當能力圈遇上現實：要生計，還是要理想？When the Circle of Competence Meets Reality: Survival or Ideal?

巴菲特在 1998 年演講時提到：「最重要的是劃清自己的能力圈。你不需要很大，但你必須清楚知道範圍在哪裡。」這句話對職涯與創業的選擇同樣適用。In his 1998 lecture, Warren Buffett said: “The most important thing is to define your circle of competence. It doesn’t have to be large, but you must know its boundaries.” This principle applies not only to investing, but also to career and entrepreneurship choices.

所謂「能力圈」，就是你真正懂得、能掌握並能持續創造價值的領域。當你在能力圈內做選擇，風險自然降低，成果更能積累。除此之外，巴菲特也提醒我們，在選擇合作夥伴時，要「為值得尊敬的人工作」，並且「與志同道合、能力高於你的人合作」。這些觀點令我深有共鳴。The “circle of competence” refers to the areas where you truly understand, can perform well, and consistently create value. Operating within it reduces risks and helps you accumulate results more effectively. Buffett also advised: work for people you respect, and partner with those who are like-minded and more capable than you. These insights resonate strongly with me.

回顧過去 20 年的職場歷程，我往往是根據外界潮流或組織需求來做選擇，很少先審視自己真正的能力與限制。現實是，許多時候組織安排或外部機會，並不在你的能力圈內。主管未必值得尊敬，夥伴未必志同道合，這正是大組織運作的矛盾之處。Looking back on my 20 years in the corporate world, I often made choices based on external trends or organizational demands, rather than first reflecting on my own strengths and limits. The reality is that many roles offered by organizations or the market may not align with your circle of competence. Your boss may not be respectable, your colleagues may not share your vision—this is the inherent tension of large organizations.

那麼，當「能力圈」與「現實」衝突時，該怎麼辦？我的體會是：生計優先，能力圈養成。如果你擅長寫作，但短期內無法靠此維生，而超市的導購工作願意聘用你，該怎麼選？答案是，先穩定收入，接住現實的需求，同時在下班後持續經營你的寫作。這不是偏離能力圈，而是用現實支撐能力圈的養成。So what should we do when the “circle of competence” conflicts with reality? My reflection is: survival first, build your circle of competence. Suppose you are talented in writing but cannot yet make a living from it, and a supermarket offers you a sales job. Which should you choose? The answer is: secure income to meet immediate needs, while investing your free time into writing. This is not abandoning your circle of competence, but supporting its growth with reality.

長遠來看，能力圈的價值會在累積中浮現，前提是你沒有放棄。In the long run, the value of your circle of competence will emerge through persistence—provided you never give up.

👉 你的工作現在在你的能力圈內嗎？👉 Is your current job within your circle of competence?