Salesforce coding lessons for the 99%
Finally, Apex tutorials for point-and-click admins! Written by a self-taught Google engineer.
  • Beginner Tutorials
    • Apex
    • Certifications
    • Career Info
    • Technical Architect
    • Visualforce
    • Videos
  • Apex Academy
  • Success Stories
  • About Me
  • Misc
    • Mailbag
    • Challenges
    • Links
    • Login to my Org
Follow @dvdkliuor SUBSCRIBE!

How it feels to fail the Technical Architect review board

June 21, 2017

What does it feel like to fail your dream?

I know this feeling well. I’ve felt it many times before. It always hurts.

I remember this feeling when I was rejected by Google. This happened ten times.
I remember this feeling when I failed in my new job. I resigned after 3 mos in front of my colleagues.
I remember this feeling as I hoped to become a Salesforce MVP. I failed each cycle.

I remember this feeling during so many points in my life, and today I am remembering it again, fully.

But I also remember what it feels like to overcome my demons.

I remember getting a job offer from Google, after pouring my soul into my 11th application.
I remember coming back to the Salesforce industry and living the magic of Dreamforce once again.
I remember winning the MVP award for the first time – that moment is still a dream to me.

Today, it hurts so much. But I know from experience that the only thing that hurts more is giving up.

CTA dragon – you win today. But I know better than to let that get to me. I’ll be back. I’m going to work so hard, and even if you beat me 100 more times, I’ll be back again until I pass.

And then I’ll help you pass too =)

David


P.S. I’ll go into more detail on why I failed and what I can do to improve in a future post.

Fo now, this video sums up all my emotions right now really well.

Andy Murray, the best British tennis player of our generation, is interviewed after he loses to Roger Federer in the 2012 Wimbledon final. Wimbledon, a British tournament – the most prestigious tennis tournament in the world, hasn’t been won by a British tennis player in 70 years.

Andy Murray won Wimbledon the next year, achieving his destiny and finally breaking Great Britain’s 70 year home title drought.

68 Comments
Tsezarii Zhydetskyi
April 30, 2020 @ 6:24 am

Hi David,

it’s a very inspirational story. I went through your Apex Academy the other night and the real value of this course, which lasts much longer that the knowledge about classes and triggers, is your story of overcoming frustration with code at the beginning of your career. It left me with a feeling, that if David had struggles with some aspects of Salesforce at the beginning – then I am not alone in my journey.
One missing piece of your Architect journey is the success story. Are you going to share it with us?
I wish you good luck in finishing your RoadToCTA!

Reply
    David Liu
    April 30, 2020 @ 8:01 pm

    Ha ha ha thank you Tsezarii!

    I’ve been pretty lazy on this to be honest, but, it is still on my life’s goals =)
    https://www.sfdc99.com/about-me/

    Good luck to you too!! Maybe we’ll study together someday, ha ha ha.

    David

    Reply
DEBADYUTI SIL
January 2, 2018 @ 11:51 am

Hi David,

You are an inspiration.I completed the System Architect and Application Architect and will go for review board in near future. I need your valuable suggestion.Please share me few guidelines.

Reply
Srinivasa Amarendra Reddy Vaka
July 10, 2017 @ 1:03 pm

Hi David,

I am one of those ton of guys who are inspired by your story and all the effort in providing the detailed info for everyone to learn and pass Salesforce exams. I was a no one in Salesforce in the beginning of this year(Jan 2017) with 11 years of I.T. experience in Mainframes. As of this Saturday, I am 2X salesforce certified professional. As the guy inspired by you, I believe the ‘Salesforce Technical Architect’ certification is going to be joining your list of achievement really soon!!!

Wish you all the very best!!! :)

Regards
Amar

Reply
    David Liu
    July 10, 2017 @ 1:18 pm

    Thank you Amar!!

