Jack MA
von Mujahid Hussainladdies and gentleman everyone.
Before we talk about the world, success, money, or dreams — let’s talk about something people often forget: you.
Yes, you.
In a world where people chase trends, compare themselves to others, and lose sleep trying to fit in — the most powerful thing you can do is pause, step back, and think about yourself. Not in a selfish way, but in a smart way. Because if you don't think about yourself, nobody else will do it better for you.
Treat your life like your first startup. This mindset shift is one of the most powerful things you can do for your personal growth. Too often, we live reactively—doing what others expect, following routines without purpose, and making decisions based on fear, not strategy. But think about this: if you were building a business from scratch, wouldn’t you plan carefully? Wouldn’t you monitor every move, invest wisely, and aim to build something valuable over time? You should treat your life with that same level of intention, discipline, and care.
When entrepreneurs start a company, they are cautious yet courageous. They don’t waste time on activities that don’t add value. Every action is strategic: learning skills, testing ideas, building networks, and managing risks. Your life should be no different. You are the CEO of your future. The earlier you accept that, the faster you start taking control.
Thinking about yourself in this way doesn’t mean being selfish. It means recognizing your life as your most important project. No one else is going to build your future for you. Friends, parents, mentors—they can help, but you have to be the one steering the ship. If you wait for someone else to come fix things or tell you where to go, you’ll drift. You’ll spend years wondering why nothing is changing. That’s not a life plan. That’s a life on autopilot.
Start by asking: how am I spending my time? Who am I learning from? What kind of habits am I building? These are not small questions. They are strategic decisions. Just like a business watches its budget and makes data-driven moves, you should track what’s working in your life and what’s not. Are your relationships helping you grow or holding you back? Are you investing time in skills that have a future, or just going with the flow? When you start to treat yourself as your first business, you become more intentional about every aspect of your life—health, mindset, money, and purpose.
A major difference between a startup and a stagnant business is the willingness to take risks and adapt. Many people are afraid of change because they’ve never been taught to manage failure. But in the startup world, failure is not the enemy—it’s data. Every mistake teaches you something. Every setback gives you feedback. In your personal life, too, you can start seeing failures not as signs to quit, but as clues to adjust your strategy. You tried a job and hated it? Good—that’s one less path to wonder about. You trusted the wrong person? Lesson learned—now you're wiser. Everything becomes part of your growth story if you treat it that way.
Let me give you a simple but powerful example.
There was a young woman who worked in a comfortable office job, but deep down, she felt stuck. She had dreams of starting her own design studio, but she was afraid—afraid to leave the salary, afraid of judgment, afraid of failure. One day, she sat down and asked herself: “If my life were a business, would I invest in it right now?” The answer was no. She realized she was investing in security, not growth. So she started small—taking design clients on the side, building her portfolio, learning marketing, studying successful entrepreneurs. In a year, she built enough momentum to leave her job. Today, she runs a profitable studio and mentors others. She didn’t wait for a perfect time. She just started treating her life like her startup. And it changed everything.
You don’t need a degree in business to manage your life like one. All you need is self-awareness, courage, and the willingness to take responsibility for your growth. Once you begin thinking this way, you stop waiting—and start building. Step by step, decision by decision, you become the architect of your future. That is the true meaning of thinking about yourself—intelligently, strategically, and unapologetically.
People love to give advice. From childhood to adulthood, you’ll hear a constant stream of voices telling you what you should do—what to study, where to work, who to be friends with, even what dreams are “realistic.” Sometimes, they mean well. Sometimes, they just don’t understand you. Either way, if you let others write your script, you’ll wake up one day living a life that feels completely foreign. You’ll succeed, maybe, but it won’t feel like your success. It’ll feel like you’re wearing someone else’s suit—expensive, maybe, but uncomfortable and not made for you.
Thinking about yourself always means listening to others without losing yourself. It means knowing that opinions are everywhere, but your life is only one. There’s nothing wrong with seeking guidance. In fact, learning from others is a key part of growth. But learning is not the same as blindly following. Advice should be a suggestion, not a command. You get to decide what fits your values, your vision, your version of success.
