“The purpose of having the orphans study all these diverse fields was not for them to just become geniuses, but to become polymaths – meaning they would be geniuses in a wide variety of fields.”
― James Morcan, Lance Morcan, The Ninth Orphan
Just as Warren Buffett reinvests capital into a range of diverse yet complementary businesses, we, too, should invest in a variety of strategic fields with intention and depth. The defining goal of the 21st century must be to reinvent ourselves through continuous self-education, building a personal portfolio of self-investment.
Traditionally, schools have been regarded as the primary—often default—source of education. As a result, many adults cease learning once formal education ends, shifting their focus solely to financial gain. This mindset, deeply ingrained by the mechanisms of capitalism, leads us to equate success with material symbols—driving luxury cars or living in opulent homes. Sadly, such aspirations still persist as the presumed default goals of life. But should they be?
When our aspirations are confined to financial success, many of us inevitably encounter dissatisfaction. This is because our sense of fulfillment becomes measured solely by numerical metrics. From my own experiences and reflections, I’ve come to believe that problems which money can solve are, in essence, not truly fundamental problems at all.
Throughout this essay, I refer to this concept as the Portfolio of One. So, shall we begin?
The most valuable investment:
I have neither achieved financial success nor do I particularly aspire to it. However, what I have been doing seems to be working—people have begun to listen to what I have to say. They are engaging with my stories, and for that, I am truly grateful.
So, what have I done for myself? To begin with, I immersed myself in an enormous amount of content—watching countless YouTube videos on topics such as technology, society, history, economics, and politics. In addition, I regularly read a wide range of articles covering technology, political affairs, and financial news. I also turned to foundational books that reshape one’s understanding of the world and life itself—books such as Homo Deus, Life 3.0, and The Code Breaker.
Fields like science, technology, politics, finance, mathematics, and biology may appear unrelated at first glance. Yet, these distinctions are largely human constructs. In reality, everything in the universe is deeply interconnected. It is often at the intersection of these seemingly disparate domains that we gain profound insights—into truth, and even into the future. This is precisely why I believe self-education is the most valuable investment one can make.
Thus, the first essential element of the Portfolio of One is to become a polymath.
Creating an ecosystem:
What makes a life truly worth living? For me, the answer is creativity. Through creativity, you gain the power to construct your own universe—one where you’re not endlessly waiting for the next iPhone or the latest product someone else is trying to sell you. Instead, imagine becoming the creator: someone who shares knowledge, transforms ideas into tangible products, and offers something the world cannot ignore.
Most people trade their time to build what appears to be a career. In contrast, I’ve been working on building my own ecosystem. I began by publishing tech books, writing blogs like this one, developing apps to showcase in a portfolio for future opportunities, and hosting free meetups to connect with new people—some of whom may become lifelong friends.
Much like how Berkshire Hathaway owns income-generating businesses, my creative projects serve as assets. They educate, generate royalties, and build long-term credibility. Each endeavor expands my presence and reach—far beyond what any single job title or résumé ever could.
Thus, the second essential element of the Portfolio of One is to build your own ecosystem and commit to playing the long-term game.
Being a polyglot—in language and thought:
My long-term struggles with mental health have unexpectedly become one of my greatest assets. Allow me to explain what I mean by this. Emotional communication is essential for maintaining balanced collaboration—it’s the foundation of effective teamwork. And I believe it’s through my personal challenges with mental health that I’ve cultivated this skill.
If you’ve been following my blog, you’re likely aware of my ongoing journey with mental health. When we hear the term mental health issues, it often carries a negative connotation. However, in my case, these experiences have gifted me with a depth of emotional insight. They’ve helped me develop the ability to read a room, empathize with others’ struggles, and connect with people on a more human level—whether colleagues, supervisors, friends, or acquaintances.
While I’ve strengthened my emotional communication through personal hardship, I’ve also cultivated a structured, systematic mode of communication through my engagement with technology. This dual fluency—emotional and technical—allows me to switch between frames of thinking, enhancing my ability to collaborate, lead, and innovate across diverse cultural and professional contexts.
This brings us to the third essential element of the Portfolio of One: cultivating emotional intelligence as a core strength.
Thinking long-term:
While many developers find themselves caught in short-term cycles—jumping from job to job, chasing the latest tech stack, burning out, and starting over—I’ve chosen a different path. I’m playing the long game, much like Warren Buffett, guided by a personal investment thesis rooted in clarity and conviction rather than volatility.
I’m not merely learning tools to stay employable; I’m exploring the deeper trajectories of humanity—delving into artificial intelligence, bioethics, and the future of autonomy. I’m not just building apps for quick wins; I’m investing in enduring skills and cultivating personal sovereignty by mastering systems like Linux, running self-hosted infrastructure, and contributing to open-source technologies.
Here’s what I’ve learned: when your approach is grounded in resilience rather than reactivity, you become far more adaptable. You’re no longer chasing trends—you’re preparing for the future. And that makes you far more equipped to thrive, even in unpredictable times.
So if you’re building your own Portfolio of One, I encourage you to adopt a long-term mindset. Invest in knowledge that compounds over time and in systems that endure—because what’s timeless will always outlast what’s trending.
Being an active investor in yourself, not a passive consumer:
I’ve made a deliberate choice to approach life as an active investor in myself rather than a passive consumer of trends and content. Whether I’m reading deeply, building projects, publishing thoughts, or sharing knowledge, each action reflects a proactive commitment to growth. I’m not sitting around waiting to be picked by a company, a trend, or a gatekeeper—I’m curating my own path.
What I’ve discovered is this: independence is magnetic. When you lead yourself with intention, others take notice. People are naturally drawn to those who chart their own course.
So if you’re shaping your own Portfolio of One, remember—don’t wait for permission. Read voraciously, build relentlessly, share openly, and teach generously. Because the world doesn’t reward those who wait; it rewards those who act.
Conclusion: The Power of the Portfolio of One
Through deliberate self-investment, I’ve been building a portfolio of skills, tools, and ideas that compound in value—much like Berkshire Hathaway’s long-term business holdings. But unlike traditional portfolios, this one is personal. It reflects not just what I do, but who I’m becoming.
I’m evolving into a systems thinker in a world often siloed by specialization. I’m not just a coder—I’m a creator. And more importantly, I’m making myself a long-term bet worth backing, whether by future collaborators, employers, or by the person I’m still becoming.
In essence, I’m not simply improving. I’m constructing a personal holding company of thought leadership, technical skill, creative output, and emotional resilience. And in a world that rewards uniqueness and self-direction, that’s not just valuable—it’s rare.
This is the Portfolio of One. And it’s only just beginning.