I'm addicted to books—not reading them, but buying them. I'm extremely good at starting books, and equally bad at finishing them. When it comes to reading, I follow a 80-20 rule: For the 80% of books I start, I fail to read past the first 20%. I have about 50 books on my shelf with … Continue reading Confessions of a book-buying addict
Musings on the eve of turning 30
Tomorrow is my 30th birthday. Here, I reflect on some of the biggest changes to my state of mind in the last few years. Overcoming FOMO (fear of missing out). Although I can't say I don't get stressed at all, I'm overall more at peace with myself and with my life. I think the key … Continue reading Musings on the eve of turning 30
How to have time for fitness when you’re busy
I'm a pretty busy person with a pretty intense work schedule. However, throughout the past few months, I have been able to slot in around 5 hours of workout per week—a feat I once thought impossible. Here I share some of the lessons I've learned on how busy people can consistently make time for working out.
How to make things happen – Tips for recent graduates at work
Having recently evolved from a new graduate to the manager of a small team, I have discovered an ability that separates outstanding young professionals from the rest. The ability that, if mastered, can help you accelerate your career the fastest, especially in large organizations. I call it the ability to Make Thing Happen (MTH). So … Continue reading How to make things happen – Tips for recent graduates at work
Why I Joined ByteDance
In ByteDance, I see a reflection of myself.
Why I Love Living in China
This morning I was reminded of why I love living in China. I had a few errands to get out of my way before starting my day. The handle of one of my favorite handbags broke. I walked 3 minutes to the neighborhood shoe repairer (who works from a small pushcart parked on the side … Continue reading Why I Love Living in China
“Tai 2” Sauerkraut Fish
If there is a God of Chinese sauerkraut fish, he would be delighted by the existence of Tai 2. The restaurant is so serious about sauerkraut fish that eating there feels like a religious experience.
Unanswerable Questions
Ever since I switched jobs, I can’t count the number of times I have been asked, "So how is your new job? Are you happy?"
My answer is often: "I don’t know."
The “Potted Plant” Mindset
Ever since I relocated from Silicon Valley to Beijing, I have literally been asked by everyone around me: Is the move permanent? Do you want to be in the US or China in the long run? To which I reply: Why do I need to stay in any place “permanently”? Why do I have to … Continue reading The “Potted Plant” Mindset
What is it like to work in China?
Since I relocated to Beijing from Silicon Valley, one of the questions I got most frequently has been: "So how do you like working in China?" Here are some observations so far.
Zara Zhang 