What is the reason behind the gap that emerges between people five years after graduation?

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Some people are working, while others continue to study. Everyone should not miss this article; it’s a privilege to be able to read it. I’ve gained so much from it – it’s been truly enlightening for me, and it will change my life. It’s wonderful, and I hope to share it with those who are destined to read it, hoping it can be helpful to them as well! After reading it, I felt as though I had met it too late; I was extremely excited. I hope everyone will cherish this article carefully, as I believe that when reading it again in many years, one will have different feelings. As Tang Jun, the \"working emperor,\" said: \"I think there are two types of people who should not compete with others for benefits and value returns.\" The first type of person are those who have just started working in a company. During the first 5 years, one should never ask for a higher salary; what’s most important is to figure out what can be learned from working there and whether it will be beneficial for one’s development… People learn less from smooth circumstances and more from difficulties ； The lessons learned from ease are shallow, while those learned from hardship are profound. A person who endures hardships in their youth, and if they can face them properly and emerge from the darkness, is someone worthy of admiration. The most important thing is to first strengthen one’s foundational skills; the five years after graduation are the best period for doing this. Only by building a solid foundation can one hope to reach greater heights in the future. Where is the way out? The solution lies in thinking! 　　In fact, having no money, no experience, no knowledge, or no social connections is not scary at all. If you don’t have money, you can earn it through hard work ； Lacking experience, one can draw conclusions through practical practice ； Without experience, one can build it up step by step ； Without social connections, they can be built up little by little. But it is the lack of dreams and ideas that is the most terrifying, what truly causes fear and makes one want to escape! One must have a correct direction. No matter how confident you are, no matter how resourceful you are, and no matter how much effort you put in, without a clear direction, you will feel lost; gradually you will lose your motivation, forget your original dreams, and end up taking wrong paths or even paths with no return, wasting your intelligence and squandering your youth. There is a famous saying in Homer’s epic The Odyssey: “Nothing is more unbearable than wandering aimlessly.” "The confusion during these 5 years after graduation can lead to panic 10 years later, struggle 20 years later, and even mediocrity for a lifetime. If we cannot break free from confusion and uncertainty within these 5 years after graduation, we truly will have no face to face our future selves in 10 or 20 years. During these 5 years since graduation, we have faced many uncertainties as well as numerous possibilities. 　　Over these 5 years since graduation, we have had many things pending as well as many decisions to make. 　　Everyone experiences confusion and uncertainty; everyone has felt fear and wanted to avoid things. But don’t use confusion and uncertainty as an excuse to give up on oneself and settle for mediocrity, nor let them become a reason for self-pity and dwelling on failures. Life must be taken on by oneself, and destiny even more so. During these 5 years since graduation, the earlier one finds a direction and gets rid of confusion, the easier it is to achieve success and create something remarkable in life. A headless fly can’t find its direction, which is why it keeps bumping into things everywhere ； Only when a person cannot find a way out do they feel lost and fearful. In life, when faced with difficulties, we often feel as if there is no way out. Don’t be discouraged; keep going. Believe that there is no dead end in a young life – difficulties lie ahead, but hope is around the corner. As long as we have the right approach, we will surely avoid detours and find a way out! Successful people don’t win at the starting point; they win at the turning point. Many young people who have just graduated always hope to find the ideal job for them right away. However, many good jobs don’t wait around; you must choose a job as a means of gaining experience. The first job in one’s professional journey is undoubtedly the starting point for entering the university of society. Perhaps you have found a job that is merely satisfactory; then, starting from there, focus on improving yourself and draw valuable lessons from this job, so as to build up your skills over time. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step; as long as you set out, there is hope of reaching the destination. The starting point can be the same, but if different turning points are chosen, the ending point will **be different! In these few years since graduation, there are many uncertainties in our lives, relationships, careers, etc., and the future is full of various possibilities. At this time, one must learn to make choices, know when to give up, and establish a clear identity for oneself in order to achieve stability. If you don’t take the initiative to define yourself, others and society will “define” you instead! 　　