It is easy to set up a dream, but difficult to stick to it. Based on his own entrepreneurial story, Lei Jun made two suggestions for graduates. One is to always believe in the power of dreams, and the other is to have the courage to believe in the power of persisting in dreams. Lei Jun revealed that he didn't sleep well the night before in order to prepare for his speech.
The following is a record of Lei Jun's speech:
Hello, everyone, I am as excited as everyone standing here, because I was sitting on this small playground with a small bench 24 years ago and attended the graduation ceremony like everyone else, so I can particularly understand your feelings.
Everyone attending the graduation ceremony is about to usher in a new journey in life. They must be a little nervous and confused, but more excited and excited. They are looking forward to a better life in the future. So what can I tell you at the moment? I thought about it all night yesterday and didn't sleep well. I'm thinking, I'm 24 years older than others and 24 years earlier. As a senior, what can I say when so many younger brothers and sisters are about to start their life journey? To tell the truth, there are thousands of words. I really don't know where to start. If I talk too much, it will really help everyone. This is also where I felt a lot of pressure last night. I thought later that we would only talk about two points.
First, always believe in the power of dreams.
Why am I talking about dreams here? This is because I look back on the road I have traveled in the past. In my life, Wuhan University is the most unforgettable one, because Wuhan University plays an indelible role in my life. That was when I was 18 years old, a freshman in college. By chance, I read a book in the library. This book plays a decisive role in my life.
I remember the title of the book very clearly. It is called "the fire of Silicon Valley". This book is published in 1.4 and 1987. It tells the entrepreneurial story of these heroes in Silicon Valley. After reading this book, my heart seemed to be burning with a raging flame, and I was too excited to sleep for several nights. Then I walked on the nearby court over and over again, and it was difficult to calm down. In the process of walking again and again in the playground of Wuda University, I have laid down my dream of life, and I must do something earth-shattering in the future. Since God has given talents, let them be used! You must be a great person in the future. Of course, it is easy to build a dream. I believe every student has a great dream, but did you practice it after you dreamed it? So when I was a freshman, I told myself that it was not enough to dream, but to do something different in a down-to-earth way.
The first goal I set for myself is to complete all the courses in the university within two years. Thank you very much for the credit system of Wuhan University. From that day on, I really got twice as many credits. I remember when I attended the school alumni association last year, my credit card was also displayed on the big screen. When I had this dream, I really tried it and it was not difficult to find it. At least, I think two years is enough to complete all the courses in Computer College.
When I was in college, I had a second and third goal, which I later accomplished. I was thinking, in those days, I was definitely not smarter than others, and I was more diligent than others. I think the biggest difference is that I did set up my own life dream earlier than them and put it into practice. This is my first advice to everyone, always believe in the power of dreams. Today, everyone is about to embark on the journey of life, establish their dreams and goals as soon as possible, and put them into action as soon as possible. I think this is the beginning of life.
The second suggestion is to have the courage to believe in the power of persisting in dreams.
It is easy to have a dream, easy to practice it, and difficult to stick to it. Can you persist today, in five years, in ten or twenty years? Just now, the host introduced my achievements in operating Xiaomi, so I won't introduce Xiaomi. What I want to tell you is what made me start Xiaomi Company. Xiaomi was founded five years ago and released his mobile phone three and a half years ago. It took only two and a half years for Xiaomi to become the first in China market and the fifth in the global market in the most competitive industries and markets (before Apple Samsung and then Huawei).
This achievement can really be called a miracle of the global business market. What is behind this miracle? The first company I co-founded was Kingsoft, and I think the competition in Kingsoft software industry is not easy. In 2007, I retired after Jinshan went public. I should have realized the dream of many people here and retired at the age of 30. I listed a company, sold several companies and invested in dozens of companies. After retirement, my main job is to invest, and my life is very satisfactory.
What is my motivation to start a business? You may be full of curiosity and envy about entrepreneurship, and I believe there will be great entrepreneurs here in the future. At this moment, I want to say more to you. Entrepreneurship is definitely not a job done by people, but by cats and dogs. If you don't have an iron will, you will never do it. I don't think starting a business is fun. So in today's era of mass entrepreneurship and innovation, I remind you that if you really want to start a business, you must be prepared.
I participated in the establishment of Jinshan myself, and I know that it is not easy to start a business. What inspired me to start a business after retirement? It was when I was almost 40 years old that I woke up from my dream one night and felt as if I were drifting away from my dream. I asked myself if I had the courage to do it again. In fact, this question is very difficult to answer. It took me more than half a year to make up my mind. No matter whether this venture is successful or not, I can't let my life be full of regrets. I must try to open a world-class technology company and do something that will benefit everyone in the world, so I am determined to do it.
After making this decision, I still have many concerns. Why? Because if I screw up, I will lose my job. So at that time, I convinced myself to be extremely low-key, highly confidential and down-to-earth for the first year or two, and then stand up and speak until the product was almost done. I think it will be more effective. I used various methods to overcome my fear of starting a business again and the fear of failing to start a business again, and then I founded Xiaomi.
Standing here today, I want to tell you that I believe everyone here has a dream, and I believe you have put your dream into action. What I want to ask is, in five, ten, twenty-four and twenty-five years, do you still have the courage and determination to stick to your dreams? Do you believe in the power of sticking to your dreams? These are two suggestions I give you at the moment.
Finally, everyone will graduate soon. I wish you a bright future, a successful career and all the best. More importantly, everyone is happy. Thank you all.
Lei Jun's speech at Peking University: Looking for the outlet and being a regular Lei Jun: I hope to harvest a "Dacheng" case. Lei Jun: The painful experience of my university's entrepreneurial failure.