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How to Become a Straight-A Student By Following These 7 Rules

Updated on January 5, 2026 By Daniel Wong 254 Comments

In this article, I’ll explain the seven rules I followed to get all A’s in school and how you can become a straight-A student too.

(I’ve since completed my formal education.)

If you take my advice, you’ll get better grades and lead a more balanced life.

But first, here’s some background information about me, to assure you that I have some credibility in writing this article. I don’t say these things to boast, really!

I got 9 A1’s for the GCE O-Levels.
I got 4 A’s for the GCE A-Levels, along with 2 “Special” paper Distinctions and 1 Merit.
I received a full academic scholarship to study at Duke University, which consistently ranks as one of the best universities in the world. I graduated from Duke in 2011.
I did a double major at Duke, and graduated summa cum laude (First Class Honors). My GPA was 3.98/4.0.
Throughout my academic career, I never received a grade lower than an A- at a major exam.

Now, just to be clear…

Do I think I’m a super impressive person because of these achievements? No.

Do I think students should be obsessed about grades? No.

Do I think good grades and having a high GPA are the keys to long-term success? No.

But do I think that grades matter to some extent? Yes.

A strong academic record can open doors for you down the road. More importantly, through the process of becoming a straight-A student, you’ll learn values like hard work, discipline and determination.

These values will serve you well, long after you take your last exam.

So go ahead and pursue academic excellence. Just don’t let it become an unhealthy obsession.

Now that we’re clear on that, we’re ready to find out how to become a straight-A student. Read on to discover many study tips and much more!

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Rule #1: Always have a plan.

Getting straight A’s every time requires a good amount of organisation and planning on your part, so that you’re always prepared to do your best.

(a) As the semester progresses, keep track of key dates: tests and exams, project submission deadlines, term breaks, etc.

Enter these dates into a physical or digital calendar.

If you choose to use a physical calendar, I recommend that you get a management diary. This will allow you to see the week’s events at a glance. The inside of the diary should look like this:

If you choose to use a digital calendar, I recommend Google Calendar.

(b) Schedule a fixed time every week where you review your upcoming events over the next two months. Mark down when you’ll start preparing for that Math exam, working on that History project, or writing that English paper.

(c) Next, note your commitments for the coming week, e.g. extracurricular activities, family gatherings, extra classes. On your calendar, highlight the blocks of time you’ll have for schoolwork.

This planning process might sound time-consuming, but it’ll typically take just 15 minutes every week.

It’s a wise way to manage your time as a student, because the rest of your week will become far more productive.

You’ll be studying smart, not just hard! Efficient habits like these can help you become a straight-A student.

Rule #2: Be organised.

Ever had trouble finding your notes or assignments when you needed them? You probably ended up wasting precious time looking for them, before you finally asked to borrow them from your friend.

Many students tell me that they keep all their notes and assignments in one big pile, and only sort them out before their exams!

Being organised – it’s easier said than done, I know.

So here are just two key areas to focus on:

1. Filing

(a) Get an accordion folder that looks like this:

Bring this folder to school every day.

(b) Assign one section in the folder to each of your subjects. In addition, reserve the section at the front of the folder for your incomplete homework across all subjects. Label each section, e.g. Math, Physics, English, Incomplete Homework (All Subjects).

(c) Every day, place your “incoming” notes and assignments in the correct section, as you receive them. There’s no need to create sub-categories for each subject.

(d) Keep one large binder for each subject. The binder would look something like this:

Leave these binders at home.

This is a simple system that takes 15 minutes a week to implement, but it’ll save you many hours in the long run.

2. Homework

(Thanks to Cal Newport for this one. I started using the system described below years ago; it’s roughly based on his system.)

(a) Keep a homework list. Whenever your teacher assigns a new homework set, add it to your list. You can use a notebook for this purpose, or you can use an app on your phone. (I recommend the Google Keep app, but any note-taking app will do.)

Next to each item on your homework list, write the due date in parentheses.

(b) Every day when you get home from school, refer to your homework list. At the same time, open your calendar. Look for blocks of time in your calendar where you’ll be able to complete each item on your homework list. Prioritise the items that have the most urgent deadline.

(c) At the end of each day, look at your calendar to see if there are any assignments (which have already been converted into appointments) that you’d planned to finish, but weren’t able to. Add those appointments to another day that’s well before the due date.

And that’s how the system works.

I know it seems complicated, but it really isn’t. Try it out for a couple of weeks and you’ll get the hang of it.

Make tweaks to this system if necessary. Everyone is unique, so exactly how to become a straight-A student also depends on your particular strengths and weaknesses.

Rule #3: Take care of your physical health.

Most of the students I work with complain that they’re constantly tired and sleep-deprived.

They can’t focus in class. They daydream. They lack energy and enthusiasm. They frequently fall sick.

Is it possible to be a straight-A student when you’re in this kind of physical state?

Yes… but it’s unlikely.

Physical health is the foundation of academic excellence. To be a straight-A student, you don’t need to have the physique of an Olympic-level athlete. But you do need to take excellent care of your body.

