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Self-Discovery
Own the Future
Four keys to tomorrow
Storms may darken the sky, but above them the sun never stops shining. Four truths will keep your future bright, no matter what comes your way.
The path to a bright future
Do you believe the future simply happens, or do you realize your choices shape it? History shows us that tomorrow belongs to those who seize it with strength, optimism, creativity, and a hunger to grow. These qualities not only brighten your perspective but also secure your place in the unfolding story of the world.
Nearly a century ago, Sir Henri Deterding, nicknamed the “Napoleon of Oil,” shared a powerful insight born of decades of leadership. As head of the Royal Dutch Oil Company, which later became Royal Dutch Shell, he guided one of the world’s largest corporations through turbulent times. His conclusion about who owns the future remains as true today as when he first said it:
“The future belongs to those who are virile, to whom it is a pleasure to live, to create, to whet their intelligence on that of the others.”
His simple list reveals four traits that all but guarantee a bright outlook for those who embrace them: strength, pleasure in living, creativity, and learning. Let’s take a closer look at each.

