Chapter 17 don't underestimate yourself

From that day on, I discovered all the secrets of genius, in fact, there are only 6 words: "Don't underestimate yourself." This is the happiest experience in my life. —— Zhou Ming Brushing 108 bottles in one day, this is the first "first" that a 10-year-old child has won for himself.he was that morning He made up his mind to get this "first", and he really got it.This made him extremely happy, but even so, he still did not expect that this incident would have such a major impact on his future life. He is Zhou Ming, the boy we mentioned earlier who lost his two older sisters overnight.Today, he is a chief researcher at Microsoft Research Asia and has numerous major inventions, the most peculiar of which is that he invented Chinese-Japanese translation software without knowing Japanese at all.These achievements make him recognized as one of the most talented scientists in the field of computer natural language.Even so, the "first" he cherishes most in his heart is not this, but the "108 bottles".

Before that, he had always had low self-esteem, because his family was poor and his parents had no status. When he saw children from rich and powerful families at school, he would avoid them, and when he saw dubious people, he would walk around quickly, but he still often Being bullied, and sometimes being beaten for no reason. For many years, the child lived with a feeling of inferiority, never seemed to be able to straighten up.But there is always a voice deep in his heart, which wants to break through the repression and come to the surface: "When can I be better than others?" This day was "Student Worker's Day". The teacher took Zhou Ming and the whole class to the food factory, which is the factory that produces "Lulu" almond milk that the children know now.However, at that time, this was not done here, only one kind of canned fruit was made, and the equipment was simple, relying on human hands to wash thousands of canned bottles every day.These children came and did the same thing.The bottles are all recycled, they are very dirty, and if you are not careful, your hands will be scratched.But the teacher decides this is an opportunity for the children to learn about working-class nobility and announces a competition to see who can brush the most.

Standing among the children, Zhou Ming was excited when he heard the teacher's call.He has never been "first", and now he is determined to get it. Just like self-confidence and perseverance, the excitement and eagerness to express one's ability is also the turning point leading to "E students".This situation is a bit like a sleeping active volcano. Although it has not erupted into the sky, if you can see the excited face of this child, you can hear the rumbling before the eruption. He quickly learned all the procedures of brushing bottles, brushing very carefully, one after another, without stopping all day, his hands were soaked with a layer of white skin, as a result, he brushed 108 bottles, among all the children , is the most.

It has been 30 years since this incident, and Zhou Ming still remembers it fresh: I used to have no self-confidence, but this incident gave me confidence.From that day on, I knew that no matter what I did, I could do it well.I discovered all the secrets of genius, in fact there are only 6 words: "Don't underestimate yourself".That moment is worth remembering for a lifetime.I know my life is completely different.It was the happiest experience of my life, exuding an enchanting energy that continues to this day. You can learn anything you want to learn. It is not a question of whether you can learn it, but a question of whether you want to learn it.If you have a strong enough desire for what you hold, you will have a kind of perseverance, especially when you are ordinary people.

I'm the kind of person who works really hard and keeps going.Whatever I do, I do it very hard.At the beginning, I may not be sure, but I know that as long as I persist, I can get what I want.Yes, it's the same energy that I used to paint 108 bottles, and it's still the same until now. The biggest difference between people is not whether they are smart or not, but how to use their smartness. ——Zhang Yaqin At an international academic conference in Paris, France, Dr. Gruber of Rogers University said that many studies have shown that the magical self-confidence in gifted children is not born with it, but cultivated later.The underlying logic of this conclusion

The truth is that the so-called "prodigy" is not the result of genetic variation, but the product of environmental stimulation. For most of us, this is good news, because in this way, every child becomes a potential "child prodigy."On this point, Zhang Yaqin also made a similar statement.He said: "The difference between people is not in IQ, but in how to use their IQ." His story proves that he sent it out of feeling. One morning in the winter of 1977, Yaqin packed her schoolbag and went to school as usual. The moment he opened the door, his Chinese teacher rushed in, flushed with excitement, unable to speak smoothly:

"Quick...quick...look." The teacher was shaking a newspaper in his hand.Years later, Yaqin could still remember that it was a copy of Guangming Daily.He only glanced at it for the first time, and it was like five thunderbolts. Sunlight came in through the window, shone on the newspaper, and reflected on Yaqin's face, which showed a strange expression.That moment, he later admitted, changed his life. He was 11 years old at the time, and he couldn't fully comprehend the world of adults, but he could already feel that there was an unprecedented atmosphere in China in that spring, full of passion and laughter everywhere.Every morning when he opens the door of the house, there may be news that makes him happy: his father's rehabilitation brought him the first joy, and it also made the family finally bid farewell to the heavy past.The resumption of the college entrance examination is the second joy, and it opens up the future path for this family.But now, looking at the newspaper in his hand, Yaqin feels that the future is so close to him.

