Tag: hardship

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10 Lessons I Learnt Living Away From My Family at 15

At 15 years old, I left Vietnam and came to Australia to study.

I still remember the mix of excitement and fear. On one hand, I was grateful for the opportunity to build a better future. On the other, I was leaving behind everything I had ever known, my family, my friends, my language, and my culture.

When you’re 15, most people are worrying about school exams, sports, or what they’re doing on the weekend. I was learning how to navigate a completely new country with limited English and without my family by my side.

Looking back now, I realise that the experience shaped who I am today. It taught me lessons about resilience, independence, and gratitude that no textbook could ever teach.

Here are ten of the most valuable lessons I learnt.

1. You Are Stronger Than You Think

When life becomes difficult, you often discover strengths you never knew you had.

There were many moments when I felt lost, homesick, and overwhelmed. Yet somehow, I kept moving forward. Each challenge I overcame built confidence and resilience.

We are often far more capable than we give ourselves credit for.

2. Growth Happens Outside Your Comfort Zone

Moving to Australia forced me out of my comfort zone every single day.

Everything was unfamiliar. The language sounded different. The culture was different. Even simple daily tasks required courage.

At the time it felt uncomfortable, but looking back, that discomfort became the catalyst for growth.

3. Family Is a Gift

You don’t truly understand the value of family until they are no longer around every day.

Living away from my parents taught me to appreciate their sacrifices. It made me realise how much love and support they had provided throughout my childhood.

Distance created a deeper sense of gratitude.

4. Loneliness Can Teach You Valuable Things

There were times when I felt incredibly alone.

Instead of constantly trying to escape those feelings, I gradually learnt how to sit with them. Loneliness taught me self-reliance, reflection, and emotional resilience.

It also taught me the importance of building meaningful relationships.

5. Communication Is More Than Perfect English

When I arrived in Australia, my English was limited.

There were many times when I couldn’t express myself the way I wanted. It was frustrating and sometimes embarrassing.

Over time, I realised that communication isn’t just about grammar or vocabulary. Confidence, persistence, body language, and a willingness to make mistakes are equally important.

Every conversation became a lesson.

6. Nobody Is Coming to Rescue You

One of the most important lessons I learnt was personal responsibility.

If I wanted better grades, I had to study.

If I wanted opportunities, I had to seek them out.

If I made mistakes, I had to learn from them.

That mindset became one of the foundations of my success later in life.

7. Hard Work Beats Talent

I wasn’t the smartest student in the room. I wasn’t the most confident speaker. I wasn’t naturally gifted at everything I tried.

But I learnt that consistent effort often matters more than natural ability.

Hard work opened doors that might otherwise have remained closed.

8. Failure Is Part of Success

There were plenty of setbacks along the way. I made mistakes. I misunderstood people. I struggled with language and confidence.

At the time, those moments felt like failures. Looking back, they were simply stepping stones.

Every setback taught me something valuable.

9. Your Story Is Your Strength

For a long time, I simply wanted to fit in.

As I’ve grown older, I’ve realised that my journey is not something to hide. Being Vietnamese, migrating to Australia, learning a new language, and overcoming challenges have all shaped who I am.

The experiences that once made me feel different are now some of my greatest strengths.

10. Keep Saying Yes to New Experiences

Moving to Australia at 15 taught me that growth often begins with a single brave decision.

Since then, I’ve continued saying yes to new experiences, whether that’s becoming a speech pathologist, starting a business, teaching yoga, performing on stage, competing at Toastmasters, or stepping into an improv class.

Life becomes richer when we’re willing to embrace the unknown.

Final Thoughts

Today, as a speech pathologist, business owner, coach, actor, and lifelong learner, I often think about that 15-year-old boy who left Vietnam and boarded a plane to Australia.

He had no idea what the future would hold. What he did have was courage.

Looking back, I realise that courage isn’t the absence of fear. Courage is taking the next step despite fear.

If you’re facing uncertainty in your own life, remember this: you don’t need to have everything figured out. You simply need to keep moving forward.

The challenges you face today may one day become the very stories that inspire others.

Keep growing, keep learning, and keep moving forward.


Binh

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Why I Love Being a Polymath

People sometimes ask me, “How do you do so many things?”

My honest answer: I don’t know how NOT to.

I’ve never been someone who fits neatly into one box. I’m a speech pathologist, a writer, a life coach, an actor, a yoga teacher, an ESL educator, a business owner, and yes, someone who hangs upside down on a pole for fun.

