A recent university alumni-and-student networking event that I helped put together turned out to be a gathering that made me introspective about some things. I reflected on life, personal growth, and how change seems to come slowly or not at all; sometimes day by day and then, all at once after 10 years.
It’s been a decade since our batch soft-launched into the adult world. While people say life is short, that period is the longest thing you’re going to experience; and then all of a sudden you’re 60, and it either was a good life, or it wasn’t. They say most people overestimate what they can achieve in a year, but underestimate what they can achieve in 10. As I mingled with faces both familiar and transformed, I realised how easily the passage of time reshapes the narratives we once thought were fixed.
A few of the most seasoned ones talked openly at a panel discussion about their experiences, failure, resiliency, and how their ideas of success in their 20s changed to something far more expansive and intimate. In many respects, it resembled a bridge between generations, a passing of the torch. After all, the wisdom of those who travelled a longer journey isn't just a fount of answers, but to raise the questions we haven’t yet thought to ask.
There was also a segment where the varsity students had small heartfelt group sessions with the seasoned alumni. Topics spanned from "handling failures" to "career choices". What struck me was the reciprocal nature of these conversations; while the alumni came to give back, the student's interest and excitement seemed to fuel them as well—ambition unbound by the realities of maturity. It was a reminder that knowledge sharing is a cycle in which the excitement of those just starting out renews the lessons that the veterans impart.
As we wrapped up the night with promises to stay in touch (how true is that, only time will tell), I walked away with a renewed sense of calm. We all look forward to the day when we "figure it all out" but there was the comforting feeling that growth is meant to be lived, not rushed. After all, the baton isn’t passed in a straight line—it’s sometimes a fumble, gripped by sweaty hands trying not to drop it. Each of us, in our own way, is both a student and a teacher, navigating the lessons that life will continue to unfold.
That night, as I stood among friends, the idea of compounding effort became more than just a financial metaphor—it became a life lesson. Many of us begin each year with lofty resolutions—whether it’s getting fit, excelling at work, or achieving financial milestones. But by the end of the year, progress often feels slower than expected. We overestimate what one year can do, assuming the finish line is within reach. But 10 years? That’s where the magic of possibility lies.
I saw the quiet confidence of peers who had weathered storms. Someone who started in corporate to learn the ropes, but by steadily building a strong network and portfolio, he now leads large-scale projects across the region. Another who started out in a high paying consulting job, but didn’t like it and found his calling in an entirely different space. Yet another who built and exited multiple startup companies. Their successes didn’t happen overnight but through years of small, consistent wins.
In my early years as a financial planner, there was a time when I believed success would come faster. At first, I wanted to prove myself, win awards, and earn recognition—these desires drove my goals. But it was the accumulation of small habits—engaging clients daily, seeking mentors, and learning from mistakes—that compounded over time to yield results I couldn’t have imagined back then. While success is rarely linear, it’s the long-term perspective that shapes us. There’s immense value in embracing slow progress and trusting the process.
After the evening, I rethought the goals I want to accomplish in the upcoming ten years, both personally and professionally. Seeing my classmates served as a reminder of the value of connections, fortitude, and flexibility when needed. Though it rarely goes as planned, life rewards those who persist in making progress even when it appears to be slow. The path to success isn't always straight; sometimes it takes a detour.
