Lee Kuan Yew is considered the greatest nation builder in the history of mankind. Under his leadership, Singapore rose from a small, poor country to a country with one of the highest per capita GDPs in the world. His idea was simple. Find what works and do it.
“We are pragmatists. We don’t stick to any ideology. Does it work? Let’s try it, and if it does work, fine, let’s continue it. If it doesn’t work, toss it out, try another one. We are not enamored with any ideology.”
Lee Kuan Yew
He applied many controversial regulations to make Singapore drug- and crime-free, e.g., capital punishment for drug trafficking, murder, drug terrorism, the use of firearms, and kidnapping. He was big on cleanliness in the country and banned the use of chewing gum. When a BBC reporter suggested that allowing people to use chewing gum can help with productivity, he said:
“If you can’t think because you can’t chew, try a banana.”
Lee Kuan Yew
I have been following Lee Kuan Yew’s life for quite some time and have compiled a list of lessons that we all can use in our lives.
Charlie Munger once said, “study the life of Lee Kuan Yew, and you will be flabbergasted.”
Find what works and do it
Lee Kuan Yew said that to build an honest system, he tried many things. Whatever worked, he kept it, and what didn’t work, he threw it away. This idea we can borrow in our life as well. We should try and experiment with as many things as possible and do things that work.
Live below your means
LKY lived frugally all his life. He lived in a simple house and never changed furniture. During the funeral service, a former Senior Minister of State, Sidek bin Sanaff, talked about a trip to China. LKY asked him if he had a coat for the cold. He said he would buy one. Lee said, borrow one, don’t buy. Then Lee asked him if he had boots. He said no, and he would buy them. He said again, don’t buy, borrow.
Be with people smarter than yourself
LKY was second in his class. A girl was in first place. LKY ended up marrying her. In one of the speeches, he said, If my child turns out like me, good, but if he/she turns out like my wife, better. It’s a great idea to find a partner who is smarter than you vs. being with someone who is just pretty.
Do something that you are wired to do
LKY once said I would do terribly if I became a painter. He suggested to the young generation that you shouldn’t don’t something you are not wired to do. Find what you are good at and pursue that path.
It’s a good idea to always assess what you are comfortable doing and find a right fit based on your competency.
Be adventurous, go for it
LKY asked young generation to be adventurous in life. He asked students to be enterprising. It’s the nature of entrepreneurship; some people will fail but you should try and go for it.
Be a lifelong learner
LKY took Mandarin all his life. He had a mandarin session one day before he was admitted to hospital. He asked people to learn new language, travel new places and be a lifelong learner. It’s the same idea what Charlie Munger gave in his commencement speech at USC – be hooked to a life long learning.
Start a family
LKY, in one his speeches, asked a girl in the audience, how old are you and do you have a boyfriend. She said she is doing PhD and she doesn’t have a boyfriend. He then asked her to find a boy friend and start a family. He added that it will be more fulfilling that your PhD.
Take care of physical and mental health
In his biography, LKY talked about his routine and exercise was a main part of it:
My daily routine is set. I wake up, clear my e-mail, read the newspapers, do my exercises and have lunch. After that, I go to my office at the Istana, clear more papers and write articles or speeches. In the afternoons and evenings, I sometimes have interviews scheduled with journalists, after which I may spend an hour or two with my Chinese teachers.
LEE KUAN YEW ON… LIFE AFTER CABINET… AND DEATH | THE STRAITS TIMES
He also started meditation late in life and found it very useful. He said that whenever he has to make decisions he meditates and the right thought comes to his mind.
Have a life of purpose
LKY said life shouldn’t be only about material possession. It should be more than that. He asked people to connect with the communities and give to their communities. It’s a good reminder us to pause on our hedonistic journey and assess how can we give back.
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