If you are ambitious (in tech) and in your 20s or 30s, watch this

Summary

In this motivational video, the speaker shares his journey from wasting his 20s on partying, poor choices, and low-value ambitions to achieving six-figure success through coding in his 30s. He emphasizes taking risks early, embracing failure as a learning tool, and going all-in on one skill or stack to build deep expertise. The video offers practical guidance for aspiring programmers, covering continuous learning, job hunting strategies, specialization, and mindset shifts. Ultimately, it inspires viewers to transform past mistakes into fuel, take action today, and realize that coding—and disciplined effort—can be a life-changing vehicle for success.

Takeaways

• 😀 The 20s are a time to take risks and go all-in on your goals, as the downside is minimal and the potential upside is huge.
• 😀 Every failure contributes to long-term success, as it provides valuable experience and data to adjust and improve.
• 😀 Success isn't about overnight achievement; it’s about stacking years of invisible work and compounding skills over time.
• 😀 Programming is a skill that requires consistent learning and adapting to stay relevant, even after years in the field.
• 😀 Competence is more important than passion—mastering the hard parts of programming builds confidence and enjoyment in the long run.
• 😀 Go deep into one thing. Specializing in a single tech stack is far more effective than spreading yourself thin across many.
• 😀 Failures in job hunting and coding challenges are part of the process—tweak your approach, learn from rejection, and keep applying.
• 😀 Money and success come from making fast decisions and taking action, not waiting around for the perfect opportunity.
• 😀 Don’t let your past or lack of formal education hold you back. Your future is shaped by your actions today, not your past failures.
• 😀 Building real-world projects and contributing to open-source can help you gain experience and land interviews, even without a perfect resume.

Q & A

Why does the speaker emphasize the importance of starting early, especially under 30?

The speaker stresses that in your 20s, there's little risk and everything to gain. By going all in on goals at an early age, like coding, you can achieve significant long-term benefits. Even if you fail, you’re stacking experience, which leads to eventual success. The key point is that the downside of failure is minimal, and the potential upside is enormous.

What was the speaker's biggest mistake in his 20s?

The speaker admits that his biggest mistake was focusing on the wrong goals, such as chasing cheap dopamine, partying, and engaging in destructive behaviors like drug dealing. These distractions prevented him from building something worthwhile during his 20s.

How does the speaker describe the process of failure in tech?

The speaker explains that failure in tech is inevitable, especially when starting out. However, failure is not the end. Every failure contributes to your experience and knowledge, meaning you never truly start from scratch. The key is to keep learning and adjusting your approach, ultimately leading to success.

What is the speaker’s advice for someone starting a programming career?

The speaker advises taking 'asymmetric bets,' meaning you should go all in on your goals, even with the risk of failure. Programming challenges, bugs, and rejections are part of the learning process. The key is to push through these obstacles and keep making progress, learning from every mistake.

How did the speaker's mentee overcome rejection in the job application process?

The mentee faced several rejections early on due to a lack of work experience. He responded by contributing to open-source projects and updating his resume to reflect those contributions. Eventually, he started building relationships with hiring managers instead of just submitting resumes, which led to job offers.

What does the speaker mean by 'coding is an infinite game'?

The 'infinite game' of coding means that your career is not about achieving a specific endpoint but about continuous growth. The goal is to remain employable for decades, always learning and adapting to new challenges. As technology evolves, staying current with new tools and methodologies is crucial.

What’s the importance of 'mastering the basics' according to the speaker?

Mastering the basics, such as Git and other foundational skills, is essential. Skipping these fundamentals can come back to haunt you later in your career. The speaker emphasizes that these skills are crucial for long-term success and should not be overlooked.

Why does the speaker suggest focusing on one programming language or framework?

The speaker advocates for focusing on one programming language or framework because depth beats breadth. By becoming an expert in one area, you build strong foundational skills that can transfer to other languages or stacks later on. Spreading yourself too thin with multiple languages early on can slow your progress.

What’s the relationship between passion and competence in programming?

The speaker argues that passion follows competence, not the other way around. At first, you may not enjoy certain aspects of programming, but as you gain mastery and confidence, your passion for the subject will grow. This concept mirrors the speaker’s experience with guitar playing, where mastering difficult songs led to a deeper love for the instrument.

What is the speaker’s view on taking fast action in the job market?

The speaker stresses that money and career success come from making quick decisions and taking action. Instead of waiting for the perfect job opportunity or the ideal project, you should apply to multiple roles, even if they’re not your dream job. By acting quickly and learning from each opportunity, you build momentum and grow faster.