Energy is the capacity to do all things, be it physical, emotional, mental, or volitional. If we observe closely, we’ll notice that successful people who work swiftly and efficiently always seem to have an endless supply of energy.
A prominent example of this is the story of Wang Shi, the founder of Vanke Corporation. At the age of 52, he conquered Mount Everest, and at 66, he continues to row like a young athlete. What impresses us is not just his achievements but also his exceptional time management skills and boundless vitality. He lives with passion and clear goals.
The survival rules of primitive tribes also offer us valuable insights. In ancient times, the men who brought home the most food tended to be the healthiest and had excellent judgment for predicting the trajectory of their prey. They were tough and could hold on to their spears even when adrenaline surged. This illustrates how physical and mental strength go hand in hand in achieving success.

Wang Shi, the founder of Vanke Corporation.
In modern society, the “prey” has transformed into business deals, but the winners still share three common traits: enduring physical stamina, a daring spirit, and resilience. These qualities enable them to overcome challenges and difficulties, leading to career success.
Therefore, parenting should also focus on instilling these values. Parents tend to teach their sons to be free, dynamic, and money-makers. To achieve this, it’s essential to frequently use four encouraging and motivating phrases to foster their willpower and positive mindset.
Positive words from parents help children develop and build a solid foundation for their future, enabling them to become strong and confident individuals.
“Go ahead and try, and if you mess up, we’ll figure out another way”
Anyone raising a son knows that boys tend to be active and mischievous, sometimes engaging in dangerous activities like climbing trees, dismantling household appliances, or even experimenting with risky ventures. This behavior is an expression of their personality and reflects their natural instincts.
In fact, boys are born with higher testosterone levels and sensitive amygdalae, which drive them to seek a sense of worth through competition. They are always on the lookout for opportunities to win contests, surpass opponents, and prove themselves.
When your son eagerly wants to experiment with something new, encourage this curiosity by saying, “No matter what, Mom and Dad support you”. This is like providing a safety net for your child, conveying the message of unconditional acceptance: “We’re here for you.” This builds a solid foundation for your son, fostering a mindset that embraces daring thoughts and actions.
Boys who are given freedom at a young age tend to have the best understanding of their limits when they grow up. They learn to be self-reliant, confident, and willing to take risks. Many of them take on new projects in large companies or start their own businesses as students.
The business world is indeed a giant playground, and those who dare to experiment with the new often achieve what others cannot.
A prime example is Huang Zheng of Pinduoduo, who left his high-paying job at Microsoft to return to China and start a business in a declining market. Today, Pinduoduo has become one of China’s leading e-commerce platforms. Looking back, success rarely starts with “playing it safe.” It involves exploring the unknown and embracing potential risks.
Hence, encouraging boys to dare and explore from a young age is vital. This approach not only aids in skill and character development but also paves the way for their future, where they can confidently face challenges and seize new opportunities.
Freedom to explore will shape boys into leaders, innovators, and individuals with a visionary outlook on life.
“Even if you lose, as long as you gave it your all, you’ve won against yourself”
Boys are born with a strong competitive spirit, which helps them develop and assert themselves in a challenging world. However, intense “battles” can trigger stress hormones, creating significant pressure. On the other hand, when they surpass their personal bests, the sense of accomplishment is stimulated, bringing joy and motivation.
The phrase “Even if you lose, as long as you gave it your all, you’ve won against yourself” can help shift your son’s focus from comparing himself to others to improving and challenging himself. Instead of fixating on an opponent’s success, he’ll concentrate on his journey of self-improvement. This satisfies the testosterone-driven desire to conquer while reducing negative emotions like envy and jealousy.
The image of a leopardess teaching her cub to chase moving specks of light instead of stationary prey perfectly illustrates the growth mindset. Instilling this mindset helps boys seek new challenges and continuously strive for improvement. They’ll learn that embracing differences is the key to unlocking new doors, and self-improvement is a crucial aspect of life.
The survival instinct of “quick repetition,” known as “cognitive dividends” in the business arena, enables one to stay ahead of the curve. Those who cultivate their thinking and work on self-improvement will seize opportunities that others might miss, creating an “information gap” that few can achieve.
This is akin to a savvy investor who can analyze and predict market trends before they happen. They are the ones who monitor, pioneer, lead, and shape the future.
“Blue socks or black socks? You decide”
A truly strong person doesn’t predict the future but takes control of their life’s direction. Fate lies in the choices we make at every crossroads.
Don’t underestimate the power of deciding which socks to wear. Your son’s confidence grows from these small decisions. Research has found that children who engage in decision-making exercises with high frequency and low risk daily can enhance their frontal lobes. This “decision-making muscle” is the most potent tool in the business world.
Ray Dalio, the founder of Bridgewater Associates, emphasized in his “Principles” that the essence of controlling choices lies in resource allocation. He noted that 90% of Buffett’s profits came from 10 crucial decisions. This so-called business acumen is an intuition “nurtured” by countless small choices.
To achieve this, starting at ages three or four, boys should be presented with conscious situations and offered options A/B (with a recommendation of no more than three options) to practice decision-making.
“If you feel upset, you can throw pillows twice. We’ll talk after you calm down”
Boys’ emotional brain development tends to lag behind girls’ by about 1.5 to 2 years, and their language expression skills develop more slowly as well. Forcing boys to understand reason is like pouring gasoline on a fire—it only makes the flames rage stronger.
Therefore, parents should skillfully combine physical catharsis (throwing pillows) with cognitive adjustment (post-event communication), respecting the pace of their son’s neural development while training their emotional regulation function in the prefrontal lobe.
Going deeper, when the storm of emotions arises, the above phrase is like setting up a safe flood zone for your son. Gradually, he’ll learn to adjust accurately and become aware of his feelings, emotions, and needs, leading to wise actions.
In reality, “strength” is the vitality of a wolf in sheep’s clothing—daring to try and make mistakes, taking responsibility, and making decisions. When a boy grows up with the sense of security that “I dare to take risks” and the sense of control that “I can choose”, what he gains is not mere luck but a psychology and mindset commensurate with wealth.