Easier Said Than Done (Career Change & How to Do it)

Easier Said Than Done (Career Change & How to Do it)

By Zubin PratapBusinessTechnologyEducationCareers
Download on the App Store

Easier Said Than Done (Career Change & How to Do it) episodes

  • AI Code, Chaos & Calm: Finding Human Value in a Machine World - With Faris Aziz | Ep64

    Is Artificial Intelligence making us faster, or is it emptying out our critical thinking? In this deep dive, I speak with Faris, who navigates the intersection of high-performance software engineering and human psychology. We explore what truly matters in a world where code generation can be effortless, focusing on skills that AI cannot touch: resilience, empathy, curiosity, and the art of the uncomfortable conversation.

    ✨ What You Will Learn:

    • How to pivot your career when technology makes old roles obsolete.
    • The "T-Shaped Engineer" mindset for lasting success.
    • Why mastering failure is more valuable than achieving early success.
    • How to find psychological safety in a high-ambition environment.

      • 🚩 Watch for: Our discussion on why AI threatens to remove the process of learning itself.

      🔍 Deep Dive Topics Covered:
      🚀 The Impact of AI on Engineering Work

      We begin by confronting the core challenge of modern development: are we optimizing for speed and quantity, or for quality and deep thinking? Faris discusses how new tools create an "AI psychosis"—a dopamine feedback loop where we prioritize endless prompting over sleep, sanity, and real-world balance.

      • Key Concept: The danger of relying on efficiency (doing 60 tickets/week) at the expense of process (documentation, testing, refactoring).
      • 🚩 Watch for: Our discussion on why AI threatens to remove the process of learning itself.
        • 🌱 The Art of Professional Resilience & Failure

        Success in tech is often presented as linear and perfect. But Faris argues that professional growth hinges entirely on how we handle mistakes, setbacks, and conflict. We discuss how vulnerability builds true credibility and trust within a team or organization.

        • The Gift of Failure: The importance of understanding your "safe space" for mistakes—knowing how much you are allowed to mess up before it becomes a crisis.
        • Trust Building: Why having difficult, honest conversations (even about layoffs) builds lasting human capital and trust that code never can.
          • 🧩 Professional Identity in the Modern Economy

          When your profession is defined by what you did (e.g., "I was a lawyer," or "I wrote this code"), how do you redefine yourself? We talk about shedding old labels and choosing a new professional identity. Faris highlights that true mastery isn't just technical; it's the ability to navigate multiple roles—from product manager to engineer to stakeholder diplomat.

          • Core Skill: The inability of AI (yet) to replace strategic communication and emotional intelligence.
            • 🧭 Growth Mindset & Embracing Discomfort

            The most actionable takeaway from this episode: success is not about finding comfort; it's about seeking out the discomfort that signals growth. We explore how changing your mindset from "I want comfort" to "Where can I face discomfort?" fundamentally changes your life trajectory.

            ⏰ Timestamps 
            • 01:00: Faris’s role at Smallpdf & what he handles (payments, architecture, monetization).
            • 05:00: What worries us most about careers in the post-AI world.
            • 06:30: The cycle of fast development vs. necessary deep thinking.
            • 12:00: How technical discussions often miss the human element and emotional context.
            • 24:00: The Shift: Moving from being a 'coder' to an 'engineer' (focus on system design, not just syntax).
            • 37:00: The ultimate lesson: When trust is built through honesty, especially after making or receiving mistakes.
              • 🙏 Credits & Resources

              ⭐ Guest: Faris Aziz 🌐 https://ch.linkedin.com/in/farisaziz12 
              Explore his work: Check out the ZurichJS conference (https://conf.zurichjs.com/) and learn more about DevRel.

              🎧 Did you enjoy this conversation? Share with Friends, and subscribe to Easier Said Than Done for weekly deep dives into high-impact skills and career philosophy.  

