Abstract:

The article argues that, contrary to popular belief, building a successful and fulfilling tech career doesn’t require constantly chasing every new trend or tool; instead, focusing on stable, “boring” technologies—like COBOL, mainframes, or compliance systems—can offer greater job security, less stress, and higher pay due to low competition and persistent demand. It highlights the drawbacks of nonstop trend-chasing, such as burnout, shallow expertise, and career instability when fads fade, using real examples like the decline of Flash and daily deals to illustrate the risks. The article provides practical strategies for identifying overlooked, enduring problems through frameworks like Jobs To Be Done and Opportunity Solution Tree, and emphasizes turning expertise in these anti-trend niches into a clear, memorable value proposition using templates and storytelling. Drawing on cases of individuals (like Michael Feathers and Bruce Schneier) and companies (such as Fortran Company and Cobol Cowboys) who have thrived by solving persistent problems, it shows how building a reputation for calm, reliable expertise is a powerful differentiator. The author also shares personal insight from a background in fundamental physics, underscoring the value of deep, systematic thinking and long-term focus. Advice on managing fear of missing out, leveraging supportive networks, and maintaining motivation rounds out the guide, making a compelling case for choosing depth, stability, and quiet confidence over the endless pursuit of the latest trends.

Staying on top of every new trend might seem like the only way to build a strong career in tech, but honestly, that’s a recipe for stress and uncertainty. I’ve seen it firsthand—colleagues and friends constantly chasing the latest frameworks, only to end up feeling scattered and less confident, even as their resumes grow. Meanwhile, quietly focusing on so-called boring but essential tech rarely gets applause, but it’s brought me—and others I know—real benefits: steady work, less competition, and a reputation for reliability that actually sticks.

I want to share why stepping back from the trend race can lead to a more stable and rewarding career. I’ll show you how to spot anti-trend opportunities, build a calm reputation, and present your unique value in a way that people remember. I’ll also sprinkle in some stories from my own path—like founding a science popularization company and leading multicultural teams in Beijing—to keep things real. If the fast-moving race is wearing you down, these strategies offer a practical alternative: a future built on stability, depth, and a bit of quiet confidence.

Why ignoring trends builds stronger careers

The real cost of chasing trends

Let’s be honest: hopping from one new technology to the next is exhausting. Early in my career, I felt that pressure too—especially when I moved from Paris to Beijing and saw everyone around me picking up new tools every quarter. The excitement fades quickly, replaced by anxiety and fatigue. Research backs this up: Stack Overflow’s 2023 Developer Survey found that over 60% of developers feel overwhelmed by the pace of change, and burnout rates are rising. But here’s the thing—this constant chase rarely leads to deep expertise or satisfaction.

Instead of focusing on burnout and FOMO, let’s get practical. If you want to define your niche and articulate your value, here’s a simple framework I use:

1. List your core skills and experiences.
2. Identify which ones solve persistent, business-critical problems.
3. Check where demand is steady but supply is low (think legacy systems, compliance, or infrastructure).
4. Map your skills to real business outcomes—like reliability, cost savings, or risk reduction.
5. Craft a one-sentence pitch that connects your expertise to a pain point.

This approach helped me when I was running an e-commerce platform in Berlin. Instead of chasing every new frontend fad, I focused on optimizing our payment infrastructure—a boring but essential piece. That decision led to a long-term contract and a lot less stress.

FOMO and peer pressure: A quick reality check

Social media makes it worse. Seeing others post about their latest certifications or trendy side projects can spark real anxiety. I remember feeling left out when friends in Lisbon were all-in on blockchain, while I was knee-deep in payment compliance. But here’s what I learned: many of those trends fade fast. According to Dice’s 2022 Tech Salary Report, COBOL developers in the US averaged $100,000+—higher than many newer tech roles—because so few people want to do the work.

So, instead of worrying about missing out, I started asking: “What problems will still matter in five years?” That shift in mindset made all the difference.

When the hype fades, jobs disappear

I’ve seen this up close. Back in Beijing, a talented engineer I worked with specialized in Flash. When the tech died, he had to retrain from scratch—painful and expensive. The same thing happened with daily deals and, more recently, with some blockchain projects. Specializing only in passing trends means risking sudden job loss and hard pivots. There’s a quieter, more resilient road.

The rewards of boring tech

Stable niches: The overlooked goldmine

When I first encountered COBOL systems as an IT lead, I was surprised by how much critical infrastructure depended on them. These aren’t glamorous, but they offer steady demand and job security. COBOL and AS/400 still run banks and government operations. Compliance tech is always needed. And because so few people want to specialize here, the rewards are bigger.

I once hired a mainframe specialist for a project in Berlin. We struggled to find anyone, but when we did, the candidate negotiated a 30% higher rate than our Java developers. According to a 2023 Robert Half report, legacy tech experts can command up to 50% premiums in urgent situations.

Scarcity means leverage—and better pay

Scarcity is your friend. If a legacy system breaks or new compliance rules hit, businesses scramble for real experts. I’ve seen companies offer six-month contracts at double the usual rate just to keep the lights on. It’s not just about salary—it’s about being seen as indispensable.

