Turning Setbacks into Second Chances
Dr Patrick Liew is an award-winning entrepreneur, investor, humanitarian, and philanthropist. A former Executive Chairman of GEX Global Group and co-founder of Success Resources, he founded GEX Academy to equip workers with digital skills for the new economy. Holding a doctorate in education from the University of Southern California, he also serves actively in community organisations. Patrick speaks openly about resilience, failure, and living with purpose.
Quotes
“I believe a single failure is never a final failure”
“ADHD is not a life sentence to mediocrity. We are not “less than” — we are often the phoenix rising from the ashes. Even with ADHD, we can author extraordinary turnaround stories.”
Living with a Wandering Mind
Throughout my life, I have been blessed with ADHD. During school days, when I was in the classroom, my body was there, but my mind was often somewhere else entirely. You can imagine how hard I had to struggle with my studies. I would be lost throughout most of the academic year.
I never received an early diagnosis. Instead, I simply thought I wasn’t good at studies. But over time, I realised there was a name for this challenge. And rather than hide it, I’ve chosen to speak openly about it.
One year, I failed almost every subject and had to repeat the year. The stigma of that failure stayed with me for a long time. I could have let it define me, but I chose otherwise.
I’ve also learned to laugh at my past. Once, I sent my senior manager, Sharon, to meet an old classmate. After the meeting, she returned with a grin: “Your old classmate told me that you were not good in your studies. He was really surprised that you have gone this far in your life!” We laughed because it was true and because I have made peace with my past.
Turning Setbacks into Second Chances
I believe a single failure is never a final failure. If we are alive, we have a second chance. And we always deserve a second chance. In fact, every passing moment is a second chance whether we take it or not. However, a second chance cannot be bought. It can only be courted and caught. All we have to do is swallow our pride and grab it no matter how uncomfortable it is.
I have always believed that everything happened for a reason, purpose and significance. Therefore, I should never waste any negative experience. Instead, I should leverage on them to learn, improve, and achieve better results. Hopefully, by sharing how I learned from past wrongdoings, I can deepen my learning and in doing so encourage and inspire others to live on a higher plane.
Working With, Not Against, My ADHD
ADHD still presents challenges, but I’ve learned to adapt. I am still learning to cope better with ADHD so that I can continue to be a lifelong student. I may not be able to wind back the clock, relive whatever has happened in the past and correct any wrongdoing. But through the mistakes made, I have learnt from the experiences and have grown through it.
Redefining Success
From failing almost all my subjects in one year to earning a bachelor’s degree, two master’s degrees, a doctoral degree, and nine professional qualifications. That is my proudest achievement.
Growing up in poverty made me want to help others build better lives. That’s why I founded GEX Academy — to equip workers with digital skills so they can stay relevant, improve their livelihoods, and secure brighter futures. Seeing my students gain confidence and transform their lives brings me more joy than any material success ever could.
Writing a New Ending
May we learn how to right the wrong and, in the process, become wiser and do better in life. We are given a second chance to prove that we are bigger than our past. The past does not have to cheat us of our future. We can start all over again and craft the best story and ending for our lives.
There are few stories more inspiring than those of a proverbial phoenix rising from the ashes. It is a comeback story that can guide many out of darkness and inspire them to achieve greatness.
To the world: ADHD is not a life sentence to mediocrity. We are not “less than” — we are often the phoenix rising from the ashes. Even with ADHD, we can author extraordinary turnaround stories.
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