    Reply
Anonymous
July 4, 2017 @ 8:10 am

David,

You’re still an inspiration!!! Have a great 4th of July :-)

Orquidea

Reply
    David Liu
    July 4, 2017 @ 8:15 pm

    Thanks Orquidea =P

    Reply
Matt
June 26, 2017 @ 9:22 am

As the quote goes, “nothing good comes easy”. This will just make it that much better when you pass!

Thanks for all you do,

Matt

Reply
Chad
June 25, 2017 @ 9:21 pm

David,

“Winners never Quit, Quitters never win!!”

this saying has helped me endure whenever i fail something and need to study more in my next attempt to pass!

Reply
CY
June 25, 2017 @ 6:35 pm

It’s important to see what were the comments given, so that you can work on and zoom in on the key areas of focus for the retake. A lot of it also comes down to how you dissect the information and present the solution in a clear concise manner.

Reply
cybereddie
June 23, 2017 @ 8:15 am

So, you have the chance to study more on this beautiful journey of yours! #congratulations. I love learning for life. Exams are like train stations. They just lead you to more places. just enjoy the beauty of staying on the same place for a while … you might find more beautiful things to see there. #thatsMYviewofTheWorld

Reply
Jim
June 23, 2017 @ 7:57 am

Wow, What a post. Sorry for your misfortune. This just inspired me more..going for my adv admin on July 2. That video killed me. Good luck next time.

Reply
Robi
June 23, 2017 @ 1:52 am

Hats off sharing the failure too, only the greatest teachers does it! I assume we sum up the same amount of supporters behind you as Andy Murray’s had in the Wimbledon final.
“If you know you’re worth then go out get what you’re worth”

Reply
Ekalavya
June 23, 2017 @ 12:40 am

Hey David,

An arrow is pulled backward before its gonna be shot forward, so that it can hit the target intensely. Take this one same way, who knows!! you may hit the ground with your next success :) Everything in life happens for a reason and I learned from you how to make every such event to mould as the best me.

Sometimes we win and sometimes we LEARN =)

Yours Ekalavya

Reply
Ekalavya
June 23, 2017 @ 12:36 am

Hey David,

An arrow is pulled backward before its gonna be shot forward, so that it can hit the target intensely. Take this one same way, who knows!! you will hit the ground with your next success :) Everything in life happens for a reason and I learned from you how to make every such event to mould as the best me.

Sometimes we win and sometimes we LEARN =)

Yours,
Ekalavya

Reply
    David Liu
    June 23, 2017 @ 8:17 am

    Beautiful and encouraging words, thank you my Ekalavya!

    Reply
akacarioca
June 22, 2017 @ 3:17 pm

You have reached a level of knowledge and respect at such young age, that the majority of people could never dream of it. You did not fail. you just did not pass, quite different.
Take from somebody that has done IT since 1978 while still in high school in Brazil, couldn’t finish college, had to learn English in USA, worked all over USA (Including NASA) and the world, and finally decided to switch to Salesforce at end of 2015. While is not exactly “start all over”, it has being peaks/valleys, sometimes working with people half my age and 10% of my experience. Keep moving, you are almost there.

Reply
    David Liu
    June 22, 2017 @ 8:26 pm

    Thank you =)

    Reply
Nicholas Ziff
June 22, 2017 @ 2:21 pm

Every ‘no’ gets you closer to that ‘yes.’ Keep at it David because from my perspective, you’re doing everything right. Talk soon.

Reply
    David Liu
    June 22, 2017 @ 8:27 pm

    Hey thanks Nick!!

    Reply
Sophie
June 22, 2017 @ 10:04 am

David… you continue to inspire me every step of the way. Your path is clear, so continue on your journey!!

Reply
    David Liu
    June 22, 2017 @ 8:27 pm

    Thank you Sophie!

    Reply
Michelle
June 22, 2017 @ 9:48 am

Sorry to hear, but glad to hear you’re keepin’ on! You encourage so many people by sharing your stories of perseverance. All the best to you on your journey to CTA!

Reply
    David Liu
    June 22, 2017 @ 8:28 pm

    Thank you Michelle!