It can be said that the behavioral habits developed by a person over the 5 years after graduation will determine the height to which he can reach in life. To what extent we can succeed depends, to some degree, on our self-assessment of ourselves – that is positioning. What you define yourself as is what you become. One’s positioning can determine one’s life; it can change destiny. The ugly duckling turns into a swan – all it needs is a pair of wings ； Cinderella became a beautiful princess with just a pair of glass slippers. One’s fate is determined to three parts by destiny and to seven parts by hard work; those who have dreams will succeed, and only those who strive can win. As long as you don’t lock yourself in a cage of the mind, no one can stop you from soaring high. The reality is far from what they think. Thus, as a sense of superiority gradually turns into feelings of loss and even frustration, as one shifts from believing oneself to be \"gold\" to doubting that one is just \"sand\", anger, confusion, and inferiority begin to increase day by day. In fact, one should carefully consider whether they are truly gold It’s genuine gold; one must possess unique skills and have outstanding abilities to succeed. In a nutshell: true worth is proven through ability; only by first mastering one’s own skills can one consider the possibility of finding a mentor. Every pearl starts as a grain of sand, but not every grain of sand can turn into a pearl. To stand out, one must have what it takes to be above the rest. It is difficult to achieve greatness if one cannot endure setbacks and failures, or if one cannot cope with neglect and indifference. If young people want to be utilized and achieve success, they must transform themselves from a grain of sand into a precious pearl. The sky has rain and sunrise; life has highs and lows. Do not let fleeting clouds obscure your vision; always take a broad perspective when looking at the world around you. As long as the clouds are dispelled, a clear sky will appear. If you are facing some difficulties at work, believe that you won’t stay in a low point in life forever; one day you will be able to break through all the obstacles. Tell yourself: I haven’t failed; I just haven’t succeeded yet! As long as a lamp of hope is lit in one’s heart, it will surely dispel the darkness and bring about light. Indeed, in terms of experience, they are complete newcomers to the workplace; their knowledge of the business is limited, and they have no professional network, which often leads to setbacks in their work. Their stress isn’t necessarily like an overwhelming burden; it’s more like the sky before a downpour – gray and gloomy. There is space, yet every gap is filled with grayness, leaving one to wait for clear skies after the rain stops. 　　"Get up earlier than the rooster, go to bed later than the dog, work harder than a donkey, and eat worse than a pig. "This is a phrase that many people who have just graduated like to use to joke about their living situation. Although it’s a bit exaggerated, many of them have indeed been overshadowed by a gloomy mood all along – their hearts have always been overcast. I remember a philosopher once saying, \"Our suffering does not stem from the problems themselves, but from our views of those problems.\" "Looking at life from a different perspective is a form of breakthrough, liberation, transcendence, and a higher level of indifference and tranquility, thereby enabling one to enjoy freedom and happiness. A philosopher said, \"Life is a series of choices; everyone’s future and destiny are entirely in their own hands. As long as one strives, success will eventually be achieved.\" "Whether it’s finding a job, choosing a career path, or starting a business, as long as one works hard, success will be achieved. Are you ready to give away all your life’s commitments to someone else? 　　These 5 years after graduation are the golden period to change one’s destiny. At the moment when your fate is most determined, if you’re still unsure, then until when will you wait? I am in control of my own life; my fate is up to me, not to others. 　　Don’t live according to what others say or think; instead, take control of your own destiny. 　　Don’t say you have no background – you yourself are the greatest background. The American writer Jack Kerouac once said, “I’m young, and I long to set out on a journey.” "On the journey of life, we are always young and should be full of longing every day. Everyone’s potential is infinite; the key is to discover one’s own potential and correctly understand one’s talents, and to find a platform on which that potential can be fully utilized, rather than feeling dissatisfied merely because the platform isn’t suitable. One should view their own abilities objectively and fairly, make a calm choice based on their actual situation and interests, and try to go to where they are most needed and where they fit in best. 　 In the field of human resource management, there is a particularly popular theory known as the \"ride the horse, lead the ox, herd the pigs, and beat the dogs\" concept: those who have excellent character and strong abilities are like fine horses, and we should ride them ； Those with good character but average abilities are like hardworking oxen; we need to guide them ； Those with average character and abilities are simply \"pigs\"; we need to get rid of them ； Someone with poor character but great abilities is a \"dog\"; we need to deal with him. I think that you, just a few years after graduating, also have great ambitions and want to become a horse recognized by others and capable of racing across the battlefield, right? So, just let it settle properly. Being in a lower position now does not mean being inferior; bending down today is for standing tall tomorrow. The so-called value of life is that our existence is valuable to others. It’s good to be able to be used by others; it’s truly tragic to be ignored! Being able to do work and doing it well is the basic guarantee for surviving in the workplace. The prerequisite for anyone to do a job is that their abilities are sufficient to handle it. Competence is the most basic standard for a qualified employee, while willingness to work is an attitude. There are many people who are qualified for a particular position and possess the basic skills needed to do the job well. However, whether they can perform the work even better depends on whether they have a diligent and dedicated attitude