The Best Way to Learn is from Experience

Back when I was studying, my friends & I went to Six Flags.

While exploring the park, we came across the monstrous Kingda Ka - the Burj Khalifa of Rollercoasters, taking thrill seekers 450 feet up.

And down.

My friends excitedly queued up in the long line.

Me? * Ahem * Well, I chickened out.

An hour of waiting later, they got strapped in as I stared in suspense.

Suddenly, the ride came to life with neck-snapping acceleration.

I watched in horror as the metallic beast shot up towards the NJ sky. You'd think they were off to the moon.

Then, the ride paused & abruptly nosedived back to Earth at unreal speed.

After it all ended, I asked my friends how they liked it.

"You can't describe it in words! It's something you really need to experience", said one of my buds.

Despite the fact I witnessed the entire thing, I couldn't say I knew what it felt like.

‍

Some parallels:

‍

1. You can "learn" about product management via books/ videos but it only becomes real when you actually strap yourself in a product journey.

2. You can't feel the pain of your customers until you take your product for a ride. But when you dogfood, the stakes need to be real.

3. I wouldn't want to be a PM for a rollercoaster for reason 1 & 2 :)

‍