    Reply
Anja (@Anja_IO)
June 22, 2017 @ 9:31 am

“Jumping from failure to failure with undiminished enthusiasm is the big secret to success.” Savas Dimopoulos

Much admiration for you and all that you do!

Reply
    David Liu
    June 22, 2017 @ 8:28 pm

    Cheers to that Anja!

    Reply
Jonathan Morgan
June 22, 2017 @ 8:00 am

Sorry to hear this, but remember you didn’t fail, you learned! ;-) Remember that 1% every day you taught us, that 1% will add up to slay the CTA dragon!

Reply
    David Liu
    June 22, 2017 @ 8:28 pm

    1% every day!!

    Reply
Andrew
June 22, 2017 @ 7:51 am

As you have conquered and overcome many failed attempts before, we all have faith in you David you will be a CTA someday! Your determination is truly inspiring!

Reply
    David Liu
    June 22, 2017 @ 8:28 pm

    Thank you Andrew =)

    Reply
Pranay Jaiswal
June 22, 2017 @ 6:42 am

Thanks for sharing this, CTA is definitely hard but that doesn’t mean you cannot pass it . It’s just some bits left, you definitely gonna nail it next time. I have learnt quite a lot from you, you are truly deserving architect

Reply
    David Liu
    June 22, 2017 @ 8:29 pm

    Thank you Pranay!

    Reply
Bhavana Singh
June 22, 2017 @ 6:03 am

You are such an inspiration – that video made me cry. I have no doubt you will pass this in future.

Reply
    David Liu
    June 22, 2017 @ 8:29 pm

    hahaha great video! I’m gonna watch it again!

    Reply
PJ
June 22, 2017 @ 5:53 am

David…thanks for providing such a human ecosystem to all of us striving to get into SF. I promise that when I get my first cert, I will also help people interested in learning and making SF their career. Best to you and all!

Reply
    David Liu
    June 22, 2017 @ 8:29 pm

    =) =) =)

    Reply
Bill Powell
June 22, 2017 @ 5:24 am

“The ground of liberty is to be gained by inches, that we must be contented to secure what we can get from time to time, and eternally press forward for what is yet to get” – Thomas Jefferson

Keep at it David, you have an army of people to support you, but most importantly your wife and baby. You have done so much for the community, each step you take inspires more and more and more people.

Congratulations on your success, now get back to work :-)

Reply
    David Liu
    June 22, 2017 @ 8:29 pm

    Back to work Bill!!

    Reply
Yogesh
June 22, 2017 @ 5:07 am

Hi David,

Thank you for your posts and this site. Like many other, I too am inspired by your site and committed myself to completing Salesforce certifications (though not in 3 months ). Your Salesforce knowledge and wisdom is vast! Hang in there and I am looking forward to soon read your post about your success.

Yogesh

Reply
    David Liu
    June 22, 2017 @ 8:29 pm

    Thank you Yogesh!!!

    Reply
thematthewandersblog
June 22, 2017 @ 4:52 am

Stay strong David. You are amazing.

Reply
    David Liu
    June 22, 2017 @ 8:30 pm

    I will be strong!

    Reply
Francis Pindar (@radnip)
June 22, 2017 @ 3:54 am

Matt Morris (also fellow MVP) also failed and did a nice write up: https://technologyflows.com/2017/06/05/salesforce-cta-review-board-lessons/

Reply
    David Liu
    June 22, 2017 @ 8:30 pm

    Thanks Francis! That was a great post!

    Reply
Gustavo
June 22, 2017 @ 2:47 am

Hi David,
I, too, took the board last week and failed. The worst part about it is knowing exactly what you did wrong and should have said immediately after finishing. I do like how now, if you fail, they tell you which domains you passed and which you didn’t. (This isn’t my first time). Now I know exactly what I need to focus on so that my next attempt will be successful.
Best of luck to you, and if you ever want to try doing a remote review session, drop me a line.

Reply
    David Liu
    June 22, 2017 @ 8:30 pm

    Cheers Gustavo we’re in this together!