towards hard work and thorough research. Be diligent and hardworking on a solid foundation of competence. At work, you do more work than others, and you feel it’s unfair ； You get less money than others; you feel it’s unfair ； You often work overtime and feel like you’re at a disadvantage… But in fact, there’s no need to worry about it so much; being at a disadvantage isn’t a disaster or a failure – it’s also a way of life. Suffering a small loss now paves the way for success; perhaps at some point in the future, your great fortune will suddenly arrive. Being willing to suffer losses is a state of mind in being human, and it represents wisdom in dealing with the world. In the workplace, it’s not true that doing more work or helping others out means suffering a loss. If your boss asks you to work overtime or finish tasks quickly, don’t think you’re at a loss; instead, you should feel grateful, because the fact that he has asked you and not someone else shows that he trusts and values you. Suffering is a form of contribution; the more you contribute, the more rewards you will receive. Being willing to work overtime is just that kind of loss. Be willing to let go; only by giving up can one gain something ； Those who know when to suffer a loss are by no means fools; rather, they possess great wisdom. 　　Giving others room is giving room to oneself; making things convenient for others means making things convenient for oneself. Treating others well is treating oneself well. 　　Fools have their good fortune, for fools have no scheming. Being with such people allows one to relax both physically and mentally, without having to be overly vigilant, which makes it possible to get closer to each other. Stupidity often means persistence and loyalty, as well as generosity and honesty, making people unconsciously side with him. Fools often gain more by chance than wise men through great effort. In these few years since graduation, only a few snowflakes have drifted in your sky – are you satisfied with that? Success requires persistence and accumulation; rather than focusing on collecting snowflakes, it’s better to save effort to build a snowball. Buffett said, “Life is like a snowball; the most important things are to find wet snow and a long slope.” "Calm down, learn to spot the \"wet snow,\" and strive to find the \"long slopes.\" Remember: scattered snowflakes will melt quickly and disappear, while only snowballs are more solid and can last longer. During these years after graduation, if you can put in one extra effort compared to others, it means you’ll accumulate one more advantage, and thus have one more chance at success. What is professionalism? Professionalization refers to the standardization, normalization, and institutionalization of working conditions – that is, saying the right things and doing the right things in the right way at the right time and place, so that knowledge, skills, concepts, thinking patterns, attitudes, and psychology all conform to professional norms and standards. "In every industry, there are many outstanding talents, and they succeed because they work harder, are smarter, and more mature than others. But most importantly, they are more professional than ordinary people! That’s why I can be your boss now. It is not enough for a person to be merely specialized; only those who are professional can stay ahead of others and make it difficult for them to overtake! "Don’t think that we are living in safety now. For those who have been graduated for 5 years, it is essential to be aware of the five major challenges ahead. I. Supporting parents. II. Get married and have children. III. Promotion and salary increase. IV. Work pressure. V. Quality of life. Some people are eager to survive, always looking back; they work intermittently, starting things but never seeing them through to the end. 　 Some people strive for progress, keeping their eyes fixed on the horizon, making small improvements every day with perseverance. 　　During these years after graduation, one must have pursuits and explorations, as well as ideals and goals. Life is like rowing against the current; if you don’t move forward, you will fall back. A life content with the status quo is like a ship that no longer moves forward, unable to keep up with the pace of progress of the times. One must make the most of every second to learn*, understanding that learning* is not the exclusive right of students. What smart-alecks are most proud of is: what have they done? What the most wise people desire most is: what more do they need to do? 　　Small cleverness is tactics; great wisdom is strategy ； The petty wise see sesame seeds, while the truly wise see watermelons. 　　In this world, there are both important people and ordinary people. Important people have their own way of living, while ordinary people have their own style of living. Everyone has their own way of life, and no one can force anyone else to change it. However, petty cleverness can only lead to small achievements and a narrow perspective, while true wisdom enables great accomplishments and a broad vision. Small businesses look at the owner, medium-sized businesses look at systems, and large enterprises look at culture. Both small companies and large enterprises have their own ways of surviving; there is no such thing as good or bad, but they have different impacts on a person at different stages of their life. 　　