On May 17 this year, a young relative of mine asked me to teach English to her daughter who will be 6 years old in December. I agreed, but I made it clear from the start that it was essential for her to review the lessons with her daughter daily. Unfortunately, she didn’t follow through, and week after week, the girl made no progress. I suggested we give her a quiz, either weekly or biweekly, because I couldn’t keep investing time without seeing results—it was a waste of time for all of us. Knowing her daughter wouldn’t pass the quiz, my relative decided to call off the lessons.
Yesterday, she contacted me again, asking me to resume teaching her daughter, this time promising she would be more diligent. I agreed to give it another shot.
Recently, I came across a quote that I felt deeply connected to this situation and wanted to share with my relative but I didn't. It went something like this: “No one will help a person who has no value, someone who doesn’t make an effort to improve themselves. No one will waste time on someone who shows no hope of progress. So, to receive help from others, you must first work on improving yourself. You need to let others see hope in you.”
These words deliver a powerful message about personal responsibility and self-improvement. They highlight that people are less likely to invest their time or resources in someone who isn’t showing effort, growth, or potential. It stresses the importance of taking initiative and demonstrating a willingness to improve—because that’s what draws support and encouragement from others.
“Letting others see hope in you” means you must cultivate qualities that inspire confidence in your future. It’s the fundamental step you must take before expecting help from others.
Opportunities and assistance often come when others recognize your sincerity, commitment and potential for progress. This lesson applies to many areas in life: self-reliance, perseverance, and the need to prove your value in order to gain the support of others.
A Chinese saying goes, 自助者天助之 (Zì zhù zhě tiān zhù zhī), "Heaven helps those who help themselves." It captures the essence of personal effort being a prerequisite for receiving assistance from others, aligning well with the message of self-reliance and personal growth.
Ultimately, it's a motivational reminder to take control of your life, be the driving force behind your own growth, and inspire hope in those who might otherwise hesitate to invest in you.