You'll Struggle if You Haven’t Built Anything

Let's cut to the chase and dive straight into the hard truth: if you haven't built anything yet, you're setting yourself up for a world of struggle in the realm of product management. Now, I know some of you might be rolling your eyes, thinking, "Who does Kelly think he is?" Well, buckle up, buttercup, because I'm about to lay down some hard truths that might just ruffle a few feathers.

Picture this: you stroll into an interview, oozing confidence, armed with textbook knowledge and a killer resume. But when the interviewer asks, "Show me what you've built," you're left stuttering like a malfunctioning robot. Newsflash, folks: theoretical knowledge can only take you so far in the cutthroat world of product management.

Let's break it down. Product management isn't just about regurgitating fancy jargon or acing brain-teasers in interviews. It's about rolling up your sleeves and getting your hands dirty. It's about ideation, execution, and, most importantly, action. You can memorize every product management blog under the sun, but until you've actually built something from scratch, you'll be left stammering like a novice.

Now, before you start hurling insults my way, hear me out. Building a product isn't just about slapping together some code, fancy UI design or tossing around buzzwords like Wirigframing and MVP. It's about understanding your users, identifying pain points, and crafting solutions that actually make a difference.

But Kelly, you might protest, what if I don't have the technical chops to build a product? Well, darling, that's just a sorry excuse. Product management isn't reserved for coding prodigies or tech wizards. It's about vision, leadership, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. So, if you're serious about making it in this ruthless domain, it's time to roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty.

And for those of you still clinging to your comfort zones, here's a reality check: the best product managers aren't born—they're made. They're the ones who aren't afraid to fail, to iterate, and to hustle until they turn their dreams into reality. So, if you're content to sit on the sidelines, twiddling your thumbs and waiting for opportunity to come knocking, then don't be surprised when it passes you by.

If you're serious about breaking into product management, then stop making excuses and start building something. Whether it's an app, a website, or an interesting piece of hardware, your product management future starts there. Talk is cheap, but actions speak louder!