Li Cunxin: Never too late to start again

Li Cunxin

While it's true that people are finding themselves having to start again, it's also true that such defining moments can lead to the fulfillment of your dreams. It's only ever bad for you if you give up, letting the challenges get you down.

Li Cunxin (pronounced "Li Schwin Sing") is a great role model. The sixth of seven sons born to Chinese peasants, he defected to the United States and was discovered by the artistic director of Houston Ballet.

At age 34, Li started to plan the career that would follow dancing. He enrolled in accounting and financial courses, and in 1997 began his study at the Australian Securities Institute by correspondence, with a view to becoming a stockbroker. For his final two years with the Australian Ballet, he rose at 5am to practice, then raced to the stock exchange by 8am to work as a stockbroker until noon. By the time he joined the rest of the ballet dancers for rehearsals, he had already put in a full day's work.

Li is now a senior manager at one of the largest stockbroking firms in Australia.

Li Cunxin is coming to NZ to speak in a one-off event on the 12th May in Auckland to hundreds of admirers, business leaders and people who have read his book, Mao's Last Dancer, a bestseller in its 45th printing and published in 20 countries.

To attend, visit the Brokers' Independent Group website.

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Hometown: Qingdao in north-east China.

Hobbies and interests: Reading, theatre, movies, swimming and AFL.

My companies and other roles:

• Manager of Asian department of a stockbroking firm in Australia;
• International speaker;
• Author of the bestselling autobiography Mao's Last Dancer;
• Board member of the Australian Ballet and the Bionic Ear Institute;
• Proud father of three children.

What was the defining moment that led you to decide to change careers from being a top-rated ballet dancer to a successful stock broker?

My realization that I wasn't getting any younger, and more importantly, my enormous financial responsibilities. I was 35, which is the age that most dancers retire, and the only bread-winner in the family. My wife Mary had retired at the height of her career as a principal dancer to stay home and help our daughter Sophie, who is deaf, with her language skills. Not only I was supporting my own family, but also financially helping my parents and six brothers in China. At that stage, I realized that I had change careers.

What were the hurdles to re-inventing yourself?

The hurdles were enormous. I had very little understanding of stockbroking or the financial world. I didn't have the luxury to stop dancing and go back to school for the necessary education, so I embarked on my educational pursuit in correspondent courses at FINSIA (the old Australian Securities Institute), while I danced, for over two years. The toughest and the most important hurdles to overcome were the self-doubts and the insecurities, to maintain a positive mindset throughout.

Did you ever think you would not make it?

Of course. After all, stockbroking and ballet are so far apart. But I constantly used whatever positive motivation I could to dispel the negative thoughts.

What did you think when people said you would not do it?

I like to prove people wrong, so if someone doubts me, that makes me even more determined to succeed.

Many people dream of changing careers but don't know where to start. Your advice?
Your interest, your dream, your ability and your aspirations would be the places to start.

What does the recession mean to you? How are you responding to it personally and professionally?

I am the first to acknowledge that this recession is horribly tough for many people, and for a stockbroker. But, my personal view is that we have had it so good for so long, and as human nature sets in, we have abandoned the basic principles and thrown wisdom and caution out of the window, thinking that the good times would simply roll on. I have been very cautious about this recession, personally and professionally, as I am not convinced that what the world's leading governments are doing is right or sound. I'm not convinced that throwing money at the problems is the right course of action. I think we will be in this recession for quite awhile.

List a few of your recent accomplishments that you are proud of:

• Written an international best-seller, Mao's Last Dancer, with a formal English education. My English was basically self-taught.
• The book has been made into a young readers' edition, which is used as a school textbook, and into a picture book called The Peasant Prince, and it's in a lot of childcare centres and primary schools. It has been translated into many languages.
• I have played a part in bringing my book to the silver screen. The movie is directed by Bruce Beresford and will be released on 1 October 2009.
• The most rewarding thing is that my story has given people positive encouragement, hope and courage.
• Recently, my daughter Sophie graduated from a normal-hearing high school and started college. I was so proud to be part of her journey; it was challenging and heart-breaking at times.
Did you celebrate them? How?
Taking my wife out to dinner and thanking her for her love and valuable support. Without her, I wouldn't have been able to achieve this.

I am busy at the moment doing:

Various charitable activities, supporting two of my nieces from China to complete high school in Australia, and some writing.

What keeps me up at night?

My mother's health, my family's well-being, and if I have made my day the best I could.

You lifted yourself out of a life of poverty. What was the trigger point?

My father's 'Frog in the Well' story. I became utterly determined to get out of the 'deep well' I was born into and take a different journey to my father and my forefathers.

My big hairy audacious goal this year is to:

It's to be a better husband and a better father.

I knew I was onto something when:

When my classmates were asleep and I was hopping the stairs with heavy sandbags.

My secret for getting things done is to:

Focus, persevere and work hard.

My darkest hour was when:

I nearly lost my life when I was held against my will at the Chinese Consulate in Houston, Texas.

I came through it by:

Faith, hope, courage, stubbornness and my mother's love.

What would do if you were not ...

I would still be a poverty-stricken peasant if I wasn't chosen by the Beijing Dance Academy officials to study ballet when I was 11.

What do you do to cope with stress?

Pilates, meditation and exercise.

How many hours do you work each week?

Over 50 hours.

What do you do when things aren't going your way?

Stay positive, look at the glass as half-full. And compare myself with people in a lesser situation.

What is the hardest lesson you've had to learn in life?

Always stay humble. Never get a big head about your own successes - if you do, you will stop going forward.

What separates successful people from unsuccessful people?

Passion, determination, good work ethic, positive mindset, and having a learning mind.

Do you have any daily rituals that help you keep focused and in the right mental state to succeed?

I appreciate the life I live. I do my exercises in the morning, and I focus on what I have to do.

Do you have any school/study qualifications?

Honorary Doctorate for Arts and Dance from the Australian Catholic University. Graduated from the Beijing Dance Academy and Diploma from FINSIA.

What are the three most important personal qualities you've had to develop to become a leader?

Compassion, trust and leading by example.

Who inspires you the most and why?

Nelson Mandela. I am inspired by his strength of character, his unwavering beliefs, his vision, his selflessness, his courage and capacity to understand and forgive.

Do you have a formal goal setting process?

Set the goal, plan, visualize, and use discipline to work hard.

What comes first...success or confidence?

Confidence first, then success. But often, success induces confidence.

 * Dwayne Alexander is the founder of the LiveMyGoals website.