"You Are Better Than You Think"

2020 has indeed been a year of change, with many events happening recently. Let me briefly share a few thoughts.

About the Project

The project has been in a stagnant state since June, as I took on another project, which has only recently started to wrap up. Of course, I haven't been idle during this time. Last week, I visited Shenzhen and caught up with an old friend who now runs ShowMeBug, a tool that helps companies conduct online interviews for programmers. When we discussed why he decided to create this, he mentioned that he had previously started many projects and made several attempts in the mini-program field a few years ago. However, he realized that his strengths did not lie in that area. Being from a technical background, he understood the needs of technical personnel, so he later created a demo, which received positive feedback from the surrounding community, allowing him to successfully continue with the project.

During our conversation, we talked about my project and discovered that they had also worked on something similar a few years ago and had made some sales. However, they concluded that this market was too far removed from profitability and could not be sustained, especially since they were not familiar with the customer base. It became clear that the current direction and personal resources I have are not well aligned, which is why user acquisition has been challenging.

Some people have consulted me about the SaaS community, but when it comes to money, the discussions often go nowhere. Therefore, to validate whether there is interest in your product, you need to see how much people are willing to pay.

I also met a friend who trades cryptocurrencies. He believes that there are opportunities in DeFi right now, so he has been researching this area. However, I have always found it difficult to understand. What I noticed about these individuals is that they focus their energy on what they know, what they can do, and what they possess, which ultimately leads them to find a way out.

Recently, I have been reflecting on those three points: what I have, what I know, and what I can do. I plan to update the project in October, using it as my personal business card, and I hope everyone can share their thoughts with me.

About Making Money

I have never really focused on this issue, but recently it has been bothering me (otherwise, I wouldn't have taken on a project, haha). A few days ago, I saw a post in my social circle about making money that I found very insightful. Making money is a rather dull task; for most people, the reason they struggle to earn is that there are simply too many interesting things to pursue.

Take me as an example: after completing a project, promoting it, thinking about user growth, and product direction have all been quite painful because I can't find the right or wrong path—it's like crossing a river by feeling the stones. The future is unclear. However, I enjoy the process of working on projects, learning new technologies, and creating various features, which brings me joy.

This is a common issue among many technical professionals, as the thrill of solving problems and learning new technologies far outweighs the excitement of making money someday in the future. Thus, many people jump from one project to another, constantly tinkering with new ideas and technologies, which is why they never earn money.

Everyone believes that self-media can be profitable, but if I told you that you would only see decent income in five years and that you would need to continuously write and update during that time, I think most people would find that acceptable. But if you were to actually do it, how long could you last?

When you write articles that no one reads, or record videos that get no views, and the rare comments you receive are negative, it can be disheartening. I managed to stick to a two-week Sunday update schedule, but eventually realized it was too exhausting, staying up until 3 AM every day was unsustainable.

Nonetheless, I will not give up on writing because I genuinely enjoy it. The need to output leads me to seek input; this year, I have read more books than I have in the past five years combined.

Additionally, I have set a goal for myself: to earn 1 million in two years.

About Mindset

Independent developers, freelancers, and entrepreneurs all encounter this issue. I have spoken to many people about it and listened to their advice.

Most people share similar problems, such as sleepless nights and excessive hair loss (though I don't have that issue, given my lack of hair). The common response I receive is to endure, as there is no turning back.

Another approach is to read books and learn from others' experiences. Those you perceive as outstanding individuals may have faced challenges similar to yours, or even worse. Once you understand this, you may realize that your current difficulties are not so significant.

Another point is acceleration—your past efforts and accumulations, once they reach a certain level, can multiply exponentially. I previously read about Zhou Hang discussing Yidao, which focused on the premium car market for many years. Didi entered the ride-hailing market, rapidly expanding its scale, and then, one day, it entered the premium car market, pulling Yidao down from its throne in just three months.

Another example is my friend, who achieved in less than a year what took his previous company three years to accomplish. You must believe that people will always grow.

Often, difficulties present opportunities for growth. I have been reading Deng Xiaoping's biography recently. In his youth, he faced failures in Guangxi and Jiangxi, and later endured the loss of his wife and son, along with multiple political setbacks. Yet, he never lost sight of his goals and ultimately achieved great things.

Having entered society over a decade ago and still not having achieved much is not as important anymore. The key is whether you can seize opportunities when they arise. All difficulties are opportunities; if you overcome them, you grow.

I feel fortunate to have given myself a gap year for reflection and review, allowing me to identify problems within myself—something I couldn't do before. When the surrounding noise fades away, and you calm your mind to think, you can truly understand.

I used to think it was unfair that I didn't have the opportunity to attend university due to family circumstances, which may have led to earning less than others in the workplace, even if I felt good about myself. However, success never depends on whether you receive fair treatment.

Another takeaway is to discover the strengths of others. I reconnected with a friend I hadn't spoken to in years, with whom I had previously had some conflicts. He lives quite freely, unlike the struggle we face here. When I used to drink with him, I would have to pull out my laptop to handle online issues. But during a recent outing, I got drunk, and the next day, I woke up to his message—just two words: "Keep going." It filled me with strength. Everyone has their shining points; don't focus solely on others' mistakes and shortcomings, as that will naturally cause you to overlook their strengths.

About Work

I feel that taking on projects to maintain my daily life is somewhat counterproductive, and since the project is nearing completion, I have started looking for opportunities this month. I have also reached out to some friends for referrals to companies and have interviewed with a few firms, with some headhunters contacting me as well. However, I often haven't figured out my next steps, and when friends ask where I'm headed, I also say I haven't decided yet.

If anyone has good directions, job opportunities, ways to make money, or insights to share, feel free to reach out.

What I can confirm for now is that I will continue to learn, write, and experiment. The rest will be left to fate. If it comes to a point where I can't make ends meet, then I will learn "How to Suck Up to Your Boss to Reach the Pinnacle of Life." This week, I will be going to Beijing to meet some friends, and I expect to gain some new insights—I'm looking forward to it.

In Conclusion

This year, I have lost a lot, but I have also gained a lot. I am grateful to all the friends who have helped me; you have contributed to my growth, and I truly thank you.

P.S. If this article has inspired you in any way and you found it worthwhile, feel free to give it a like or share it in your social circle.