The article that attracted him was very long. It said that there is a University of Science and Technology of China in Hefei, and there is a class for teenagers in the university.The author of the article was a well-known reportage writer. Yaqin didn't know this person at the time, but he engraved another name deeply in his heart.That is Ning Bo, who is also the first child to enter the Junior Class of USTC.The newspapers called him a "child prodigy". "I was so excited that night that I didn't sleep," Yaqin later recalled, "I had already made it my goal to go to the junior class." , also decided to take the summer college entrance examination in four months.

In the eyes of most people, this is really an incredible decision. "Is he a gifted child?" someone asked. Physiologists have long concluded that there is no significant difference in brain volume, which means that there is no significant difference in the natural IQ of each person.But why do most people become ordinary people, while geniuses are only a few?Among all the complicated reasons, Yaqin decided that one reason was the most important, and then he said that sentence: "The biggest difference between people is not whether they are smart or not, but how to use their smartness."

Regarding smartness, Yaqin has some words that are worth recalling: "There are many smart people, and there are many kinds of smart people. Some people's smartness is the kind that can be displayed very well. Some people are very wise and stupid. Some people's smarts are slow, but they may drill deeply in certain aspects. Some people People react quickly, but they can’t reach a deep level. There is a kind of intelligence that is very expansive, can affect people around, and can be seen and touched. There is another kind of intelligence, like wine, that depends on time Taste slowly, the longer the time, the more intense you feel. Some people are smart, and over time, you feel bland. Among all the people I met, including myself, I didn’t I think that someone is much smarter than others, but I have never met a person who is as smart as a god. In fact, everyone is smart in different ways. The most important thing is to believe that you are a smart person.”

