J0EL L0VERA2024-01-18T04:21:48+00:00https://loverajoel.comJoel Loverajoelalovera@gmail.comupward books2024-01-18T00:00:00+00:00https://loverajoel.com/texts/upward-books<h1 id="upward-books">upward books</h1>
<p>Many books I discover promise life-changing content but often fall short.</p>
<p>The pattern is familiar: the preface and first chapter hook you with career or life-enhancing ideas. Then the book loses momentum, padding later chapters with tangents and fluff.</p>
<p>I call them as <em>“non-upward books.”</em></p>
<p>Their main takeaways fit in an essay, but greed motivates the author to bloat the book with unnecessary filler.</p>
<p><img src="https://lex-img-p.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/img/eb9b5f00-8743-4173-a90b-2a200f5fe850-RackMultipart20240118-147-hkhz2i.png" alt="" /></p>
<p>Great books maintain an upward trajectory in learning and engagement, delivering consistent value from start to finish. <em>Non-upward</em> <em>books</em> peak after the first chapter and then plummet.</p>
<p>To manage my reading and invest time in meaningful books, I’ve adopted a strategy of writing pre-reading notes, outlining my expectations and potential gains from the book.</p>
<p>As I progress in the book, I review these notes and assess whether the book delivers on its promises.</p>
<p>Books that meet or exceed my expectations are what I classify as <em>upward books</em>. These books merit rereading and recommendation. Books that fail this test are discarded promptly.</p>
<p>This strategy ensures my reading list contains books that enhance my knowledge and personal growth while providing enjoyable experiences and avoiding disappointment.</p>
questioning norms2023-12-12T00:00:00+00:00https://loverajoel.com/texts/norms<h1 id="questioning-norms">questioning norms</h1>
<p>If you do things as they’ve always been done, you will lag behind.</p>
<p>The best chefs experiment with blending diverse cuisines, creating new flavors and unique dishes.</p>
<p>The spirit of experimentation questions the assumption that established methods are superior.</p>
<p>Conventions persist not because they’re the best, but because they’re familiar and unchallenged.</p>
<p>Sticking to traditional methods can cause you to miss opportunities for innovation and differentiation.</p>
<p>Challenging conventional wisdom tests the efficacy of practices beyond tradition. It prompts reevaluation of common methods.</p>
<p>Questioning the status quo leads to the redesign of strategies and processes.</p>
<p>At its core, it’s about finding new paths to success, about competing in ways not yet imagined.</p>
in tech, be a generalist2023-12-08T00:00:00+00:00https://loverajoel.com/texts/generalist<h1 id="in-tech-be-a-generalist">in tech, be a generalist</h1>
<p><em>(Every quarter, I think about specializing in a particular field. However, after a few days of thought, I reach the same conclusion. Reminder for my future self.)</em></p>
<p>No concept in tech is so complex that it demands specialisation.</p>
<p>With conviction and purpose, you can understand how to build a successful product and business.</p>
<p>Consider industries as fundamental problems, not intricate systems. Innovate by understanding consumer needs, irrespective of the industry.</p>
<p>Draw lessons from basic principles.</p>
<p>Generalists, unbiased by industry norms, offer fresh perspectives. Being a tech generalist doesn’t mean you lack depth; it means you have broad knowledge that fosters innovation.</p>
<p>When working in tech, be a generalist.</p>
growing relationships2023-04-07T00:00:00+00:00https://loverajoel.com/texts/relationships<h1 id="growing-relationships">growing relationships</h1>
<p>Three years ago, I moved to Singapore. Starting fresh was exciting but tough. Making new friends and keeping old ones was hard. Life got busy, and I struggled to stay connected.</p>
<p>I tried many ways to fix this. I used apps, calendars, and planning. But nothing worked. They took too much effort and felt forced.</p>
<p>Last year, I made a pledge. I wanted to be better at building relationships. I wished to remember birthdays, care about friends’ lives, and be there for family.</p>
<p>Sadly, relationship building doesn’t come naturally to me. I knew I needed help. So, I made a list of what the perfect solution should have:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Weekly plan:</strong> A list of people to talk to every week, keeping connections fresh and ongoing.</li>
<li><strong>Time zones:</strong> Easily stay in touch with people around the world.</li>
<li><strong>Custom pace:</strong> Change how often I talk to each person based on our connection.</li>
