YES 2026 January Meeting

On January 18th, the Youth Entrepreneur Society gathered for their first monthly meeting of the year with a focus on collaboration, ingenuity, and decisiveness. 

The relaxed atmosphere set the stage for an afternoon focused not only on achievement, but also on redefining what success truly means to YES. The meeting opened with a presentation by Mr. Yi Su, a healthcare strategy consultant, titled “Chasing the A: Why Success Doesn’t Feel Successful.” His talk challenged conventional ideas of success and accomplishment, exploring key themes such as decision-making, motivation, and the importance of cultivating a constructive environment.

Mr. Su began with a seemingly counterintuitive idea: “Don’t take the compliment.” He explained that throughout his childhood and early life, he was frequently told he could accomplish anything—that he was talented, and that his one hour of work equaled another person’s four. While these remarks initially appeared encouraging, they ultimately became limiting. Being defined by others’ expectations, he argued, can restrict the expectations one sets for oneself, thereby limiting personal growth and untapped potential.

Building on this idea, Mr. Su posed an important question: “Why do we chase success, and what are we actually chasing?” He answered by distinguishing between extrinsic and intrinsic motivation—two concepts that may sound similar but have profoundly different effects.

Extrinsic motivation, Mr. Su explained, is what largely drives society. It encourages behavior through external rewards and recognition. People are praised not for the effort they put in, but for the final product that effort produces. Over time, this mindset can diminish passion, fostering attitudes such as, “As long as I get the grade, who cares about the work?” In contrast, intrinsic motivation stems from internal fulfillment and provides a genuine sense of purpose.

This distinction helps explain why pursuing goals can sometimes feel empty: external motivators are temporary, and once they disappear, so does the satisfaction they provide.

Transitioning from motivation to personal development, Mr. Su introduced the three core elements of self-determination theory: autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Autonomy involves having self-control and the ability to make independent decisions. Competence refers to understanding one’s strengths and interests, while relatedness focuses on feeling valued and caring about the work one does.

According to Mr. Su, when these three elements are present together, true success becomes attainable. His message encouraged students to reflect on their personal lives and redefine success on their own terms, regardless of external expectations.

He concluded the presentation by emphasizing the importance of communication and leadership within any group. True leadership, he noted, involves creating an environment where individuals feel free to express themselves and are supported in discovering their potential. This message resonated strongly with YES members, reinforcing the idea that growth should not be forced, but instead nurtured through meaningful opportunities.

Following the presentation, the meeting shifted toward a more collaborative format. The introduction of the YES orchestra was met with enthusiastic applause, followed by a brief overview of the upcoming YES Launch Entrepreneurship Competition, led by Matthew.

The session concluded with students forming groups of six to eight to develop and present elevator pitches for new product ideas. This hands-on activity required participants to identify real-world problems, define target markets, justify their solutions over existing alternatives, and consider product feasibility. This collaborative exercise tied together the themes of the day’s presentation while encouraging creativity, critical thinking, and teamwork.

Overall, the YES meeting was insightful and inspiring, as it helped advocate for unique thinking, empowered YES to think about motivation from a different perspective, and backed personal growth in a meaningful way.