àIn his «Theory of Functional Syntax: from Semantic Structures to Linguistic Expressions» Arto Mustajoki, a Finnish linguist, distinguishes between actions. He separates
v movements (to bring, to go …),
v physical actions (to push, to kill …),
v intellectual actions (to think,
to reflect…),
v speech actions (to talk, to speak …),
v actions which cause non)possession (to give, to present …),
v social actions (to punish,
to lobby …),
v physiological actions (to eat,
to sleep…),
v characterizing/ identifying actions (like in «He sings in a choir»).
All these types of action are to be taken into consideration when you generate an algorithm of success.
The young people above are in the list of the world’s top 25 young entrepreneurs. Regardless of their age they have achieved a lot and can share their success stories. Below you can find extracts from the interviews with these guys. Of course, they can’t give you one guaranteed algorithm of becoming reach and famous. It will be your overall task to create an algorithm of success and present it as a linear of actions (physical, intellectual, social etc.)à
1.† Split into small groups of four and make each person in your group responsible for one of the extracts.
1. Adora Svitak
Q: What challenges have you faced specifically because of your age? How has your age helped you to succeed?
A: People sometimes close doors and make judgments based on your age, how short you are, or the way you speak. That’s one of the things that I hope to change.
When people look at me, they think, “Oh, a little kid who’s just walking along and talking to her mom.” There are low expectations. But my parents obviously look at my sister and me as individuals who can do great things. Other people just look at me as a kid.
At the same time, being 12 and having published a book makes people think, “Wow, that’s pretty impressive.” It’s not something that I really capitalize on too much because I’m obviously going to grow up. So I hope to make what I do special, as opposed to it only being special because I’m 12.
My age has also helped me in that I’m able to relate to kids at a level that an adult speaker might not be able to do. As a teacher, I’m able to say, “This is what my generation thinks.” Having that voice and being able to speak for my peers is definitely an advantage of being 12.
Photo and interview extract are taken from http://juniorbiz.com:80/adora-svitak-interview
Read your extract and make its Cognitive map. Complete your Vocabulary of success with the expressions from your extract.
4.Adam Horwitz
Q What challenges have you faced specifically because of your age? How has your age helped you to succeed?
A: People didn’t believe me at first. Even my friends were so stereotyped into thinking that you can’t do anything when you’re young – that you have to wait until you’re older and have a degree to actually become successful. So, whenever I would tell people, “I’m doing this,” they wouldn’t take it seriously. Now that I have my Audi A5, everyone’s jumping on the bandwagon.
Age also has its benefits. For instance, I use my age as a marketing advantage. I can target younger people. I’m 18 years old. I say, “If I’m 18 years old, you could be doing the same thing no matter how old you are.”
When you’re young, what do you have to lose? You’re still living at home. You don’t have 50 bills you have to cover. All you’ve got to do is cover your late night dinners and your pizzas and all that. If everything completely fails, you’re still at school. You’re still going to get your degree. So, it doesn’t matter as long as you have fun doing it, work your way up, and stay dedicated. There’s no real loss. Enjoy the way up.
I’m living at home still. I don’t have to pay for rent or anything, so I can just put it in the bank. That’s really a big benefit: building up equity. Stay at home as long as you possibly can, even if you’re making a lot of money. Don’t stay until you’re 30, though [laughs]. And if you’re 60, you’ve got to be out.
Photo is taken from http://www.mobilemonopoly.com/?hop=wntart5
Interview extract are taken from http://juniorbiz.com/interview-adam-horwitz
2. Farrhad Acidwalla
Q: What is the single most important reason for your success?
A:I’ve never sat on an idea. If I get something, I act on it. Business is all about taking the leap. Once you take the leap, then you can think about what’s going to happen next. The larger the vision, the larger the need to pave your path with skill and confidence. But, a journey of a thousand miles starts with one step. That first step is the most important thing.
There are many in the field and each have their own way and strategies. But one thing that I learned from my mom is to never try to copy anyone. Think of your own thing and move forward with that. Construct your own success with total confidence. I put my vision to test, I love to conceptualize and illustrate and the teams effort in creating awesomeness means a lot.
Never look left or right. Look straight at the path you have paved. Follow your vision and have your ethics in place. Yes I get inspired by those who had the vision and the guts to give it a shape. I love to read success stories as they teach you that failing is a part of the process and one must not deter.
Photo and interview extract are taken from
http://juniorbiz.com/farrhad-acidwalla-interview
3. Alex Fraiser
Q: What drove you above and beyond, towards entrepreneurship?
A: My dad is what really inspired me to start [Blogussion.com] up. He lives in Florida and owns two seafood restaurants. Obviously, blogging and owning a restaurant are two very different things, but the fact that he’s his own boss really inspired me to go out and do it myself.
When you think of a teenager nowadays, you think of some lazy kid who has no direction in life. I don’t want to be like that. I like to look deeper into things and I can’t stand just sitting around. I like the idea of working hard now, so you can earn big later. I’ve worked in my dad’s restaurants before, so I know what that’s like. Manual labor sucks, dude.
Photo and interview extract are taken from
http://juniorbiz.com/interview-alex-fraiser
2._ Using your Cognitive map report about the ideas expressed by the interviewee to other group members. Share your Vocabulary items.
3._ Considering each other's ideas elaborate a common algorithm (= a sequence of actions) for reaching success.
3. Alex Fraiser
Q: What drove you above and beyond, towards entrepreneurship?
A: My dad is what really inspired me to start [Blogussion.com] up. He lives in Florida and owns two seafood restaurants. Obviously, blogging and owning a restaurant are two very different things, but the fact that he’s his own boss really inspired me to go out and do it myself.
When you think of a teenager nowadays, you think of some lazy kid who has no direction in life. I don’t want to be like that. I like to look deeper into things and I can’t stand just sitting around. I like the idea of working hard now, so you can earn big later. I’ve worked in my dad’s restaurants before, so I know what that’s like. Manual labor sucks, dude.
Photo and interview extract are taken from
http://juniorbiz.com/interview-alex-fraiser