In an era where the concept of “personal productivity” has become a hot keyword, young people are evaluated not only by their achievements but also by how they manage themselves. Nguyen Thanh Thao, a Top 25 contestant of Miss Vietnam 2024 and a 19-year-old student at the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, who holds an IELTS 7.5 and is fluent in both English and French, stands as a typical example of the ability to “operate” 24 hours a day effectively, disciplined, and creatively.
At 19, while many of her peers struggle to balance studies and life, Thanh Thao has built a clear priority system for herself. “I don’t aim to do a lot of things, but to do the right things at the right moments,” she says. With a packed schedule at a top university, preparing for beauty pageant rounds, grooming, catwalk practice, polishing communication skills, and developing her personal image, Thao applies a “priority mastery” method rather than letting herself be overwhelmed by an endless to-do list. This means every day, she focuses only on the most crucial goals instead of trying to juggle everything at once.
“Some days, I only have 10-15 minutes free between classes. Instead of scrolling through social media, I use that time to quickly read an English analysis article, listen to a podcast, or close my eyes to rest and recharge,” Thao shared. This is exactly the strategy of utilizing “time pockets,” a time management method recommended by many productivity experts: you don’t have to wait for long continuous hours to start an important task, but break it down into short missions and make use of scattered moments throughout the day. Thanks to this, Thao can maintain a steady pace of progress despite her packed schedule.
To juggle multiple goals at once, Thanh Thao bets on discipline rather than motivation. “Some days I feel tired and discouraged, but I still remind myself: just get one thing done. Read a few lines, practice a few steps, review some key points. The important part is not to break the chain of habits,” she said. This is a crucial psychological technique called “micro wins”—small victories that build motivation and reinforce self-belief. Whether it’s 5 minutes of exercise, 10 minutes of studying, or a few minutes of catwalk practice, Thao always finds a way to keep positive habits present in her daily life.
Many outsiders think that beauty pageants are just about looks, but for Thanh Thao, it’s a comprehensive development project: from honing performance skills, learning communication and teamwork, to managing personal image and enhancing social knowledge. “I don’t see beauty pageants as a shortcut to fame. For me, it’s a place to build confidence, courage, and a spirit of progress. Every round teaches me how to push beyond my limits,” Thao shared.
Notably, the young woman does not sacrifice her studies to chase showbiz nor reject opportunities for self-development due to academic pressure. Instead, she chooses to integrate everything: studying, competing, training, and enjoying life into a unified journey where every experience enriches her path to maturity.
Currently, Nguyen Thanh Thao has secured her place in the Top 25 outstanding contestants preparing for the Miss Vietnam 2024 finale, scheduled for June in Hue. For her, this is not just a beauty contest but a journey of self-discovery, learning, and growth.
The way Thanh Thao manages her time, maintains discipline, and nurtures a spirit of learning offers a valuable lesson for the younger generation. In a world full of temptations for instant fame, this 19-year-old chooses the long path, steadily building a strong foundation step by step. Beauty, from Nguyen Thanh Thao’s perspective, is not just about appearance but the light of resilience, discipline, and persistent effort. And it is precisely how she makes the most of every 24 hours that creates a lasting appeal—not only in a contest but throughout a lifelong journey of growth.