Small companies certainly want to grow into large enterprises; that is a goal, and young people should also set goals for their own careers. A few years after graduating, do you often feel nervous or lack confidence? Being prepared for potential dangers is by no means an exaggeration! Doze now, and you will dream ； Study now*, and you will make your dream come true. In the fierce battlefield of life, those who doze off are the losers! Everyone seems to be full of ambition when they are young and fearless, but as they get older, they spend their days thinking about mundane things such as housing, work, and supporting a family, and no longer have the courage of their youth to pursue ambitious goals like exploring the stars or searching for the moon in the sea. Have we changed our lives, or has life changed us? Our thoughts are becoming increasingly complex, as there are more and more things we’re reluctant to give up and more and more concerns, leaving us constantly hesitating and unsure. One or two years after graduation, the burdens of life can overwhelm us, with setbacks and obstacles blocking every path ahead. It is often only after pushing ourselves to our limits that we are able to break through and find a way out. But two or three years later, as the burden on our shoulders began to lighten and work started to go smoothly, we became complacent and gradually forgot about the potential dangers. Until one day, a crisis suddenly struck, and we were defeated in our helplessness... Even during these years after graduation, we are still in a state of danger; it is essential to be vigilant and work hard so as to achieve a truly safe life! One thrives in adversity and perishes in comfort. If you want to go beyond your current achievements, you must not set limits for yourself, but rather be brave enough to take on challenges. For those who are timid, the real danger lies in their fear of taking risks! Under the pressures of society, young people have become increasingly adaptable; it’s just that they unconsciously tend to let the environment drive them. They didn’t dare to take risks, fearing it would bring them lifelong regret, so they comforted themselves by saying, “I’ve been faithful to myself and my family, because I’ve done my best.” "In fact, only by constantly challenging and breaking through can one grow gradually. If one remains stuck in their existing sense of security for too long, they will be like a frog in warm water, eventually losing the instinct to jump. Having experienced life in society over these years, you should understand that there are the rich and the poor, darkness and light, ugliness and beauty; what one sees depends on whether one is positive or negative. If one learns to work diligently in youth and to approach life with a positive mindset, then, as long as one opens their hands, they will find within them a splendid life. Carve gratitude into stone, express deep thanks for those who have helped you, and remember it forever – this is a state of being that should be part of life ； Write hatred on the sand, gently forget the hurts others have caused you, learn to be tolerant, and let all resentment drift away with the tide – this too is a state of being in life. Learn to pour out the water in order to hold more. Starting from the day of graduation, learn to treat every day as a new beginning, and start each task from scratch. If you learn to regard “resetting” as a normal part of life, as a way to continue improving, as something that needs to be done at all times, then in just a few years you will be able to create a proper plan for your career and achieve significant progress in it. 　　On the short path of starting a career, to achieve better, faster, and more meaningful growth, one must approach the world with a mindset of starting from scratch. Do not boast about your superiority in college; do not think of yourself as exceptionally outstanding. Instead, lower your pride, keep a humble attitude, and settle down, adopting a learning mindset to adapt to the environment and take on challenges. Only by lowering one’s stance can one increase their value; temporary humility will ultimately lead to greater success in the future. 　　When young people move from campus or one environment to a new one, they must be brave enough to let go of the things they were familiar with, accustomed to, and liked in their previous environment, and start from scratch. If we want to succeed in the workplace, we must first develop adaptability. Transforming from an individual to an entity is a basic requirement for integrating into the workplace. It’s not scary to start from a low position; what’s scary is having a low level of attainment. The more one focuses on oneself, the fewer opportunities there are for growth ； On the contrary, the more actively he gives, the faster he will develop. Many people who have achieved success today started from scratch at the beginning of their careers, constantly refining themselves, emptying themselves of everything, and resetting themselves over and over again. It is precisely because of this that they were able to make steady progress and achieve great things in life. 　　During these years after graduation, we must set the past aside so as not to become like snails crawling under heavy shells in the workplace, and instead be able to fly lightly like birds in the sky. Please take some time to reflect on a quote by Jack Welch: \"Correct your behavior, understand yourself, and start from scratch – then you will be able to get back on the right path in the workplace.\" "　Only by letting go of the old can one embrace the new; only with a calm mind can one achieve peace. Only by giving up can one gain something; only when a cup is empty can it be filled again. Only by letting go can one surpass others. Five manifestations of a zero-based mindset: no ego in the heart, no focus on money, no attachment to others, no reliance on others, and endless learning. Young people often carry a sense of arrogance, believing that they are capable of everything and invincible; yet this is not the case. Newcomers to the workplace are still like \"babies,\" in the process of developing from crawling to walking. During these years after graduation, one must gradually develop an apprentice’s mindset, a sponge-like mindset, and a mindset of an empty cup. People with such mindsets keep their hearts open, ready to accept inspiration and anything that can spark creativity; they are always aware of the call from the goddess of success.