If you often listen to the philosophy of "Success is My Right", that success is the property of anyone, perhaps the story of the president of South Korea elected this can be a real example. Lee Myung-bak who just won the elections in Korea turned out to have a very painful past. However, with his beliefs and struggles, he proves, that anyone is entitled to success. And even, being the number one man in a developed country like South Korea.
Just imagine the fact that Lee experienced this childhood. If breakfast, he only ate wheat dregs. Lunch, because he had no money, he blocked his stomach by drinking water. At dinner, he again had to eat the wheat dregs. And for that dregs, he did not buy it. His family get the dregs from the distillation of liquor. Proverbial, Lee's childhood he must eat garbage.
Born in Osaka, Japan, in 1941, when his parents became farm laborers in Japan, he then grew up in a small town, Pohang, Korea. Then, as a teenager, Lee became a cheaper food and ice cream conveyor to help the family. "I do not think I can bring lunch for school," Lee said in his autobiography, "There is No Myth," which was first published in 1995.
However, despite being very poor, Lee had a strong determination to pursue higher education. Therefore, he studied hard to get a scholarship to continue high school. Then, in late 1959, his family moved to the capital, Seoul, to seek a better livelihood. However, the fate of his parents still slumped, becoming a vegetable seller on the streets. At that time, Lee began to get away from parents, and worked as a construction worker. "My dream at that time was to be an employee," her story in her autobiography.
Released high school, because his achievements are good, Lee successfully accepted at the famous college, Korea University. For the cost, he works as a street sweeper. At this lecture, it can be said as the beginning of the turning point of his life. He began to get acquainted with politics. Lee was elected to the student council, and was involved in anti-government demonstrations. Because of this act he was subject to prison sentence in 1964.
This sentence verdict almost makes it unacceptable as an employee of Hyundai Group. Because, the Hyundai worried, the government will be angry if Lee accepted at the company. However, because of his determination, Lee then turn the brain. He then made a letter to the presidential office. The contents of the letter are very pitiful, which essentially hopes the government should not destroy its future. The contents of the letter touched the president's secretary, so he ordered Hyundai to accept Lee as an employee.
In this company, he is able to show his talent. He even then earned the nickname "bulldozer", because it is always considered to be able to clean up all the problems, as difficult as anything. One of his phenomonal works is to strip out a bulldozer, to learn how the machine works. In the future, Hyundai did produce bulldozer.
Lee's ability to amaze the founder of Hyundai, Chung Ju-yung. Thanks to the recommendations of his leadership, Lee's achievements continue to sped. He can immediately occupy the highest position in the construction division, although only worked for 10 years. And, in this division, in the period 1970-1980 Hyundai money machine because South Korea is experiencing an economic boom so physical development is very rife.
After 30 years in Hyundai, Lee began to enter politics by becoming a board member in 1992. Then, in 2002, he was elected Mayor of Seoul. And now, in 2007, Lee, whose childhood is very poor, has become the number one person in South Korea. A proof, that with the struggle and confidence, everyone is entitled to success.
Lee's success in life, from extreme poverty to being number one in South Korea, is a real example of how anyone can change his destiny. If the very poor can succeed, what about us? Start with confidence, struggle, and hard work, then the path of success will be open to anyone.