Do Hard Things Back when I was writing for Bloomberg Opinion, the one piece I wrote that went insanely viral was the one where I took a giant shit on the CFA program. That kept me busy for a couple of months. I’ve never gotten so much hate mail in my entire life, and some of it was personal. I should have expected it. People worked hard to accomplish a goal, and I told them that it was a huge waste of time. Nobody likes to hear that.
I'll be honest, I really didn't like this piece as I thought the title was going to go a different way. I could relate to it but it didn't reach me ... that was until the last paragraph. If you get one thing out of anything, a news article, a motivation speaker that is a narcissist, a sermon from a preacher, you got something. For me, it was the last paragraph of this essay. Thank you Jared. I really enjoy what you do.
2 comments: totally concur on credentialism. I did/do the same thing for PMP cert. I wrote a whole essay on what a total farce it is. But I like your take (though IMO it’s not hard). Having one def doesn’t confer that they’re any good.
2) Jerzy Gregorak quote: “hard choices, easy life. Easy choices, hard life.” I don’t listen to Tim Ferriss much anymore, but I’d totally recommend this classic. Dude is a fount of wisdom from experience.
It’s easy to reflect on a moment or feeling in time and make a statement that doesn’t always represent the collective viewpoint or even our whole thoughts for that matter.
It’s not as easy to be bold, sharing an idea first, and not waiting for a “vote” or absolute consensus knowing some people criticize safely…after the fact.
I share your posts often and find them quite inspiring. Be encouraged.
Totally agree. So many of these credential programs are just money makers for the provider. There are better, more efficient methods of learning financial analysis. I learned that the MBA program just recites old theories and rules that are entirely obsolete and exposed during crisis times.
This resonated big time. Lacking purpose can be extremely detrimental to mental health. Found myself in a rut recently because every day had become too monotonous and easy. Required some reprioritization and picked up some new challenging hobbies.
On the CFA - I got mine and I agree that it won't make you a better investor or even increase your chances of higher pay. However, coming from a non-target, it certainly helped level the playing field. It allows employers filter for "grinders" who are willing to put in the hours on BS work, even if you didn't get the bulge bracket IB job out of undergrad. That said, its importance should fade as you progress in your career and the gatekeepers that are more than a few yrs out of school are laughable.
Also, love the Marsh callout. Super excited to see him in Charlotte in a few months. Not too far from your stomping grounds - if you're in the area I've got a couple spare VIP tix!
I'll be honest, I really didn't like this piece as I thought the title was going to go a different way. I could relate to it but it didn't reach me ... that was until the last paragraph. If you get one thing out of anything, a news article, a motivation speaker that is a narcissist, a sermon from a preacher, you got something. For me, it was the last paragraph of this essay. Thank you Jared. I really enjoy what you do.
2 comments: totally concur on credentialism. I did/do the same thing for PMP cert. I wrote a whole essay on what a total farce it is. But I like your take (though IMO it’s not hard). Having one def doesn’t confer that they’re any good.
2) Jerzy Gregorak quote: “hard choices, easy life. Easy choices, hard life.” I don’t listen to Tim Ferriss much anymore, but I’d totally recommend this classic. Dude is a fount of wisdom from experience.
Really enjoyed reading this Jared.
It’s easy to reflect on a moment or feeling in time and make a statement that doesn’t always represent the collective viewpoint or even our whole thoughts for that matter.
It’s not as easy to be bold, sharing an idea first, and not waiting for a “vote” or absolute consensus knowing some people criticize safely…after the fact.
I share your posts often and find them quite inspiring. Be encouraged.
Onward and upward!
Totally agree. So many of these credential programs are just money makers for the provider. There are better, more efficient methods of learning financial analysis. I learned that the MBA program just recites old theories and rules that are entirely obsolete and exposed during crisis times.
Another good one. Thanks for the effort-- well worth reading and considering.
This resonated big time. Lacking purpose can be extremely detrimental to mental health. Found myself in a rut recently because every day had become too monotonous and easy. Required some reprioritization and picked up some new challenging hobbies.
On the CFA - I got mine and I agree that it won't make you a better investor or even increase your chances of higher pay. However, coming from a non-target, it certainly helped level the playing field. It allows employers filter for "grinders" who are willing to put in the hours on BS work, even if you didn't get the bulge bracket IB job out of undergrad. That said, its importance should fade as you progress in your career and the gatekeepers that are more than a few yrs out of school are laughable.
Also, love the Marsh callout. Super excited to see him in Charlotte in a few months. Not too far from your stomping grounds - if you're in the area I've got a couple spare VIP tix!
Timely for me. Thanks.