Jensen Huang, the co-founder and CEO of Nvidia, shared his biggest career lesson during a commencement speech at the California Institute of Technology. While visiting a garden in Kyoto, Japan, Huang met a gardener who had dedicated 25 years to tending to his garden. The gardener’s dedication to his craft, despite the daunting task of caring for a large garden, taught Huang the importance of prioritizing his time wisely. By focusing on his highest priority work first and dedicating his day to helping others, Huang has been able to grow and develop his employees effectively.
Huang’s daily routine involves starting each morning by completing his most important work before he even gets to the office. By doing so, he feels that his day is already a success and can focus on helping others without feeling rushed or overwhelmed. Experts often emphasize the importance of allocating enough time to one’s top priorities to avoid stress and burnout. By evaluating one’s daily activities and making necessary changes to focus on passions and important tasks, individuals can find more fulfillment and satisfaction in their work and personal lives.
Since Nvidia’s establishment 31 years ago, the company has grown into a tech giant that powers major corporations such as Apple, Microsoft, Google, Tesla, and OpenAI. Despite facing obstacles, including near bankruptcy early on and challenging partnerships, Huang’s perseverance and commitment to his craft have led Nvidia to a $3 trillion market cap. In his speech, Huang encouraged graduates to find a craft that they are passionate about and dedicate their lifetime to perfecting their skills. By prioritizing their lives and focusing on their chosen craft, individuals can achieve success and fulfillment in their careers.
Huang’s encounter with the dedicated gardener in Kyoto has left a lasting impact on him and his approach to work and life. The gardener’s dedication to his garden, despite its size and the challenging weather conditions, inspired Huang to prioritize his time and focus on his life’s work. By adopting a similar mindset and dedicating oneself to a craft, individuals can achieve success and fulfillment in their careers. Huang emphasized the importance of prioritizing one’s life amidst the chaos and distractions of daily activities, ultimately leading to a sense of purpose and achievement.
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