Work on these three areas, and you’ll become a better learner:

1. Sleep

Eight hours of sleep a night is ideal; some people need nine.

If you’re sleeping four, five or six hours a night, you won’t be able to suddenly increase it to eight or more. The jump is too big, and you probably feel like you have too much to do during the day as it is.

So I recommend that you gradually bring forward your bedtime. 10 minutes earlier this week, 20 minutes earlier next week, 30 minutes earlier the week after, and so on, until you get to your target bedtime.

To remind yourself to go to bed on time, set an alarm. When the alarm goes off, start your bedtime routine.

But it’s not just about how much you sleep. How well you sleep matters too.

To improve your sleep quality, use a blue light filter for your phone and your computer.

Next, make your bedroom as dark as possible at night. Put up blackout curtains and remove all light sources.

Turn off all electronic devices in your bedroom before you go to sleep. If, for whatever reason, you need to leave your phone on, turn it to airplane mode. This way, you’ll minimize the cell phone radiation you’re exposed to, and you’ll sleep better.

2. Food

It’s the usual advice:

Eat regular meals.
Drink 8 to 10 glasses of water a day.
Don’t overeat more than once a week.
Restrict your intake of processed foods.
Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.
Don’t drink sugary drinks.

Do these things and you’ll feel more alert throughout the day. It’s hard to become a straight-A student if you’re always feeling lethargic!

3. Exercise

You’ve heard it before: Exercise at least three times a week, for at least 30 to 45 minutes each time.

Exercise enhances your memory and thinking skills, as proven by research. So make exercise a priority, and you’ll get better grades.

Rule #4: Don’t cram. Instead, use a periodic review system.

People are usually surprised to hear that I’ve never pulled an all-nighter before. As the research shows, cramming is a bad idea.

The more effective approach?

Periodic review, which is also known as a spaced repetition system.

If you periodically review the new information you learn, you’ll move that information from your short-term to your long-term memory. This way, you won’t forget important facts or equations come exam time.

The end result: Less exam stress and anxiety, and a greater likelihood of getting straight A’s.

After much experimentation, I’ve found that the optimal review intervals for most students are as follows:

1 day after learning the new information
3 days after the first review
7 days after the second review
21 days after the third review
30 days after the fourth review
45 days after the fifth review
60 days after the sixth review

By the end of this cycle, the information is almost permanently stored in your long-term memory.

Note that each review is just a review of the key facts and equations, not a full review of the topic. As such, each review only takes 10 to 15 minutes to complete.

This system will save you dozens of hours by maximising your studying efficiency.

Rule #5: Form a homework group.

Here’s why I recommend this.

You’ll run into difficulties while doing your homework, so it’s good to have friends around whom you can turn to for help.

Even if they can’t solve the problem, you can bounce ideas off them. This process can be a fun way to study and motivate everybody in the group.

But if you do your homework alone, you’ll become discouraged more easily when you can’t solve a problem.

Your homework group should consist of three to four people, including you. More people than that and it’ll be distracting.

When it comes to studying, however, you may or may not be better off doing it in a group.

Some students enjoy studying with friends, because there’s a healthy pressure to stay focused. But other students concentrate better when they study alone.

So run your own experiment and decide what works best for you.

Rule #6: Set up a distraction-free study area.

Here are some practical things you can do to make your study session as fruitful as possible:

Install and activate the Freedom app on your computer.
Turn off your phone, and put it at least 10 feet away from your study area.
Keep a clutter-free study area.
Decide when’s the best time to study for you. (Click that link to read my tips, so that you can find a study schedule that works for you.)
Work in 30- to 45-minute blocks. Time your study sessions to help you stay focused.
Give yourself a small reward every time you complete a study session, e.g. eat a fruit, watch a YouTube video, go for a short walk.

On a related note, don’t multitask. You might think that you’re able to watch TV, write an essay, check your Twitter feed, and solve a Math problem – at the same time.

But research shows that multitasking isn’t productive, and may even damage your brain. So focus on one thing at a time, and you’ll be that much closer to becoming a straight-A student.

Rule #7: Clarify your doubts immediately.

Many students wait until a week before the exam to clarify their doubts. This leads to panic and anxiety, a combination that doesn’t result in optimal exam performance.

The alternative is simple: Ask questions. Lots of them.

Getting straight A’s requires that you have a thorough understanding of the material.

If you don’t understand a concept, ask your teacher to explain it again. If you feel shy about raising your hand during class, then approach your teacher after class.

Yes, if you do this consistently, your classmates might label you a “teacher’s pet” or a “brown noser.” There’s always a price to pay when you pursue excellence. Accept this fact and move on.

On a related note, go to class every single day.

Yes, your teachers might be boring. Yes, they might tell lame jokes. Yes, they might speak in a monotone.

But nonetheless, they’ll highlight the important areas to focus on, which will save you time and effort down the line. Furthermore, you’ll probably find it easier to make sense of your teachers’ explanation, than to figure things out on your own.

