• Blog
  • Archives
  • Bio
  • Awards
  • Speaking
  • Book
  • Contact

It’s not you

Published: Tuesday, 10 February 2009

 

If your teacher comments on your work and tells you it can be better; it’s not you, it’s your work.

 

If the person behind the counter snaps at you for asking a simple question; it’s not you, it’s them.

 

If someone doesn’t want to help out with the fabulous, brilliant project that you have planned; it’s not you, it’s your project.

 

Don’t take things personally.

 

Your teacher was probably thrilled that you, their student, had the initiative to create work on your own accord and show it to them. A good teacher will teach you and nurture you to learn and grow to your potential in every field - in academia and as a person. They are not out to make you feel bad about the work you have done.

 

The person behind the counter probably had things on their mind - maybe their mother is in hospital, or their relationship is falling apart. You don’t know. Sometimes people are grumpy because they want other people to get related to them - for others to know and relate to their pain. Be kind to people, for we all have our worries.

 

Someone doesn’t want to help with your project? There are over 6 billion people on this planet. Find someone else who does.

 

Don’t be offended by what people say or how people act. The only person who can make you feel bad or lose your confidence is yourself. Don’t give other people permission.

 

About Me

Marita ChengForbes named me a world's top 50 woman in tech & 30 Under 30. I founded Robogals and Aipoly and was Young Australian of the Year 2012. Currently working on robotics company Aubot. I'm the youngest Member of the Order of Australia (AM) and I give speeches around the world.

I tweet @maritacheng and I'm on Facebook.

Subscribe

Enter your email address to receive my latest blog posts: 

 

Random Articles

  • Unless people you’re working with support you, you are going to fail

    Who are the guys that you are going to have pizza with when you successfully raise capital? Who are the guys that are going to inspire you? Who are...

  • Teleport V2 Suite Showcases

    In May, we showcased our version 2 Teleport head prototype at ICRA in Brisbane.   In June, we showcased our version 2 Teleport prototype at...

  • No one puts Baby in the corner

    I was at West End watching “Dirty Dancing” the other night. In the foyer, there were t-shirts embossed with, “I carried a watermelon”, and “No one...

  • How to expand

    Are you doing the same old things that you know how to do, that you know won’t fail, that you know won’t make you look bad, over and over again?  It...

  • No overnight success: Geoffrey Rush

    When I was touring schools with Geoffrey Rush and we were answering questions in front of hundreds of kids, lots of them said, "I really what to be...

  • Andy Warhol

    What makes Andy Warhol's work unique is that he was the first to bring that kind of art to the world. You might look at his art and say that it's...

  • Happiness

    What I say is important in my life = how I actually live my life

  • YouthActionNet Global Fellowship Summary of the Week

    YAN was an amazing experience.  I believe the more you put into something, the more you get out.  And so I put in as much of me as I could, and I had an...

  • 24 hours and QANTAS Magazine

    I did an interview at the beginning of the year about 24 hours in the life of me.  I've copied and pasted the text here below.  Enjoy! For robotics...

  • Why everyone dolls out the same advice

    "Follow your passions." "Dream bigger." "Focus." "You can get there with hard work." "Do what you love because then you'll never have to work a day in...

Enter your email address to receive my latest blog posts: 

 

Scroll to Top