Chapter 8: Follow That Dream (Follow That Dream)

Ming must have told her mother about a dream or ambition she wanted to pursue, perhaps an unusual career, asking for her mother's opinion or permission and expressing some doubts.

By pursuing the field singularly and intensively for at least ten years, and by investing effort, money and sacrifice with total commitment (and with a support network).

Dreamers only wish ("I wish I could be…") and never go beyond wishful thinking; achievers turn passion into conviction, count the cost and then invest years of effort and sacrifice to realise the dream.

She asks, "Do you know that to reach world-class standard… one has to be… pursuing the subject for at least ten years?" to make Ming think. She uses the Academy Awards to show the need for support, stories of people stopped by the Japanese invasion or family duty to show obstacles, and her own ten-year book dream to show that dreams change but can come true.

She asks, "Do you know that to reach world-class standard… one has to be… pursuing the subject for at least ten years?" to make Ming think.

She opens with "By all means follow that dream" and refuses to be "a wet blanket", but asks Ming to count the cost in years, money and sacrifice, warns that the road is uphill, and tells her to go ahead only if the conviction still burns after considering the obstacles.

Yes. Even today, careers in sport, arts or startups need years of practice, money and sacrifice, and many people give up for security or family needs. Support networks matter, and changing goals is common; so her balanced advice remains useful.

Yes. Even today, careers in sport, arts or startups need years of practice, money and sacrifice, and many people give up for security or family needs.

(Model) To become a doctor, I am willing to study long hours, give up some leisure and social media, and train for years. I am unwilling to sacrifice my health or my family's peace, so I will plan carefully and seek scholarships to reduce the financial burden.

(Model) To become a doctor, I am willing to study long hours, give up some leisure and social media, and train for years.