That’s why borrowing your classmate’s notes isn’t a substitute for attending class.

I’m proud to say that throughout my 17 years of formal education, I only ever skipped one class. ? (That class was a review session on a topic that I’d already studied several times.)

The bottom line

Right now, you might be feeling overwhelmed.

I can almost read your mind: “These rules all sound good, Daniel. But there are just so many habits I need to change as a student. I don’t think I can do it.”

Rest assured that I’m not asking you to put everything into practice all at once. I’m asking you to start with just one tiny change.

If you want to start exercising regularly, don’t set some huge, ambitious goal. Instead, start with a 10-minute walk, once a week. After a month, increase it to 15 minutes. The following month, increase it to 20 minutes, and so on. Eventually, you’ll be exercising three times a week, for 30 minutes each time.

The same principle applies to all seven rules. Focus on one rule at a time, and stick with it until it becomes a habit.

It took me more than 10 years to learn the rules, so don’t rush the process.

One other thing…

I mentioned it earlier, but I think it’s worth repeating: Straight A’s on their own don’t mean much. The process of becoming a straight-A student is what counts.

Learning how to become a straight-A student will teach you valuable skills for the future as well.

As you implement these seven rules, you’ll become more disciplined, organised, responsible, and self-motivated. These traits are vital for long-term success.

So start building the foundations of school success and more – one day at a time, one habit at a time, and one rule at a time.

(If you haven’t already done so, make sure to download your free quick action guide below.)

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Raising Resilient Children: A Simple Tip That Works Wonders

Updated on January 6, 2026 By Daniel Wong 4 Comments

resilient children

Every parent has been there before.

You worry that your children won’t be resilient enough to survive in the “real world” when they grow up.

Will they be able to handle disappointments? Will they develop a can-do attitude? Will they overcome their fears?

To prepare your children for the future, you encourage them to work hard. You try to teach them valuable life skills.

But when they meet setbacks, they sometimes falter. Maybe it’s a math test they didn’t do well on. Or a friendship that fell apart. Or a teacher who said something harsh.

They didn’t take it well. They might even have become withdrawn and unmotivated.

So you ask yourself…

How can I help my children to become more resilient?

A simple, effective tip for bringing up resilient children

And the tip is:

Share your challenges and struggles with your children, and explain to them what you’re doing to resolve the situation.

This might sound like a strange approach, but it’s effective.

Here’s why.

I’ve worked with 15,000 students so far. 95% of students tell me that their parents rarely talk about the challenges they face or the mistakes they’ve made. When their parents do talk about their challenges, it’s usually just to complain or to vent their frustrations.

As such, these children don’t understand what it means to tackle challenges head-on, or to iron out unpleasant situations in a mature, responsible way.

Children need to see real-life examples of this.

Who better to lead the way than you?

The key mindset that leads to success

So talk to your children about your challenges. These include complications at work, interpersonal conflicts, and any important decisions you’re about to make.

(Of course, if it’s an exceptionally serious issue that your children would be better off not knowing about, then please use your discretion.)

Outline the choices you’re confronted with. Tell your children how you feel: frustrated, confused, annoyed, hopeful.

Explain why you’ve decided to adopt a positive attitude, and describe how you’re proactively resolving the issue. This way, your children will understand that there’s always something you can do, no matter how futile the situation might seem.

Your children will cultivate a mindset of “Challenges are to be embraced,” rather than “Challenges are to be avoided.” They’ll take on more challenges, instead of shying away from them.

I’m sure you want your children to be successful. And if there’s one thing successful people love, it’s challenges!

3 reasons why you might ignore my advice (but why those reasons aren’t valid)

Right now, you’re probably thinking, “Daniel, this sounds good in theory. But I can’t bring myself to do it…”

Stop right there.

There are three main reasons why parents feel this way. I’ll list the reasons one at a time, and explain why they aren’t valid.

Reason #1: You’re afraid to show your children that you’re not perfect

I have bad news for you. Your children already know you’re not perfect.

Up until the age of five or six, your children looked up to you as Supermom or Superdad. But that all changed when they saw you tell a lie, use a curse word, or lose your temper.

As your children get older, you’ll gain their respect by being humble, not by trying to appear “perfect.”

When I was 13, my parents said something to me in anger, which they shouldn’t have. I felt hurt and troubled. But 30 minutes later, they apologized to me and asked for my forgiveness.

This incident happened years ago, but it still stands out to me as an example of how wonderful my parents are. Their humility made me respect them more, and taught me to take responsibility for my words and actions.

Similarly, when you share your challenges with your children, they’ll admire you for your openness and courage.

Reason #2: You’re afraid that if you talk about your mistakes, it will give your children the right to make mistakes

I’ve got more bad news for you. Your children are going to make mistakes, whether or not you tell them about your mistakes.

But you already knew that.

If you share what you’ve learned from your mistakes, however, your children will become wiser. As they watch you recover from mistakes and setbacks, they’ll begin to grasp this truth:

It’s impossible to be perfect, but it is possible to pursue excellence. The key to success is to focus on developing and improving, not just on achieving the ideal outcome.