Every person who gives you advice is speaking from their own experiences, fears, and limitations. A person who failed at starting a business might tell you to “play it safe.” A person who regrets not chasing their dreams might project their frustration onto your choices. It’s not that they’re bad people. They’re just not you. They don’t feel your passion, carry your potential, or live your consequences. So why let them direct your story?
Sometimes, the pressure to follow others comes in subtle forms. Maybe it’s cultural expectations—what’s considered a “respectable” job. Maybe it’s family—parents pushing you into a career that sounds good on paper but empties your soul. Maybe it’s friends—comparing your pace with theirs and feeling like you’re falling behind. All of that noise can drown out your own voice. But here's the truth: comparison and compliance never lead to real satisfaction. Only alignment does. And alignment comes when your actions match your identity.
It takes courage to think about yourself in a world that constantly tries to define you. But the reward is freedom—the kind that comes from knowing you are building a life that makes sense to you. You may take a less traditional path. People may not understand it. Some might even criticize it. But when you get to that place where you wake up excited, proud, and peaceful, you’ll realize it was worth every uncomfortable decision.
Let’s look at a short but powerful example.
There was a young man from a small town who was expected to become a doctor. His entire family had made sacrifices so he could go to medical school. But he had no passion for medicine. What he really loved was filmmaking—telling stories through a camera lens. For years, he tried to push that dream aside and do what was expected. But it drained him. Eventually, he made a tough decision: he dropped out of medical school and enrolled in a film program. His family was disappointed. Friends doubted him. But he stayed true to his path. Today, he’s a respected director, making meaningful films and living a life that feels authentic. He didn’t follow the easy path. He followed his path.
Your script is unwritten. The pages are blank. And you hold the pen. Every time you choose what feels true to you—even if it's unpopular, even if it’s scary—you take ownership of your life. That’s not rebellion. That’s responsibility. That’s thinking about yourself in the most mature, powerful way possible.
Remember: it’s better to struggle on your own path than to succeed on someone else’s. Because no matter how beautiful a life looks from the outside, if it doesn’t fit who you are on the inside, it will never bring real joy. Make choices that reflect you—your values, your dreams, your voice. That is how you stop being a character in someone else's story and start becoming the author of your own.
Failure is one of the most personal experiences anyone can go through. It doesn’t matter how much advice you’ve received or how much support you have around you—when you fail, you feel it alone. And that’s exactly why owning your failure is so important. When something doesn’t work out, the easy route is to blame others: the economy, your parents, your partner, your team, the system. But blame doesn’t lead to growth. Blame keeps you stuck. If you want to move forward, you have to ask the harder question: “What can I do better next time?”
Thinking about yourself always means recognizing that you are the common factor in every chapter of your life. This isn’t meant to be a burden—it’s a superpower. When you realize that your choices, reactions, and mindset shape your outcomes, you stop waiting for things to get better and start making them better. You begin to learn from your failures instead of hiding from them. You stop running from accountability and start running toward improvement.
It’s easy to talk about success. Everyone wants to share their victories. But failure is where real character is built. When you fail, the world may criticize you, but your inner voice is louder. That’s why it matters so much what you say to yourself in those moments. Do you beat yourself up? Or do you reflect, adjust, and rise stronger?
Failure is not the opposite of success—it’s part of it. Every person who has achieved something worthwhile has faced failure and learned how to use it. They didn’t just survive it; they studied it. They treated it like feedback. They asked, “Why did this happen? What did I miss? How can I grow from this?” That mindset turns failure into a tool instead of a trauma.
Taking ownership also means letting go of excuses. Life isn’t fair. Some people start with more advantages than others. Some get lucky breaks. But focusing on what you don’t have won’t help you. What will help is focusing on what you can control—your decisions, your discipline, your attitude. That’s the part you should always think about.
When you own your failures, people respect you more. You become someone others can trust—because you're honest, responsible, and willing to grow. More importantly, you begin to respect yourself more. You stop seeing failure as a sign that you're not good enough, and start seeing it as a lesson that you're getting better.
Here’s an example that brings this idea to life.
