Personal Development

All posts in the Personal Development category

Vibe Coding - Rebuilding My Blog from Scratch and Rebranding to khoa.blog

Vibe Coding - Rebuilding My Blog from Scratch and Rebranding to khoa.blog

Detailed walkthrough of rebuilding a blog from scratch with vibe coding, from data migration to implementing new features, helping readers understand the personal blog development process.

10 Years of Reading - A Journey of Growth

10 Years of Reading - A Journey of Growth

Reflecting on my 10-year reading journey, from a first-year college student to building a collection of 265 books. Each book has shaped my thinking and contributed to who I am today - from Vietnamese and world literature to personal development, business, and philosophy. This is a story of growth through reading and the valuable lessons learned along the way.

Feeling Empty Because I Don't Know What to Build

Feeling Empty Because I Don't Know What to Build

Sharing about the psychological state of not knowing what product to build next after a successful project. I analyze challenges in the AI era like shorter product lifecycles, high competition, and the pressure to create products with real value.

This Post Was Not Written by AI

Honest reflections on the value of manual writing in the AI era. While AI can create content efficiently, this post affirms the personal connection and unique value that humans bring to their writing.

Vibe Coding and Its Drawbacks

Detailed analysis of the drawbacks and risks of Vibe Coding - the approach of letting AI write code without human oversight, helping readers understand the challenges in applying AI technology to software development.

Vibe Coding: The Revolution in Software Development

Vibe Coding: The Revolution in Software Development

Introducing Vibe Coding - a new approach to software development, emphasizing the mindset shift and approach to building software, helping readers understand modern technology development trends.

My Unforgettable Broken Leg Journey and 8 Lessons I Learned

My Unforgettable Broken Leg Journey and 8 Lessons I Learned

A personal story about breaking my ankle while skimboarding, visiting 4 different hospitals, and the 8 life lessons I learned along the way. If you're healthy, this might help you appreciate your body more. If you're injured, hopefully my experience helps.

Organizing Meetup Events for Beginners

Organizing Meetup Events for Beginners

Sharing real experience organizing my first meetup event for the NoCode Vietnam community. A detailed guide from inviting speakers, selling tickets, renting venues, designing the event format, to post-event engagement. Also analyzing benefits of offline events like networking opportunities, inspiration, and building strong community relationships.

How to Get Rich Through Real Skill

How to Get Rich Through Real Skill

Analyzing Naval Ravikant's wealth-building philosophy, founder of AngelList, through his famous tweet storm 'How to Get Rich'. This post explains the difference between wealth and money, the importance of passive income, and how to build sustainable wealth through specific knowledge and permissionless leverage.

FIRE and Fat FIRE: Financial Independence, Retire Early

FIRE and Fat FIRE: Financial Independence, Retire Early

An introduction to two popular financial concepts: FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) and Fat FIRE. I explain the formula for applying the 4% rule to achieve financial independence, analyze risks like inflation, and compare regular FIRE with Fat FIRE - the upgraded version allowing more comfortable spending during early retirement.

Why Keep Skateboarding Despite the Falls?

Why Keep Skateboarding Despite the Falls?

Sharing experiences and perspectives on skateboarding as a way to train willpower and face challenges, helping readers understand the spirit of resilience and persistence in life, from skateboarding to important life decisions.

What to Read Before Investing in Crypto

What to Read Before Investing in Crypto

A journey from crypto newbie to savvy investor through an insider's perspective. This post shares real experiences, success stories from famous founders, and valuable advice to help you avoid common mistakes when entering the cryptocurrency world.

By-product

Exploring the concept of by-product - those unexpected secondary products in life. This post shares how simple actions like blogging or reading books can create unexpected value, from new relationships to changed perspectives, and how to connect these dots following Steve Jobs' philosophy.

Is Crypto Investing a Real Profession?

Is Crypto Investing a Real Profession?

An analysis of whether cryptocurrency investing can be considered a profession, comparing it to traditional investing and emphasizing the importance of knowledge about blockchain, coins, markets, and tech trends to succeed in this field.

The Fastest Way to Succeed

Sometimes the simplest answer is the most correct one. This short but powerful post reminds us that there are no shortcuts to success - there's only one word: Practice. Persistence and continuous training are the secrets to overcoming all challenges.

What Would You Do If You Didn't Need Money?

What Would You Do If You Didn't Need Money?

A thought-provoking question about what you would do if money was no longer a concern, encouraging readers to reflect on life choices from continuing current work, pursuing old hobbies, to chasing projects you once abandoned out of fear of failure.

