Never be afraid of dreaming big

I was honored to give an opening remark for the Orientation at Curtin University Mauritius in February this year. Normally people on stage tend to drone on about what one should and shouldn’t do. However, I took the liberty of shaking that up a little bit as I wanted to speak to the students in a way that would resonate with them; I wanted to speak to them through my own experience of coming from very little, and dreaming big.

As someone who started with very little and managed to climb the ladder of success, I wanted them to know that one should never be afraid of dreaming big. Even if what one wants is a cliché, like travelling the world and owning a Porsche – my dream as a young boy, don’t judge! When I was young and saw something that I wanted, I had to find a way to go out and get it, which I did. This is why Curtin’s slogan for the orientation session, “Rise Above” has always made sense to me as I had to rise above many challenges in life to get to where I was headed, to reach my destination and achieve my dreams.

I told them to feel no shame for their past failures. On the contrary, they should use these experiences as a driver, a motivation to strive for more, like I did. If you know how to harness tough life hurdles and if you think of them as a source of energy, then they will fuel the engine of your dream. I also spent some time elaborating about another crucial source of motivation in life: friendships. These relationships we consciously build with others are not to be underestimated. In all honesty, my friendships have shaped my life. A friend of mine, Brandon, actually introduced me to Aspen and here I am, 13 years later, the CEO of Aspen Global Incorporated. And lastly, I told them to have fun! Because after all, what is University all about?

As an employer, I am always impressed by the soft skills of graduates of Curtin University. Of course, the University stands out academically as well, as is evidenced by their partnership with a reputable University in Australia. That being said, Curtin has something special. The institution is progressive while the students are bold, extremely competent and communicate well. Then, there is also the ethos of the school which, for example, favors small working groups rather than large lectures. This form of teaching allows students to be more effective when they will later join the world of work, especially in workplaces like at Aspen Global Incorporated, where individual contribution is a thing of the past and collaborative, team work is key to personal and professional growth.

Overall, it was a great experience speaking to these changemakers of tomorrow at such a defining moment in their educational paths, and I wish them all a rewarding journey of growth, joy and resilience. And to continue, without fail, to “Rise Above” for the rest of their lives.