A young entrepreneur launched a small tech startup. He had a clear idea, built a team, raised some money, and pushed hard to get customers. But within a year, the company failed. The product didn’t gain traction, the team had internal conflicts, and the money ran out. At first, he blamed everything—bad timing, poor market fit, unreliable team members. But deep down, he knew the truth. He hadn’t validated the idea properly. He didn’t listen to early customer feedback. He avoided tough decisions. After the dust settled, he sat down and wrote a list of every mistake he made. He shared it publicly in a blog post—not to gain sympathy, but to own it. That post went viral. Investors and entrepreneurs respected his honesty. More importantly, he learned more from that failure than from any textbook. Two years later, he launched a second startup—stronger, leaner, and smarter. This time, he succeeded.
That’s the power of owning your failure. It doesn’t make you weaker—it makes you wiser. And it separates those who stay stuck from those who grow.
You can either let failure define you, or you can let it refine you. Thinking about yourself always means choosing the second option. It means saying, “This didn’t go the way I planned, but I’m not done. I’m learning. I’m adjusting. I’m coming back better.”
Because the most powerful thing you can do after falling is to rise with more clarity, more courage, and more control than before.
In life, your energy is your most valuable currency. It’s not just about how much time you have—it’s about how much energy you bring into your time. You can have all the hours in the world, but if your energy is drained, distracted, or constantly pulled in a thousand directions, nothing meaningful gets done. That’s why one of the smartest ways to think about yourself is to protect your energy fiercely. Say yes to growth, to opportunity, to meaningful relationships—but also learn to say no to chaos, unnecessary drama, and people who take more than they give.
Many people feel stuck or overwhelmed, not because they lack talent or time, but because they haven’t learned to guard their personal space. They say yes out of guilt, fear, or obligation. They overextend themselves, trying to please everyone. In the end, they feel exhausted, used, and confused. You are not a battery for other people to drain whenever they want. You’re not a backup plan, a problem solver for everyone else, or a dumping ground for negativity. You have a life to live, a purpose to pursue, and a mind that needs clarity and care.
Thinking about yourself means being intentional with what and who you allow into your world. Not everyone deserves access to your attention. Not every invitation needs a response. You don’t owe anyone your peace, especially when they disrespect it. This isn’t being rude—it’s being responsible. Your mental health, your emotional clarity, and your personal growth should never be sacrificed just to avoid disappointing others.
Energy protection starts with awareness. Notice how you feel after spending time with certain people. Some leave you motivated, inspired, and lighter. Others leave you drained, confused, or anxious. That’s a sign. Pay attention. The people you surround yourself with either help you grow or hold you back. Choose wisely. And it’s not just people—it’s habits, environments, and even your own thoughts. Overthinking, negative self-talk, and trying to control everything can drain your energy as much as toxic people can. Learning to let go, to focus on what matters, and to recharge intentionally is a powerful skill.
A big part of protecting your energy is setting boundaries. That means being clear about what you will and won’t tolerate. It means saying “no” without guilt and stepping away from things that no longer align with your goals. Some people won’t like it. Some will question your change. But that’s okay. The people who truly care about you will respect your boundaries because they respect your growth.
Here’s a short example that illustrates this well.
There was a young professional who was constantly available for everyone—coworkers, friends, even distant acquaintances. Whenever someone needed help, she dropped everything. At first, she was praised for being dependable. But over time, she began feeling burnt out. Her own goals were falling behind. Her energy was gone. One day, after a weekend filled with other people’s tasks, she realized something had to change. She made a list of her top priorities and started setting clear boundaries: no work calls after 7 PM, weekends reserved for rest or personal projects, and no more saying “yes” out of guilt. At first, some people were annoyed. But slowly, her energy came back. Her productivity improved. She even became a better friend and employee because she was no longer running on empty. By protecting her energy, she reclaimed her life.
That’s what thinking about yourself looks like in real time. It’s not about ignoring people. It’s about choosing how and where your energy flows. Because where your energy goes, your life follows.
You don’t need to be available to everyone all the time. You need to be available to yourself—your goals, your values, your peace. When you protect your energy, you operate from a place of strength instead of survival. And that’s when you truly start living, not just existing.
So, when people say, “Think about yourself” — don’t take it the wrong way. It’s not arrogance. It’s responsibility.
If you don’t take care of your mindset, your purpose, your dreams — who will?
Every morning, ask yourself:
"What am I doing for me today that my future self will thank me for?"
Because the most important relationship in your life… is with yourself.
Thank you.