Review: 4 Months Finding the Meaning of Life in Da Lat

Review: 4 Months Finding the Meaning of Life in Da Lat

Sharing my experience of living and working in Da Lat for 4 months as a Digital Nomad. I talk about accommodation costs, remote work, my 4-hour workday schedule, and new hobbies like skateboarding, gym, swimming, and learning piano. This post is for anyone considering trying life in Da Lat or seeking work-life balance.

Living Virtually on Social Media

Living Virtually on Social Media

A personal perspective on the phenomenon of 'living virtually' on social media. I analyze four positive aspects of sharing life on digital platforms: preserving memories like a diary, connecting with like-minded people, impressing others, and having fun. Also advice on healthy virtual living that doesn't negatively affect real life.

#4 - NoCode MVP - The Idea: Going All In

#4 - NoCode MVP - The Idea: Going All In

Sharing about the idea-finding process for the NoCode MVP project and introducing a goal management app integrating multiple features like notes, time, and finances.

Profitable MVP in 30 Days - Final Summary

Profitable MVP in 30 Days - Final Summary

Final summary of the 30-day profitable MVP challenge, evaluating the entire development process of three different apps: SoundBar, ReadingPointer, and Focusify. Detailed analysis of revenue, costs, actual profit achieved, along with valuable lessons about choosing business models, focusing on one product instead of spreading resources thin, and future plans for the developed products.

Day 28-29-30 - Profitable MVP in 30 Days - All According to Plan

Day 28-29-30 - Profitable MVP in 30 Days - All According to Plan

Days 28-29-30 of the profitable MVP challenge where I look back at the original plan and assess progress. Sharing how I plan to hit the $1000 profit goal by buying my own app, and announcing the new app Focusify.app instead of letmethink. Also preparing landing page, promo video, and images for launch day.

Day 25 - Profitable MVP in 30 Days - Never Give Up

Day 25 - Profitable MVP in 30 Days - Never Give Up

Day 25 of the profitable MVP challenge where I admit ReadingPointer's failure - user retention is extremely low and no one cares about the paid features. Sharing lessons learned including targeting users with higher willingness to pay, challenges of building cross-browser extensions, and difficulties turning scientific methods like speed reading into products.

Day 19 - Profitable MVP in 30 Days - A Sad Story

Day 19 - Profitable MVP in 30 Days - A Sad Story

Day 19 of the profitable MVP challenge, sharing a sad story about working with a designer on Fiverr during the COVID-19 pandemic. The post reflects on hasty judgments, feelings of regret, and lessons about empathy and patience in online communication, especially during difficult global times.

Day 12 - Profitable MVP in 30 Days - Giving Up

Day 12 - Profitable MVP in 30 Days - Giving Up

Day 12 of the profitable MVP challenge, sharing the feeling of wanting to quit but deciding to continue, the internal struggle between laziness and determination to complete the challenge. In the end, I choose to develop the Speed Reading Chrome Extension - an idea that solves my own problem and something I'd use daily.

Day 10 - Profitable MVP in 30 Days - Reviewing the First 10 Days

Day 10 - Profitable MVP in 30 Days - Reviewing the First 10 Days

A summary of the first 10 days of the profitable MVP challenge, sharing launch results with 2 first sales, analyzing 4.8% conversion rate, and lessons about perseverance, commitment to daily blogging, and not giving up despite difficulties.

Day 5 - Profitable MVP in 30 Days - This Idea Already Exists

Day 5 - Profitable MVP in 30 Days - This Idea Already Exists

Day five of the Profitable MVP in 30 Days challenge, facing the discovery that someone already built my idea and how to turn this into an advantage to improve my product.

Day 4 - Profitable MVP in 30 Days - Should You Break the Rules?

Day 4 - Profitable MVP in 30 Days - Should You Break the Rules?

Day four of the Profitable MVP in 30 Days challenge, facing the YouTube developer policy violation issue and finding SoundCloud as a legal alternative for building a music player app.

Day 0 - Profitable MVP in 30 Days - Planning and Goals

Day 0 - Profitable MVP in 30 Days - Planning and Goals

The opening post for the 30-day profitable MVP building challenge. I share the detailed plan, goals, $1000 budget, and commitment to spend 5 hours daily developing the product and blogging the entire process.

What to Do When You Don't Know What to Do?

What to Do When You Don't Know What to Do?

How to approach feeling stuck about choosing a direction in life or career. Analyzing the root cause of hesitation - fear of choosing wrong and lack of information - and advice to focus on what you already know about your goals and interests, rather than worrying about what you don't know.