<li><strong>Simple:</strong> A tool that’s easy to use and doesn’t stress me out.</li>
<li><strong>Flexible:</strong> Adapting to unique relationships and individual preferences for catch-ups, whether it’s a long conversation, a text or a casual coffee.</li>
<li><strong>Delightful:</strong> Makes keeping in touch fun and enjoyable.</li>
<li><strong>10x ROI:</strong> Helps me get better at connecting with others.</li>
</ul>
<p>Over the holidays, I made the first prototype. It was simple, but it helped. I began talking to friends I hadn’t seen in years. I felt lighter, and my new friends noticed my effort. It was working!</p>
<p><img src="https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/1700100/230541042-f876d605-4920-4d07-8a0e-d8967fc6ae3a.png" alt="Foreva app" title="Foreva app" /></p>
<p>The app isn’t perfect yet, and there’s still a lot to iterate. If you have the same problem and want to get better at building relationships, feel free to join <a href="https://testflight.apple.com/join/REZhfAmi">the beta version</a> and let’s fix this problem together.</p>
<p>If you want to follow the journey, find me on Twitter where I post updates regularly.</p>
product resources list2022-12-08T00:00:00+00:00https://loverajoel.com/texts/product-resources-list<h1 id="product-resources-list">product resources list</h1>
<p>Frequently I find myself in 1:1s with people interested in exploring or moving into Product Management. Below is a curated list of articles, podcast episodes, books and courses on Product Management that I’d recommend and consume regularly.</p>
<p><strong>NOTE:</strong> Back in the early days of my transition to product, I curated and synthesize wiht <a href="https://twitter.com/davidef_7">a friend</a> a list of must reads on <a href="https://theproductindex.com/">theproductindex.com</a>. Highly recommend starting from there.</p>
<p><br /></p>
<h2 id="books">Books</h2>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Cracking-PM-Interview-Product-Technology/dp/0984782818">Cracking the PM Interview, Gayle Laakmann McDowell</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Cracking-PM-Interview-Product-Technology/dp/0984782818">Inspired, Marty Cagan</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.amazon.sg/Jobs-be-Done-Theory-Practise/dp/0990576744">Jobs to be Done, Anthony Ulwick</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Dare-Lead-Brave-Conversations-Hearts/dp/0399592520">Dare to Lead, Brené Brown </a></li>
<li><a href="https://productschool.com/the-product-book/">The Product Book, Product School</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Good-Strategy-Bad-Difference-Matters/dp/0307886239">Good Strategy Bad Strategy, Richard Rumelt</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Hooked-How-Build-Habit-Forming-Products-ebook/dp/B00LMGLXTS">Hooked, Nir Eyal</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Zero-One-Notes-Startups-Future-ebook/dp/B00J6YBOFQ">Zero to One, Peter Thiel</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Lean-Product-Playbook-Innovate-Products/dp/1118960874/">The Lean Product Playbook, Dan Olsen</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Four-Steps-Epiphany-Steve-Blank-ebook/dp/B00FLZKNUQ/">The Four Steps to the Epiphany, Steve Blank</a></li>
</ul>
<h2 id="articles">Articles</h2>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.paulgraham.com/relres.html">Relentlessly Resourceful, Paul Graham</a></li>
<li><a href="https://code.likeagirl.io/how-to-build-a-product-people-will-fall-in-love-with-a-digital-product-strategy-framework-13bfeee2d9ea">How to build a product people will fall in love with — a digital product strategy framework, Adriana T. Torresan</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.mindtheproduct.com/using-the-kano-model-to-prioritize-product-development/">Using the Kano Model to prioritize product development, Martin Eriksson</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.ycombinator.com/blog/navigating-mid-success/">Navigating Mid-Success, Sam Altman</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.quora.com/Product-Management/What-distinguishes-the-Top-1-of-product-managers-from-the-Top-10">What distinguishes the Top 1% of product managers from the Top 10%?, Quora</a></li>
<li><a href="https://blackboxofpm.com/ruthless-prioritization-e4256e3520a9">Ruthless Prioritization, Brandon Chu</a></li>
<li><a href="https://blackboxofpm.com/the-time-value-of-shipping-6deaf8d7d565">The Time Value of Shipping, Brandon Chu</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.christianstrunk.com/blog/product-strategy">Important elements every new product strategy needs to have, Christian Strunk</a></li>