              📧 Connect with Me

              1. LinkedIn:   / zubinpratap   

              2. X: https://x.com/zubinpratap

              52 min
            • Starting a New Role - From Anxiety to Action: Ep#63

              After moving from Chainlink Labs to Cartesia as Head of Dev Rel, I share the raw, honest experiences of starting in a new role, new team, new company, new industry. But it's not my first rodeo, so I also share the insecurities, the learning curve, and the mindset shifts that make the difference. Chapters 0:00 — Introduction: why this episode is different, and what prompted these reflections 1:12 — When you switch roles, you leave behind years of built-up credibility, relationships, and social capital — and that's a bigger deal than most people admit 2:48 — The learning curve isn't just one thing. It's the domain, the tools, the terminology, the team culture — all at once 4:18 — Being the new person means earning authority all over again, even when you know what you're doing 6:30 — "Action anxiety" — why acting without the fear of being judged is a muscle, not a personality type 9:57 — You can't demand trust. Setting realistic expectations for yourself on how long this uncomfortable period will last 12:10 — Bias to action is overrated without direction. Thoughtful action beats busy action every time 16:12 — It all comes back to self-awareness and communication — knowing your internal state so you can manage your external behaviour 17:35 — A simple framework: what should you Start, Stop, and Continue doing in your new role? Catch up with me on 1. LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/zubinpratap 2. X: https://x.com/zubinpratap

              20 min
            • Here's Why Career Change is DEAD in 2026 (AI Changes Everything) -Ep62

              Why Career Change is a Bad Idea Right Now (Harsh Truth About AI & Jobs)

              For the first time in my career, I've stopped taking students into my coaching program.

              Here's why: we're experiencing a structural shift in the labor market that's fundamentally different from anything we've seen before. In this episode, I break down the data showing why NOW is the worst time to make a career change:

              • Entry-level positions down 45% below the 5-year average

              • 862,000 jobs revised downward by the Bureau of Labor Statistics

              • AI closing the "entry level gate" across all industries

              • The bottom rungs of the career ladder no longer exist

              • Why your data is 12 months old but AI improved 500% in that time

              This isn't cyclical. It's structural. And it changes everything.

              But I also share 6 practical solutions for navigating this new reality—including why integrating AI into your CURRENT expertise is the smartest move you can make right now.

              Key Takeaway: Direction is more important than speed. But when you can't see where the puck is going, observation beats action.

              📊 Data-driven insights for career changers, software engineers, and anyone wondering how to future-proof their career in the age of AI.

              TIMESTAMPS 0:00 - Introduction: Massive structural shift in labor markets

              0:18 - Why I stopped taking students into my coaching program

              1:11 - This is the worst time to make a career change

              2:09 - Nobody has a crystal ball

              2:33 - Meta principle: Direction is more important than speed

              4:00 - Data point #1: Entry level job postings down 45%

              4:23 - The entry level gate is closing 5:06 - The bottom rungs are no longer there

              6:03 - Data point #2: The slow leak problem - 92,000 jobs lost

              6:23 - Structural contraction, not cyclical

              7:40 - Data point #3: 184 applications per job ad

              8:40 - Why you're more likely to be ignored in a new industry

              10:27 - Data point #4: BLS revised employment down by 862,000 jobs

              11:52 - You cannot skate to where the puck is

              12:54 - Direction is more important than speed

              13:58 - Solution #1: Integrate AI into your current expertise

              16:39 - Don't just go into high productivity sectors

              18:12 - Solution #4: Stop mass applying to jobs

              20:54 - You're running a race against an exponentially accelerating vehicle

              21:18 - Stay in observation mode and observe what AI can't do

              22:18 - Do not despair - keep looking for opportunities

              24:16 - Final thoughts: Not a great time for career change

              25 min
            • Designing Your Customized Coding Curriculum: The Inner Circle MED Framework Explained

              They don't want you to know this: The biggest failure point for mid-career professionals trying to pivot into coding isn't a lack of smarts or effort—it's a lack of direction, which costs you years of wasted time. If you've spent months jumping between free tutorials, chasing shiny new frameworks, and still can't build anything useful, you're not alone; you're just driving without a map. Most advice focuses on making you a better candidate, ignoring the critical question: What do hiring managers need to see? 

              This episode reveals the crucial difference between learning and actually getting hired.

              Show Timestamps and FREE Resources are further below 👇

              ☎️☎️☎️ Contact Zubin☎️☎️☎️:

              👉🏼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/zubinpratap/

              👉🏼  Connect with Zubin:   https://meetzubin.carrd.co/ 

              👉🏼 Future Coders Inner Circle Program (https://www.matchfitmastery.com/inner-circle?utm_source=yt)  

               Why Direction Trumps Speed (and How to Stop Wasting Time)  

              •  The Pinata Career Trap: Stop letting algorithms decide what you learn; blindly following what's convenient is a recipe for failure                . 

