To Achieve and Pursue Excellence in Every Aspect of Life—Lessons from MIT, POSTECH, and Caltech
Curiosity about Leading Tech Institutions
In the middle of my exam prep, I found myself wondering: what exactly sets the world’s top tech institutions apart? These are places that earn deep respect in their countries, constantly drive innovation, and create massive opportunities—new jobs, new industries, and new ways of thinking. Their entrepreneurial spirit is something I deeply admire and hope to internalize, because I believe that mindset can open every door. My dream has always been to live a “liberated life”—free from suffering, financially independent, abundant in every way, successful in relationships (even with myself), and ultimately, to become someone who gives back. So I turned to these high-achieving communities for inspiration.
Research Sparked by a Top Smart-Farm Startup
Recently, I learned about a smart-farm startup founded by POSTECH (often called “Korea’s MIT”) alumni. Despite being a small team, they achieved world-class results—ranking third in a global AI farming competition, even against veteran farmers. I was amazed by their strength and wanted to understand what kind of culture or spirit powered their success. Tracing their backgrounds, I saw the POSTECH influence everywhere.
That made me wonder: how can I bring that same spirit into every part of my life? Not just to become a successful tech professional, but to grow into a person who can overcome challenges and help others do the same. I realized that achieving excellence, as seen at MIT, POSTECH, and Caltech, is about much more than hard work.
It’s about building a mindset, daily habits, and an environment that constantly push you to become your best self. Here’s what I discovered about how these leading institutions create excellence—and how we can, too.
How Leading Institutions Achieve Excellence
1. Intellectual Rigor and Curiosity
At MIT, excellence begins with a culture of deep questioning and critical thinking. Students are pushed to ask “why,” dig beneath the surface, and never settle for easy answers.
At Caltech, students jump straight into research and real-world problem-solving, learning directly from world-class faculty. This hands-on, inquiry-driven approach sparks a lifelong passion for discovery.
2. Collaboration and Mentorship
These institutions value collaboration over competition. Students and faculty share ideas, support each other, and grow together. Mentorship—both formal and informal—is woven into daily life.
3. Interdisciplinary and Real-World Focus
POSTECH and Caltech encourage breaking down barriers between fields to solve real-world problems. This cross-disciplinary approach fuels creativity and leads to breakthrough innovations.
4. Embracing Failure as Learning
At MIT and POSTECH, failure isn’t something to hide—it’s a vital part of the learning process. Students are taught to experiment boldly, reflect on setbacks, and try again, building resilience and adaptability into their DNA.
5. Selective, Intensive Investment in Talent
POSTECH brings together a select group of highly motivated students and invests deeply in their growth, creating an environment where leadership and innovation are the norm.
6. Diversity and Inclusion
Caltech knows that excellence comes from bringing together people with diverse backgrounds and perspectives. This diversity leads to richer learning and better solutions.
How You Can Pursue Excellence (Actionable Steps)
A. Build Intellectual Rigor
Push yourself to truly understand the fundamentals, not just memorize them.
Challenge your own assumptions and seek honest feedback.
Take on projects that stretch your abilities—don’t shy away from hard problems.
B. Seek and Offer Collaboration
Join or create study groups, open-source projects, or interdisciplinary teams.
Find mentors, and be a mentor to others—teaching is one of the best ways to learn.
C. Embrace Failure as Feedback
After every project, take time to reflect: What worked? What didn’t? What will you do differently next time?
Share your failures and lessons learned with your community or on your blog—normalize learning from mistakes.
D. Pursue Real-World Impact
Connect your work to real problems—like smart farming, data-driven agriculture, or sustainability.
Explore ways to integrate new technologies such as IoT, AI, and data analytics into your projects.
E. Cultivate Diversity and Openness
Welcome diverse perspectives in your teams and conversations.
Participate in international forums, hackathons, or online communities to broaden your worldview.
F. Invest in Yourself Intensively
Prioritize depth over breadth in your learning—focus on mastering a few key areas.
Document your journey, as I do here with my blog and portfolio.
To pursue excellence, make these habits and mindsets part of your daily routine. Excellence isn’t just a result—it’s a process of continuous, intentional growth, fueled by curiosity, collaboration, resilience, and a drive to make a difference.
Honestly, I enjoyed this exploration so much that I almost forgot I was supposed to be studying for finals! As these leading institutions encourage us to share and collaborate, I’m sharing what I’ve learned here with you. ;)
