You Are Who You Are, and You Are Who You Want to Be

Welcome to 2025!

As we step into a new year, remember: You are who you are, and you are who you want to be. This is the perfect time to reflect on where you’ve been and where you’re headed. New Year’s resolutions aren’t just about setting goals—they’re about reconnecting with the person you wish to become.

The Year to Believe in Yourself

We carry both our past and our potential. Every experience, every choice, and every step we take shapes who we are today. Yet, we have the freedom to decide who we’ll become tomorrow.

When I was 23, I came to London to start my career after graduating. You might be surprised to learn that I couldn’t speak much English at the time. Yet, I landed a job at a well-known fashion head office. How? Because I believed that if I sent out enough CVs, I’d get interviews. And if I got interviews, I’d get a job. So, I kept going.

I set myself a goal: send out 40 CVs within three months. If I couldn’t land a job in London, I’d return to Hong Kong. To give it my all, I listed the companies I wanted to work for and scoured the job ads in Drapers, an industry magazine, to find suitable positions. Then, I began my job application journey. To be honest, I didn’t even know exactly what I wanted to do—I just figured that anything I could manage in a fashion head office would be a good start.

Back then, over 20 years ago, applying for jobs was a very different process. You had to mail your CV and cover letter to the company. You could also call the HR department or the interviewer to say thank you, ask for feedback, or check on the progress of your application. Imagine someone like me, who could barely speak English, rehearsing every word before making those calls. It took so much effort to practice and build the courage to dial the number.

Today, you can hire a career coach to guide you through your job applications. I wish I’d had one back then—it would have made such a difference! But, I’m glad that I had the courage and determination to work through the journey so I could experience working in some well-known fashion head offices in London.

Trust yourself. Sometimes, all it takes is one opportunity—but you have to step outside your comfort zone to find it. And sometimes, you have to do it over and over again. Eventually, you’ll succeed.

Believe in yourself, keep moving forward with purpose, and remember: your potential is limitless. You have the power to become the person you dream of being. The future is yours to create.

Facing the Challenge of Others’ Opinions

One of the toughest parts of pursuing your dreams is dealing with other people’s opinions. Everyone sees the world through their own lens. While some may offer support, others might project their doubts or judgments onto you.

The truth is, their opinions are shaped by their own experiences, fears, and limitations—not yours.

Remember, you are the one living your life. You are the one who knows what feels right for you and what sparks your passion. The path you choose is yours alone. Trust yourself, even when others don’t understand or agree.

It’s okay to listen to different perspectives, but don’t let them define your worth or influence your decisions. When others question your choices, recognize that their doubts often reflect their own insecurities—not your potential. Accept their opinions with grace, but don’t let them deter you. Instead, use them as fuel to reinforce your commitment to your goals.

The more you focus on your vision and take steps toward it, the less power their opinions will have over you. Surround yourself with people who uplift and support you, but always remember: the most important voice is your own.

Action Speaks Louder Than Words

Back to my story, I didn’t speak to my family or some of my friends for six months while trying to get a job in London. Why? Because I didn’t want their opinions to cloud my decisions. It is difficult to hide myself away now comparing because people can always find me through WhatsApp.

Last year, a family member questioned my decision to become a self-employed coach. I understood that his doubts were shaped by his perception of me—he couldn’t see who I could become or the effort I was putting into building my coaching practice. To block out the noise, I simply ended the conversation. As much as I’d love to eliminate his doubt completely, I know I can’t control how he thinks. Instead, I redirected the discussion to another topic, refusing to let him challenge my vision.

I trusted myself, let my actions speak louder than my words, and proved that his opinions were just that—his perception, not my reality.

Whatever your resolutions may be, they are more than aspirations—they’re stepping stones to becoming the person you’ve always envisioned.

This year, give yourself the gift of believing in your limitless potential. Trust in your ability to change, evolve, and achieve. The future you want to create starts now.

Your dreams will come true—because you are making them come true!

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