              •  The Google Maps Approach: Like navigation, designing a curriculum is impossible without knowing two things: your crystal-clear destination (the job) and your accurate starting point. 

                The Minimum Effective Dose (MED) Framework  

                •  You're Learning Too Much: Your goal is optimal results with minimal time investment, especially as a time-poor career changer—not acquiring the maximum number of frameworks. 

                •  Necessary vs. Useful: Learn the difference between necessary steps (you must do) and merely useful steps (nice to have) to ruthlessly filter out the noise and focus only on what's sufficient to get the job done. 

                  Sequence Matters: The Recipe for Sufficiency  

                  • The Beginner/Intermediate Blunder: Beginners jump to advanced topics (like Android development) while intermediates focus on learning new things instead of acquiring professional-grade skills in the few areas that truly matter.

                  •  The Only Metric That Counts : Stop measuring progress in days or frameworks; the only thing that matters is how many job interviews you are generating         . 

                  • Your Next 5 Hours: The Non-Negotiable First Step  

                    Stop coding this week. Seriously. Instead, spend five dedicated hours figuring out your target market, your MED, and your starting point. This single act of clarity will transform your entire experience. 

                    Want the exact goal-setting process that cuts years off your career change? Check out Zubin's Before You Learn to Code course—it's super cheap and the blueprint for the Inner Circle Program. Get the Lifesaver Course and a free preview of the 12-Month Inner Circle Program now!

                     

                    Timestamps:

                    00:00 - Introduction & My Career Change Story
                    00:57 - Show Intro: Easier Said Than Done
                    01:42 - The Real Problem for Career Changers
                    03:10 - Why Direction Matters More Than Speed
                    05:10 - Your Competition Isn’t Who You Think
                    05:57 - Call to Action: Subscribe & Newsletter
                    06:39 - The Google Maps Approach to Curriculum Design
                    08:04 - Why Generic Advice Fails: Know Your Starting Point
                    09:27 - The Minimum Effective Dose (MED) Framework
                    10:56 - The Necessary, Sufficient, and Useful (NSU) Framework
                    17:24 - Why Sequence Matters: Avoiding Common Mistakes
                    20:32 - Designing Your Life for Commitment & Focus
                    23:15 - How to Build Discipline & Avoid Shiny Object Syndrome
                    24:14 - The One Rule: Finish What You Start
                    26:15 - Putting It All Together: Designing Your Curriculum
                    28:15 - How to Research & Identify the MED for Your Target Job
                    31:55 - Stop Following Random Learning Paths
                    33:36 - The Only Metric That Matters: Generating Interviews
                    36:39 - Final Thoughts & Recap: Why Curriculum Design is Non-Negotiable
                    36:20 - Outro & Next Steps

                    37 min
                  • From Self-Doubt to Software Engineer : Rose's coding journey | Ep # 60

                    Unlocking the Hidden Path to Software Engineering Success
                    They don’t want you to know this: mid-career professionals can break into tech without the typical barriers.

                    04:24 – Why “feeling like a real software engineer” is harder than you think
                    08:51 – The mindset shift that changed everything for Rose
                    13:46 – How to turn rejection and failure into your secret weapon
                    21:25 – The surprising trait that separates career changers who actually succeed
                    31:48 – The mentorship advantage: what most self-taught coders miss

                    SHOW NOTES FURTHER BELOW!

                    ☎️☎️☎️ Contact Zubin☎️☎️☎️:

                    👉🏼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/zubinpratap/

                    👉🏼  Connect with Zubin:   https://meetzubin.carrd.co/ 

                    👉🏼 Future Coders Inner Circle Program (https://www.matchfitmastery.com/inner-circle?utm_source=yt)  

                    Ever feel like tech is a locked door and everyone else has the key? You’re not alone. Many professionals hit a wall of self-doubt, feeling overwhelmed by the rapid pace of change and the competition. You might have a degree or completed a bootcamp, yet still feel stagnant, like you’re running in place.

