The word is like the face, I am Brother Jun!
Recently, a reader turned to my old article " How do I go from a monthly salary of 1,800 to an annual salary of one million to freelancing?" ", I asked a question that I think is a very good one. Brother Jun, you have been working in the Internet industry for nearly 20 years. Do you have any simple and clear knowledge/experience to share? I also want to be as awesome at work as you are, and then realize time freedom as soon as possible and no longer be a hard worker!
I really think this question is very good. After a few days of thinking, I have summarized 8 points to share with you:
1. Maintain your core competitiveness
As a programmer/product manager, you must have your own core competitiveness at all times, and you must continue to learn, summarize and review in stages.
This core competitiveness may be professional and technical capabilities, business familiarity in a certain industry, or insights into business or human nature, or it may be a combination of the previous capabilities. In short, it will be different at different stages of life.
2. Increase your influence
Why should you improve your influence? Because influence is helpful for you to find a job, you can also meet more talented people. If you are a technical manager, recruiting people will speed up because others trust you more.
So how to do it?
You must actively expand your interpersonal relationships and expand your social circle. At least you must have a certain degree of visibility in the local industry circle. The usual method is to first form internal influence within the company. The best way is to do more technical or professional sharing. , and people who are reliable when working with others. In addition, the way to build external influence is to participate in technical salons or various technical conferences, and then share your best practices in certain fields. It is also possible to make your own IP, but It is difficult for ordinary people to make their own IP.
3. It is necessary to realize that technology is only a means, not the ultimate goal.
Many students who have worked for two or three years have an inner understanding that I am the best in the world of technology. In fact, most companies in China put business first, products second, and technology third, so I try to look at it from an external perspective of technology. Looking at the technology itself, in many cases technology is really just a tool. The reason why most companies become big companies is most likely because their products, marketing, and business models are awesome. As long as technology doesn't hold them back, it will be fine.
4. Choose a city where you will strive for a long time to accumulate contacts, and try to choose a large platform for development.
Generally speaking, most things in this world require long-term planning and persistence to enjoy long-term value.
Therefore, programmers/Internet practitioners need to think about the city in which they will strive in advance, and try to settle down in this city, start a career, and accumulate contacts. In addition, it is recommended to choose a large platform instead of a small platform. Why? Because large platforms have many excellent people, and you can also be exposed to more complex business scenarios, it is the best practice opportunity for technical people and a good opportunity for rapid growth.
For example, after I graduated, I still decided to come to Shanghai despite the opposition of my family, and I have persisted for 18 years. I have worked my way from a small company to a large company, and now I have settled in Shanghai and obtained a Shanghai household registration. This is one of my most valuable experiences. One, share it with you.
5. It is important to handle the relationship with colleagues well, but the most important thing is to work with the right person, handle the relationship with your direct superior, and manage upward.
In the workplace, in fact, it is one thing to have good professional skills, but the most important thing is to work with the right people.
How to choose a leader?
This person must at least have good character and in-depth knowledge of the industry, and have strong communication skills. Especially important, he must be strong in upward management. At the same time, he must be willing to point out your problems and help you grow. If you can meet such a person, Sansheng is lucky. , I met a former CTO of Ele.me.
In addition, a very important point is to learn to report to the leader, which is to manage upward. Otherwise, no matter how hard you try, it will be useless. If the leader says you are not good, it will be useless no matter how good you are. As for how to manage upward, you can refer to this historical article " Managing Up is Not Difficult!" 》.
6. About connections
Back then, when I entered society, I thought that connections were people with great skills. Later, my knowledge improved, and I learned about people whose connections can help you. Make more friends with people who can help you, and abandon social interactions that are ineffective or really cannot help you. Later, my understanding improved again. Your connections are the people you can help, and your connections are the people you can provide value to.
So, do you understand the essence of connections?
7. You need to know the four ways to make money in life.
The first type is to work part-time, which is to sell your time. No matter how good you are as a CTO or president, you are still selling your time. You have no freedom, and you are severely exploited by capitalists.
The second type, like me, has free time. I can do whatever I want and just sit back if I don’t want to. I won’t make any less. The profits are all my own, but most people can’t do it.
The third option is to start a business and be your own boss and buy your employees’ time. However, most people don’t have this ability. You need at least a deep understanding of the industry + start-up capital + a small team, and you have to go through many dark moments.
The fourth type is investors, such as Zhang Xuhao, CEO of the former company Ele.me. Various investment companies mainly have unique vision + make money with money. They make the most money, but the risks are also the highest and the return cycle is generally relatively long. They are not suitable for ordinary people.
Therefore, choose the most suitable way to make money at every stage of your life. Don’t forget me about financial freedom, haha!
8. Starting the ABZ plan of life as early as possible can reduce anxiety.
The essence of adult anxiety is that as age increases, abilities/income do not increase or even experience negative growth. Coupled with the involution of the IT industry itself, and various self-media promoting 35-year-old anxiety and other issues, everyone is worried Very panicked.
Is there any way to solve this? The answer is yes, please take advantage of the ABZ opportunity in life!
A is your main business, B is your side business, and Z is your assets, also called the ABZ theory. It comes from Reid Hoffman, co-founder of Linkedln and Paypal. He believes that at any time, you must have three plans, namely the ABZ plan.
Plan A: It is the job you are currently engaged in, and it is also a job that you can continue to engage in for a long time. It is worthy of your continuous investment and can provide you with a sense of security. In addition, you are personally satisfied with this job.
Plan B: In addition to Plan A, you can use your spare time to develop other abilities, such as hobbies. If you just insist on A, it may be replaced by other people or machines one day in the future. B is, in addition to A, a "small business" or side job of your own that you are willing to devote your energy to for a long time. If you encounter a suitable opportunity in the future, For example, B's income has exceeded that of A, and B can be upgraded to A. Then you search for the next B again.
Plan Z: Personal assets are your protection and your retreat. Suppose one day all your A/B plans fail, your Z plan can ensure that you can continue to maintain your current quality of life for a certain period of time in the future, and can give you a chance to start all over again. My understanding is a certain amount of deposits or fixed assets such as houses, etc.
For example, in the past year, I have spent most of my time on video accounts + Xiaohongshu, which is my AB plan at the current stage. It is recommended that everyone keep this guideline in mind and act as soon as possible!
Finally, I would like to say that today’s article is just an appetizer. I want to give you a special preview. I recently had a chat with architects and technical directors of several medium and large companies and summarized some of their underlying thinking and work methodologies that allowed them to grow so fast . This The topic has been shared once before, and the effect was very good. I am going to hold a live broadcast at 21 o'clock this Saturday night to have an in-depth chat with you.
I believe it will definitely broaden your horizons. You can take pictures of your colleagues on the beach without using so much. Please click "below" to make an appointment . You are also welcome to come to the live broadcast room with other questions. See you there~
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