    Reply
Abhishek
June 22, 2017 @ 2:18 am

Wishes of all your fans and supporters are behind you.Hope to see you succeed soon.

Reply
    David Liu
    June 22, 2017 @ 8:31 pm

    Thank you Abhishek!

    Reply
Sandeep
June 22, 2017 @ 1:15 am

Hay David
It requires courage to accept the fact and move ahead. And you are the person who is fully loaded with it. So its just a pass away.

You are and have been inspirational person like me n many more around the word. So I guess just a short break will help you revamp yourself to crack it. And You will do it…. !!

Soon we all we see
David Liu – Salesforce Certified Technical Architect..

Good Luck

Cheers
Sandeep

Reply
    David Liu
    June 22, 2017 @ 8:32 pm

    Thank you Sandeep I can’t wait for that to happen!

    Reply
Daniel Khan
June 21, 2017 @ 11:51 pm

Dear David,
thanks for sharing this with us. I found your website to become a developer just like you. I don’t know you in real person but within 3/4 weeks your charme and your story has succeeded to build up a strong relationship with me. Thanks for inspiring people. This guy helps me a lot when I struggle with life: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GrzLS9FgOgc. It’s not like the other posted videos, but I can assure that sometimes it’s necessary to “relax” in life or to turn the chess table to get a new perspective on things.

Sincerely
Daniel K from Berlin,Germany

Reply
    David Liu
    June 21, 2017 @ 11:58 pm

    Thank you Daniel!!

    Reply
    David Liu
    June 22, 2017 @ 12:11 am

    Man, that’s some deep stuff. Is my goal to learn something or prove something? I do feel good about what I’ve learned already!

    Reply
      Daniel Khan
      June 22, 2017 @ 12:46 am

      Fine. So no need to feel sad or uncomfortable about the result :)

      Reply
alan abad
June 21, 2017 @ 11:17 pm

this is just a postponed success David. Don’t give up!

Reply
    David Liu
    June 22, 2017 @ 8:32 pm

    Yes!

    Reply
Himanshu
June 21, 2017 @ 11:15 pm

Hi David,you are the inspiration for all.Next time you definately pass the exam.

Reply
    David Liu
    June 22, 2017 @ 8:32 pm

    Thank you Himanshu!

    Reply
Tarek Zaheer
June 21, 2017 @ 11:07 pm

David, your honesty, transparency, and humility remain strong and steady in this post as well as all of your posts. Thank you for continuing to represent the 99% of us by showing you are truly one of us.

Like Thomas Edison and his various attempts at making light bulbs, you didn’t fail the CTA exam — just found a way not to pass it (this time)! You will surely get it next time!

Reply
    David Liu
    June 22, 2017 @ 8:32 pm

    Ha ha ha thank you!

    Reply
Rigley Dutra
June 21, 2017 @ 11:02 pm

Hi David,

Thanks for the reminder that we are all human.

You may have already seen this but here is Elon on failure/giving up.
https://youtu.be/qOFikM1pqZA

Reply
    David Liu
    June 21, 2017 @ 11:04 pm

    Thanks for sharing that one Rigley, one of my favs!!

    Reply
faisal akhter
June 21, 2017 @ 11:01 pm

I am sure you are gonna pass it next time David. Please don’t give up & keep working hard for your goal. You are the best!!

Reply
    David Liu
    June 22, 2017 @ 8:33 pm

    Thanks Faisal!!

    Reply
Violet
June 21, 2017 @ 10:37 pm

Thanks for posting this, just a reminder to never give up and go after what you set your mind to. Inspiring!

Reply
    David Liu
    June 22, 2017 @ 8:33 pm

    Cheers Violet!!

    Reply
Sundararaman Ramasamy
June 21, 2017 @ 10:36 pm

Sorry to hear David. Once you are ready to admit the failure then the next step is nothing but success. You will clear it next time for sure and you would remember me that time.

Reply
    David Liu
    June 21, 2017 @ 10:37 pm

    Thank you Sundararaman!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


*

*

Theme: Simple Style by Fimply