The Two Mountains as Humans we must Climb | Asim Hafeez | TEDxParkland

Summary

In this thought-provoking talk, the speaker reflects on life's journey, questioning whether we are pursuing the right goals. Born in Pakistan and raised in Brooklyn, the speaker followed conventional paths of education, career, and material success but found little fulfillment. A life-changing experience, the passing of their grandfather, led to a reevaluation of priorities. The speaker emphasizes the value of time over wealth and encourages the audience to define their own life mission. This introspection ultimately led to the speaker's involvement in solar energy as a means to provide value and give back to humanity, focusing on freedom, purpose, and a long-term vision for the future.

Takeaways

• 😀 Life is about asking yourself whether you're climbing the right mountains. It's not just about chasing societal definitions of success like a big house, job, or status symbols.
• 😀 We often follow the path that society sets for us—get good grades, pursue a stable career, earn money—but it's essential to reevaluate what truly matters in life.
• 😀 The death of a loved one, such as the speaker’s grandfather, can serve as a wakeup call to reflect on the transient nature of life and the importance of time with loved ones.
• 😀 The realization that most people are remembered for only two or three generations challenges the pursuit of fame and status for legacy-building.
• 😀 The true value of life is not in accumulating wealth or impressing others, but in cherishing moments and relationships.
• 😀 Time is the most precious resource we have—more valuable than money—and it's crucial to focus on obtaining freedom of time rather than financial wealth.
• 😀 The speaker repurposed their life to focus on time freedom, reducing expenses, living more modestly, and investing in things that provide passive income for time independence.
• 😀 Achieving time freedom can initially feel amazing, but once obtained, it can bring a sense of emptiness and the question of finding purpose in life.
• 😀 A crucial part of life is reflecting on what will matter most when we look back from our deathbed. What kind of legacy will we leave, and what will make us proud?
• 😀 Creating a personal mission statement, just like companies do, can guide us toward living with purpose. For the speaker, using business for good became a central life mission.
• 😀 Empower Energy, the solar company, operates with the goal of saving people money, giving back to the world, and promoting sustainable energy for humanity’s future.

Q & A

What was the initial realization that prompted the speaker to question his life path?

The speaker realized that despite achieving what society considered success—getting a good job, a house, and status symbols—he was left questioning the deeper meaning of life after his grandpa passed away. This event led him to ponder the value of time, loved ones, and memories over material success.

How does the speaker view the concept of time in relation to wealth?

The speaker views time as the most valuable resource, even more important than money. He explains that if given a choice to take 50 million dollars but lose his life, no one would choose the money, indicating that the time spent alive with loved ones is worth more than material wealth.

What shift occurred in the speaker's life philosophy after his realization about time?

After realizing the importance of time, the speaker shifted his focus from chasing traditional success (status, wealth, etc.) to seeking financial freedom that would allow him more time to enjoy life and spend it meaningfully with loved ones.

What is the concept of 'first mountain' and 'second mountain' in the speaker's reflection?

The 'first mountain' represents the conventional path of life—working hard to accumulate wealth, success, and material goods. The 'second mountain' is a more introspective journey, focused on personal growth, purpose, and giving back to others, often discovered after reaching the peak of the first mountain.

Why did the speaker ultimately choose to work in the solar industry?

The speaker chose the solar industry not out of a desire to sell solar panels, but because solar energy offers a way to save people money, which aligns with his values. Additionally, solar energy is seen as a way to help humanity by reducing reliance on fossil fuels and contributing to a more sustainable future.

What is the personal life mission statement that the speaker developed?

The speaker's personal life mission statement became to use business as a force for good in the world. He wanted to combine his business acumen with a focus on helping others, creating a positive impact through his work.

What is the significance of solar energy according to the speaker?

The speaker sees solar energy as a crucial solution to humanity's future. Even if global warming is not universally accepted as a problem, solar energy provides an insurance policy for humanity by reducing reliance on non-renewable resources, which could prevent future conflicts over fossil fuels.

How does the speaker approach the concept of giving back through his business?

The speaker emphasizes using business profits to give back to society. For every solar system installed by his company, Empower Energy, a portion of the profits is used to fund ISET restoration surgeries in third-world countries, helping people regain their sight.

What lesson does the speaker want to convey with the story of the brick layers?

The story of the three brick layers highlights the importance of having a larger vision for one's work. The third brick layer, who sees his work as building a house of worship that brings hope and healing to people, shows that meaning and purpose in work come from understanding the broader impact it has on others.

What does the speaker suggest as a challenge for the audience?

The speaker challenges the audience to think about their own 'first' and 'second' mountains—what they are currently striving for and what they want to focus on after achieving that. He encourages everyone to recognize their unique superpower and how they can use it to make a positive difference in the world.