                    Why do generic training programs fail 80% of career changers? Because they offer cookie-cutter solutions that don’t address your unique challenges. But what if I told you there’s a mindset shift that can accelerate your journey into tech?

                    🚀 The Lie Big Tech Tells You

                    • Discover why coding isn’t the only skill that matters in software engineering.
                    • Learn how to position yourself as more than just a coder.

                      • 💡 From Stagnation to Transformation

                      • Hear how Rose transformed her career by shifting her mindset.
                      • Find out how to identify and leverage your unique strengths.

                        • 🎯 The Game-Changing Mindset Shift

                        • Uncover the three words that can change your career trajectory.
                        • Learn why mental resilience is your secret weapon.

                          • 📈 Overcoming Rejection Like a Pro

                          • Gain insights on viewing rejection as a stepping stone.
                          • Understand the hiring process from the employer's perspective.

                            • 👉 Ready to Break Into Tech?
                            Want the exact script I used to land 6-figure offers? Grab it here [link]. This works now—before the market catches on! Your age is your edge—here’s why.

                            👋👋👋 FREE LEARNING RESOURCES 👋👋👋

                            💥 Career Change to Code - FREE Webinar at https://matchfitmastery.com?utm_source=estd

                            💥 Free Career Change to Tech Newsletter:  https://www.matchfitmastery.com/newsletters/career-change-to-tech 

                            💥 YouTube Podcast https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAPuklwJx5V3fpXiSD9CMh3RhPQTCSemj 

                            💥 Spotify:  https://open.spotify.com/show/1WMi6AmVFjpmCpF95XjaBJ 

                            💥 Before You Learn To Code -- Where to start? What to do?  https://matchfitmastery.com/lifesaver?utm_source=estd 

                            💥 Podcasts:, Blogs and Resources : https://meetzubin.carrd.co/ 

                            💥  Twitter: http://twitter.com/zubinpratap

                            39 min
                          • Harvard Lawyer to Software Engineer: My Mentee Shares the Behind-the-Scenes Struggles Ep#59

                            Harvard Law to software engineer at 34—while battling health setbacks and moving continents.

                            From Lawyer to Engineer (just like me!). Hear from my mentee at the Future Coders Inner Circle. 

                            Pallavi had reached the pinnacle: top-tier law firms, Harvard Law, New York Bar. Then she walked away from it all. No coding background. No tech network. Just self-doubt and the question every career changer asks: "Is it too late?"

                            This isn't a fairy tale. It took years. She had to pause for health issues. She relocated across the Atlantic. She dealt with the same paralysis you're feeling right now—staring at tutorials, unable to build anything real.

                            What changed? She stopped treating coding like a guarantee and started treating it like the only path worth failing for.

                            If you've been stuck doing courses for months with nothing to show for it, or you're too overwhelmed to even start, this conversation will show you what actually separates people who make it from people who quit.

                            (More FREE Resources are further below 👇)

                            Timestamps

                            00:00 - Pallavi's Journey: From Harvard Law to Software Engineer
                            03:22 - Facing Self-Doubt and the Impossible Dream
                            04:01 - Sleepless Nights and the Turning Point
                            06:09 - The Mentor Who Changed Everything
                            07:27 - Open Heart Surgery & Reinventing a Career
                            08:44 - The Hardest Part Isn't Coding
                            10:28 - Surviving the Rejection Phase
                            25:04 - Why This Is Just the Beginning

                            ☎️☎️☎️ Contact Zubin☎️☎️☎️:
                            👉🏼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/zubinpratap/
                            👉🏼 Connect with Zubin: https://meetzubin.carrd.co/
                            👉🏼 Future Coders Inner Circle Program (https://www.matchfitmastery.com/inner-circle?utm_source=yt)
                            The Open Lie in Job Descriptions
                            • You don’t need a degree—experience matters more.
                            • Networking isn’t just luck—it’s a skill you can learn.
                              • The Real Challenge of Career Change to Code is NOT code
                              • Self-doubt is a career killer—overcome it with the right mindset.
                              • The fear of starting over doesn’t have to paralyze you.
                                • Strategies that Work Across Countries
                                • Stop chasing bootcamps—craft your own learning path.
                                • Embrace your unique story—it’s your greatest asset.
                                  • Make Age Your Edge
                                  • Experience brings wisdom—leverage it to stand out.
                                  • You have a clear vision—use it to drive your goals.

