So you're smart. I get it. Can we get into this field if we are dumb? Like all Fs in school dumb?

@the.productcoach

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Selling · Course / Info

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Why it worked

The video resonates because it addresses a common insecurity about intelligence and success, reframing it as a mindset issue. The relatable anecdote and the actionable advice to "act the part" and emulate role models provide a motivational and empowering message that encourages viewers to overcome self-doubt.

Summary

The creator addresses a comment asking if one can succeed in a field if they are perceived as "dumb." He shares a childhood anecdote about playing basketball, where his mother advised him to "act the part" of a great player. He argues that emulating successful people in any field, by acting like them, can lead to genuine success. The core message is that mindset and acting confident can overcome perceived limitations.

Structure

1Addressing the comment about being "dumb" and succeeding
2Recounting a childhood basketball story
3Mother's advice to "act the part"
4Emulating successful people in any field
5The importance of mindset and confidence

Product placement

The video discusses the concept of "acting the part" and emulating successful individuals, referencing famous athletes like Jason Kidd, MJ, Antoine Walker, and Paul Pierce, and product management figures like Teresa Torres and Marty Cagan. No specific product is directly promoted, but the creator's own website (Kesler.io/links) is implied as a resource for career advice, aligning with the video's theme.

Original caption

Replying to @Zach C career tip: be an actor, look to the greats in your field and emulate them! #careertok #agile #leanstartup #delivervalue #buzzwords #productmanagement #productmanagers #productmanagerlife #productinternship #internshiptips #internshipsearch #techinternship #interviewtips #breakintotech #breakintoproduct #breakintoproductmanagement #interviewquestion_ #interviewtipsandtricks #Jobsearchhelp #Jobsearchtips #techjobs2023 #techjobskills #jobsearchtips #jobsearchhelp #careersearch #jobseeker #jobseekers #jobinterview #interviewskills #interviewprep #interviewpreparation #producttok #crossfuncional #crossfunctionalcommunication #crossteam #communication #techtok #bustok #biztok #fakeittillyoumakeit

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Transcript

So you're smart. I get it. Can we get into this field if we are dumb? Like all Fs in school dumb? I'm not gonna get on my soapbox, but this, this comment really kind of irritated me. And the reason is, it actually, you know, it goes back to that Henry Ford quote. You ever heard that quote? Whether you think you can or you think you can't, you're right. That's exactly what this comment made me think of. Because if you think you're dumb, chances are you are dumb. But it's all that mindset, right? Like, let me tell you a story. So when I was 10 years old, yeah, 10 years old. I played basketball on like, you know, intramural, whatever team. All kids play sports when they're growing up. I played basketball and honestly, I sucked at basketball. I was terrible at it. So I asked my mom one day when we were driving home, I asked her, Mom, I see all these kids running up and down the court and they're like, they're so much better than me. What am I doing wrong? And she looked at me, she stopped the car. She looked at me and was like, Aaron, all the kids suck. There's maybe like one or two good ones. And the one or two good ones aren't that much better than anybody else. They're just acting like they're better than everybody else. They're playing the part, right? So we have to remember it. A lot of life is about acting, right? So when she said to me is, just act like you're favorite. Act like Jason Kidd or MJ or, you know, whoever, Antoine Walker, Paul Pierce, ask, act like one of them. And chances are you're going to at least start to look the part, which means you're going to be the part. So I got on the court the next, you know, the next game and like one of my neighbors, kid, stepped up to me and I like did this like Paul Pierce like fake move, got right by him and made the basket. And my neighbor's dad walked up to my mom at the end of the game and was like, where did he learn to do that? And my mom was just like, he's just acting, right? So just remember, if you think that you're dumb, then most likely you're dumb. You have to change that mindset, right? Start telling yourself, I'm smart, I can do this thing. And then if you can't do this thing, look to the greats in the field. If you want to be in product management, look to Teresa Torres or Marty Cagan and say, what would Marty Cagan do or Teresa Torres do? And just emulate that. Just be an actor. Fake it till you make it, right? And actually, I'm gonna add on to that. And then when you make it, keep faking it. Anyway, that's my soapbox for the day. Hope that helps guys.