8 Brutal Truths About Leaving Big Tech in 2024

Summary

In 2024, Steve Win, a former Amazon principal engineer, reflects on his biggest career mistakes after leaving his high-paying job to pursue content creation. Despite growing his channel and expanding his impact, he shares how rushing his exit, overcommitting, and chasing metrics led to burnout and confusion. Steve offers valuable insights on embracing strategic decisions, prioritizing mental health, creating sustainable systems, and never ceasing to learn. In 2025, he plans to focus on building a community that provides the guidance he wished he'd had, shifting from running away from the past to building toward a purposeful future.

Takeaways

• 😀 Rushing major transitions can lead to missed opportunities. Steve’s early exit from Amazon cost him over $250,000, showing that sometimes patience pays off.
• 😀 Saying 'yes' to everything can quickly lead to burnout. Learning to say no and focusing on priorities is critical for maintaining balance and focus.
• 😀 Building scalable systems is key for long-term success. Steve emphasizes that systems help in managing increased output without overwhelming yourself.
• 😀 Never stop learning, even as a teacher. To truly provide value, stay updated with new knowledge and continually sharpen your skills.
• 😀 Chasing metrics, like views or likes, often leads to short-lived success. Instead, focus on creating meaningful content that genuinely connects with your audience.
• 😀 Productivity is not just about constant activity; it’s also about rest and reflection. Creativity thrives in moments of stillness and downtime.
• 😀 Your job title or past career shouldn’t define your identity. Evolving your professional identity is part of growth, and you need to embrace who you are becoming.
• 😀 Instead of running away from what you don’t want, focus on running towards a clear and meaningful vision for your future.
• 😀 The value of your past experience is important, but it should not dominate your narrative. Focus on the value you bring in the present and future.
• 😀 Building something meaningful requires intentional action. Define a specific vision and purpose, and focus on building towards that goal, not escaping from something else.

Q & A

What was the main theme of Steve's reflection in the video?

Steve reflects on the mistakes he made in 2024 after leaving his job at Amazon and emphasizes the importance of not just running away from situations but running toward meaningful goals. He encourages people to redefine productivity, focus on growth, and embrace personal evolution.

Why does Steve consider rushing his exit from Amazon a mistake?

Steve rushed his exit due to feelings of burnout and dissatisfaction, but in retrospect, he realizes that leaving too quickly without proper planning led to financial and personal consequences. He advises taking time to strategically plan career transitions.

What did Steve learn from overcommitting himself after leaving Amazon?

Steve learned that saying yes to too many things without setting boundaries led to overwhelm. Instead of feeling liberated, he found himself working even harder. He now advises others to set clear priorities and only take on what aligns with their goals.

What mistake did Steve make regarding content creation in 2024?

Steve got caught up in creating content for the sake of it, rather than focusing on content that would provide real value. He was working harder, not smarter, and later developed systems to be more strategic in his approach to content creation.

How did chasing metrics affect Steve's work in 2024?

Chasing metrics like views and likes initially distracted Steve from his core mission, which was to have a real impact. He realized that metrics alone didn’t measure the true value of his work, and shifted focus toward making meaningful contributions to his audience’s careers.

What does Steve mean when he says that creativity needs space to breathe?

Steve emphasizes that creativity thrives in an environment where there's time for rest and reflection. He believes that being constantly busy doesn’t lead to innovation; instead, allowing your mind to wander and take breaks can foster new ideas.

Why did Steve struggle with his identity after leaving Amazon?

Steve’s identity was deeply tied to his role at Amazon, and when that changed, he struggled to define who he was. He found himself clinging to his past title, but ultimately, he learned that his value was not defined by his past job, but by who he was becoming.

What is the key lesson Steve learned about career transitions?

The key lesson Steve learned is that career transitions should not be about running away from something you don’t like but about running toward something meaningful. Focusing on what you want to build and create is more important than escaping discomfort.

How does Steve suggest people avoid making the same mistakes he did?

Steve suggests taking the time to plan strategic career moves, setting clear boundaries to avoid overcommitment, prioritizing rest, and focusing on building meaningful, impactful work rather than chasing external validation like metrics.

What are Steve's plans for 2025 based on the lessons learned in 2024?

For 2025, Steve plans to stop running away from discomfort and start building something purposeful. He intends to create the resource he wished he had when navigating his career and focus on making a real impact by helping others facing similar challenges.