<li><a href="https://medium.com/the-year-of-the-looking-glass/how-to-work-with-designers-6c975dede146">How to Work with Designers, Julie Zhuo</a></li>
<li><a href="https://medium.com/the-year-of-the-looking-glass/how-to-work-with-engineers-a3163ff1eced">How to Work with Engineers, Julie Zhuo </a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.zacksiri.com/growth-vs-profitability/">Growth vs Profitability</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.svpg.com/assessing-product-opportunities/">Assessing Product Opportunities, Marty Cagan</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.svpg.com/product-discovery/">Product Discovery, Marty Cagan</a></li>
<li><a href="https://medium.com/@melissaperri/what-is-good-product-strategy-8d5587cb7429">What is Good Product Strategy?, Melissa Perri</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.intercom.com/resources/books/growth-handbook">The Growth Handbook, Intercom</a></li>
</ul>
<h2 id="podcasts--interviews">Podcasts & Interviews</h2>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/00Rb6BMCHLpN47AnUYSMNl?si=51532eea62e24fcf">Nikhyl Singhal, VP of Product at Facebook on the Product Craft</a></li>
<li><a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/60B4DrF4z39qxtEduC9B5O">Productboard founder and CEO Hubert Palan on mastering product strategy</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBOLk9s9Ci4&t=1s">The Real Product Market Fit, Michael Seibel</a></li>
</ul>
<h2 id="twitter-threads">Twitter threads</h2>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://twitter.com/lennysan/status/1303356480842682368">Getting better at product strategy, Lenny Rachitsky</a></li>
<li><a href="https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1055718652102594560">PM career management at Products, Shreyas Doshi</a></li>
<li><a href="https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1558558609327509506">7 uncommon signals for great PMs, Aakash Gupta</a></li>
</ul>
<h2 id="talks">Talks</h2>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReRcHdeUG9Y">Why Leaders Eat Last, Simon Sinek</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.mindtheproduct.com/mastering-the-problem-space-for-product-market-fit-by-dan-olsen/">Mastering the Problem Space for Product/Market Fit, Dan Olsen</a></li>
</ul>
<h2 id="courses">Courses</h2>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.udemy.com/course/become-a-product-manager-learn-the-skills-get-a-job/">Become a Product Manager - Learn the Skills & Get the Job, Udemy</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.reforge.com/mastering-product-management">Mastering Product Management, Reforge</a></li>
</ul>
<p><br />
Let me know if you think I’ve missed a gem, I’m always looking for great content.</p>
focus on what you can control2022-11-30T00:00:00+00:00https://loverajoel.com/texts/control<h1 id="focus-on-what-you-can-control">focus on what you can control</h1>
<p>So simple.</p>
<p>So wise.</p>
<p>Not easy to follow, though.</p>
my all-time favorite books2022-11-28T00:00:00+00:00https://loverajoel.com/texts/my-all-time-favorite-books<h1 id="my-all-time-favorite-books">my all-time favorite books</h1>
<p>This page lists my all time favorite books. There are no specific criteria for choosing them, but I find myself recommending them to friends, colleagues, and family time and time again. This page will constantly be updated as I read more.
<br />
<br /></p>
<p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Managing-Oneself-Harvard-Business-Classics/dp/142212312X"><strong>Managing Oneself, Peter F. Drucker</strong></a>. The book is packed with wise advice on how to manage your career and rise to the top. The world we live in is filled with unprecedented opportunities, but opportunity carries responsibility, and it’s up to you to choose your career path and to change it when necessary. A must-read for career-minded individuals.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>“Success in the knowledge economy comes to those who know themselves—their strengths, their values, and how they best perform” Peter F. Drucker
<br />
<br /></p>
</blockquote>
<p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Pitch-Anything-Innovative-Presenting-Persuading/dp/0071752854"><strong>Pitch Anything, Oren Klaff</strong></a>. In this book, Oren shares theories on how social interaction works, as well as frames(aka tactics) you can use to change your social status within a social setting. I’ve read it three times now. I never get tired of recommending this book to my colleagues who attend several stakeholder meetings every week. It’s a book that will elevate your social profile.
