The Most Important PM Lesson You Will Ever Learn

Forget JIRA tickets. Forget OKRs. Forget executive reports. None of that teaches you what matters.

The best lesson in product is behind a drum set.

YouTuber Kize Bae set herself a crazy goal: learn drums in 30 days. She practiced about 35 hours, ended with “Runaway Baby” by Bruno Mars, and inspired me to take up the sticks too. What I found was more useful than any PM framework.

Lessons from the Drum Kit

1. Spotlight Solo, Not PowerPoint

   Pick that one defining product moment. Focus guides everything and avoids vague outcomes

2. Crowdsurf the Chaos

   Kize bought drums before learning any beat. Build before perfect conditions exist. Confidence grows in the messy middle

3. Experiment Loudly

   Try tools mix approaches and fail fast. The best riffs come from bold experiments

4. Power Ballad Immersion

   Dive into your world. Users competitors trends. Think back to bike riding immersion brings breakthroughs

5. Stretch Goals That Scare

   Thirty days to drum seems insane. Kize hit it. Aim high then break goals down

6. See Do Fail Repeat

   Watch try mess up record retry. Every dropped stick is a chance to nail the next beat

7. Play to Your Strengths

   Kize had rhythm. What gives you an edge? Use it

8. Speak in Real Terms

   In drumming you have paradiddles rudiments. In PM you have MVPs personas. Clear language keeps the band together

9. Master the Basics

   John Bonham did not start fast. Lay the foundation before you speed ahead

10. Fear Fuels Growth

    Stage fright means you are pushing boundaries. Lean into it let it drive you

11. Feedback is Group Therapy

    Kize learned faster with honest feedback. Critique outpaces control

12. Fun Drives Energy

    If rehearsals feel like drudgery the stage will show it. Joy fuels performance

13. Remix Bottlenecks

    Hit a roadblock? Change the rhythm. Constraints spark creative fire

14. Celebrate the Aha Moment

    Every new riff or solved bug deserves recognition

15. Encore Forever

    A goal is never the end. It is a launchpad for the next act

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Pick up some sticks or just try something out of your comfort zone. Then share what surprised you.