When your children understand this, they’ll become more resilient.

Reason #3: It isn’t part of your family culture to be vulnerable

In other words, you’d feel awkward about being so open with your children.

But strong relationships are built on trust. And you can’t build trust without openness and honesty.

No matter what your family culture is like today, there’s always room to grow.

I’m not asking you to start by confessing to a catastrophic mistake you made that cost your company $10 million. Instead, you could share about something insensitive you said to a friend, but how you made amends. Or about your colleagues who spread untrue rumors about you, but how you kept your cool.

As the saying goes, “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.” So start small, and take it from there — one day at a time, one conversation at a time.

The bottom line

Raising resilient children is a complex topic, but this article outlines a practical tip you can use right away.

I encourage you to talk to your children about the challenges and problems you’re dealing with, and what you’re doing to overcome them.

Not only will this enable your children to become more resilient, it will also help you to build a stronger relationship with them. It will open up the lines of communication, and set the foundation of a happy, healthy family.

So think about one tiny incident you can share with your children. Decide when and where you’ll bring up the topic. Start by doing this once a month, then once every two weeks, then once a week.

Soon enough, it’ll become a habit.

Don’t be surprised when your children start telling you about how they’re confidently working through their own challenges!

When the day comes that your children are independent, mature and resilient, you’ll beam with pride.

But remember, it all begins with being open about your own struggles.

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8 Truths That Successful Students Understand

Updated on January 6, 2026 By Daniel Wong 15 Comments

Students

Through my work with more than 20,000 students so far, I’ve begun to see what separates successful students from not-so-successful ones.

And I’m not just talking about academic performance. I’m talking about their overall development, and their willingness to learn and grow, even through disappointments.

The key doesn’t lie in successful students’ innate intelligence or how many study tips they know.

Instead, the foundation of their success lies in their beliefs — the truths they take to heart.

These are the eight most important truths that successful students both understand and embrace:

1. Life is challenging

Many students expect life to be relatively easy. They know that hard work is important, but they don’t believe they’ll need to work that hard to get what they want.

For example, I once gave a talk to an auditorium filled with 18-year-old students. At the end of the talk, a student came up to me and said, “Thank you for the talk, Daniel! I’m feeling inspired. I’d like to ask you: What can I do to ensure that I find a fulfilling career in the future?”

After telling him that I appreciated his enthusiasm, I recommended that he start by reading two books, Do What You Are and What Color is Your Parachute?.

In an instant, a puzzled look washed over his face. He said dejectedly, “Oh, but I don’t like reading. I won’t be able to make it through two books…”

This student wanted to find a fulfilling career that would last him a few decades, but he wasn’t willing to read two books. Somehow, he believed that building a rewarding career shouldn’t take too much effort.

Unfortunately, this mindset is prevalent among students.

Successful students, on the other hand, understand that life is tough, but that overcoming challenges makes life more meaningful.

2. You can’t always choose your circumstances, but you can always choose your attitude

We all like to think that we’re in control of our lives. But there are so many aspects of our lives that are beyond our control. Of course, this doesn’t mean we shouldn’t plan ahead and make wise decisions.

Successful students realize that they can’t control what mood their teacher is in, or what the weather will be like, or how hard next week’s math test will be.

But they recognize that they can always choose their attitude, and how they respond to the circumstances they’re confronted with.

3. Your education is your responsibility, not your parents’

It seems like many parents today take more of an interest in their children’s academics than their children do.

I’ve met parents who sit right next to their children to ensure that their children complete their homework. These same parents develop a complete studying schedule for their children to follow, because their children have become over-reliant on them.

Just last week, I got to know a family where the father is planning to quit his job so he can monitor his 15-year-old son’s schoolwork more closely.

I don’t doubt that these parents have good intentions. But whose education is it? Is it the parents’ or the children’s?

Successful students understand that their education is their responsibility.

Parents can help by not micromanaging their children. Instead, parents can set medium-term goals together with their children. Every two months or so, parents can give the school teacher a brief call to see how their children are progressing. If the children aren’t living up to their end of the bargain, then the parents can mete out appropriate consequences.

4. Life doesn’t revolve around you

Many students ask themselves, “What can my parents/family do for me?” instead of asking, “What can I do for my parents/family?”

In order for students to find long-term success, they must realize that they’re not the center of the universe.

It’s their social responsibility to show consideration for other people’s feelings and needs, especially those of their family members.

Only then can students begin to cultivate an attitude of service, where they focus on adding value to other people, instead of obsessing over their own desires.

5. Blaming others gets you nowhere

It’s easy for students (and adults too) to blame others. Do any of the following sound familiar?

“The teacher is too boring. That’s why I didn’t do well on the test.”
“My parents are too naggy. That’s why I’m always moody.”
“The lesson wasn’t engaging. That’s why I couldn’t pay attention.”

These complaints may be valid. But taking full responsibility for your education and your life means that you don’t blame other people for how you’ve been feeling, or the disappointments you’ve been experiencing.