Choosing Your Major and University

Choosing Your Major and University

A fresh perspective on choosing university majors - not just based on job potential or salary, but more importantly understanding personal passions and interests. This post analyzes core questions students should ask themselves, along with practical advice about trial and error, self-discovery, and the importance of daring to change when you realize you've chosen wrong.

Minimalist Blog with Static Website, Bye Wordpress!

Minimalist Blog with Static Website, Bye Wordpress!

A detailed guide on converting a blog from WordPress to a static website to optimize performance and focus on writing content, helping bloggers save time and money, from choosing the platform to deployment and efficient blog maintenance.

What Did You Do Today?

A reflection on the value of time and how we use each day. I ask 'What did you do today?' to encourage living fully in the present with the spirit of 'Carpe diem', while reminding us that time is something we understand clearly but cannot control.

Ideas vs Reality

Analyzing the difference between ideas and reality when executing projects, helping readers better understand the process of turning ideas into reality and the challenges they face.

Company of One

An introduction to the 'Company of One' concept from Paul Jarvis's book - a business model focused on maximizing profit rather than scaling. I compare running a large company with many employees versus the one-person company model, analyze the advantages of staying small but highly efficient, and share real examples of successful individuals in MMO, influencer, and content creator spaces.

Customer Education: You Dummy!

Customer Education: You Dummy!

Discover Customer Education - helping customers deeply understand your products and services, building absolute trust and creating competitive advantages in business.

Should You Blog or Do Content Marketing?

Should You Blog or Do Content Marketing?

Comparing two popular online writing methods - personal blogging and professional content marketing. This post shares the journey of developing the NIVIKI blog from writing for myself to building content that brings value to readers, with the pros and cons of each approach.

Daily Stoic - Applying Stoicism to Daily Life the Easy Way

Daily Stoic - Applying Stoicism to Daily Life the Easy Way

Life philosophy from Stoicism through Ryan Holiday's book Daily Stoic - an effective tool for dealing with stress, work pressure, and life challenges. Learn how to apply this ancient philosophy to modern life!

Organizing Blog Ideas with Workflowy

Organizing Blog Ideas with Workflowy

Detailed guide on using Workflowy to manage and organize blog writing ideas effectively, helping writers always have topics and inspiration to write, from saving ideas to planning and completing posts.

How to Be Unemployed! Make Unemployment Great Again!

How to Be Unemployed! Make Unemployment Great Again!

A positive and humorous take on the concept of 'unemployment'. This post analyzes unemployment as a pre-entrepreneurship phase and an opportunity for learning and self-development. Discover how to make the most of your unemployed time to prepare for new career opportunities.

7 IT Jobs That Don't Require Coding

7 IT Jobs That Don't Require Coding

Discover 7 attractive IT careers that don't require programming skills - from Tester and BA to Product Manager, all offering great career growth and income for tech enthusiasts who don't enjoy coding!

Should You Quit Your Job to Join a Startup?

Should You Quit Your Job to Join a Startup?

Personal experience and lessons from quitting a big company job to join a startup. The importance of having a long-term life plan, careful evaluation before quitting, and the benefits of starting a business in your area of expertise.

Outrage Doesn't Make Us Innocent & Life's Destination

Outrage Doesn't Make Us Innocent & Life's Destination

Review of two works by Dang Hoang Giang with critical perspectives on hot social issues. This post analyzes how the author uses satirical writing style to promote critical thinking, while sharing personal reflections on the value of these two books.

Teaching on Udemy

Sharing my 3-year teaching experience on Udemy with an impressive number - 357,093 minutes of students watching my videos (equivalent to 250 days). The post reflects on the benefits of creating online courses: developing curriculum skills, marketing, video recording and editing, presentation, and sales.

When Mobile World Does Branding

When Mobile World Does Branding

Sharing observations about Mobile World's subtle branding strategy through handwritten cards given to customers buying phones. I analyze how this marketing approach creates natural word-of-mouth effect and demonstrates thoughtfulness toward customers.

Is Starting Your Career as a Freelancer the Right Choice?

Is Starting Your Career as a Freelancer the Right Choice?

Sharing real experiences about freelancing from an insider's perspective. The post analyzes the challenges of freelancing like unstable income and high competition, helping newcomers get a realistic view before deciding to pursue this path.

Career

A personal story about career choices from high school, reflecting on the ineffective Career Guidance class and the factors that influence career decisions like peer pressure, family, and media. The author shares his journey to becoming a programmer and wonders if he chose the right field.

