Focus with a laser on the things that achieve the most results

Published: Sunday, 03 March 2013

Am I working towards a larger life goal?  Am I learning anything?  Does this help keep a roof over my head?

I focused on a number of activities while I was at uni:  Nudge, mew, Robogals.

At one point in uni, I even considered setting up 10 organisations while at uni.  Five non-profits and five for-profits, so that I could leave uni having had all that experience!

But then I realised that I would learn so much more just by focusing all my efforts on one thing, doing that very well, then handing that over gently to the next generation.

Robogals was going the best - already with 12 chapters and in 4 countries by that time, and so I decided to stick with that.

I stopped all my extra-curricula activities except Robogals, and achieved even more amazing results.

To optimise your efforts, focus on the things that achieve the most results.

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

  • How to figure out what to do with yourself

    As the Cheshire Cat says, "if you don't know where you're going, any road will get you there." In my Engineering Analysis A class (an engineering...

  • G20 Brisbane Global Cafe

    Spoke about my robotic arm at the G20 Brisbane Global Cafe.

  • TEDx Aipoly

    Alberto and I gave a speech about Aipoly at TEDxMelbourne, where we showcased Aipoly Vision being used via glasses.  Aipoly has now been downloaded...

  • Shell Eco-Marathon Asia

    I’m very excited to announce that I have been named the 2019 Shell Eco-Marathon Ambassador for Australia. The concept of the Shell Eco-Marathon stems...

  • 1 day = 2

    When I was planning the first UK SINE, for about a month, I split each day into two.  I would get up in the morning, and do all the actions needed to...

  • Speaking with Teleport

    I gave a speech with my robot on stage at the Australian Water Association’s National Conference.  It was super cool!  My engineer Mack drove it from...

  • Seek, not given

    I used to think that someone with my character, with my determination, my ambition and my IQ would mean that I would be successful in life because...

  • How to choose your projects

    Ask yourself: 1.  What do I want to learn? 2. What do I already know? Then: 3.  Devise a project you’re interested in that involves others - Create a...

  • Brain-controlled Teleport

    I was invited to demonstrate my robots on a QANTAS flight from Sydney to San Francisco, while we flew over the Pacific Ocean.  I said yes!  My fellow...

  • Don't career plan

    No one knows what will happen in the future.  Just do your best at what you're doing now.  Then consider your options at the end of this project....