Instead, successful students continually ask themselves this vital question: “What is one thing I can do right now to make the situation better?”

This enables them to focus on what they can control, instead of what they can’t.

6. Managing yourself is more important than managing your time

Students today face more distractions than ever before.

Texting. YouTube. Facebook. Twitter. Instagram. Blogs. Online games. And the rest of the Internet.

Students must learn to manage their time and their priorities, but they must first learn to manage themselves.

They must acquire the skills of eliminating distractions, fighting off temptations, and finding intrinsic motivation.

If they don’t, they won’t feel motivated to study, and they’ll succumb to the onslaught of entertainment options available to them 24/7.

7. You’re entitled to few things in life, if at all

80% of the students I work with have a strong sense of entitlement. They feel entitled to:

Use their home computer any time they wish
Own a smartphone
Have a messy room, if they so choose
Lead a comfortable life

They don’t grasp the fact that these aren’t entitlements; they’re privileges. And privileges aren’t given. They’re earned.

Successful students work hard to earn these privileges, knowing that they could lose these privileges if they’re not careful.

8. No one’s perfect, but there’s always room to improve

I’ve worked with a number of students who have unrealistic expectations of themselves, and who place an overwhelming pressure on themselves to perform.

These perfectionist tendencies (most common among those who are the first-born or who are an only child) can lead to serious psychological issues down the road, such as depression and suicidal thoughts.

So if you’re a parent reading this, don’t take it lightly if your child is a perfectionist.

But successful students realize that there’s no such thing as perfection.

They turn their attention away from achievements and the end result. Instead, they focus on improving and developing. They concentrate on the factors that are within their control: their effort and attitude.

Ironically, these students perform better by choosing not to focus on their performance.

The bottom line

If you want your children to become happy and successful, they must accept these eight truths. As parents, our role is to influence and inspire our children to understand these truths, and then live them out.

Is it an easy task? Definitely not.

But I’m convinced that it’s worth the effort. 🙂

How To Be Excellent Without Being Exhausted

Updated on January 6, 2026 By Daniel Wong 29 Comments

Rock climbing - Photo courtesy of Harsh1.0

It’s a struggle, isn’t it?

You want to give your best in your work, but you also want to invest in your relationships, hobbies, and personal growth. You want to pursue excellence in all areas of your life.

But it seems impossible to find the right balance.

Maybe you often need to work late to get the job done, which means that you’re forced to cancel dinner appointments with friends. Or you try to do it all and have it all but end up sacrificing sleep, which makes you feel constantly worn out.

It’s a daily dilemma that frustrates you. It eats away at your soul, just a little.

It makes you wonder if you’re living well, if you’re devoting your time and energy to the things that count.

Is this the way life was meant to be? If you pursue excellence, does that necessarily mean you’ll also be exhausted?

When my best wasn’t good enough

I’ve been wrestling with these thoughts over the past few years. As a husband and father who was working a full-time job (which I just left), running a business, trying to exercise regularly and eat healthily, and striving to fulfill my other responsibilities with both enthusiasm and commitment…

I was tired.

Physically tired, but emotionally too. I was giving my best, but I felt like my best wasn’t nearly good enough.

I was barely staying afloat on all fronts. I was surviving, not thriving.

Don’t get me wrong. Life was never supposed to be a walk in the park, because it’s in overcoming frustrations and challenges that life becomes meaningful.

As Howard Hendricks once remarked:

A man who complains that the coffee is too cold or the beer too warm is a man who thinks he is on a cruise ship.

Life isn’t a cruise to the Bahamas. I’ve learned that it’s hard, and sometimes painful, to even attempt to make a difference and create an impact.

Tiredness and stress are facts of life, but when they become a way of life, it’s time to reexamine the way we make decisions.

It’s a bad idea to give your best in everything you do

When you were growing up, your parents might have said things to you like:

“How you do anything is how you do everything.”
“Anything worth doing is worth doing well.”
“You become what you do.”
“It’s more important to do your best than to be the best.”

These are all good sayings. I agree that we should establish excellence as both a habit and a prevailing attitude, but I’ve realized that it’s impossible to be excellent at everything.

I’ve tried, and it left me confused and discouraged.

In the past, I was obsessed about excellence. I even wanted to be an excellent text messager. I never used any short forms or abbreviations in my texts, and I would proofread every text twice before sending it.

I know that sounds like compulsive behavior, but I just wanted to be excellent at everything I did! (Nowadays, I use plenty of abbreviations and I don’t proofread my texts unless there’s potential for confusion. 🙂 )

I adopted this approach toward my assignments, projects, emails, physical health, relationships and business. And it worked, until the number of my responsibilities—none of which I could defer or delegate—increased to the point where I had no choice but to consider an alternative.

I no longer believe in the give-your-best-in-every-single-thing-you-do type of excellence, because this can lead to an unsustainable preoccupation with perfection.

I’ve been there, done that.

