Choose the Right Field for Yourself — Find the Best Fit Between Your Career and Personal Value
The most important first step on your career path is to clarify your direction and choose a field that truly suits you. This not only affects your work performance but also determines your career happiness and income potential.
The Reality of Work: Stability and Practicality
Many people mistakenly believe work is a shortcut to quick wealth, but reality is often different. As an employee, your role is to contribute value to the company, while the company’s primary responsibility is to maintain operations and profitability, not to make every employee rich. Employers pay wages to secure stable, efficient work—not to increase your personal wealth. Therefore, instead of complaining about low pay, focus on increasing your value to earn a raise.
The Challenges and Opportunities of Freelancing
Freelancing seems flexible and free, but it is one of the most challenging career paths. Many freelancers struggle due to a lack of steady income and market competition pressures, making stable development difficult. Those who succeed often invest more time and effort than regular employees. But the rewards are greater, especially once you learn to generate passive income (e.g., investments, royalties), so you no longer rely solely on trading time for money.
Self-Reflection: Five Key Questions to Understand Your Present and Future
To find the right direction, ask yourself these five questions and write down your answers carefully. This will help you clarify your thinking and create practical plans:
- What is my ultimate life goal? Does my current career help me achieve it?
- What is my income goal? Is this goal realistic in my current field?
- Does my career match my personality and interests? Do I feel happy and fulfilled at work? Why or why not?
- Why did I choose this career initially? Is that motivation still valid now?
- Based on my personality, what are at least ten strengths and weaknesses related to this field?
Answers will change over time; regularly review and adjust to stay aligned with your life goals.
Creating New Income Streams: Building a Diversified Wealth Foundation
Relying on a single income source is risky, so build a second or multiple income streams. Here are some suggestions for side jobs or investment directions:
- Ensure your secondary income does not overlap with your main income, truly diversifying.
- Choose part-time work that allows growth and learning, providing both income and valuable experience.
- Learn sales skills — whether selling products, services, or knowledge, sales ability is key to wealth growth.
- Be willing to take risks; if you fail, don’t be afraid. Your main job supports you, and side jobs can be testing grounds.
- Use your time efficiently and continually explore new market opportunities.
- Try turning hobbies into money-making careers, finding the intersection of fun and ability.
- Strive to become an expert in a specific field, greatly boosting your competitiveness and income.
- See yourself as an investor, managing wealth rather than just earning a paycheck.
Avoid wasting time and energy in fields without growth potential.
Flow Experience at Work: The Soft Skill Key to Raises
In psychology, flow is a state of intense focus and enjoyment. Finding work that frequently puts you in flow not only boosts efficiency but also makes the work enjoyable. The formula for flow is strong interest plus personal talent. This helps you create more value at work and lays a solid foundation for a raise.
The 15 Golden Rules for Getting a Raise
There are generally five ways to increase your income at work:
- Switch to a higher-paying job;
- Start your own business, building your brand and career;
- Increase extra income in your spare time;
- Build expert status to improve bargaining power;
- Negotiate for a higher salary in your current position.
As an employee, income growth mainly depends on three factors:
- How your boss values you;
- Your awareness of your own value;
- Your negotiation skills.
Raises don’t happen by chance. Following these 15 rules greatly improves your chances:
- Give your best effort: Always be your best self.
- Create revenue: Focus on tasks that directly generate income.
- Be helpful: Spread positive energy and be well-liked on the team.
- Love your work: Passion drives motivation and creativity.
- Keep learning: Constantly improve professional and soft skills.
- Treat work like a game: View challenges as games to keep a positive mindset.
- Leverage your strengths: Identify and build on your core competencies.
- Boost confidence: Confidence is key in negotiation and performance.
- Focus on goals: Avoid distractions and concentrate on key tasks.
- Maintain urgency: Stay aware of time pressure to improve execution.
- Avoid public conflict: Keep workplace politeness and cooperation.
- Be broad-minded: Show tolerance and generosity towards colleagues.
- Take responsibility: Own your results and demonstrate maturity.
- Show your capabilities: Gain recognition through action, not self-doubt.
- Ask for a raise proactively: When the time is right, negotiate courageously.
Practical Advice: How to Work Efficiently Using the 20/80 Rule
Follow the Pareto Principle by focusing on the 20% of tasks that bring the most value. Delegate the remaining 80%. When facing tough tasks, tackle the hardest parts first to reduce procrastination.
Create Three Raise Preparation Lists
- Value list: Write at least 15 reasons why you deserve a raise.
- Contribution list: Detail specific examples where you saved costs or generated revenue for the company.
- Future plan list: Show how you will bring even greater value to the company going forward.
These lists make your negotiation more persuasive.
Four Steps for a Raise Conversation
- Express gratitude and love for the company.
- Ask your boss for feedback and accept it openly.
- Add any unmentioned strengths and contributions confidently.
- Politely request a raise without naming a figure first.
If the negotiation fails, summarize lessons, try again in three months. If still unsuccessful, consider switching jobs. Don’t undervalue yourself.
Build Your Own “Money Machine”
Wealth is about making money work for you, not the other way around. Saving and investing are the twin engines of wealth growth. Learn financial management, plan expenses wisely, save 10% of income and 50% of raises for investment. Plug financial leaks and avoid unnecessary spending.
Clear Distinction Between Investment and Debt
Know what counts as investment (stocks, funds, real estate) and what is debt (credit cards, high-interest loans). Investments grow assets; debts consume wealth. Financial freedom comes from accumulating assets, not liabilities.
Serve Others, Gain More
Helping others improve their lives is a powerful way to gain wealth and fulfillment. Focus your goals and resources like managing a business “help plan” to create a virtuous cycle.
Value of Spare Time
Overworking sacrifices personal life and health, which is counterproductive. True wealth comes from passive income and time freedom. Plan life rhythm reasonably and keep body and mind healthy to sustain value creation.
Thinking About Income Goals
Want to earn 20% more? Keep a daily success journal and persistently work towards a raise. Want 100% more? Fundamentally change your lifestyle and career, transitioning into entrepreneurship and expert roles.
Comprehensive Life Self-Check
Use a series of questions to review your life and work balance, ensure you’re in a supportive environment, have a solid social circle, stay healthy, manage time freely, and enjoy work.