However, this is all later. At that time, he didn't think so much, he only thought about how to jump to the senior grade.The teacher still used the same words to encourage the child: "As long as you can pass the exam, you can dance. No one is stopping you." Ya Qin then began to realize his plan.He entered the top class of the second year of high school and forgot to sleep and eat. "That was the hardest time of my life, really for that goal," he said. "If a person has his own goals, he will have a feeling that no matter how hard or tired he is, he will be willing." The day of the college entrance examination was getting closer and everything seemed to be going well, but disaster struck suddenly: he got hepatitis, had to stop going to school, was admitted to the hospital, suffered from pain, fever, weakness, jaundice, and could not activate his The brain, it is also very difficult to read a book.However, the desire for the junior class supported him, and he refused to give up. The mother didn't expect a "child prodigy" in her family at first, but she saw that her son was eager to try, and his attitude was firm, skipping grades and staying up late, so she didn't stop her.Looking at his son's yellow face now, he can only feel distressed: "Forget this year, let's talk about it next year." Yaqin didn't listen: "I just want to try. If I fail, it's just practice. If I don't take the test, wouldn't it mean I got 0 points?" Many years later, he expressed the same meaning in more mature and logical language. "If you strive to succeed, you may not succeed, but if you don't strive, you will never succeed." He was treated in the hospital for a month and rested at home for another month.By the time I can go to school, the college entrance examination has already begun. The test result was 10 points worse than the cut-off score of the University of Science and Technology of China. Even so, it was beyond everyone's imagination, and he could go to Shanxi University.It is also a key university, and it is a temple in the hearts of Taiyuan people. There was congratulations all around, but Yaqin was very unhappy.The temple in this child's heart is in Hefei. My mother said: "It's already a great thing to be able to go to Shanxi University." Yaqin said, "No." Mom said again: "If you don't like to go, you can stay at home for a year." Yaqin still said, "No." Xia Tian is going to pass in a blink of an eye, and Yaqin is still regretting his failure. On this day, the teacher came again and brought him hope again: "The last exam was the national unified college entrance examination. Don't you want to go to the junior class? That is another exam, and it will start soon." Yaqin was overjoyed. The result of the new round of exams was "one-sided": Chinese and politics were poor, but mathematics was full plus 20 points.Not only did he complete all the exam questions flawlessly, but he also made a question for the extra exam.It was a plane geometry problem, and he was the only one who solved it among all the examinees in the country.The teachers who marked the papers were stunned, and they all said that there was a "mathematics prodigy" in Taiyuan. "In fact, this is an overestimation of me." Yaqin said with a smile when recalling this incident later, "I just happened to do this question." It was a few days before the exam, and my mother got a book from somewhere.There is a competition question in the book, which is very difficult.Yaqin always felt that "Plane Geometry" was especially suitable for him, and he couldn't be bothered by any problem, but this one actually baffled him.He thought hard for two days before he found the answer, but he saw the same question on this exam paper. "I'm not smarter than anyone else," he said later. "If I hadn't done that question, I wouldn't have been able to do it in the exam room. No one could have done that in such a short time." But the examiner doesn't care about this, just the result.Later, Yaqin got his wish and entered the junior class of China University of Science and Technology, which was directly related to his outstanding performance in the math test. This voice calms me down every time I get smug. ——Zhang Yaqin At the age of 12, Yaqin started his college life. Hundreds of millions of Chinese who have memories of 1978 must all remember the China University of Science and Technology Junior Class.Among the countless major events that caused a national sensation that year, this is the most deeply rooted story in the hearts of the people.There are more than 30 students in the junior class, from 12 to 15 years old, from all over the country.People called those children "prodigy". Yaqin is the youngest in this group of children, which makes him even more proud.The mother was happy too, but she never showed it in front of her son.For a few days, he was chased by reporters, but he turned most of them down.Because his mother did not allow him to be interviewed, saying that he was no different from other children, and that he was not allowed to publish his name in the newspaper, and told him: "Fame is not a big thing." There are countless teachings from my mother so far, but for some reason, this sentence is the only one that fits Yaqin's mind the most.He quietly hid behind those "young prodigies", playing his favorite games.He felt that this day was similar to the situation when he was in middle school in Taiyuan.Until one day, a small incident caused a major change in him. Things started with the appearance of a writer.This writer came to Hefei from Beijing and wanted to interview this group of "child prodigies".Seeing that Yaqin was unwilling to talk about his life, he said to him, "Let's take a walk together." That afternoon, the freshman and the junior were walking around the campus, talking and talking, and before they knew it, the two of them had already walked a long way, out of the campus and into the fields in the countryside.As the sun set in the west, there was a red sun in the sky, and the clouds were rolling in, which made Yaqin's face turn red. The writer said: "You know? Compared with your companions, your foundation is still very poor." "Why doesn't this man say good things?" Yaqin was upset and couldn't help arguing, "I was admitted by my own ability." "That's right," the writer nodded, seemingly impressed by the kid's confidence.He stopped suddenly, turned around, and looked at Yaqin: "But, you have just started, whether you can succeed or not depends on how you go in the future." After speaking, he took his hand off Yaqin's shoulder and turned to leave. Yaqin stayed there alone for a long time. "How do we go in the future?" He asked himself this question again and again. "This change lies in my heart." Many years