                                    • 👋👋👋 FREE LEARNING RESOURCES 👋👋👋

                                    💥 Career Change to Code - FREE Webinar at https://matchfitmastery.com?utm_source=estd

                                    💥 Free Career Change to Tech Newsletter:  https://www.matchfitmastery.com/newsletters/career-change-to-tech 

                                    💥 YouTube Podcast https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAPuklwJx5V3fpXiSD9CMh3RhPQTCSemj 

                                    💥 Spotify:  https://open.spotify.com/show/1WMi6AmVFjpmCpF95XjaBJ 

                                    💥 Before You Learn To Code -- Where to start? What to do?  https://matchfitmastery.com/lifesaver?utm_source=estd 

                                    💥 Podcasts:, Blogs and Resources : https://meetzubin.carrd.co/ 

                                    💥  Twitter: http://twitter.com/zubinpratap

                                     

                                    41 min
                                  • Cracked: What 33,000+ Interviews Reveal About Coding Interview Mastery | Ep #58

                                    Show Notes and Timestamps are below 

                                    ☎️Contact Zubin:
                                    👉🏼  Connect with Zubin:   https://meetzubin.carrd.co/ 

                                    💥 Free Career Change to Tech Newsletter:  https://www.matchfitmastery.com/newsletters/career-change-to-tech 

                                    👉🏼  Inner Circle Program (https://parsity.io/inner-circle?utm_source=estd)

                                    👋👋👋 FREE LEARNING RESOURCES 👋👋👋

                                    💥 Career Change to Code - FREE Webinar at https://matchfitmastery.com?utm_source=estd

                                    💥 YouTube Podcast https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAPuklwJx5V3fpXiSD9CMh3RhPQTCSemj 

                                    💥 Spotify:  https://open.spotify.com/show/1WMi6AmVFjpmCpF95XjaBJ 

                                    💥 Before You Learn To Code -- Where to start? What to do?  https://matchfitmastery.com/lifesaver?utm_source=estd 

                                    💥 Podcasts:, Blogs and Resources https://linktr.ee/zubinpratap 

                                    💥  Twitter: http://twitter.com/zubinpratap

                                     

                                    Tech Career Change Secrets They Don’t Want You to Know

                                    Ever feel like breaking into tech is a locked door—and everyone else got the key but you? You’re not alone. Mid-career professionals are burning out on endless bootcamps and expensive degrees that rarely deliver. In this episode, Aline reveals the data-driven truths behind hiring that Big Tech doesn’t talk about—why generic training fails 80% of career changers, and the quiet mindset shift that actually gets you hired.

                                    Why waste years guessing when a few focused moves can change everything? Your age, your background, your so-called “detours”—they’re not a liability, they’re your edge. Listen in and discover why the market is shifting, and how to ride the wave before everyone else catches on.

                                    Inside this episode:

                                    • 🚨 The Lie Big Tech Tells You — AI isn’t killing all jobs.
                                    • 🎯 The Invisible Trap — Why bootcamps miss the mark.
                                    • 💡 The Magic Number 5 — How practice doubles your odds.
                                    • 🚀 Burnout Myth — Why it’s about agency, not hours.

                                      • Timestamps
                                      00:00:00 Introducing Aline from interviewing.io & What Makes Aline's FANG interview Data So Valuable
                                      00:06:34 The Real Impact of AI on Software Engineer Hiring
                                      00:15:02 How AI is Actually Changing Technical Interviews
                                      00:24:48 The Surprising Data on Women in Tech Interviews
                                      00:32:48 Inconsistent Performance & The "Magic Number" for Success
                                      00:37:40 How Quickly do Interviewers Make Up Their Minds
                                      00:42:14 Why Companies Don't Give Feedback (And Why They Should)
                                      00:46:10 A Liberating Take on Burnout
                                      00:52:57 Aline's New Podcast & Closing Remarks

                                      55 min
                                    • From Brewer to Coder: Escaping YouTube's Tutorial Traps (Student Interview) | Ep # 57

                                      ☎️ Contact Zubin 

                                      👉🏼  Connect with Zubin:   https://meetzubin.carrd.co/ 

                                      👉🏼 Parsity Inner Circle Program (https://parsity.io/inner-circle?utm_source=estd) 

                                      Why 90% of career changers fail at learning to code (and the mental shift that changes everything). Former brewer Saeed reveals what really happens when you skip the YouTube rabbit holes and follow a structured path—spoiler: it's not what the influencers tell you.