If you’re in a situation where you have three big assignments due the following day, 100 unread emails in your inbox, a family member who’s ill whom you need to take care of, and you feel like you’re falling sick yourself, you know what I mean.

Two steps to help you spend your time wisely

That’s why I advocate selective excellence.

You can’t just decide to be excellent; you need to decide specifically what you want to be excellent at.

Here’s a simple two-step system I recommend that will enable you to focus your efforts and energy on the tasks worth doing excellently:

1. Write down every task you typically spend more than 15 minutes on each day.

This could include things like replying to emails, attending class or meetings, filing documents, doing household chores, and preparing meals.

Can you eliminate or delegate any of these tasks? If yes, then do it. The remaining items on the list should all be important tasks that you can’t not do.

2. For tasks that you can’t eliminate or delegate, categorize them into A, B or C tasks.

This categorization is based on the likely impact of the task. Ask yourself: In one year’s time, will it matter how much effort I devote to this task today?

If the answer is “yes,” then it’s an A task.

If the answer is “probably,” then it’s a B task.

And if the answer is “probably not,” then it’s a C task.

Of course, there are bound to be gray areas. I recommend that, by default, you place the task in question in the lower category, e.g. if you’re not sure if it’s an A or B task, label it as a B task. The fact that you’re in a dilemma about whether it’s an A or B task shows that it’s probably not that critical.

A tasks require your undivided attention. Work on these tasks first every day, and don’t multitask while you’re at it. Prioritize A tasks by blocking out specific parts of your calendar to complete them. In the long term, A tasks are the ones that will define your education, career, relationships and life, so do them excellently.

B tasks are important but not critical. These tasks can’t be neglected, but they don’t call for an “excellent” effort, because “good enough” will do without compromising on the end result. Work on B tasks only when you’re done with the A tasks for the day.

C tasks are routine tasks that aren’t of lasting consequence. Complete these tasks as quickly as you can while maintaining a reasonable level of accuracy and meticulousness. Schedule C tasks for times when your energy levels are lower.

To give you an idea of what tasks might fall into each of the three categories, here are some of my A, B and C tasks:

A tasks – Writing a new blog post, preparing for a talk, planning for the coming year, spending time with family
B tasks – Replying to (most) emails, scheduling meetings
C tasks – Household chores (I promise I don’t do a shoddy job of these just because they’re C tasks!), filing documents, keeping track of expenses, placing emails in the right folders

The ABC framework will help you to pursue excellence in a focused, and even ruthless, way.

Excellence without exhaustion is achievable

Over to you: Are you spending too much time on non-A tasks? And are there any areas where you need to readjust your priorities?

For most people, absolute excellence—where you try to do your best in everything—leads to exhaustion.

Selective excellence is the only alternative that works. It isn’t a copout or a compromise. It’s a conscious choice to determine what matters most, and to invest wholeheartedly in those things.

So let’s not just be excellent. Let’s be extremely excellent at the things that are extremely important. 🙂

Image: Rock climbing

The Simple 3-Letter Word That Successful People Use Every Day

Updated on January 6, 2026 By Daniel Wong

Can the secret to success be summed up in a three-letter word?

Well, mostly.

And the word is… “yet.”

It requires some explanation as to why “yet” is such an important word, so please be patient with me.

Earlier this year, I had the honor of speaking at the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) Conference in Dallas, Texas. I was even more honored because my co-presenter was Dr. Carol Dweck, world-renowned researcher and the Lewis and Virginia Eaton Professor of Psychology at Stanford University.

Me and Dr. Carol Dweck

Dr. Dweck’s research has centered around the themes of human motivation and development. She’s come up with a theory of the fixed vs. growth mindset, which has been proven by numerous studies.

Why effort matters more than ability

Essentially, Dr Dweck’s theory predicts who will be successful over the long term and who won’t. I know, that’s a pretty big claim to make, but she has three decades of research to back her up.

Here’s a summary of the theory:

People with a fixed mindset generally believe that their skills and abilities are fixed and won’t improve much, even with practice.
Fixed mindsetters focus on the end result more than the process of development.
Fixed mindsetters often focus on factors that are beyond their control, e.g. bad luck, unfortunate circumstances, unkind bosses, bad parents.
In contrast, growth mindsetters generally believe that no matter what their skill or ability level now, they can improve with effort.
Growth mindsetters focus on the process and the journey, instead of merely being concerned about the outcome.
Growth mindsetters focus on factors that are within their control, e.g. effort, attitude, choices.

How can a 3-letter word make such a huge difference?

Dr. Dweck has observed that one of the things that’s characteristic of growth mindsetters is that they frequently use the word “yet.”

Fixed mindsetters think or say things like:

“I’m not good at making new friends.”
“I’m not disciplined.”
“I’m not an analytical thinker.”
“I don’t have many leadership qualities.”
“I can’t cook.”

On the other hand, growth mindsetters simply tag on the word “yet” at the end of those sentences:

“I’m not good at making new friends yet.”
“I’m not disciplined yet.”
“I’m not an analytical thinker yet.”
“I don’t have many leadership qualities yet.”
“I can’t cook yet.”