And somehow… it all makes perfect sense to me.

Being a polymath feels like living in colour. Every skill I learn feeds another part of my life. Every curiosity becomes a doorway. Every new passion adds a layer to who I am and how I show up in the world.

Speech Pathology taught me to communicate with purpose

Working with kids and families has given me the deepest understanding of communication, not just the mechanics, but the heart behind it. Helping someone speak, read, learn, or connect unlocks something inside me too.

Life coaching taught me to listen, REALLY listen

Coaching helped me tune in to people’s dreams, fears, habits, and patterns. It made me a better therapist, a better friend, and honestly, a better human. It’s one of the skills that anchors everything else I do.

Acting taught me to feel everything fully

Acting is where I get to be bold, expressive, vulnerable, and creative in ways everyday life doesn’t always allow. It’s helped me understand characters, emotions, humanity – which loops right back into my coaching and therapy work.

Writing taught me to make sense of the world

Words are how I process life. From “The Speakable Child” to the new projects I’m creating, writing lets me turn ideas into stories, and stories into something useful for someone else.

Yoga taught me to breathe and soften

Yoga balances the fire. It reminds me to slow down, feel my body, and come back to myself, something all polymaths need because our brains can be like hummingbirds.

Pole art taught me strength, discipline, and play

Pole is where I surprise myself the most. The strength, the flow, the artistry; it’s a celebration of being human. It’s creative and athletic at the same time, and it’s one of the places where I feel the most free.

Business taught me courage

Speakable didn’t build itself. It took years of ideas, risks, failures, and growth. Being an entrepreneur showed me that creativity isn’t just an art; it’s a strategy.

What I love most about being a polymath

It’s not the titles or the skills.

It’s the way everything overlaps.

My acting improves my communication coaching.

My coaching improves my therapy.

My therapy work gives depth to my writing.

My writing clears my mind for yoga.

Yoga strengthens my discipline for pole.

Pole energises me for everything else.

It’s all connected like a tapestry of passions that weave together into one life.

I love being a polymath because it lets me be all of me.

Not half. Not one slice.

All.

And if there’s one message I hope people take from my journey, it’s this:

You don’t need to choose one dream.

You’re allowed to choose many and let them shape you into something extraordinary.

Binh

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10 Life Lessons I Learned Working in Hospitality During Uni

Back when I was living in Brisbane for university, I worked part-time at a family-run restaurant to help cover my expenses. What started as a casual job to pay the bills turned into one of the best experiences of my life.

I spent four years waiting tables at a busy Vietnamese restaurant and in that time, I learned lessons about people, resilience, and real-world problem-solving that no university course could have taught me.

Here are ten lessons that I’ve learned:

1. Service is an attitude, not just a task

Being a good waiter wasn’t just about delivering food – it was about being present, attentive, and kind, even when I was exhausted. I learned that how you make someone feel is just as important as what you serve them.

2. People remember how you treat them

From customers celebrating special occasions to tired parents just needing a night off from cooking, each interaction mattered. A warm smile or remembering a regular’s order made a big impact and often led to better tips too!

3. Multitasking is a skill you can master

Juggling ten tables, a full drinks tray, and a mental list of who needed what taught me to prioritise, stay calm under pressure, and move fast without panicking. That ability to multitask has helped me in every job since.

4. Clear communication prevents chaos

Misheard orders, wrong table numbers, or unclear notes for the kitchen could snowball into unhappy customers and wasted food. I quickly learned to communicate clearly and double-check everything. These are the skills I now use daily.

5. It’s never personal

Not all customers were kind. Some were rude, impatient, or dismissive. Learning not to take it personally helped me stay grounded, professional, and focused on doing my job well without carrying emotional baggage into the next table.

6. Cultural pride can be found in the smallest moments

Working in a Vietnamese restaurant gave me the chance to proudly share my culture with people who may have been trying dishes like pho, bun bo hue, or goi cuon for the first time. I loved explaining the ingredients, the stories behind dishes, and why certain sauces were paired with specific foods.

7. Listening is a superpower

I got better at reading the room, noticing when someone needed help, or just giving space to people having a rough day. Listening with my ears, eyes, and instincts made me better at connecting with people from all walks of life.

8. A strong team makes all the difference

You can’t run a busy floor alone. We backed each other up, swapped shifts, and helped clear each other’s tables. There was no ego but just teamwork, trust, and a shared goal to make each night run smoothly.

