I recently came across an article on a blog titled "What is the 30-year-old manager?" and it really struck a chord with me. Cotton T-shirt For Men,Casual T-shirt,Fashion Cotton T-shirt,Men's Cotton T-shirt Jiangyin Boloni Clothing Co,.Ltd. , https://www.boloni-clothing.com
At the beginning of the article, the author wrote: "When people reach their 30s, why do some of them keep climbing while most of us are stuck in a random, aimless career path? Some even stagnate or decline. It's like they've hit a wall and nothing more happens after that." The author then shared insights from talking to many senior managers. He found that those in their early 30s were often top performers, well-educated, and had promising careers in the first decade. However, these individuals still faced similar challenges—career plateaus, confusion, and a sense of frustration. Reaching 30 seemed to be a peak for many, after which things either went downhill or simply stalled, rarely continuing to rise.
In reality, the age of 30 should be when professionals begin to mature and reach their prime. But as the article pointed out, I’ve seen this phenomenon firsthand. Before turning 30, many of my colleagues were thriving at work, but once they crossed that threshold, their careers took a sharp drop.
Why do so many 30-year-old managers seem to hit a wall? I believe the main reason is that they haven’t done proper self-reflection at different stages of their careers. Without reflection, it’s hard to set a clear direction. And without a clear direction, it’s easy to choose the wrong goals, leading to stagnation or even decline.
I remember calling up a friend who had been working in the south for years. When I asked if he was busy, he said he was “retreating.†At first, I thought he was joking, but later I found out it was real. That night, I thought about it for a long time. “Retreat†became a word that stayed with me. I had read about it in historical texts before, but this personal experience made it more meaningful.
A month later, I wrote in my book "Marketing Career Admonition": "Marketers need to retreat."
Why bring this up now? Maybe it was because of the article, or maybe because I’m approaching that same age. Talking about this topic here might also be a reminder to myself.
Retreating, originally a term from martial arts and Buddhism, refers to a period of seclusion where one focuses on meditation, study, or spiritual practice. It involves cutting off all external distractions and dedicating time to inner growth. This could last from a few days to several months or even a year.
In traditional practices, retreats were often done in quiet places—like a small room or cave. There were people assigned to take care of daily needs, known as "protectors" or "guardians." During the retreat, the entrance was closed, and only a small window was left for food. One had to complete the retreat before returning to normal life.
In martial arts novels, characters often retreat to overcome obstacles or learn new techniques. This process was said to involve four stages: wind, breath, qi, and interest. Each stage brought different physical and mental challenges, requiring discipline and perseverance.
From the perspective of the Book of Changes, retreating can be seen as a way to step back from the chaos of the world and focus on self-cultivation. In Zen Buddhism, the concept of retreat is similar, but more structured. Practitioners must break through certain barriers before they can even consider retreating.
Tibetan Tantric traditions have two types of retreats: white and black. White retreats are more open, while black retreats involve total isolation. These practices require deep preparation and a strong foundation in spiritual discipline.
Taoist traditions also emphasize retreat, but they require specific conditions: financial stability, proper methods, a companion for support, and a suitable location. Only under these conditions can one truly engage in a meaningful retreat.
Although modern society has moved away from the idea of retreat, I believe it still holds value, especially for marketers. With the fast pace of life and work, we often feel overwhelmed and don’t have time to reflect. But as the saying goes, sharpening your knife isn’t a mistake—it’s a necessary step.
In the article, the author compared 30-year-old managers to Julien Sorel from Stendhal’s "The Red and the Black." Julien was a talented young man who struggled against his limitations and ultimately failed. If he had taken the time to reflect and grow, perhaps his story would have ended differently.
As a marketer, I often feel there’s not enough time to think, let alone take a step back. Yet, in a rapidly changing environment, it’s crucial to pause, reflect, and reevaluate. Learning from others is important, but turning that knowledge into something personal is key.
I think Chinese marketers, in general, lack strong professional summarization skills. They often fail to organize and internalize the scattered bits of knowledge they gain. That’s why I want to ask: "Marketing, are you retreating?" After three, five, or ten years in the field, have you taken the time to reflect on your experiences? Do you have any accomplishments or painful lessons worth remembering?
As we approach 30 or 40, what kind of future are we building? Maybe we just need to carve out a little time, not necessarily in a formal way, but to stop, reflect, and grow. Because only by doing so can we move forward more confidently.
"Marketing, are you retreating?" This is my urgent call to Chinese marketers.