Why Not Use the Resources You Have?

A friend from a politically connected family once told me over drinks—alongside another friend—that he’s surrounded by abundant resources, yet his dream is to build something without relying on them, purely through market mechanisms.

At the time, I admired his idealism and voiced my support.

But later, I reconsidered. That logic has a flaw: deliberately discarding real advantages lowers your odds of success. So I called him to share this perspective—and a few practical suggestions.

When it comes to getting things done, the optimal strategy—whether for individuals or teams—is collaboration that multiplies strengths: 1 + 1 > 2. And “strengths” include access to resources. In many projects, especially regionally exclusive public initiatives (e.g., city-wide fitness campaigns), relationships aren’t just helpful—they’re decisive.

A $2 Million Project

My friend shared a project he ran three years ago—low-cost, fast-executed, and wildly profitable: roughly $2 million in returns from a modest initial investment.

It began when his southern branch secured a key local connection. They quickly designed and launched a city-wide sports check-in campaign—complete with a custom mini-program—within days.

Two major hurdles emerged: first, parallel maneuvering by others along the same relationship chain; second, entrenched local competitors who’d operated in the area for years.

But because they moved swiftly—and leveraged that connection to secure immediate buy-in—the campaign went live and scaled nationwide in just days. User acquisition exploded past one million almost instantly. It was a stark reminder of how fast execution can be when alignment and access converge.

By the time competitors and other stakeholders noticed, it was too late: implementation had already begun across multiple districts.

Key takeaways:

Total upfront cost: ~$50,000–$100,000. Cumulative returns over two years: ~$2 million. Exceptional ROI.
The right resource at the right entry point made all the difference.
Timing mattered: this coincided with the final surge of China’s online education boom.
Success rewarded not just insight—but readiness. They were prepared to act the moment the window opened.

How to Expand Your Perspective

One reliable way to move forward—and upward—is to continually broaden your mental horizon.

How?

Two foundational approaches:

First, accumulate real-world exposure: travel widely, meet people who’ve done extraordinary things, read deeply, and observe systems at scale. True perspective isn’t theoretical—it’s forged through lived breadth and depth.

Second, regularly step outside your comfort zone—not just physically, but cognitively. Shift your vantage point to a higher dimension. As the saying goes: The real answer always lives one level above the question. Try the “cosmic perspective”: imagine yourself observing Earth from deep space. From that distance, daily stresses shrink to near-nothingness—and sometimes, surprisingly, new ideas spark.

This isn’t easy. When you manage a department, your attention naturally narrows to that scope—even thinking at the company level feels like a stretch. That confinement quietly limits your judgment.

Another common trap? Self-diminishing perspective: comparing yourself only to those “below” you to soothe ego or inflate self-worth (“I’m not the best—but at least I’m better than X”). That habit breeds complacency and blinds you to growth.

Experiencing “Death”

Recently, I underwent minor surgery under general anesthesia—and it left me reflecting on mortality.

Months earlier, I’d often discussed death with a mentor. Most people avoid the topic—or never examine it seriously.

Yet death is the one certainty we all share. Understanding it earlier doesn’t make life darker; it makes living more intentional.

Anesthesia, at the level of consciousness, mirrors death closely: both involve total suspension of awareness. The difference? Anesthesia is temporary and reversible; death is absolute and final.

Viewed this way, going under wasn’t frightening—it was strangely illuminating. For those brief minutes, there was no “I,” no time, no world—just pure, unbroken void. A rare, visceral rehearsal for what lies beyond.

What Real Love Is

Psychologist Alfred Adler wrote:
“Love is the feeling of ease you have when you’re with someone—no pretense, no performance. With them, you feel no inferiority, no need to prove superiority. You simply exist, calm and whole.”

That resonated deeply. Put plainly: the person you’re most relaxed with—even in silence, without awkwardness—is the one who truly loves you… and whom you truly love.

This simple litmus test helps spot manipulators (e.g., those using PUA tactics) and gently guides us away from relationships built on insecurity or performance.

Beyond business, life’s core requirement remains unchanged: surround yourself with people who genuinely cherish you.

A New Lullaby

My daughter kept humming a playful twist on the classic nursery rhyme:
“Twinkle, twinkle, little star—
Fell down from the sky so far,
Landed right beneath my bed…”

So I helped her finish it. Here’s what emerged—a small, warm piece of co-created imagination:

“Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star—Fell Down from the Sky”

Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
A tiny star, not very far—
It tumbled down from up above,
And landed softly—under love.

Under your bed, my dearest one,
Don’t fret—it’s not lost, not undone.
It’s found a cozy, quiet home,
To keep you safe till morning’s come.

Goodnight, my love, sleep tight and deep,
That little star will softly leap—
Not through the sky, but through your dreams,
Carrying you on silver streams.

Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
Under your bed, right where you are—
Your gentle friend, both true and kind,
Who walks with you inside your mind.