                                      Show timestamps and FREE Resources are further below 👇

                                       

                                      🎯 The Real Reason You're Stuck

                                      • Most people think learning syntax equals getting hired—but that's like knowing basketball rules vs. playing in the NBA
                                      • The YouTube "learn to code in 3 months" trap keeps you consuming instead of building actual skills

                                        • 💡 Why Technical Skills Are Only 30% of Success

                                        • Networking and market positioning matter more than perfect code (shocking but true)
                                        • The psychology work most people skip is what separates quitters from career-changers who actually make it

                                          • 🚀 The 4-6 Month Reality Check

                                          • Even after breakthroughs, you're still months away from job-ready (here's why that's actually good news)
                                          • The sequence of steps that reveals your unique path when done consistently

                                            • Ready to stop spinning your wheels? Get the no-BS roadmap that's working for career changers who actually land offers—not just complete tutorials.

                                            👋👋👋 FREE LEARNING RESOURCES 👋👋👋

                                            💥 Career Change to Code - FREE Webinar at https://matchfitmastery.com?utm_source=estd

                                            💥 YouTube Podcast https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAPuklwJx5V3fpXiSD9CMh3RhPQTCSemj 

                                            💥 Spotify:  https://open.spotify.com/show/1WMi6AmVFjpmCpF95XjaBJ 

                                            💥 Before You Learn To Code -- Where to start? What to do?  https://matchfitmastery.com/lifesaver?utm_source=estd 

                                            💥 Podcasts:, Blogs and Resources https://linktr.ee/zubinpratap 

                                            💥  Twitter: http://twitter.com/zubinpratap

                                            💥 Free Career Change to Tech Newsletter:  https://www.matchfitmastery.com/newsletters/career-change-to-tech 

                                            Show Timestamps

                                            00:00 - Introduction and Saeed's Background
                                            02:32 - The Problem with YouTube Coding Tutorials
                                            08:17 - Why Most People Fail to Learn Programming
                                            11:23 - The Wrong Reasons to Learn Programming
                                            27:05 - Key Lessons Learned About Becoming a Programmer
                                            33:08 - Final Advice for Aspiring Developers

                                             

                                            35 min
                                          • Goal Setting For Learning To Code | Ep # 56

                                            The secret that coding bootcamps won't tell you: Learning to code isn't your real problem - it's setting the wrong career goals. Most mid-career professionals waste hundreds of hours "training for a marathon when they should be playing chess" - strategic moves beat brute force every time.

                                            Why this matters now: The market doesn't care about your tutorial progress - it cares if you're the solution to a specific problem. Discover the Career GPS Framework that helped my students get hired 3-4x faster than the traditional path.

                                            Timestamps are further down...

                                            ☎️ Contact Zubin:

                                            👉🏼  Connect with Zubin:   https://meetzubin.carrd.co/ 

                                            👉🏼 Parsity Inner Circle Program (https://parsity.io/inner-circle?utm_source=estd)

                                             

                                            👋👋👋 FREE LEARNING RESOURCES 👋👋👋

                                            💥 Career Change to Code - FREE Webinar at https://matchfitmastery.com?utm_source=estd

                                            💥 YouTube Podcast https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAPuklwJx5V3fpXiSD9CMh3RhPQTCSemj 

                                            💥 Spotify:  https://open.spotify.com/show/1WMi6AmVFjpmCpF95XjaBJ 

                                            💥 Before You Learn To Code -- Where to start? What to do?  https://matchfitmastery.com/lifesaver?utm_source=estd 

                                            💥 Podcasts:, Blogs and Resources https://linktr.ee/zubinpratap 

                                            💥  Twitter: http://twitter.com/zubinpratap

                                            💥 Free Career Change to Tech Newsletter:  https://www.matchfitmastery.com/newsletters/career-change-to-tech 

