Finding Balance and Focus — Dinner with Jenny Chiu, Human Resources Director of New World Development Company Limited

Sometimes the most meaningful and inspiring conversations happen over casual meals. The Time Auction Blog is a snippet of our meetings with people who have found passion in their life and career, where we get a glimpse into their mentality behind their ventures.

With over 20 years worth of experience in the field of Human Resources, Jenny Chiu is currently the Human Resources Director of New World Development Company Limited, planning and driving full spectrum of strategic HR direction. Prior to this, she took up managerial roles in several renowned ICT and Property Development corporations.

Over dinner, Jenny gave us valuable insight on becoming and impressive interviewee and the rationale behind several selection processes. But her sharing went far beyond interview tips — Here are some life lessons we took away from the meeting.

What is a life philosophy that you live by?

I’ve had one that hasn’t changed since my high school days. I tell myself that

There are no problems that don’t have a solution.

I’ve been telling myself that for a very long time, no matter when I was at school or at work. Even now, when I am a manager, I still tell myself that. Everyday to me is a new start, an opportunity to solve a problem or come up with a solution that you previously were not able to. As long as you retain this attitude, you will be much more confident.

Another philosophy that I live by, is to solve other people’s problems, not create more for them. This is especially important to me now that I work as a Human Resources Director.

What is one habit that you would like to share?

I like driving, it thrills me. Not the act itself, but what is required and what it embodies. When you are driving you need to be focused, on the road, on fuel and where you are headed. But at the same time you also need to deal with other spontaneous events, like when another car suddenly just swerves towards you. Driving requires you to be focused yet alert of other things. It is the same with life. One has to do her own job, while staying in the know of what others are doing, like your neighbouring department, what your family and friends are doing and so on. Driving reminds me of what life is like, that

What is happening to others will also affect you.

What is something that you want to teach us?

Time management. Definitely. I am a manager, I am an employee, I am a daughter, I am mother and I am a friend. There are so many people around me and so much to do, but there is only ever so much time. Even if you only sleep 6 hours a day, you still only have 18 hours. Take away the 10 hours during which you are working, there’s only 8 hours left for yourself. And you have to divvy up that time between all those around you and yourself. There is never enough time. It takes a lot of effort and time to find the balance. You need to manage your time well, so that you can keep everyone happy, it is hard, but

If you manage your time well, you can pretty much handle everything.

What is one thing you want everyone here to takeaway today?

I’d have to say an entrepreneurial spirit. You should adopt this mindset in everything that you do, no matter work or study.

By taking up an entrepreneurial spirit, you would be willing to give it your all,

you would then be willing to take risks, you would be willing to go sleepless to find a solution and you would be willing to come up with more and more ideas for it. Own the idea, own you studies, own your job, that way you would ensure that you have tried your best. Adopting an entrepreneurial spirit also means you are prepared to fail, that way you will be more positioned to find a way to overcome any difficulties and be less shaken by them.

Thank you Jenny for donating dinner and raising 74 volunteer hours to Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association, AIESEC in Hong Kong and more!

These awesome photos are brought to you by Harris Cheng from Freehunter — an online marketplace for reaching freelancing talents in Hong Kong!

For more amazing opportunities, visit Time Auction to volunteer and meet inspiring mentors!