at the eyes of others to evaluate themselves. But each country, each culture, each person has its own standards. And doing well by our own standards is something we should be confident about.
We should not value ourselves by the wealth and property we possess, but attach ourselves to the value we can give. Only when we add value to the community can we exist meaningfully. Giving and receiving is an inevitable process, which makes the lasting value and meaning of life.
In conclusion, each person needs to focus on the simple values of life. Live innocently, and confidently, and create love around yourself. Only then can we achieve self-esteem and live a meaningful life.