It’s a simple word that represents a fundamental shift in mindset. (You can read more examples in this article I’ve written about developing a growth mindset in students.)

Using the word “yet” reminds us that we’re not perfect, that we’re a work-in-progress. Of course, we’ll need to choose which areas we want to focus on and excel at, but we shouldn’t write ourselves off as being bad at something before we’ve even given it a shot.

I’ve worked with students who have concluded that they’re bad at math, bad at science, bad at relationships, bad at life. Worse still, they’ve decided that things will never change, so they subconsciously behave in ways to prove themselves right.

Case study: my fear of public speaking

I can identify, because as a teenager I was like that too. One thing I was especially afraid of was public speaking.

Given that I’ve spoken to thousands of people in various countries, I always get the “yeah, right” look—I mean, the death stare of disbelief—when I mention that I used to have this fear. But it’s true, I promise!

In school, I used to shy away from any opportunity to speak in public: talks, asking questions in class, or sharing my views. To me, being forced to give a class presentation was the worst thing that could happen in life.

Just the thought of speaking in public immobilized me. My stomach would tighten up, my mind would freeze, and my emotions would go out of whack.

This continued until I was 21 years old. One day, I decided that I just couldn’t let this irrational fear get the better of me any longer. I wasn’t familiar with Dr Dweck’s work at the time, but it was then that I changed my thinking from “I’m not confident at public speaking” to “I’m not confident at public speaking yet.”

I promised myself that I would say yes the next time someone asked me to give a talk or presentation. It didn’t matter how big or small the audience would be, and it didn’t matter how long I was supposed to speak for.

I was going to do it. No hesitating, and no excuses. I was going to become a confident public speaker.

After saying yes again and again to speaking opportunities, I eventually realized that I enjoy public speaking, and I’ve never looked back since.

Becoming a “yet” man/woman

That’s my little story of how the word “yet” has empowered me.

I’m still in the process of applying this “yet” mindset. I want to become a world-class husband and father; I want to grow as a leader and strategic thinker; I want to develop traits like courage and fortitude. I’ll be the first to admit that I have plenty of work to do in these areas!

What about you? Are there skills or competencies that you’ve already decided you’ll never be able to acquire, regardless of how hard you try?

And are you willing to make it a daily habit to become a “yet” man/woman?

Life is a journey of learning, loving, growing and contributing. We’re not there. Yet.

10 Ways To Make The Most Of Criticism

Updated on January 6, 2026 By Daniel Wong

online comment

These are just a few of the many nasty comments I’ve received from Yahoo! readers.

When I started blogging for Yahoo! last year, I didn’t have any idea that I would generate this much hatred!

(To be fair, I’ve also received lots of encouraging comments.)

Writing for Yahoo! has been a humbling experience, because I’ve never been the target of such intense criticism and negativity before.

At first, I felt upset about receiving this kind of feedback.

After all, I spend hours writing each article, and I sincerely want to add value to my readers. Moreover, I do all of this writing without getting paid a single cent.

Are you pushing your own buttons?

But I’ve come to realize that every time we feel offended or upset, it’s an indication that we have our own personal issues we need to address.

We lose our cool when our “buttons” are pushed, but we have to take full responsibility for these buttons in the first place.

Do we have insecurities we need to overcome? Are there things in our past that we have yet to deal with? What areas do we need to grow in?

Reflecting on my experience as a Yahoo! blogger, I’ve come up with 10 ways to deal with criticism.

Here they are:

1. Don’t take the criticism personally.

Understand that you’re not being attacked personally.

The critic just has an issue with your ideas or behaviour. It’s only when you refuse to take the criticism personally that you’ll be able to benefit from it.

2. Look for the truth in the criticism.

Take a step back from the situation and ask yourself which aspects of the criticism are valid. This will allow you to decide on the action steps you can take to develop yourself.

3. Wait before responding to the criticism.

It’s natural to feel angry when someone criticizes you. Take at least 15 minutes to cool off before you respond to the criticism.

If you respond immediately, it’s more likely that you’ll say something you’ll regret.

4. Learn that you don’t always have to be right.

Getting criticized reminds you that not everyone agrees with you. When you let go of your need to be right all the time, your mind will be opened to new perspectives and ideas.

5. Remember that it’s okay to have flaws.

No one is perfect, and that’s alright. Receiving criticism reminds you of this.

6. Work on your unresolved issues.

If you feel offended by the criticism, it’s a sign that you have other issues to work on.

Are you a people-pleaser? Do you have deep-seated fears? Do you have an anger management problem?

This is a great opportunity for you to pinpoint any unresolved issues you might have and get to work on addressing them.

7. Remind yourself that it’s only people who dare to try who will ever be criticized.

The way to prevent yourself from ever getting criticized is simple: Do nothing. Attempt nothing. Say nothing.

If you want to make a lasting difference in this world and to the people around you, you’re going be criticized, sooner or later.