Why I Want to Become a Product Manager

Why I Want to Become a Product Manager

A career transition journey from iOS developer to Product Manager, analyzing why the author wasn't suited for pure programming, explaining the role and responsibilities of a Product Manager in developing valuable, usable, and feasible products, along with necessary skills for success in this position.

9 Reasons Why You Should Buy a Kindle E-Reader

9 Reasons Why You Should Buy a Kindle E-Reader

This post shares 9 compelling reasons to invest in a Kindle e-reader, from E-Ink technology that's easy on the eyes, amazing battery life, to effective English learning with built-in dictionary. I analyze in detail the superior advantages like convenience, excellent reading experience, and cost-effectiveness compared to physical books, giving readers a comprehensive view before deciding to buy this device.

What Did Developers Write Before Becoming Experts?

What Did Developers Write Before Becoming Experts?

Sharing experiences and lessons from famous developers about blogging and knowledge sharing, helping readers understand how to build personal brands and develop skills in the tech industry through writing.

7 Ways to Stay Updated on New Technology

7 Ways to Stay Updated on New Technology

Discover 7 effective methods to always stay updated with the latest technology trends. From following experts on Twitter and GitHub to joining conferences and programming communities, this post provides practical guidance to help developers not fall behind in the fast-paced technology era.

What Should You Invest In?

Sharing areas worth investing in for programmers beyond algorithm skills, including economics/business knowledge, self-marketing, T-shaped technology skills, reading/writing abilities, health, and personal relationships for well-rounded development.

When a Fashion Model Becomes a Dev

Sharing about personal experience dealing with feelings of boredom and loss of motivation after completing a big project. I introduce an inspiring story about a fashion model who became a software engineer in one year, and how writing can help regain focus.

7 Ways for IT Students to Make Money

7 Ways for IT Students to Make Money

Discover 7 practical methods to help IT students earn money while still in school - from freelancing on Upwork to MMO, teaching, and affiliate marketing, all shared from real experience!

I Can Code But Don't Know What to Build

I Can Code But Don't Know What to Build

Sharing the challenges and solutions when you've learned to code but don't know what to build next, helping readers find direction for their learning journey and skill development.

Italki Review: Finding Native Speakers to Practice English

Italki Review: Finding Native Speakers to Practice English

A detailed review of Italki.com from an actual learner's experience, including platform pros and cons, and tips for choosing the right teacher - like checking teaching history, student reviews, and teaching schedules to find the best native speakers for English speaking practice.

'Can I Do This?' - The Dumbest Question in the Solar System

'Can I Do This?' - The Dumbest Question in the Solar System

Analysis of the psychology behind the common 'can I do this?' question in programming communities. This post explains why this is an ineffective question, reflecting a mindset of avoiding challenges and lacking confidence. Instead of asking 'can I do this?', learners should focus on experimenting, learning from failure, and developing proactive learning attitudes.

Tech Bias

Sharing my personal experience changing from dismissing React Native and JavaScript to actually understanding and appreciating them. I analyze tech bias, its harm in the programming community, and encourage developers to be open-minded when approaching new technologies.

8 Things Developers Should Do to Level Up

8 Things Developers Should Do to Level Up

8 strategic activities to help developers stand out in the industry - from GitHub projects with thousands of stars to publishing books and creating online courses. These steps not only improve skills but also open up countless dream career opportunities!

Great Books I Read in 2016

Introducing and reviewing 8 great books the author read in 2016, including Elon Musk's biography, The Personal MBA, Will It Fly by Pat Flynn, two works by Charles Duhigg on habits and productivity, Predictably Irrational on decision psychology, Moonwalking with Einstein on memory training, and How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big on overcoming failure.

Why You Need a Personal Blog

A detailed analysis of the benefits of maintaining a personal blog, from learning new skills, improving writing ability, to creating career opportunities and building personal brand, helping readers understand the importance of blogging in career and personal life.

How I Learned Math

Sharing my personal experience with learning math in university, from the difficulties understanding the essence of mathematical concepts to finding effective learning methods through online courses. I emphasize the importance of inspiration and motivation in teaching and learning math.

Creative? Stories About CVs That Stand Out

Creative? Stories About CVs That Stand Out

A post about creative and unique CVs in the IT field, featuring examples like Robby Leonardi's interactive CV, Eric Ghandi's Google Resume, and Philippe Dubost's Amazon Resume. I analyze how these CVs stand out with special design and creative approaches, while emphasizing the importance of combining creativity with actual professional skills.