9. Respect the hustle behind the scenes

The chefs who prepped broth from 6am. The owner who handled the books after hours. The kitchenhands who stayed late to clean. Seeing their dedication helped me appreciate the value of hard work and what it really takes to run a small business.

10. The smallest moments leave the biggest impressions

A quiet thank-you. A small tip from a regular. A child who gave me their drawing as a “tip.” These moments reminded me that even in a fast-paced, often thankless job, there’s always space for human connection and joy.

 

Working in hospitality in Brisbane while studying wasn’t easy, but it taught me grit, grace, and gratitude. It grounded me. It connected me with people I never would’ve met otherwise. Most importantly, it gave me life skills I still use today in business, relationships, and everyday life.

If you’ve ever worked in a restaurant, you’ll understand – you walk in for a paycheck, but if you pay attention, you leave with so much more. Those years taught me that no job is ever “just a job” as every experience, if you let it, shapes who you become.

Bình

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From Passion to Practice: 8 Lessons Learned in 11 Years of Business

Have you ever wondered what it takes to turn a childhood interest in business into a flourishing speech pathology practice? Growing up, I was more fascinated by the hustle of helping my parents with their business in Vietnam than by any school lesson. This early experience sparked a love for entrepreneurship that eventually led me to start Speakable Speech Pathology in 2014 in Sydney, Australia. 

Over the past decade or so, I’ve picked up a few key lessons that have not only shaped how I approach my profession but have also deeply enriched my personal life. 

Here are 8 big takeaways from my journey:

1. Relationships are everything

At our practice, it’s all about more than just the usual appointments; it’s about building real, meaningful connections. We treat everyone who walks through our door like family. This friendly vibe helps everyone feel included and supported, not just during sessions but as part of our bigger family circle. It’s cool to see how this turns our clients into friends who really get involved and feel connected to what we do at Speakable.

2. Stay flexible

During the COVID-19 pandemic, we quickly adapted by transitioning to telehealth services. This not only kept our practice running but also demonstrated our commitment to our clients’ progress and well-being under any circumstances. Flexibility in therapy approaches, like incorporating more digital tools or adjusting strategies based on client feedback, has also been crucial.

3. Never stop learning

My team and I personally take courses annually on the latest developments in speech & language pathology which has tremendously enhanced the therapy sessions we offer. Staying updated through continual education ensures that we are equipped with the most effective and innovative therapy techniques.

4. Set boundaries for a healthy work-life balance

Learning to set boundaries early on was essential. For example, I make it a point to not schedule clients after 6 PM so that I can have evenings with my friends, family and other hobbies. This helps maintain a sustainable work-life balance and prevents burnout.

5. Broaden your horizons

We diversified our services by introducing group therapy sessions and workshops for parents on how to support speech development at home. This not only helped stabilize our revenue streams but also catered to a broader segment of our community, enhancing our practice’s impact.

6. Get involved locally

Participating in local health fairs and school events has significantly boosted our practice’s visibility and reputation. By offering free screenings and workshops, we’ve been able to demonstrate our commitment to community wellness and draw in new clients who are looking for trusted local services.

7. Embrace technology

Investing in an integrated practice management software revolutionized how we handle appointments, billing, and client records. This technology has not only streamlined administrative tasks but also improved client satisfaction through smoother processes.

8. Feedback is gold

We regularly collect feedback through surveys at the end of each therapy cycle. This has been instrumental in fine-tuning our services. Celebrating positive feedback and addressing constructive criticism transparently has helped foster a culture of continuous improvement.

Running a speech pathology business is so much more than a day job—it’s a never-ending adventure of growth and discovery. These 8 lessons we’ve shared are just the beginning. Each day brings new challenges and opportunities that push us to learn more, do better, and think bigger. I’m really pumped to see where these insights will lead us and how they’ll help us make an even bigger impact. 

What kind of business are you running or thinking of starting? How do you see it evolving? Let’s inspire each other with our stories and ambitions!

Binh

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Whatever it takes!

After graduating from speech pathology, I was jobless for 6 months.

I worked as a waiter to pay for food and transportation. I slept on my friend’s couch.

Spent most of my savings on driving and flying to interviews in another state.

In the end, I got a job in Sydney at a minimum wage – as a speech pathologist.

I was super thankful. Had to start somewhere somehow.

With a few books and some clothes, I drove through the night from Brisbane to Sydney. Slept in my car for almost a week before finding a home.

You become stronger through hardship!

Chase that dream. Make it happen. Whatever it takes!

🎯 🔥

Bình