People often ask me how was it like working in China and surviving the infamous 9-9-6 work culture?
The image above was created as a joke by a colleague.
- The short answer: intense.
- The real answer: transformational.
Working in China was like stepping into a pressure cooker that demanded speed, grit, and relentless execution. Deadlines were tight. Expectations were high. And rest was... negotiable.
But here’s what most people don’t realize — yes, the hours were brutal, but the pace of learning was unmatched.
You’re in a hyper-competitive environment where innovation isn’t a buzzword — it’s survival.
But here's the upside.
→ I learned to think faster. Ship faster. Make decisions with 70% of the information.
→ I learned what real ownership looks like — not just doing your job, but taking responsibility for the outcome.
→ I learned that intensity with purpose can be incredibly rewarding — if you're aligned with what you're building.
Would I recommend 9-9-6 for everyone? No.
Would I trade those years? Also no.
They taught me resilience, speed, and the ability to perform under pressure — skills I carry with me to this day.
Sometimes the hardest environments shape you the most.
And if you can thrive there, you can thrive anywhere.