Get Epic Shit Done (by Ankur Warikoo): Part 2 (Managing your career)

Hi everyone,

This is part 2 of my 4-blog series on the Book Summary of the book "Get Epic Shit Done" authored by Ankur Warikoo. I have tried to be as brief as possible in this post, in contrast to the previous one. For those who want more details and context, I strongly urge you to read the book. 

Amazon/Audible/Kindle link: Available here!

Goodreads link: Here!

"Get Epic Shit Done" is written as a conversation between a student and a teacher and is based on 36 frequently asked questions related to life as such, which prompts the reader to get into action...

So, without further ado, let's get into action of going through the book!

The book is divided into 4 sections and written in a question answer format covering the 36 FAQs on life. The 4 sections of the book are:

1. Managing your life (i.e., FAQs 1-9 are covered in part 1 of this blog series; refer here)
2. Managing your career (i.e., FAQs 10-19 are covered in the current blog, i.e., part 2)
3. Managing people
4. Managing yourself

This blog post covers the second section in detail. The next sections are covered in the upcoming posts.

Managing your career (Part 2 of the book)

10. How do I build trust?

• Trust is built on three things: 
• Being there for people when times are difficult.
• Being accountable for what you do.
• Sticking to your commitments.
• When you do error-free work, you show people that they can trust you.
• It is important to be proactive in communicating your progress and to request more time if you are unable to meet a deadline.
• Trust is that even when things go wrong, you know that everything that was needed to be done to prevent it was done and everything needed to fix it will be done.

"Being smart and witty can never compensate for lack of trust. Ever."

 

11. How do I find my passion?

• Ikigai is the Japanese concept of "the reason for being." It is the intersection of what you love doing, what you are good at, what the world needs, and what makes you money.
• Your 20s is the time to explore your ikigai. This is because you have the time and energy to experiment with different things.
• Once you have found your ikigai, it is important to be patient and put in the time and effort to make it a success. Money will eventually come, but it is not the most important thing.
• The most important thing is to find something that you love doing and that makes you feel fulfilled.

Image Credits: "Get Epic Shit Done", by Ankur Warikoo (page 90)

"No one should settle down. Keep up that fire. Keep moving the needle. You weren’t born to just settle down!" 

 

12. How do I pick the right career?

• Don't let your current job consume your life. Use it to provide for your needs and then focus on exploring your dream career.
• Don't compare yourself to others. They are on their own journey, and you are on yours. Focus on what you want to achieve and take action to make it happen.
• Envy comes from comparing yourself to others. Take action towards what you want and remind yourself that you are here to live your own life.
• Action achieves. Don't let envy empty you.

"If comparison led you to where you wanted to go, people would do nothing other than compare."

13. How do I change my career?

• Don't rush into changing careers. Acknowledge your current job's role in providing financial stability.
• Explore new careers in your free time, taking courses, talking to people, and trying out projects.
• Once you're sure about your new career path, look for opportunities within your organization or externally.
• Don't quit your job until you have a predictable income stream from your new career for at least six months.
• Remember, changing careers is a journey, not a race. Be patient and persistent, and you'll eventually find your calling.

"In a rapidly changing world, the ability to become a student whenever you have to is a superpower!"

14. How do I grow in my career?

• Growing in your career is about understanding your needs and working to fulfill them.
• The first step is to identify what you want most from your career right now. This could be money, work-life balance, growth, or something else.
• Once you know what you want, research how to achieve it. Talk to people who have the things you want and learn from their experiences.
• Be proactive in making changes to your career. Don't wait for things to happen to you. Take charge and create a career that you are happy with.

"If you don't ask, the answer is always NO!"

15. How do I deal with office politics? 

• There are two types of office politics: those encouraged by company culture and those that happen at a team or department level.
• If you find yourself in a toxic work environment, it is your responsibility to either voice your opinion or find another job.
• If you choose to voice your opinion, be prepared for the consequences. It is possible that you will not be heard or that you will face retaliation.
• If you think you are seeing office politics, try to see the situation from the other person's perspective. It is possible that what you think is politics is simply a case of different worldviews.

"If your manager indulges in the same politics that the top leader does, that is not politics. That is the culture."

16. How can I be indispensable at work? 

• To be indispensable at work, you need to go beyond just doing your job well. You need to bring something extra to the table that makes you unique and valuable to your company.
• The most curious and indispensable people focus on the outcome of their work, not just the output. They ask themselves why they are being given a task and what the reason is behind it.
• By understanding the outcome of your work, you can bring about positive unpredictability to your work and make yourself more valuable to your company.
• It is important to remember that success is not about doing the bare minimum. It is about going above and beyond to achieve the best possible outcome.

"If we just do what we are supposed to do, we will just get what we are supposed to get. Not what we desire to get."

17. How should I spend the first 90 days of a new job? 

• When you start a new job, it is important to focus on inputs rather than outputs. This means taking the time to understand the company culture, listen intently to your colleagues, and reach out to people for advice.
• By sharpening your axe, you are essentially preparing yourself to create a bigger impact when the opportunity arises. This means building meaningful relationships with your colleagues and being patient for the right time to strike.
• It is important to remember that everyone expects you to be a keen observer when you are new at a job. Do not try to create an impact from Day 1, as this will only set you up for failure.
• Spend time understanding the culture and observing how the system works. Listen intently to opinions and reactions around you. And reach out to people in your department and outside of it. Engage with them. Do all of this with patience, and at the right time, you will create a far bigger impact than those who were chasing it from the beginning.

  

Image Credits: "Get Epic Shit Done", by Ankur Warikoo (page 132) 

"If your manager doesn’t trust you, it doesn’t matter how smart you are."

18. How can I build multiple income streams?

• To build multiple income streams, it's essential to first establish a stable and predictable income stream. This could be a job or another source of income that provides a consistent financial cushion.
• Once you have a stable income, focus on creating processes and systems that free up your time. This could involve outsourcing tasks, automating processes, or delegating responsibilities.
• Explore different income streams that align with your interests and skills. Start with the basics and gradually expand your horizons. Consider activities like investing, teaching, consulting, or starting a business.
• Remember that the goal is not just to make more money but also to create a life that feels fulfilling and meaningful. Embrace the journey of exploration and allow yourself to discover new passions and possibilities.

"You build multiple income streams by first creating a stable predictable income stream."

19. How should I take a gap year? 

• A gap year is an important opportunity to explore different avenues and discover your interests. It is different from a drop year, which is used to reattempt an exam.
• There are three aspects to a gap year: becoming a student, building a community, and reflecting on yourself.
• To become a student, you should pick up courses and projects related to your interests. You should also speak to people in the field to get their perspectives.
• To build a community, you should find online networks and communities of people who share your interests. You can participate in these communities by observing, learning, and contributing.
• To reflect on yourself, you should always ask yourself two questions: Am I good at it or can I get good at it? Am I happy doing it?
• By taking a gap year, you can gain valuable experience and insights that will help you make informed decisions about your future.

"With changing times, taking time to reflect isn’t a luxury. It is a necessity."

 

So, with that, I wrap up the part 2 of this book. Hopefully it has some useful and thought-provoking insights for you. I will be back soon with the part 3 of this book summary (Get Epic Shit Done - Part 3 - Managing People). Until then, this is Subin Khullar signing off.

Goodbye and take care...