Jack Ma: If you’re still poor at 35, you deserve it!
BY ZACH HO ON APRIL 15, 2014 OPINIONS

You are poor because you have no ambition.

Jack Ma: Before I founded Alibaba, I invited 24 friends to my house to discuss the business opportunity. After discussing for a full two hours, they were still confused — I have to say that I may not have put myself across in a clear manner manner then. The verdict: 23 out of the 24 people in the room told me to drop the idea, for a multitude of reasons, such as: ‘you do not know anything about the internet, and more prominently, you do not have the start-up capital for this’ etc etc.

There was only one friend (who was working in a bank then) who told me, “If you want to do it, just try it. If things don’t work out the way you expected it to, you can always revert back to what you were doing before.” I pondered upon this for one night, and by the next morning, I decided I would do it anyway, even if all of the 24 people opposed the idea.

When I first started Alibaba, I was immediately met with strong opposition from family and friends. Looking back, I realised that the biggest driving force for me then was not my confidence in the Internet and the potential it held, but more of this: “No matter what one does, regardless of failure or success, the experience is a form of success in itself.” You have got to keep trying, and if it doesn’t work, you always can revert back to what you were doing before.

As with this quote by T.E. Lawrence – “All men dream: but not equally. Those who dream in the dark recesses of the night awake in the day to find all was vanity. But the dreamers of day are dangerous men, for they may act their dreams with open eyes, and make it possible.”

Jack Ma: People lose out in life because of these 4 reasons:

1. Being myopic to opportunity
2. Looking down on opportunities
3. Lacking understanding
4. Failing to act quickly enough
You are poor, because you have no ambition.

Ambition is living a life of great ideals; a magnificent goal in life that must be realised.

In this world, there are things that are deemed unfathomable, but there is nothing in this world that cannot be done. The depth of one’s ambition determines the potential of one’ future.

The Story of Juliet Wu Shihong – one of China’s first-generation professional managers, who gained success by working her way up the ranks from a cleaner, a nurse, a marketing executive, through self-education and learning on the job.

She had been the general manager for the world’s most famous multinational IT groups’ Chinese branches (Microsoft 1985-1998; IBM 1998-1999). She is also China’s first successful international corporate executive to join the executive team of a domestic private firm. Wu was seen as a symbol of the new generation of business executives that China has produced in its economic reform and opening-up.

When Wu started off in a big company working from the lowest ranks, her daily job was to pour tea and sweep floors. Once, because she forgot her staff pass, the company’s guard stopped her at the door and denied her entry. She explained to the guard that she was indeed one of the company’s employees, and that she had merely left the building for a short while to purchase office supplies.

Despite her pleas, the guard still did not allow to enter. As she stood at the gate, she watched as those of similar age to her, but smartly dressed in business attire walking through without having to show their passes.

She asked the guard, “Why are these people allowed through without producing a pass?” The guard dismissed her coldly nonetheless.

That was the turning point for Wu – she felt great shame, her self-esteem trampled on.

She looked at herself, dressed in shabby clothes and pushing a dirty push cart. Looking back at those dressed in smart attire, her heart felt a deep ache from the sudden realization of the sorrow and grief from being discriminated. From that moment, she vowed never to allow herself to be shamed like this again, and to become world-famous.

Since then, she used every opportunity to enrich herself. Every day, she was the first to arrive at work, and the last one to leave. She made every second count, spending her time learning the ropes. Her efforts soon paid off; she was made a sales representative, and quickly progressed to being the regional general manager of this multinational company in China. Wu did not possess strong academic qualifications, and was revered as the ‘Queen of Part-timers’. Subsequently, she assumed the position of GM of IBM China. This is the Wu Shihong, the heroine in China’s business circle.

If not for the incident, Wu Shihong would not have had the ambition to become rich, and her life would have taken a very different path then.

