Surreal Entrepreneur

Inches behind the table he stands poised to attack. The ball is lobbed in front of him and he raises his striking arm to punish the opponents mistake. He uncoils and makes contact with the small orange sphere sending it screaming towards the opposite side of the table over the small net. This game is the perfect way to test someone’s personality. He stands impatiently waiting to attack, he’s aggressive and confident, however he doesn’t underestimate his opponent and he calculates most risks. Ping pong has taught me a lot about my own life, and now teaches me about my boss.

Some of you know that I have just started a new marketing job with a company in Asheville, NC. I have left the higher education realm to pursue a position in the “private sector”. I view this as a possible foot hold into the marketing world but most importantly as an opportunity to learn. I’m enthralled with the constant task of learning everything I can about the client’s industry and then translating creativity into thought provoking advertisement. 

I’d love to brag about my boss, even though he’s 51, he still treats everyone with the same excitement and zeal he probably displayed as a 25 year old. Every person he meets he shows genuine interest in and then hounds them to gain more information about their businesses and interests. Even though he’s late bloomer to the entrepreneurial world, he has developed all the tools to build any of his creative ideas and has successfully done so in several ventures. I have yet to beat him in a round of ping pong, and I’m half Chinese (yes, he’s that good). I believe it’s fitting to talk about the new year, my new opportunities, and my new boss by incorporating all of these things into a few bullet points about what I’ve learned in the last month of my new job.

1. This is overplayed around New Years, but for a very solid reason… The most important aspect of your success is connection between mind and body. That being said, remember that time you were working on an important project and thought “I’m ready for a break, should I spend 5 more minutes on working or go play on (insert pointless website or video game here)?” Fact: It is scientifically corroborated that showing dedication in the gym and completing goals in personal fitness creates more determination in the workplace. Think of your will power as another muscle that gets worked out with every rep in the gym.

2. As a naturally confident person who fancies himself as intelligent (I can feel you rolling your eyes) you can see how this next point is hard for me to swallow… Always think outside the box, but know when to keep your mouth shut. Every boss has gotten to where they are for a reason, it might be sheer luck, sometimes nepotism, but a lot of the time it is talent and hard work. That being said, remember that you’re most likely expendable. About half of US college grads are currently underemployed or unemployed, you can be replaced. But, also remember that you are the one who can and will get things done, and you have a vision that needs to be heard… just wait till the right moment.

3. Don’t forget about God. I don’t know your faith system or if you practice one at all… but regardless of what you believe, we can agree that we are called to greatness. Whether we are called to be janitors or CEOs, something inside of us doesn’t want to settle for sub-par. So, I have worked to do everything to the best of my ability because my creator made me so expertly to work for His glory. Religious talk aside, remember that your inner being will not settle for anything less than the greatness that expert status can assure of. It’s hard, it takes time and patience, but growth is what we’re on this planet for. 

I hope that you reflect on a good run at 2013, recognize how lucky and blessed you have been to be able to see 2014 roll in. Adjust to writing a 4 at the end of the year instead of a 3 quickly so you don’t have to waste paper. Most importantly, I hope that you pursue unreachable perfection in everything you do, even if it is just top spin on a back hand.