【Focus More on Things That Are Transferable and Yield Compounding Value】

Recently, I submitted my application for the Hong Kong Quality Migrant Admission Scheme for the third time. While filling out the forms, I kept reflecting on what materials would be more beneficial for my permanent residency application.

To my embarrassment, aside from my academic records and degree certificates, my only patent certificate was applied for in 2017 and granted in 2020.

So what have I been doing all these years? Has my accumulated experience actually been recognized by the outside world?

If you want to make yourself recognized by the market, go apply for permanent residency, go start a small company, or go interview boldly.

Demystifying “Empty Promises”

To retain or motivate staff, companies love to select “outstanding employees” internally and hand out titles and souvenirs, only for year-end pay not to increase by a single cent.

Setting aside the money issue for a moment, as far as personal future development is concerned, obsessing over internal honors or titles brings all harm and zero benefit.

Of course, if you are absolutely set on getting promoted and working at this company until you die, these might be of some use—in which case, just pretend I didn’t say anything.

When someone tries to sell you empty promises, the best response is to let real data—like your actual working hours and salary—along with your personal skill growth speak for themselves.

What Is Truly Yours?

For better pay or career development, the day will come when you have to step out, whether by switching jobs or starting a business.

But when switching jobs or starting a business, can you really claim that you worked overtime hard or won XXXX internal awards?

Don’t wait until you decide to switch jobs or start a business to realize that, besides the physical and mental trauma caused by working overtime, your pockets are empty.

As a service provider, I need to provide sufficient proof to demonstrate that my capabilities or qualifications meet the client’s needs.

Either it’s flexing muscles in an interview, or presenting authoritative third-party certified certificates, transcripts, papers, patents, journal publications, printed works, competition medals, and academic degrees/diplomas.

While the former seems easier to achieve, it falls right back into the cycle of trading time and health for one-off income.

Going a step further, I hope to possess the ability to generate a steady income even while sleeping.

Treat Yourself as a Spy Lurking in the Company: Take Away as Much Knowledge and Experience as You Can

Recently, I saw a saying: “Treat yourself as a spy lurking in the company—take away as much knowledge and experience as you can.”

I find this statement vivid and incisive. While being “exploited,” you must also find ways to “exploit the company.”

Even if the company cannot guarantee an 8-hour workday or ensure physical and mental health, you can still make yourself more valuable by focusing on doing transferable things.

Observe how top performers operate, build mutually beneficial relationships, and accumulate high-quality documentation and solutions.

After all, this world measures our value at every moment. The way out is either to grind to extreme limits or to discover a path that automatically compounds over time.