Date: November 23, 2003

Setting a goal is an easy part, while it is more challenging to execute the plan toward the goal effectively. I need an effective time management, not dillydally by surfing the net or chatting meaningless topics, but do something that contributes meaningful to my goal.

I admire those people who have thorough understanding in certain areas, so they can claim themselves as subject matter expert. I seem to wear many hats but not a guru in any area. I passively observe the email alias discussion on security, though I learn something, I can not deliver a pitch on network security with fluency in the subject. I have been in telecommunication market for many years, but can I talk about the industry trend? Do I know the major products and solutions in this market? No. Shame on me.

It's good that I realize the problem: I didn't have a goal in the past. I just drifted away from task to task; To make it worse, I didn't prioritize the tasks. I was just enlisted by my sales counterpart or the customers. Though I did promptly respond the questions, and helped them solve all kinds of problems; however, what I gained in terms of my own knowledge was very limited. I didn't proactively explore the agenda set in my plan; instead, I just accumulated experiences from the reaction during the work. What a pity!

What I should do logically is to build a study plan, and think about the ideas reasonably, then thoughtfully prepare necessary information to implement the plan. For example, what shall I prepare for the next move as the product manager? I shall learn the engineering process, product life cycle, industry knowledge, and so on. I shall also prepare the necessary information about the place I will move to. In the long term, I have to think of a business that I can continue even after I retire.

In reality, I have to read many books in a short period of time, so I have no luxury to waste the time. This also brings another challenge to me because it seems impossible to finish reading all the books sooner. Let me calm down. One by one in order, I should have the skill to read such books as Guide to the markets quickly, say in two or three days; I may have to spend more time to read the books in other areas. But most importantly, I must do it persistently. Before reading the book, I shall ask myself what I can learn from the book; after the reading, I shall tell myself what I have gained. Gradually I can build up the necessary skills to be the expert in certain areas, while understand broadly about business related topics.

At least, during my daily life, I shall keep up good habits: read more articles and books. I mean this is to proactively and selectively read the books I want. Whenever I come up a good idea, I write it down and expand it and review it later. I believe I have been building a self-adjusting pattern toward the success.

Honglin Su

2003-11-23T20:20:18