‘YOU NEED
TO PACE
YOURSELF.’
Zhang Xin, who at 15 worked 12-hour days in
a factory, is known as “the woman who built
Beijing.” The property development firm that
she and her husband founded in 1995 is
now among Asia’s largest.
“I see many women really struggling when they want
to spend the first couple of years with their babies,
but they still have their career. Careers are for a
lifetime, from college graduation to your retirement.
Keep in mind that your career is a marathon, not
a sprint. You need to pace yourself properly to make
sure you will make it to the end in good shape.”Don’t be scared of
what excites you.
Always stay curious
about yourself and
the people and places
around you. Focus on
the work and goals you
have set for yourself,
and never compare
yourself to others.Don’t be discouraged
in your journey. If
people talk badly
about you, if people
say you can’t achieve
something, don’t let
it discourage you; let
it drive you forward.
Listen to yourself,
listen to your gut, and
listen to the people in
your life that you trust.
Let your passions
be your guide.THIS NATIONAL
GEOGRAPHIC
EXPLORER CREATED
AN INTERACTIVE
PROJECT ABOUT
MIGRATION AND
CULTURAL DIVERSITY.
HER SOCCER PROWESS
MADE HER A REPEAT
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
FOR THE U.S. SOCCER
LEAGUE AND A
STANDOUT IN BACK-
TO-BACK WORLD CUP
CHAMPIONSHIPS.
INGI MEHUS
ALEX
MORGAN
Î
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PHOTOS: ERIKA LARSEN; SHIYI PAN (ZHANG). ILLUSTRATIONS: LAUREN TAMAKI 157