You are poor because you do not have the desire to become successful.
You are poor because you lack foresight.
You are poor because you cannot overcome your cowardice.
You are poor because you lack the courage and determination.
With ambition you can overcome all inferiority and maximise your potential!
With ambition you can persevere, continuously learn new things and strive for perfection.
With ambition you can defy all odds, and create miracles when others daren’t.
No matter how poor your family is, do not doubt your own abilities and lose sight of your ambition.

When your family deems you worthless, no one will pity you.
When your parents do not have money to pay the medical bills, no one will pity you.
When you are beaten by your competitors, no one will pity you.
When your loved ones abandon you, no one will pity you.
When you have not accomplished anything by the time you are 35, no one will pity you.

Go big, or go home. Otherwise, you’re wasting your youth.

http://vulcanpost.com/7702/jack-ma-youre-still-poor-35-deserve/

Hmm

Wah of if U were destined to be poor? #JustSayingTho.

Ynsai: Wah of if U were destined to be poor? #JustSayingTho.

no one is destined to be poor. your success and failure is in your hands

I agree with the statement that when you are above 35 and still poor it means you might end up poor for the rest of your life

Nice one.

Money comes to the commited,ambituous and hardworking people.




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Ynsai: Wah of if U were destined to be poor? #JustSayingTho.

Thats what the Op is saying. No one is destined to be poor.

Thats a myopic view and self inferiority complex way of imagination by thinking some are desine to be poor.

You can only remain poor if you doubt your ability and lack determination.

Poverty is not a destiny. Poverty is a lack of trust in oneself that you can't make it big like every other rich people out there. Doubting of oneself is the beginning of the route to poverty.

Tell yourself you can! You can! You can! I will never be poor in my life. Ask yourself does the rich have two heads? Does the rich have four hands? Does the rich have four eyes? If they do not possess more than the same body parts you possess, what make you think you can't make it also in life?

Those who are poor made themselves poor and those who are rich made themselves rich cuz your own destiny is in your hands. God has given us power to conquer and subdue being that we were all created in his own image. He will only guide us in whatever we do if we call on him but he will not come down to earth from heaven to make us rich.

Word they said is enough for the wise.

seun frontpage please


good stuff like this should grace our frontpage

front page pls

Jack is right on this opinion. You are solely responsible for who you are. No excuses.

Age is not a limit, what's matters is for u to realizes your mistakes, makes decisions & be focus in whatever u are doi ng. success will surely come

Poverty is the state of the mind. Negativity is a sure route to poverty. Believe in yourself and always remember nothing is impossible with God. 35yrs would only be a number for those of you already 35.

Quite inspiring stories. But the title is vague.

All depends on when you find your purpose in your endeavor.

At when depends on the route you take.

This is refreshing

Mod pls to fp.

Wow, love reading business article.
Ive learnt something.

Do u know he will be visiting nigeria soon? I guess he is aming has a huge deal in nigeria.

I have woken up from my idiomatic slumber.
Dis is my starting point.Thank u Jack Ma.

Yes o!

Jack ma did not made the above statement.afterall he jack ma+wife+some friend contributed the first $60,000 to form AliBaba after teaching english for some years

Ideas plus action is the key to success, leave age out, the principles works for anyone regardless of age.

Raiders: no one is destined to be poor. your success and failure is in your hands

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Very true. If only 50% of the world's population knew this.

Raiders: I agree with the statement that when you are above 35 and still poor it means you might end up poor for the rest of your life

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Hmmmm...so it's no longer a fool at 40.
Lol.
life...so beautiful.

digitite: Quite inspiring stories. But the title is vague.

All depends on when you find your purpose in your endeavor.

At when depends on the route you take.

.
You're right. Abraham Lincoln became the 16th president of America way pass 35 years and he was quite broke before then.
But the good thing was he never stopped trying.

SO NO HOPE FOR THOSE WHO ARE 35 AND ABOVE? ....... MEHN UNA FOLO DEY KILL DESTINY