later, Yaqin recalled the story, "I feel more and more that he gave me a very good advice. Now that I think about it, he is really very good. A wise man. He was almost 40 years old that year, and he was very sincere. Since then, every time I encounter a problem, I can see his eyes in my mind, just like a movie. Every time I am proud , there will be a voice that calms me down: 'You have just started, how will you go in the future?'” My mother screamed, but my father didn't say a word. He just grabbed the piece of paper, looked left and right, and when he finally believed that what happened in front of him was true, he kept saying, "Drink. Drink." ——Zhang Hongjiang Zhang Hongjiang is over forty now, with a thin face and broad shoulders, a little bald, and looks older than his actual age.he is already The father of two boys is now, and when he is free, he tells his son about his "confident life": "The only good thing about me from elementary school to middle school is that I don't have any homework." Compared with his son, the education of Hongjiang's generation was indeed different: "We had no resources at that time. Or it can be said that the biggest resource we had was a relaxed environment." That year, Hong Jiang left the county middle school and returned to the school in the countryside.The academic system has been shortened, the curriculum has been streamlined, and there is actually nothing left. For example, after learning English for several months, I still only know 26 letters and one sentence: Long Live Chairman Mao (Long Live Chairman Mao).The new head teacher is a relaxed teacher. There are only 30 students in the class. The teacher can spend more time paying attention to the students, but he never says: "Today's homework is..." The biggest advantage of parents is indulgence. They never ask their sons "did you do your homework" or "how many points did you get?", and don't let your sons do housework.At that time, the children of most families had to undertake housework, but the couple had their own views. They said: "Forcing the children to do housework all day may make the children fall into those trivial matters and ignore the big things in their eyes." .” The big thing about Hongjiang is not textbooks, but extracurricular books; not the books that adults want him to read, but the books that adults forbid him to read.There is "Song of Youth", yes, there is "Years in the White House", the Soviet novel "What Do You Want?"The books were either banned from sale, or were sold quietly for "internal reference" only in internal bookstores in major cities.But now, those literati who were exiled here have become carriers and disseminators of banned books.Hong Jiang went to them every day to find these books and read them as a way to avoid the false moral world and open his mind.Seeing that the child was not listening well in class, the teacher just immersed himself in reading some nonsense "for criticism" things, and did not interfere.I was only surprised in my heart: "Where did this little guy get these books?" All these plots are yearned for by most children today, and also envied by Hongjiang's two sons.Freedom, carefree and carefree is the pursuit of everyone's heart, and it is the nature of children. But is it better to be strict with children's education?Is it better to be looser?Is it better to put more pressure on children?Or smaller?It has always been a topic of debate among adults.Judging from the facts that have happened so far, both of these educational methods have examples of success and examples of failure.We found in the "Microsoft Boys" that the difference between them is not that they have no pressure, but that their pressure does not come from their parents or teachers, but from their hearts. Just like Kai-fu wanting "good enough" grades, Ya-Qin single-mindedly entering the "Youth Class", Xiang Yang unyieldingly jumping out of the countryside, Jianfeng "Stupid birds fly first", Zhou Ming clenched his fists to get rid of being bullied and despised, Zhang Hongjiang It also has its own stress. In 1977, Hongjiang was 15 years old and was about to graduate from high school.At that time, the most popular people were workers, farmers and soldiers. The social atmosphere was very different from today. Everyone kept saying Mao Zedong's words: "The countryside is a vast world, and there is a lot to be done there." People are in the trend of going to the countryside, but they all feel that this is a waste of youth.Hongjiang's elder brother had gone to the countryside two years ago, and now it's his turn again.Mom and Dad started to worry.It was hard for the parents at that time to have any idea of ​​"looking forward to their children becoming a dragon". They only hoped that the eldest son would leave the countryside and come home to find a job like a railway worker, and hope that the second son would not go to the "broad world" again. , Even if you don’t have a job, hanging out at home is fine.But no, as soon as Hongjiang graduated, his urban household registration was canceled immediately. According to government regulations, he had no other choice but to follow his brother and go to the countryside to farm. But at this moment, the college entrance examination system was restored, and you can imagine what this means to the Hongjiang Brothers. The day of receiving the college acceptance letter was the happiest moment for this family, and it was also historic.The first notice was for my elder brother, and the neighbors came to congratulate me. My parents were both excited and worried: one son was liberated, but they still have another son! Hongjiang has always studied better than his elder brother, and he is more confident.He said to his parents, "If my brother can get it, so can I." But the parents didn't believe it. From a psychological point of view, it wasn't that they didn't believe in Hongjiang, but they couldn't imagine being so lucky to have two sons who were admitted to college at the same time. Another four days passed in excitement and anxiety for the family.That evening, a man suddenly ran in and said "congratulations".The father thought he was congratulating the eldest son again, so he said, "It's been four days, and I still congratulate..." But at this moment, he was stunned, staring straight at the postman standing in front of him, looking at the postman. Looking at the "Admission Notice" in that person's hand.It comes from the Department of Electronics, Zhengzhou University, and belongs to Hongjiang. My mother screamed, but my father didn't say a word. He just grabbed the piece of paper, looked left and right, and when he finally believed that what happened in front of him was true, he kept saying, "Drink. Drink."