This means that if you continually receive criticism, you’re on the right track!

8. Learn to forgive.

If you’ve been hurt by the criticism, learn to let go and to forgive the critic.

This way, you won’t carry around an unnecessary burden, and you’ll be able to make the most of the feedback.

9. Remind yourself that haters are going to hate.

No matter how solid your plan is, how innovative your idea is, how eloquent your speech is, how well-written your article is—there will be someone who has something negative to say.

Ignore the people who hate just for the sake of hating. There are plenty of such people out there.

10. Develop your personal definition of success.

Years ago, I wrote down my personal definition of success:

“Success to me is loving life and loving lives, constantly giving and constantly growing.”

Every time I feel discouraged, I refer to this and remind myself that as long as I’m living according to this definition, then I’m a success, regardless of what the critics say.

I encourage you to write down your own definition today and review it every time you receive negative feedback. This will allow you to see the criticism in a new light.

In closing…

I love this saying by Emil Rhodes: “No one ever built a statue to a critic.”

Instead, people build statues to those who dream big and dare to fail, those who dare to be criticized.

If we’re serious about developing ourselves and leading a meaningful life, we’re going to get criticized.

So let’s turn the criticism we receive from a stumbling block into a stepping stone to greater things!

Want a More Exciting Life? The One Mindset Change You Need to Make

Updated on January 6, 2026 By Daniel Wong

skydiving

Ever wonder how some people manage to always be so full of enthusiasm and excitement?

They’re continually working on new projects and coming up with innovative ideas.

Whatever they do, they do it with passion. It seems like they’re on a perpetual mission to change the world.

Maybe you feel like you’re on the other end of the spectrum.

Shouldn’t life be more exciting?

Most of the time, life is a struggle. There are so many mundane things you have to do, so many obligations you have to fulfill.

You’re overwhelmed by all the stress and problems you face.

It’s not that you don’t have your happy moments.

When you’re hanging out with your friends or watching your favorite TV show or listening to music… life seems a little bit better.

But those moments feel like a temporary escape from the rest of your uninteresting life.

You really wish your life were more thrilling, more filled with a sense of adventure. But you just don’t know how to get out of the rut you’re in.

How to make stepping stones out of stumbling blocks

People who lead inspired lives and people who lead thoroughly uninspired ones—the cards they’re dealt in life are usually fairly alike.

It’s what they do with those cards they’re dealt that makes the difference.

Clichéd, I know. But it’s true.

As author Jack Penn once said, “One of the secrets of life is to make stepping stones out of stumbling blocks.”

It all starts with your mindset.

There are basically two approaches you can have. You can either choose to:

Protect life, or
Pursue it

Mindset #1: Protecting life

When you try to protect life, you operate from a place of fear.

Fear is a natural response to life in general. After all, there are an infinite number of bad things that could happen to you!

Many companies prey on our desire for protection.

Protection from death.

Protection from disease.

Protection from discomfort.

That’s why companies that sell insurance, make seat belts, produce vaccines and mosquito nets, and manufacture air conditioning units are profitable.

I’m not saying that these products are bad. I, for one, can’t think of anything better than enjoying some air conditioning on a sweltering day.

But if your prevailing thought is about how you ought to protect your life, then you’re never going to have a meaningful and exciting one.

Mindset #2: Pursuing life

People who lead a life of purpose have come to the realization that death is an inescapable reality.

They have fully come to terms with their mortality.

This explains why they’re constantly on a mission.

They’re not just here on earth to find something to do. They’re here on earth to do something.

When you pursue life, you don’t sit around and wait for things to happen. Instead, you make things happen.

You have a strong bias for action, even when you’re not 100% sure what the best thing to do is.

You recognize that a little action trumps a lot of thinking, every time.

Even when it comes to areas of your life such as relationships, you take the initiative to cultivate strong ones.

You don’t just go with the flow and hope that you’ll end up with good relationships.

3 simple ways to find happiness

It’s interesting to note that in happiness surveys conducted all around the world, the three basic factors that contribute most to happiness are the same:

Good relationships
Good health
Satisfying work

When you boil it down to these three elements, it doesn’t seem like happiness should be that hard to find, right?

Being happy shouldn’t be our only goal, but you’ll probably agree with me that it is an important one.

When you choose to pursue life, instead of protect it, there’s no doubt that you’ll make plenty of progress in terms of your relationships, health and work.

Building strong relationships, being physically healthy, and choosing to do meaningful work—these are areas we have a lot of control over.

It just requires that we take full responsibility for our lives and intentionally make choices that are in line with what we want in the long term.

In closing…

The desire to protect life is what’s natural to us.

But what’s necessary, if we want to leave behind a marvelous legacy, is to pursue life.

It’s clear that winners focus on winning.

But losers don’t focus on losing, obviously. Rather, they focus on getting by, on merely surviving.

Losers protect life. Winners pursue it.

Experiencing a life of adventure—and finding long-lasting happiness, too—isn’t a matter of chance. It’s a matter of choice.

Let’s choose wisely.