Scott Adams is the creative genius behind the Dilbert comic strip. Before his success in cartooning, he navigated the corporate world, working at companies like Crocker National Bank and Pacific Bell. His unique blend of corporate experience and creative insight gives him a distinctive perspective on success, failure, and personal growth.

Scott Adams' book, How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big, offers valuable insights for anyone seeking personal and professional development, especially us, product managers.

I first stumbled upon this book in 2018, and it has been a constant companion ever since. Each reread unveils new wisdom, and its principles have profoundly influenced my approach to work and life.

One of the most crucial takeaways from the book is Adams' perspective on failure. He emphasizes that failure is a normal part of the journey—a stepping stone toward success. Each "failure" is an iteration that brings us closer to our goals. This mindset aligns perfectly with the iterative nature of product development, where every unsuccessful feature or project provides valuable lessons.

Why is this mindset so intuitive in our professional lives but not applied elsewhere? Embracing failure outside of work can open doors to personal growth and opportunities we might otherwise miss.

Personally, reframing failures as learning experiences has reduced my fear of taking risks. It's encouraged me to experiment more, both in my career and personal endeavors, leading to the cool, fun stuff.

The idea that "goals are for losers" – probably the best and simplest explanation of System Thinking you can find.

Instead of setting specific end results, Scott advocates for creating systems—consistent actions that lead to continuous improvement.

For example, rather than aiming to "lose weight to 80 kg," adopting a system of "exercise three times a week" fosters sustainable habits.

Instead of setting a goal like "secure five new clients this quarter," I focus on daily actions: reaching out to potential clients, gathering feedback, and refining my offerings.

These systems keep me engaged and provides a sense of accomplishment every day.

The beauty of this approach is that it shifts the focus from distant outcomes to present actions, making the journey enjoyable and rewarding. I personally can relate to that mental trap of big bold goals. Just choose the angle and there is something happened in my life remaining a big hole upon achievement – immigrations, promotions, healthy weight and this list goes on.

Scott categorises people into three types: selfish, stupid, and burdens to others. Surprisingly, he argues for the importance of being "selfish" in a positive sense—prioritizing self-care to better equip ourselves to help others.

By taking care of our health, well-being, and personal development, we become more effective in supporting our families, teams, and communities. In product management, this means ensuring we're at our best to lead our teams and deliver valuable products.

I've learned that neglecting self-care leads to burnout, which not only affects me but also those who rely on me. Embracing this "selfishness" has improved my relationships and professional performance.

Scott Adams highlights that significant opportunities often arise from interactions with intelligent and interesting people.

Reflecting on my own life, I realized that all my major turning points—career advancements, job opportunities, even immigration decisions—stemmed from such connections.

Networking doesn't come naturally to me; it's an area I've had to consciously develop. Gos, this shit is hard. I've learned that providing value to others is key to building meaningful relationships. This could be through sharing knowledge, offering assistance, or simply being a good listener.

How can we provide value to interesting people to foster these connections? By focusing on mutual benefit and genuine interest, networking becomes less daunting and more rewarding.

A particularly empowering concept in the book is the idea that we can "control luck" by acquiring new skills.

This encourages continuous learning and self-improvement. In product management, a diverse skill set is invaluable. Combining abilities like public speaking, data analysis, and user experience design enhances our effectiveness and opens up new opportunities.

Personally, I've found that learning new skills not only boosts my confidence but also makes me more adaptable in a rapidly changing industry.

Learning new skills and trying things all the time is the only way to really figure out what do you like and love.

Scott Adams' How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big is a treasure trove of insights on embracing failure, create simple yet effective systems, and continuously improving oneself. Its straightforward style and humor make it an enjoyable read and sets it apart from other books, while its principles are profoundly impactful.

I encourage you to give these ideas a chance.

Try implementing even a couple of these concepts in your life and observe the shift they make.