My 3 Rules to Survive Tech's Enshittification in 2025

The tech industry feels like a treadmill set to sprint, doesn't it? New frameworks drop every week, the pressure to be a "10x engineer" is relentless, and burnout looms like a compiler error you just can't find. After more than a decade in this whirlwind, I’ve realized that technical skills alone aren't enough to survive. You need a personal operating system.

Over the years, I've distilled my experience into three core rules. They have nothing to do with which programming language you use and everything to do with how you navigate your career and protect your sanity. These are my rules to not just survive, but actually thrive in tech.

Rule #1: Learn Strategically, Not Frantically

The firehose of new technologies is endless. If you try to drink from it, you'll drown. Early in my career, I suffered from what I call "Shiny Object Syndrome." A new JavaScript framework? I had to learn it. A new database paradigm? I spent my weekend on it. The result? A shallow understanding of many things and a constant feeling of being behind.

The solution isn't to stop learning; it's to learn with purpose.

Focus on Foundations Over Frameworks

Frameworks come and go, but the underlying principles are timeless. A deep understanding of data structures, algorithms, networking protocols, system design patterns, and clean code principles will serve you far better than knowing the specific syntax of the framework-of-the-month.

Think of it this way: learning a new framework is like learning a new route to the grocery store. Learning system design is like learning how to read a map and use a compass. One is a tactic; the other is a lifelong skill.

Here’s how the two approaches stack up:

Your Action Plan: Next time you feel the urge to learn something new, ask yourself: "Is this a 'map and compass' skill, or is it just a new route?" Prioritize the maps. Your future self will thank you.

Rule #2: You Are the CEO of Your Career

Here's a hard truth: no one cares about your career as much as you do. Your manager’s primary goal is to deliver the project. Your company’s goal is to increase shareholder value. While good managers and companies will support your growth, you cannot outsource the responsibility for your own career trajectory.

You are the founder, investor, and chief executive of "You, Inc." Act like it.

Stop Waiting, Start Driving

Waiting for your annual performance review to discuss your ambitions is a losing strategy. Career management is an ongoing, proactive process.

• Document Your Wins: Keep a running document of your accomplishments, big and small. Did you refactor a critical service and improve latency by 15%? Write it down. Did you mentor a junior engineer? Write it down. This isn't for bragging; it's your data for performance reviews and promotion discussions.
• Initiate Career Conversations: Don't wait for your manager to ask. Schedule a dedicated meeting every 3-6 months to discuss your long-term goals. Ask questions like, "What skills do I need to develop to get to the next level?" and "Are there any upcoming projects that align with my goal of learning more about system architecture?"
• Manage Up: Keep your manager informed about your progress and potential roadblocks. Make their job easier by being a reliable, communicative team member. A manager who trusts you is more likely to advocate for you.
• Network Intelligently: Your network is your career safety net. Build genuine relationships with colleagues on your team, on other teams, and even at other companies. It's not about transactional networking; it's about being a curious and helpful human.

Your career is a product. You are responsible for its roadmap, its marketing, and its feature development.

Rule #3: Prioritize Your Humanity

The tech industry glorifies the hustle. We hear stories of engineers sleeping under their desks to ship a product and celebrate it as a badge of honor. This is a trap. Burnout is not a sign of dedication; it's a sign of unsustainable practices.

Long-term success in tech is a marathon, not a sprint. If you burn out, your brilliant technical skills are worthless. You can't write code if you can barely get out of bed.

Boundaries Are Your Best Defense

Your most important job is to protect your own well-being. This isn't selfish; it's essential for a long and fruitful career.

• Define Your "Off" Switch: Decide on a time to log off each day and stick to it. Disable notifications on your phone after hours. The world will not end if you answer an email tomorrow morning instead of at 10 PM.
• Take Real Vacations: A real vacation means completely disconnecting. No Slack, no email, no "I'll just check in for an hour." Let your brain and body truly rest. You'll come back more creative and productive than if you had been tethered to work.
• Cultivate a Life Outside of Tech: Your identity is not your job title. Have hobbies, nurture relationships, exercise, and get enough sleep. A rich life outside of work provides perspective and resilience. It reminds you that a failing deployment is a temporary problem, not a personal failure.

Remember, a well-rested, happy engineer is a productive engineer. Companies benefit from employees who are healthy, not from those who are one step away from a breakdown.

The TL;DR: Your Survival Kit

Surviving tech is less about knowing every algorithm and more about building a sustainable system for yourself. If you remember nothing else, remember this:

1. Learn Smart: Focus on timeless foundations, not fleeting frameworks. Build your map and compass.
2. Own Your Path: Act as the CEO of your career. Document, communicate, and drive your own growth.
3. Protect Your Well-being: Set firm boundaries and cultivate a life outside of code. A burned-out engineer is an ineffective one.

By internalizing these rules, you can shift from a state of constant reaction to one of intentional action. You can build a career that is not only successful but also deeply fulfilling and, most importantly, sustainable.