How I Built My Life From Scratch? | Trang Thach Nguyen Phuong | TEDxFPTUniversityHCMC

Summary

Te Chang shares the inspiring journey of building her life from scratch, moving to Germany with nothing but the support of her parents. Through determination and hard work, she overcame language barriers, excelled academically, and worked various jobs, including a memorable experience at McDonald's. Starting her YouTube channel with limited resources, she faced slow growth at first, but remained consistent and passionate. Her story emphasizes the importance of patience, resilience, and taking small steps toward success. Success isn’t about achieving fame but building a meaningful connection with others and staying true to your own path.

Takeaways

• 😀 Start small and take small steps towards your goals. Success is a gradual process, not an overnight achievement.
• 😀 Embrace self-reliance. In tough times, you are the only one who can lift yourself up and move forward.
• 😀 Consistency is key to long-term success. Commit to small, daily efforts and stay consistent, even when progress feels slow.
• 😀 Overcome language and cultural barriers by immersing yourself in your surroundings and putting in extra effort to learn.
• 😀 Experience is more important than perfection. Work multiple jobs, try new things, and learn from every experience along the way.
• 😀 Failure is part of the process. Don't be afraid to fail, as every setback is an opportunity to learn and grow.
• 😀 Don't compare your journey to others. Focus on your unique path and celebrate your personal growth, no matter how long it takes.
• 😀 Success is about more than fame or status. It's about making an impact, connecting with others, and staying true to yourself.
• 😀 Start with what you have. Even if you don't have the best equipment or resources, use what you can to get started.
• 😀 Building something meaningful takes time. Be patient with yourself and recognize that true success comes from sustained effort and dedication.

Q & A

What is the key belief that has guided Te Chang throughout her journey?

Te Chang believes that when the worst things happen, you are the only one who can truly rely on yourself to pick yourself back up and move forward. This belief has been her foundation in overcoming hardships.

How did Te Chang handle the initial challenges of moving to Germany?

When Te Chang first arrived in Germany, she had no friends, no job, and no money. She relied on the support of her parents but had to navigate the new environment on her own, learning the language and adapting to a new culture.

What strategy did Te Chang use to improve her academic performance in Germany?

Te Chang worked tirelessly to catch up with her classmates. While they understood 80-90% of the lessons, she focused on mastering the remaining 90% by studying long hours every day to ensure she could match their pace.

What lesson did Te Chang learn from her rejection at McDonald's?

Te Chang learned that sometimes the answers we give may not be the most thoughtful or appropriate. Her rejection at McDonald's taught her the importance of being sincere and more strategic in interviews.

How did Te Chang begin her journey into content creation?

Te Chang started her YouTube channel without professional equipment, using her first iPhone. Despite initial setbacks, she stayed consistent, producing videos weekly, and gradually grew her audience.

What does Te Chang consider the most challenging aspect of starting a YouTube channel?

For Te Chang, the most challenging aspect of starting a YouTube channel was maintaining consistency and keeping her audience engaged over time. She faced doubts and external pressures but remained committed to improving.

What does Te Chang define as success?

For Te Chang, success is not about fame or glamour, but about creating meaningful connections with people, such as strangers who support her and share in her experiences, even though they've never met her.

How does Te Chang view the importance of starting small in pursuing goals?

Te Chang believes that starting small is crucial because it allows room for growth and adaptation. She emphasizes the importance of taking manageable steps rather than rushing to achieve large-scale success.

Why does Te Chang not regret graduating later than her peers?

Te Chang doesn’t regret graduating later because the experiences and stories she gathered during those years shaped her into the person she is today. She believes the lessons learned were worth the wait.

What advice does Te Chang give to those who feel behind or frustrated with their progress?

Te Chang advises not to compare oneself to others. Instead, focus on defining your own goals, take small steps, and remember that success looks different for everyone. What matters is knowing where you're headed and staying true to your path.