A LIFE IN PHASES

Jack Ma once said:

“When you are 20–30 years old, find a good boss. A good boss is better than a good company.

When you are 30–40 years old, try to do something for yourself.

When you are 40–50 years old, do something you are good at.

When you are 50–60 years old, focus on helping young people.

When you are over 60 years old, spend time with your grandchildren.”

These words profoundly reflect my own life’s journey - one shaped by phases of growth, challenges, and fulfilment.

PHASE ONE : AGE 20–30

LEARNING FROM A GREAT BOSS

In the first phase of my life, between the ages of 20 and 30, I was an ordinary but hardworking teacher.

I must say, I learned a great deal from my first boss.

He was a true professional and a demanding leader.

He pushed us hard - often beyond our limits - and yet, in doing so, he imparted skills and knowledge that were far beyond what we imagined possible. 

Thanks to him, I equipped myself with the foundations of leadership, never imagining that one day I, too, would become a boss.

At the time, not many teachers wanted to be posted to his school, knowing how demanding it would be.

But looking back, it was one of the greatest blessings in my early career.

(Class teacher in the year 1991)

PHASE TWO : AGE 30–40 

EMBRACING OPPORTUNITY

The second phase, from age 30 to 40, was when I truly began to understand how to run a school.

This stage brought countless opportunities and I realized it was up to me to either seize them or let them pass.

Before long, I was appointed as a Senior Assistant. That role brought with it a tremendous amount of knowledge and experience. 

I learned how to manage people, solve problems, and make decisions that mattered.

Over time, I became more independent, more resilient and more confident in my capabilities.

(Served as Senior Student Affairs Teacher in 1994)

PHASE THREE : AGE 40–50

DOING WHAT I WAS MEANT TO DO

In the third phase, between 40 and 50, I stepped into the role of School Principal.

It was a position I never expected to hold, but soon realized I had a true talent for.

There were, of course, plenty of ups and downs, but the key was to never give up and to constantly improve myself. 

That commitment to growth made me a stronger and more effective leader than I ever thought I could be. The experiences I had accumulated over the years shaped who I was and fueled a relentless pursuit of excellence.

I believe I also became more mature in the way I thought, decided and responded to challenges.

(Together with the Senior Assistant of Administration and the Senior Assistant of Student Affairs in 2010)

PHASE FOUR : AGE 50–60 

GIVING BACK AND LEADING OTHERS

In the fourth phase of my journey, from 50 to 60, I was appointed as an Excellent School Principal and thereafter as SIPartners+ Officer (School Improvement Partners) at the District Education Office. 

By then, I had become a seasoned leader.

I remember one teacher asking me how I could remember every routine and every detail of the job.

The answer was simple - years of experience and passion.

I took great pride not just in my accomplishments but in being able to mentor and guide those under my leadership and leaders from other schools as well.

It was a proud moment to see others grow in confidence and eventually step into school leadership themselves. Helping to develop the next generation of leaders gave me a deep sense of fulfilment.

(Received the Education Figure Award from PPD Tenom in 2023)

PHASE FIVE : AGE 60 AND BEYOND 

A TIME FOR PEACE AND LEGACY

Naturally, at the age of 60, I retired as required, leaving behind all the legacies I had built over the years. 

As Jack Ma said, this is the time to enjoy life with your grandchildren.

In other words, this phase of life is truly yours - you can finally do all the things you’ve longed to do.

Even though we are encouraged to live a more peaceful life, we can still contribute meaningfully to organizations or the community around us. 

The only essential reminder is to take good care of your health.

I plan to fully embrace the freedom that retirement brings and spend more time on passions I had put on hold. Hopefully, I’m old enough - and fortunate enough to enjoy these precious moments with my grandchildren.

(Sightseeing in Betong, Thailand in May 2025)

IN A NUTSHELL – THE ROAD THAT BUILT ME

Jack Ma’s words are, without a doubt, indisputable. They resonate deeply with my life and validate every phase I’ve been through. 

That said, none of these phases would have been possible if I hadn’t started my early years under the guidance of a good boss. Even if you do manage to reach the subsequent phases of life, the path there is rarely easy.

Let’s face it - ”what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”

REFLECTION

No matter where you start or which phase of life you are currently in, there is always something to learn - whether from your superiors, colleagues or even a simple school clerk.

Opportunities come only once, seize them wholeheartedly. 

The key is to always give your best in every phase of life because your best effort will ease your journey into the next phase.

When you finally reach the finish line, you will look back on all the phases of your life, and from there comes true contentment - where the word “regret” will never be found in the diary of your life.