be realistic, demand...

...the impossible.

demand from yourself and demand from others. until you do, you'll never be doing anything good enough. there is no excuse for not succeeding.

you should always be in competition. if there isn't any from others, then, be in competition with yourself. competing with yourself is that much harder. you'd know all your competitor's strengths and weaknesses.

how is that different from being kiasu?
frankly, i don't know. but strive for the highest standards you can have for yourself. that is when, even if material or tangible successes are not achieved, one has succeeded.

the good thing about it is, you're constantly bettering yourself. constantly, increasing your potential. so, when it comes to natural selection, you won't be selected. chances are, you'd escape from being selected for elimination.

it's easier to select those that are not performing rather then selecting those who perform because you'd never know how far their real potential is. for those who do not perform, you know that they have gone past their potential.

if you want to move vertically or diagonally, move when the limit of your potential is still undefinable. when you have moved, your potential becomes limitless once again. stay in that capacity until, or worry about non-promotion as soon as, your limitation appears as a dot in the horizon. don't wait until you see the line or worse, when you have gone past it.

as long as you stay within that boundary, you've got solid ground to manouever on. it's sipple out deh (slippery out there).

but that's not enough...

through it all, you must possess a set of values/measurements that marks your growth as a person and not just as a corporate participant. you must stamp your mark as a corporate player and ultimately, as a human being.

there are times when these two values come into conflict, that; the advancement in one may mean a regression in the other. it's difficult to place a rule on which to decide on. it all depends on the prevailing situation and the longer-term consequence(s).
in this instance, nothing can teach one better than the pages of life. one has to have gone through similar or worse situations in order to have something to refer to. the experience of others are invaluable, if, and only if one is capable to appreciate that particular experience as one's own. for otherwise, it will remain only as an anology worth noting.

what most would be interested in (either knowingly or unknowingly), would be, what is to be done during the time in between?
well, that would be to gather the experience with an open mind and a sincere heart. make friends, learn from others...ask questions, explore and let the mind wander and wonder.

there will always be challenges. even the best of us can, at times, take the wrong step. it's comforting to know that in this sense, humans are equal. i am, no less than who or what you are. and vice versa.

so, be realistic. demand the impossible from yourself. learn your strengths, your weaknesses. keep an eye out for opportunities and threats.

we owe it to ourselves.