Tianjin
Life on the go keeps TV host Na Wei moving forward
By Li Jing (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-03-18 07:55
 |
Large Medium Small |
|
Na Wei, the most wanted television producer and host in town, is pursuing his next career as a famous actor. Wang Jing / China Daily |
As a producer and host for three daily programs and host for several regular shows on Tianjin, Fujian and Hebei TV, Na Wei is always on the run. "Every day is busy, working from morning until late into night," he said.
"I'm really exhausted and want to have a rest," he admitted, resting his left leg on a chair.
"In recent years my leg gets painful, especially on cold days. I'm not as energetic as before."
Born in 1968, 42-year-old Na Wei joined IBM at the age of 19 in a temporary entry-level position. Five years later he was named IBM best employee for the Asia Pacific Region.
"At that time, I was very proud, as I was one of the few in the city wearing a suit, working with foreigners, flying aboard, and getting paid in US dollars."
He left IBM to start a hotel business in a small town in the Republic of Cape Verde, Africa, but it failed.
"It was the thing that I should never have tried. I learned confidence cannot guarantee success. I should have had a backup plan."
From IT manager to businessman, to TV host and actor, Na Wei continually drives himself with new challenges.
"It is impossible for us to live on a single skill like our fathers' generation. Something like a singer living off one famous song is unlikely to happen now," he explained.
He believes he has reconciled himself to not always being the best, although, that doesn't stop him trying. However, he admits that he is more cautious now than he used to be.
"I'm scared to abandon anything," he said. "Even if I know something is not good enough, I still hold on to it. Starting from scratch at my age requires too much time, effort, money and energy. All of which I cherish."
He attributes this caution to his age. "The world is changing fast, and you don't know what will happen in the next second.
"You are not as healthy, energetic as before but you still have to continually update your knowledge so you can compete with the younger generation. And you can't enjoy your achievements as people older than you are still at work.."
And so he continues to be a harsh taskmaster on himself: "To sustain the achievements made so far and keep it going, to attain some accomplishment in my 50s is now my main aim."