                                            Episode Timestamps

                                            00:00 - Introduction
                                            00:52 - Show Intro
                                            03:08 - Why Goal Setting Matters
                                            03:09 - The Career GPS Framework
                                            03:09 - CTA: Subscribe & Newsletter
                                            04:10 - The Real Solution: Not More Code
                                            08:14 - Why People Fail at Career Change
                                            10:54 - The Career GPS Framework: Step 1 - Destination Mapping
                                            14:34 - Step 2 - Route Planning
                                            18:11 - Step 3 - Progress Tracking
                                            22:10 - Are You Serious About Career Change?
                                            23:10 - Honest Truth: The Inner Circle Program
                                            24:38 - Learning to Code Isn't Enough
                                            24:56 - Courses Aren't Scams, But...
                                            25:29 - The Seven Stages of Career Change
                                            25:40 - The Inner Circle Program: What to Expect
                                            25:45 - Final Thoughts & Motivation
                                            26:07 - Outro

                                            27 min
                                          • Why "Smart" Coders Get Badly Stuck with Taha Hussain | Ep # 55

                                            What if the biggest thing holding you back in tech isn’t your skills—but a hidden emotional pattern almost every engineer ignores?

                                            Show Summary and FREE Resources Is Further Below👇

                                            ☎️ Contact Zubin:

                                            👉🏼  Connect with Zubin:   https://meetzubin.carrd.co/ 

                                            👉🏼 Parsity Inner Circle Program (https://parsity.io/inner-circle?utm_source=estd) 

                                            Mid-career professionals everywhere are hitting “invisible walls”—applying endlessly, stuck in senior roles, or watching others leap ahead while they feel overlooked, overwhelmed, and full of self-doubt. Traditional advice—bootcamps, LeetCode grind, more certifications—only makes it worse. It’s like trying to unlock a door with the wrong key.

                                            But what if you could rewire how you think, lead, and present your value? In this episode, Taha Hussain (ex-Microsoft, Yahoo, SAP) reveals the mindset shifts and emotional intelligence secrets that help engineers break through plateaus and land high-impact roles—even in a tough market.

                                            Taha's details:

                                            Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tahahussain/

                                            Substack: https://tahahussain.substack.com/ 

                                            Website: https://www.tahasmethod.com/ 

                                            💡 Key Sections:

                                            • 🚨 The Real Reason You’re Stuck – It’s not your resume. It’s your story.

                                            • 🧠 Identity Engineering – How to reprogram self-sabotaging thoughts.

                                            • ⚡ Taha’s Method – Why emotional agility beats technical skill every time.

                                            • 🎯 How to Turn Pain into Power – Forgive yourself. Reframe your narrative.

                                            • 🔥 Beyond the Code – Why money follows meaning (not the other way around).

                                              Timestamps

                                              00:00 - Introduction & Taha's Welcome
                                              01:13 - Taha's Background & Achievements
                                              05:13 - Show Intro
                                              05:41 - Early Career & Patterns
                                              11:21 - Career Advice & Mindset
                                              16:01 - CTA: Subscribe & Newsletter
                                              16:38 - Human Programming & Patterns
                                              27:10 - Overcoming Stuckness & Guilt
                                              45:49 - The Taha Method & Emotional Intelligence
                                              49:54 - Final Thoughts

                                              👋👋👋 FREE LEARNING RESOURCES 👋👋👋

                                              💥 Career Change to Code - FREE Webinar at https://matchfitmastery.com?utm_source=estd

                                              💥 YouTube Podcast https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAPuklwJx5V3fpXiSD9CMh3RhPQTCSemj 

                                              💥 Spotify:  https://open.spotify.com/show/1WMi6AmVFjpmCpF95XjaBJ 

                                              💥 Before You Learn To Code -- Where to start? What to do?  https://matchfitmastery.com/lifesaver?utm_source=estd 

                                              💥 Podcasts:, Blogs and Resources https://linktr.ee/zubinpratap 

                                              💥  Twitter: http://twitter.com/zubinpratap

                                              💥 Free Career Change to Tech Newsletter:  https://www.matchfitmastery.com/newsletters/career-change-to-tech

                                              51 min

                                            About Easier Said Than Done (Career Change & How to Do it)

                                            From the publisher's feed

                                            A podcast dedicated to career change, getting hired to code, AI engineering, where I share the things that worked when I went from 37yo lawyer to FANG/Big Tech Software Engineer.