I come to work to prove a thing or two

I come to work to prove a thing or two a day.

There's a famous line football commentators give players who excel on matches: He plays as if he has something to prove. Take Marcus Rashford against PSG on Mar 6, 2019, or David Beckham playing for England against Greece on on Oct 6, 2001 on the last match that decides the World Cup Qualification or his last season at Real Madrid (Netflix Beckham documentaries).

I go to work every day as I have many things to prove.

I like football, footballers and their work ethics. Software engineering isn't competitive sport but that thirst to perform is always useful everywhere. To show up, to be the one who takes actions and delivers.

Footballers are always restricted to playing in positions. Whoever performs best in their position AND out of it stands out. I don't like being fixed in positions and I'm not shackled by positions I'm put into.

2008, VNG. I was 24 years old. I had to prove I did not cause one of the most serious software bug ever. It was most serious to me. I never forget the doubts people put on me and the stresses I underwent. It would have killed my career, a very young one. I found the root cause, proved myself, learned lessons, evolved.

2021, Papaya Insurtech. I was 37 years old. I had been being under the hardships of losing loved ones. Then work tested me a little more. Proving yourself to people that doubts you is easy, proving to people that trust you but is losing it is pretty hard. Another battlefield. Many casualties and severely wounded. Live to fight another day.

Don't let yourself be in such situations again! I keep reminding myself everyday. Everyday.

The only way to not be doubted ever again is to prove yourself you're worthy. Everyday.

Work as if you have something to prove.