Should I Do What I Am Good At or Do What Is Trendy?

Is it better to follow trends and what's popular, or to focus on what you excel at? This is a challenging question.

Only you can answer this question yourself. What you need to know are the pros and cons in your decision. Don't just do; think before you do.

Your journey in your career or business is a long journey. Taking a pause to think it through does not take very long.

If I were you m I would create a list of questions and consider them carefully. This will definitely help you make fewer mistakes.

Let's discuss,

Should you do only what you are good at or chase what is trendy?

I would say, go with what you are good at.

For example, today everybody is talking about artificial intelligence and robotics; tomorrow, who knows what.

Do you follow the latest trend knowing that you have no interest in it and are not talented at it?

In today's competitive environment, you must pick something in which you have a competitive edge. If you have talent, you already have a head start.

If you chase or follow public opinions from social media influencers, you will not achieve anything.

There is an ancient Chinese quote,

A wise man makes his own decisions. An ignorant man follows public opinion. (智者做主，愚者跟风)

Everybody have different talents and come from environment. So, when you follow your talent, this may give them the competitive edge against other that what makes you succeed.

That is why blindly chasing trends is a dangerous.

As a wise man makes his own decisions and is independent of others' opinions.

Here is another important quote from Charlie Munger. He said to his followers,

Just because other people agree or disagree with you doesn't make you right or wrong — the only thing that matters is the correctness of your analysis and judgment."

Other people's opinions have nothing to do with your decision, whether they are correct or not. It's not important.

What is correct is the analysis and judgment you make by yourself. You are not influenced by others; you are influenced by your analysis.

Charlie Munger believes you should follow your "circle of competence" and not chasing trends or other's opinion. Stick to your competence.

Do what you are good at.

Table of contents:

1. Why should you do what you are good at?

2. Why you should not chase money making trends?

3. How do i know what am I good at?

4. How to succeed at what you are good at?

Why should you do what you are good at?

Your work becomes easier and faster because you are naturally good at the particular skill you are doing.

You will have better ideas and innovations because you are good at it.

Because of your natural talent, competitors will struggle to compete against you.

Why you should not chase money making trends?

Anything that is trendy signifies intense competition. This doesn't mean you can't compete, but you should be aware that its trendiness brings significant competition.

You will be competing with many talented individuals, which requires even more effort to contend with the competition.

Even if you are talented, you still need to work hard.

Additionally, something that is already trendy means there are people who started much earlier and are ahead of the competition from before it became trendy. By the time an idea becomes trendy, many people are competing in this money-making trend.

Ask yourself, is it too late? Is there still an opportunity for me to profit by joining this trend?

If you think you can carve a position in this trend then you may proceed.

How do i know what am I good at and can succeed?

Let's determine by looking at the Art of War philosophy by Sun Tzu, who was the greatest military strategist in ancient China 2500 years ago.

To determine whether to pursue your life, career, or business decision, you must evaluate whether you are likely to succeed.

Sun Tzu in his "Art of War book", he quoted,

The Art of War is rules by five heavenly factors to be appraised in one's actions when determining the situation on the field.

They are, politics, heaven, earth, the commander, rules and regulation.

To be good at something does not determine by your own efforts but other factors to be considered.

When Sun Tzu says "politics," he meant: Is your skill needed in the marketplace? Do people accept the product or service you offer?

In the context of "heaven," it refers to factors beyond your control, such as whether the economy is performing well or poorly, market timing, and other uncontrollable elements that you must consider before deciding on your actions.

"Earth" is refering to your location or terrain where you are doing your work. Does you location able to support your wirk. Is it in favour of your work?

"The Commander" refers to your character and skills needed to succeed in your work.

Finally, consider "Rules and Regulations." Do you have the necessary resources to succeed, such as finances, people to assist you, or the tools you need?

How to succeed at what you are good at?

Begin with small steps. Experiment to discover your strengths and assess your potential for success. Testing is the only way to determine your ability to succeed before fully committing.

If you make a mistake, it's alright to fail because the error is minor, allowing you to learn and recover from it.

If you start big or go all in and fail, recovery might be difficult, hindering your ability to pursue success.

Success depends on preparation and the right strategy. Sun Tzu said,

The victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win.

Sun Tzu emphasizes that victory is determined by preparation and strategy, not just effort or hard work.

Discover how to implement strategies to be successful from The Art Of War.