We know we need to work. 

We know we need to learn. 

The problem comes when one finds the task to be difficult. Not just for students, but also for the worker. 

You may find a new task daunting because it brings you out of your comfort zone; or it is difficult because you have never done it before. 

Many students I know find it hard to accept, understand and love studying what they are weak in. For example, my children find it difficult to love Chinese as a Mother Tongue Language. It is however, an essential subject to pass at the Primary School Leaving Examinations to move on to the next level of education in Singapore. 

How would you talk to yourself to encourage yourself?

Learning (the difficult subject) is good but difficult. (The focus in this sentence would be on the “difficult”.) 

Or

Learning (the difficult subject) is difficult but good. (The focus here would be on the “good”.) 

Practise putting your focus on the positives by simply phrasing your sentence correctly. 

No matter where you are, as long as there are people around you, you will have the opportunity to serve. If I am to neglect serving, I will be neglecting how I can maximise my potential. If I want the reward associated with serving, I need to serve. 

Start by accepting your role as a happy servant.

Making the effort to Understand and Love the entities whom you serve would follow more easily.

When you serve your entities (i.e. your academic subjects, your customers or your boss) wholeheartedly, you will be sure to gain your rightful rewards. 

See the importance of “I” in this diagram and you would cease to struggle.

Realise that…

I am important. God created me for a purpose. Without me, the consequences would be that this whole equation would fail to kickstart. Therefore, I am important. 

If you think that the world could do without the unique you, then you have the “Thanos” mindset – anyone in this world could be randomly eliminated without negative consequences.

Work is Serving.

You are unique.

You are not just one in a million. 

You contribute in a special way no one else can. 

With that, I hope you will serve (as a worker and as a student) with excitement!