The Book That Empowered Me & My Thoughts on Finding Your Dream Country

A few weekends ago, I found myself diving into a book recommended by my ex-roommate- The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck. I immediately ordered it, eager for some inspiration during my weekend downtime.

This book empowered me in unexpected ways. Its message was simple but impactful: Stop worrying about others’ judgments, be yourself, and don’t let fear hold you back. It reminded me to focus on what truly matters and let go of the noise that often clouds our decisions. This meant finding the courage to embrace opportunities, take risks, and live life without regrets.

The message of this book also resonates with my experience of moving to a new country, so I made this video in my room. I hope you like it (it’s in Chinese, but I added an English subtitle.).

This video was filmed in my apartment in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, on October 19, 2019.

Mapping Out the Path to Your Dream Country

As I reflected on the lessons from the book, I couldn’t help but draw parallels to one of my own experiences: figuring out how to find the ideal country to live and work in. Here’s a quick flow of how I approached it:

  1. Start with Action: Prepare your resume and LinkedIn profile. Your LinkedIn page is now as important as your resume—it’s your online portfolio that potential employers will definitely check.
  2. Send Out Applications: Apply to companies in the countries you’re interested in. This step might feel daunting, but it’s the beginning of the journey.

Three Possible Outcomes:

  1. Multiple Job Offers
    Congratulations! If you receive more than one offer, the next challenge is deciding. My advice? Don’t overthink it—just pick one and go for it. Gary Vaynerchuk, who I listen to daily during my commute, always says, “Pick one, execute, and see what happens.”
  2. A Single Job Offer
    This one’s simpler—accept the offer and move forward. Relocate, work for a while, and evaluate if the country suits your needs. Sometimes, the best decisions are the easiest ones.
  3. No Offers
    Rejection can sting, but it’s not the end of the road. Use this time to reflect and improve. Is your resume clear and tailored? Is your LinkedIn profile complete? Seek feedback from successful friends or mentors. Then, restart the process and try again.

A Loop of Trial and Growth

If the country you move to doesn’t feel the right fit—whether due to work culture, language barriers, or other factors—you can start the process again. It’s a loop of trial, learning, and growth. Keep iterating until you find a place that feels like home.

As a programmer, I can’t help but think of this as a conditional loop: repeat until success. The key is not giving up. Every step forward brings you closer to your goal.


Failure Isn’t the End

This journey taught me a vital lesson: don’t fear failure. If you’ve never failed, you might not be challenging yourself enough. Failure teaches you invaluable lessons and prepares you for the next opportunity.

What’s scarier than failure? Regret. If you dream of living abroad or achieving something new, take the first step. Don’t let fear keep you from trying. Trust me, you’ll thank yourself later.


Final Thoughts

Reading and reflecting this weekend reminded me that growth comes from action, persistence, and self-belief. Whether it’s about finding your dream job or country or simply living life on your terms, the journey is worth it.

If this resonates with you, I hope it inspires you to take that leap toward your goals. If you enjoy this kind of content, don’t forget to subscribe to my channel. I’d love to share more thoughts and experiences with you.

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Amy juan li

PhD in Medicine | software developer | youTuber / Blogger

Personal development, productivity, AI and entrepreneurship

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