Master Chi wants to share a down-to-earth little story with you — and you’ll understand exactly what it means to have a noble benefactor (Gui Ren) point the way.
Not long ago, I had an old classmate I hadn’t been in touch with for nearly a decade. We were both middle-aged now, and he’d been struggling quite a bit in recent years.
With nowhere else to turn, he reached out through our mutual classmate connections — a bit awkwardly — asking for some direction. If possible, he also hoped I could help arrange a job for him.
His expectations weren’t high. A few friends around him had told him: in times like these, just having any job is enough.
My response was a direct “first-no, then-yes.”
Here’s what I told him: “Yes, I do have strong relationships with the heads of many companies and platforms. But shoving you directly into a firm would cost me enormous social capital, and I still couldn’t get you a truly good position. So — I’m saying no first.
But don’t lose heart. What you need to do right now is dive headfirst into the [relevant] field: read professional books, take online courses, and while you’re learning, start two online accounts and consistently put out content that demonstrates your knowledge.
Don’t worry about followers. The point is that from the outside, people will see you as a credible, serious professional — someone clearly a cut above the average person.
At that point, I can give you a real push forward. And it works for me too — because it shifts from ‘asking someone to hand out a spot’ to ‘recommending a talented professional.’ That way, you can actually land a good position.”
Three months later, at a dinner gathering, a well-connected figure happened to mention he was looking for a fresh face — a management role reporting directly to him — to shake up a department full of well-paid insiders who’d grown complacent.
I mentioned my classmate offhandedly. A week later, he walked into the role.
More than a year has passed now. The work is complex, as these things always are, but the compensation is excellent and the starting point was high.
My classmate expressed his gratitude, saying he’d only hoped for a basic position. Everyone around him had told him: at this age, don’t expect good opportunities anymore.
In fact, his friends had even urged him: “Once Master Chi agrees, keep after him — follow up constantly so he doesn’t forget or brush it off. Any job will do, just lock it in while you can!”
So when he came to me, he truly hadn’t expected anything like this.
I shared one honest truth with him in return: never let yourself be intellectually poisoned by peers who are struggling.
Meaning — sure, laugh and joke around with them as friends.
But never let their mindset infect yours. Just because everyone around you thinks a certain way doesn’t mean you should passively accept it as your own reality.
Always remember: a crowd of underachievers is the surest way to erode your drive and ambition.
When facing a challenge, never ask the dim, the foolish, or the failing for advice.
Remember this. Remember this. Remember this.