<br />
<br /></p>
<p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Man%27s_Search_for_Meaning"><strong>Man’s Search for Meaning, Viktor Frankl</strong></a>. A true classic, and possible one of the biggest contributions to psychology of the last century. Through his book, Viktor shares a vivid narrative of what it was like to be a prisoner in a Nazi concentration camp, and how he endured and overcame the hardships focusing on love, hope, responsibility and, inner freedom. A go-to for tough times when I need to boost my resilience.
<br />
<br /></p>
<p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlas_Shrugged"><strong>Atlas Shrugged, Ayn Rand.</strong></a>
It is a controversial, but revealing fiction thriller that presents a philosophical paradigm shift. The writing style, characters development and overall story make this book an enjoyable read.
<br />
<br /></p>
<p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flash_Boys"><strong>Flash boys, Michael Lewis</strong></a>. If you have any contact with the market, this story is for you. In this non-fiction book, a group of Wall Street rebels investigate and expose the phenomenon of high-frequency trading (HFT) in the US financial market and how insiders benefitted with low risk.
<br />
<br /></p>
<p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Factfulness:_Ten_Reasons_We%27re_Wrong_About_the_World_%E2%80%93_and_Why_Things_Are_Better_Than_You_Think"><strong>Factfulness, Hans Rosling</strong></a>. Together with his two collaborators, Professor Hans Rosling presents an explanation of how our instincts cause us to exaggerate situations and misperceive reality, thereby escalating problems and our response to them. As Rosling explains in his book, there are ten fundamental instincts one must fight in order to cultivate a perception based on reality, which will ultimately change the way one feels, thinks, and behaves.</p>
principles2019-06-30T00:00:00+00:00https://loverajoel.com/texts/principles<h1 id="principles">Principles</h1>
<blockquote>
<p>“Practices are specific activities or actions that work in one circumstance but not necessarily in another. Principles empower everyone who understand those principles to act without constant monitoring, evaluating, correcting and controlling. Principles have universal application and when they are internalized into habits they guide people in the creation of practices that payoff with more creativity, expertise, and shared responsibility at all levels of an organization.” Stephen Covey</p>
</blockquote>
<p><strong>Integrity:</strong> Live your life as if it will be engraved in stone; trust in honesty and integrity. Have faith in your path.</p>
<p><strong>Healthy:</strong> Life is once, but it’s one long experiment. Take care of it so that you can live it with energy and vitality. Exercise, eat healthily, meditate, and sleep well. Do it effortlessly by developing habits.</p>
<p><strong>Seek mastery:</strong> Always improve and learn new things. Always question yourself and be aware of the risks you will take and your results. Don’t be afraid to fail. Stay uncomfortable. Learn from your mistakes. Fail often. Be antifragile.</p>
<p><strong>Helpfulness:</strong>
Be the person everybody knows will be there for them when they need it. Slow down, take a deep breath, and get curious about what’s happening.</p>
<p><strong>Quality time:</strong> It’s what I call the time with family, friends, and your partner. Make this time count.</p>
the timeless life compass2019-06-24T00:00:00+00:00https://loverajoel.com/texts/the_timeless_life_compass<h1 id="the-timeless-life-compass">the timeless life compass</h1>
<p>Do you not steal because you empathize with your victims or because you fear getting caught?</p>
<p>The answers to those questions are the principles that form your values.</p>
<p>Your core values guide your life; your principles ensure consistency.</p>
<p>Principles shape and control behavior; they are rules and beliefs that steer life.</p>
<p>Principles are nouns, not verbs.</p>
<p>Principles guide when uncertain or seeking answers.</p>
<p>Principles are boring; they don’t inspire.</p>
<p>Principles are nature’s laws; they can become personal guidelines.</p>
<p>Principles are foundations that help you achieve what you want in life.</p>
<p>Principles are cause and effect.</p>
<p>Principles enable adjustments for meaningful changes.</p>
<p>To create a solid life mission foundation, live by principles.</p>