章平達以一場馬拉松為起點，帶出一個簡單卻深刻的信念：當我們在雨中、在石子路上、在載滿人的車中，依然堅持一步一步地跑，正是在練習「即使環境不理想，我們仍有選擇前進」的能力。他相信，每一粒沙都可能看見整個世界──換言之，即便你看似微小、看似不起眼，只要你願意朝著目標前行，就能把自己放大為影響力。在他職場的故事裡，這種信念被具體化：當公司機器出了問題，他說服廠商不要選擇退貨，而是讓公司多兩台備案機器，這一決策使他穩住了台灣市場，展現了「面對困難，我們不只是接受，也提出選擇」。他也提到，在台灣市場起步不被看好、公司本身也不願意投入時，他用堅毅的態度、持續的行動爭取到台灣成為其全球據點之一。他從跑道轉到企業，也讓觀眾看到：跑不是為了刷新時間，而是讓你在「選擇前進」的瞬間，確定自己的步伐與節奏。那條跑道—或許在雨中、也許在顛簸的石路上—其實是人生的縮影。在演講尾聲，他呼籲每個人：當你面對困境、當機器出錯、當環境不看好，不要把「被動接受」當作唯一答案。你可以選擇前進、你可以選擇要求更多、你可以跑出屬於自己的軌跡。因為從那一粒沙的視角看，世界並不那麼遙遠，而你的選擇，正是讓你站到全球舞台上的起點。 For Pengtat Cheong, running a marathon has never been about medals or records. It has been about persistence — running through rain, uneven stone roads, and heavy traffic, day after day, without giving up. Each step reminds him of a truth he carries into both life and leadership: even when the path is uncertain, we always have a choice to move forward.He often says that a grain of sand can reflect the entire world — meaning that the smallest perspective can hold infinite possibilities if we are willing to look closely. This idea guides not only his running but also his business philosophy: within every challenge lies a chance to choose differently.In his professional journey, he once faced a critical moment when the company’s machines malfunctioned. Instead of returning the equipment as expected, he convinced the manufacturer to let them keep it and add two more units as a contingency plan. That decision stabilized the business and built long-term trust. Later, when headquarters hesitated to invest in Taiwan, he stood firm, believing in the market’s potential and his team’s capability. His persistence eventually turned skepticism into confidence and opportunity.Through these experiences, Cheong draws a parallel between running and leadership. The road may be long and rough, but the rhythm you create — one steady step after another — becomes your power. Each decision, like each stride, is an act of choice and belief.In the end, he invites everyone to remember: when faced with difficulty, don’t accept circumstances as the only answer. You can choose to move, to persist, to redefine the path ahead. Because from the perspective of a single grain of sand, the entire world can come into view — and that view begins with one step forward. 章平達以一場馬拉松為起點，帶出一個簡單卻深刻的信念：當我們在雨中、在石子路上、在載滿人的車中，依然堅持一步一步地跑，正是在練習「即使環境不理想，我們仍有選擇前進」的能力。他相信，每一粒沙都可能看見整個世界──換言之，即便你看似微小、看似不起眼，只要你願意朝著目標前行，就能把自己放大為影響力。在他職場的故事裡，這種信念被具體化：當公司機器出了問題，他說服廠商不要選擇退貨，而是讓公司多兩台備案機器，這一決策使他穩住了台灣市場，展現了「面對困難，我們不只是接受，也提出選擇」。他也提到，在台灣市場起步不被看好、公司本身也不願意投入時，他用堅毅的態度、持續的行動爭取到台灣成為其全球據點之一。他從跑道轉到企業，也讓觀眾看到：跑不是為了刷新時間，而是讓你在「選擇前進」的瞬間，確定自己的步伐與節奏。那條跑道—或許在雨中、也許在顛簸的石路上—其實是人生的縮影。在演講尾聲，他呼籲每個人：當你面對困境、當機器出錯、當環境不看好，不要把「被動接受」當作唯一答案。你可以選擇前進、你可以選擇要求更多、你可以跑出屬於自己的軌跡。因為從那一粒沙的視角看，世界並不那麼遙遠，而你的選擇，正是讓你站到全球舞台上的起點。For Pengtat Cheong, running a marathon has never been about medals or records. It has been about persistence — running through rain, uneven stone roads, and heavy traffic, day after day, without giving up. Each step reminds him of a truth he carries into both life and leadership: even when the path is uncertain, we always have a choice to move forward.He often says that a grain of sand can reflect the entire world — meaning that the smallest perspective can hold infinite possibilities if we are willing to look closely. This idea guides not only his running but also his business philosophy: within every challenge lies a chance to choose differently.In his professional journey, he once faced a critical moment when the company’s machines malfunctioned. Instead of returning the equipment as expected, he convinced the manufacturer to let them keep it and add two more units as a contingency plan. That decision stabilized the business and built long-term trust. Later, when headquarters hesitated to invest in Taiwan, he stood firm, believing in the market’s potential and his team’s capability. His persistence eventually turned skepticism into confidence and opportunity.Through these experiences, Cheong draws a parallel between running and leadership. The road may be long and rough, but the rhythm you create — one steady step after another — becomes your power. Each decision, like each stride, is an act of choice and belief.In the end, he invites everyone to remember: when faced with difficulty, don’t accept circumstances as the only answer. You can choose to move, to persist, to redefine the path ahead. Because from the perspective of a single grain of sand, the entire world can come into view — and that view begins with one step forward. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx