December, 2017 — “JUST DO IT.”
What you do everyday more than what you do once in a while.
December, 2017 — “JUST DO IT.”
Hi there, I’m sitting on the plane flying back home for holidays. By the time you are reading this post, it’s probably 2018. So Happy New Year!
When I was writing the last review, the November, I realized that there’re so many things I’ve set out to do at the beginning of 2017, but I failed to achieve them, or even started getting my hands on it. Then I made a plan for the last month of 2017, trying to catch up a bit.
I wrapped up my first film project, updated my resume, started doing some research on digital marketing and branding, as well as going out and learning how to a a bit more social. Writing last monthly review is still feeling like yesterday, and I would say my December is one of my most productive month of the year.
Work
I feel really bored at the beginning of December. Because I was upset about myself doing repetition work every day, it does not require any creativity or skill. I feel like if they get a college intern and pay them some money, every one can do it with the instructions.
I was panic, and afraid that I may end up just like most of people. We all have dreams in school, then we start our career and find ourself in the position of bore, but we get paid well and some sort of laziness and comfort from time to time, so we keep the current status and look for a more comfortable life, buy a house, a car, get married and send your kid to school, which leave us more pressure and limits to do what we really want in the first place.
I’m not saying these things are wrong, they are totally correct if you feel like doing so and enjoy the life. But I think I’m just extremely selfish, I always put myself in the first place, and won’t let anything block my thoughts. No matter how brutal the road might be, I’m taking it.
Back to the topic, when you feel bored and not happy, our first instinct as human is to get away. In this context, quit the job and find another one.
I admit I’m young and naive, but I’m also rational and conscious enough to think through every aspect before really taking actions. I talked with my mentor, and also close colleague about my feelings, but not my instant idea of leaving.
My mentor shared his feeling and disappointment as well, but suggested me to focus on working and getting value for myself. The other guy shared the same feeling as mine, but also mentioned the difficulties of building a startup. We as employees should have energy and intelligence, but also integrity.
I decided to keep doing what I do here, in the mean time, the work gets a little more interesting, I get a chance to do some research about the business possibilities for 2018, gaming industry, and redesign the product.
So I decide to stay here and challenge myself to build a great product.
Life
Finishing a short film with another person definitely means a lot for my 2017. I started this project, simply because I’m kind of interested in filmmaking and want to talking with more people.
It seems that shooting a film is one of the best way to get to know somebody. By the way, we only shot for 2 days, think about how much fun you would have if you do a week long project! Chatting with others definitely helps people release a lot of pressure.
After that, I also started doing research on digital marketing and advertisement videos. I want to turn this research as a special gift for a person who has inspired and guided me in many ways, even he don’t even know me. I haven’t finished it yet, so it becomes my Jan goal of 2018.
The last week of 2017, one of my friend Ting, who is a national public speaking champion and now Founder/CEO of NOMAD English, reached out to me. We had a phone call, and he shared his early stage idea of building another online/offline oral English product.
He want me to join this project, and do some stuff on weekends. Well, if you know me well, you know I’m already working on it…
At least it is a B2C product, and definitely give me a lot more fun than my B2B PM journey.
What I’m Reading
Spotify’s Discover Weekly: How machine learning finds your new music
I’m a huge fan of Spotify and it’s algorithms and recommendation music. This article explains how they manage to develop their technology and beat other competitors in the industry.
Magic Leap: Founder of Secretive Start-Up Unveils Mixed-Reality Goggles
It’s probably going to take you around 40 minutes to read this passage, but it’s worth it, if you are into VR/AR or just technology. I’m excited to see Magic Leap’s product, but I also think they are going to postpone the release date, at least once. 🙃
What it Takes to Become a Great Product Manager
I came across this article when I was reviewing on my journey as a product manager in 2017. It makes it easy to do self review and check your company’s status.
POCKET: 2017 in Review
I’m not a avid user of pocket, but whenever I read something valuable for my research or long term personal development, I will save them to my pocket. This is their 2017 Year in Review, a must read for all of you.
Why Do Smart People Do Foolish Things?
Interesting point, and it makes sense! Critical thinker is better than a intelligent guy in modern society, and you will be a killer if you are a emotional intelligent critical thinker.
What I’m Planning
I’m always the guy who has a plan but work against or beyond the plan. So you can say I don’t have a plan.
However, I do know in 2018, I should be a motivational doer, not just a blogger. I feel like I don’t need people’s attention and support, I care more about my loved ones.
2017, I was searching for the things that can light me up. I found Japan, Tinder research, freestyle rap, filmmaking and even a girl. And I’m grateful.
Especially filmmaking, I learned not only the cinematography, but audio, color grading, music selection and storytelling. To be a good director, you should learn literally everything, kind of similar to product manager. This fascinates me, and I want to do more. This is where I should dig deeper and get really good at it.
When we are young, we should try as many new thing as we can.
And when you find the one that you are obsessed with, it’s time to go all in.
So I officially challenge myself to learn a new thing every month in 2018, and it should all help me become a better product manager and director. The ones that I’ve already put on the list are digital marketing, advertisement video production, piano, cello, oil painting and Farsi or Persian culture, aka trip to Iran YEAH!
I will be really happy if I could nail all these things, and also curious about what else will I come up with.
Let’s go get that chicken in 2018!
Thanks for reading and continuous support. Hope you find this email helpful, and I’m looking forward to hearing from yours!
“What you do everyday more than what you do once in a while.”
Warm Regards,
Zake
