This is perfect, as usual, Phil. It has a philosophical tone which touches our higher calling, and is grounded in reality, which is never a bad thing.
For me, the 40+ year guy, the answer had been this: adapt, learn, make and keep friends, conquer.
What I do now in 2024 is very different than what I did in 1982 with Merrill Lynch operations.
I've done nearly everything in this industry, ops, sales, management, retail, institutional, research, product development, fund management, 401k focus, compliance, and now consulting as a way to tie it all together.
But even as a consultant you can't just sit in the back seat and tell the driver where to go.
I HAVE TO DRIVE.
ME.
And I think that's why so many grey hairs just coast then stop.
We basically know fuck-all about anything. We manage to become expert on a sliver of life and good enough in a bunch of other areas. But we get run over by key things we should know but we don't. I don't know what the answer is, but it seems like a plausible one is to always keep an eye on the right feedback spots. Maybe it's worth giving up some effectiveness on your work to be more effective at spotting other indicators for better trades (decisions.) As a solopreneur making small bets, feedback flows nicely. If you're sitting at your desk and you can't answer similar questions about your job that I can about my business, then you might be in trouble.
I am just about to leave the office and no words have ever sounded truer in my life. I just really hope it gets better, someday, somehow, cause not everyone really has the grit to keep at it.
Most of the issues arises out of our education and upbringing which makes us believe you need a job to make a good living. I find that is ridiculous since most people who have what I call native intelligence and willingness to try their luck early into doing something on their own survive long run better. But the issue of skill sets and continually adopting to current trends and needs are also important. But both are not taught they are learnt from life. I come from a previous generation which started facing accelerated changes due to information technology taking baby steps to sudden burst from internet proliferation. Since for some personal reasons I could not adjust to corporate or any organisation culture including academic world decided to go on my lonely furrow and found that constant learning and adoption of that was needed to make a living comfortably. Even after hanging boots one cannot live off past laurels. This post is a good reminder to all educated guys try to beat your future blues by quitting when you are comfortable and take a path which you can define yourself. Remember you need to survive every day since god created only day and night and all the time cycles are man maded to manage others like you if you are controlled by them 😉
Somewhat related to innovators dilemma. I constantly debate whether I should leave a good paying/stable job if I'm not learning/upskilling enough. Tech professionals feel the pressure to constantly upskill more than any profession.
This is perfect, as usual, Phil. It has a philosophical tone which touches our higher calling, and is grounded in reality, which is never a bad thing.
For me, the 40+ year guy, the answer had been this: adapt, learn, make and keep friends, conquer.
What I do now in 2024 is very different than what I did in 1982 with Merrill Lynch operations.
I've done nearly everything in this industry, ops, sales, management, retail, institutional, research, product development, fund management, 401k focus, compliance, and now consulting as a way to tie it all together.
But even as a consultant you can't just sit in the back seat and tell the driver where to go.
I HAVE TO DRIVE.
ME.
And I think that's why so many grey hairs just coast then stop.
When you lose your drive the ride is over.
Beautiful and true
We basically know fuck-all about anything. We manage to become expert on a sliver of life and good enough in a bunch of other areas. But we get run over by key things we should know but we don't. I don't know what the answer is, but it seems like a plausible one is to always keep an eye on the right feedback spots. Maybe it's worth giving up some effectiveness on your work to be more effective at spotting other indicators for better trades (decisions.) As a solopreneur making small bets, feedback flows nicely. If you're sitting at your desk and you can't answer similar questions about your job that I can about my business, then you might be in trouble.
I am just about to leave the office and no words have ever sounded truer in my life. I just really hope it gets better, someday, somehow, cause not everyone really has the grit to keep at it.
Most of the issues arises out of our education and upbringing which makes us believe you need a job to make a good living. I find that is ridiculous since most people who have what I call native intelligence and willingness to try their luck early into doing something on their own survive long run better. But the issue of skill sets and continually adopting to current trends and needs are also important. But both are not taught they are learnt from life. I come from a previous generation which started facing accelerated changes due to information technology taking baby steps to sudden burst from internet proliferation. Since for some personal reasons I could not adjust to corporate or any organisation culture including academic world decided to go on my lonely furrow and found that constant learning and adoption of that was needed to make a living comfortably. Even after hanging boots one cannot live off past laurels. This post is a good reminder to all educated guys try to beat your future blues by quitting when you are comfortable and take a path which you can define yourself. Remember you need to survive every day since god created only day and night and all the time cycles are man maded to manage others like you if you are controlled by them 😉
Somewhat related to innovators dilemma. I constantly debate whether I should leave a good paying/stable job if I'm not learning/upskilling enough. Tech professionals feel the pressure to constantly upskill more than any profession.