Book Review: Moonwalking with Einstein

Book Review: Moonwalking with Einstein

Review of 'Moonwalking with Einstein' by Joshua Foer - a journey exploring the art and science of memory, from the perspective of a journalist who participated in the USA Memory Championship.

Son Tung Plagiarism? Copying Games, Courses, and Copyright Infringement

Son Tung Plagiarism? Copying Games, Courses, and Copyright Infringement

A controversial take on plagiarism, copying, and copyright infringement - from music to games to courses. Examining how we all use 'materials' from others in our work, and questioning whether we should criticize others when we ourselves violate copyrights daily.

Don't Take Advice - The Truth About 'Advisors'

Don't Take Advice - The Truth About 'Advisors'

An analysis of the nature of advice and those who give it. The author argues that advice often reflects the advisor's personal views rather than being suitable for the recipient's circumstances. Through examining contradictory proverbs and real-world examples, this post encourages readers to listen to themselves and make their own decisions instead of depending on advice from others.

How to Apply for Financial Aid on Coursera

How to Apply for Financial Aid on Coursera

A detailed guide on how to apply for financial aid on Coursera. I share my personal experience and tips for effectively answering the three important questions in the application, helping learners access quality courses for free and earn certificates.

My First Experience Creating an Online Programming Course on Udemy

My First Experience Creating an Online Programming Course on Udemy

Real experience and valuable lessons from creating an online programming course on Udemy, from preparing content to recording videos and interacting with students.

Stop Reading the News

An analysis of the 'Locus of Control' (LOC) concept - the distinction between things we can control and things we cannot. The author argues that reading news is often a waste of time because 99% of news relates to events beyond our control, and encourages readers to focus on activities that are more beneficial to themselves.

Book Review: 8 Traits Successful People Have in Common - 8 to be Great

Book Review: 8 Traits Successful People Have in Common - 8 to be Great

Review of '8 Traits Successful People Have in Common' - a study of 8 common traits of successful people based on interviews with 500 of the world's most accomplished individuals from various fields.

Finding Foreigners to Practice English on Preply

Finding Foreigners to Practice English on Preply

Detailed guide on using Preply to find foreign teachers for learning English, from registration to effective communication, helping readers understand how to leverage technology to improve English speaking skills.

[Book Review] The Miracle Morning: Wake Up Early

[Book Review] The Miracle Morning: Wake Up Early

Review of 'The Miracle Morning' by Hal Elrod, introducing the method of waking up early and practicing S.A.V.E.R.S (Silence, Affirmations, Visualization, Exercise, Reading, Scribing) to improve your life. The author shares personal experiences applying this method and the benefits it brings for personal development.

Should You Teach What You Just Learned?

Should You Teach What You Just Learned?

Sharing my thoughts on teaching knowledge you've just learned to others, based on my personal experience making programming tutorial videos. I analyze the benefits of sharing knowledge as a way to review, improve presentation skills, and give learners access to different perspectives. This is not just about helping others but also an effective method for self-development.

Books That Can Change You

Introducing four books that positively influenced the author, including the Inside Reading series for improving English reading skills, Brian Tracy's Eat That Frog on time management, Goals also by Brian Tracy on setting life goals, and Soft Skills for software developers.

Does Learning English Through Movies Actually Work?

Does Learning English Through Movies Actually Work?

An analysis of whether learning English through movies is effective, with reasons like exposure to real language, natural pronunciation, and vocabulary in context. I share my personal experience and evaluate this method compared to traditional textbook learning.

Finding Foreigners to Speak English With

Finding Foreigners to Speak English With

Guide on finding foreigners to practice speaking English, introducing platforms like Paltalk with 24/7 online learning rooms managed by Vietnamese people in America. The author explains the importance of practicing with native speakers to overcome fear and improve listening and speaking skills.

570 Academic Words - Your Key to Academic English

570 Academic Words - Your Key to Academic English

An introduction to the 570 important academic vocabulary words, which make up 10% of TOEFL, IELTS, and scientific research texts, helping readers understand the importance of academic vocabulary in conquering specialized English.

Learn Vocabulary the Smart Way with The Longman Vocabulary Checker

Introducing The Longman Vocabulary Checker - a tool that helps English learners categorize and prioritize vocabulary by usage frequency. I'll show you how to use this tool to analyze texts and identify which words to focus on first, instead of wasting time on rarely-used words.

How to Learn English with Flashcards

How to Learn English with Flashcards

A guide to effectively learning English with Flashcards, introducing the science behind this method and sharing my personal experience of learning 300 phrasal verbs in one month. Includes specific steps for creating and using flashcards for vocabulary learning.