Building a reputation for calm expertise

By ignoring the hype and sticking with persistent business problems, you build a reputation for calm, reliable expertise. In my science popularization company, I learned that being the steady hand—especially when things got chaotic—made clients trust me more. Over time, you become the person people call for important problems, not just the latest shiny thing.

Finding anti-trend niches

Spotting persistent pain points

Uncovering stable but overlooked problems starts with the right frameworks. I’m a fan of Jobs To Be Done (JTBD) for understanding what users are really trying to achieve. When I ran our e-commerce platform, I noticed customers kept complaining about failed payments—year after year. No matter how many new features we added, this pain point stuck around.

Here’s how I break it down:

• List recurring complaints.
• Notice where people create their own workarounds.
• Spot groups with almost no good options.

If a problem keeps popping up, it’s a sign the niche might be worth it. But not all stubborn problems matter, so I always test further.

Before investing time, I ask:
- Is the pain frequent?
- Do people actively seek or create workarounds?
- Are there real consequences if it’s not solved?

If the answer is yes, I dig deeper.

Mining for overlooked needs

Online data is a goldmine. On Stack Overflow, I once found a thread about a payment gateway bug that had been open since 2013. That told me the problem was sticky and underserved. When I was building my e-commerce platform, I used this insight to prioritize fixing payment failures—and it paid off with higher customer retention.

Inside issue trackers, old bugs and maintenance tasks often linger for years. New frameworks rarely fix these, so they just hang around. These stubborn tickets show where knowledge and fixes are in short supply.

Aggregating feedback from forums, app stores, or support logs can also highlight needs. If the same complaint or feature request shows up over and over, that’s a problem with real demand. These patterns help find stable, underserved opportunities. Once your anti-trend niche is identified, the next move is framing your skills for impact.

Framing your anti-trend niche

Turning overlooked expertise into a superpower

It’s easy to forget how valuable deep knowledge in boring or old-school systems can be. But with a thoughtful approach, it can set you apart. I use tools like CliftonStrengths and a simple mapping exercise: for each skill, I write down the business headache it solves. For example, “COBOL: keeps critical banking systems running.” This builds confidence and makes it much easier to share your value.

Making your value proposition stick

Frameworks like Dorie Clark’s worksheet and StoryBrand help turn technical skills into solutions for real business headaches. Instead of saying, “I know COBOL,” I say, “I keep critical banking systems up and running.” Storytelling turns legacy skills into something relatable and sticky. The goal isn’t to show off, but to explain how you solve problems most others avoid.

Simple statements for clear communication

Clear templates help you and others remember your unique value. For instance, the Problem-Solution-Target model: “I help [audience] fix [painful issue] using [practical approach].” Or the XYZ statement: “I do X for Y so they can Z.” Making it easy to repeat helps people refer you more often. Specialists in anti-trend niches stand out this way.

Learning from anti-trend specialists

Authority and longevity in stable niches

Some well-known consultants built major authority by focusing on stable, overlooked areas. Michael Feathers is respected for helping companies deal with legacy code. Bruce Schneier found his path in security and compliance, while Susan M. Land made her name in process improvement for big organizations. I once met a Fortran expert who secured a five-year contract with a major research lab because no one else could maintain their simulation software. These examples show that serious knowledge in persistent problems leads to demand and respect.

Organizations thriving on enduring needs

Companies like Fortran Company, Cobol Cowboys, and FaxLogic have built their brands by serving scientific, finance, and regulated industries. Fortran Company works on science and engineering software. Cobol Cowboys step in for banks or governments needing critical COBOL help. FaxLogic supports legal and healthcare fields with compliant fax services. All show that focusing on problems that never go away brings steady work and less competition.

Scarcity brings higher rewards

If only a few people can handle core legacy or operational systems, demand jumps. AS/400 and mainframe experts often get higher pay and better job security. Scarcity also means more choice about work and terms. With your niche and message clear, next comes sharing your value without overhyping—just solid results.

Branding for trust and calm authority

Messaging for reliability and calm

Positioning yourself as the steady choice helps you stand out in a noisy field. Words like measured approach, practical solutions for real problems, or results over chatter quickly show you’re reliable. Phrases such as Clarity over chaos or Guidance without the gimmicks tell clients you’re focused on substance. Simple, evidence-based language paints a picture of thoughtful work, not just chasing trends.

Consistency matters too. In an industry always running to the next thing, becoming known as the steady hand works. Adding a dash of humor helps—being the only one who fixes the problem while others debate is memorable. This type of brand attracts clients tired of empty promises and looking for lasting change.

Minimalist branding—clear designs, simple testimonials, same message everywhere—signals you can be trusted. When every touchpoint, from website to email, matches, people remember you and pass your name on.

The financial and lifestyle upside

I’ll be blunt: focusing on a stable niche improved my work-life balance and income predictability. When I stopped chasing every new tool and focused on payment infrastructure, I could plan my schedule, take weekends off, and even travel between Berlin and Lisbon without worrying about sudden layoffs. The peace of mind is worth its weight in gold.

Networking and referrals as the anti-trend expert

Emphasizing a record of stability and problem-solving makes referrals easier. Highlighting stories where steady, practical work solved long-standing headaches builds trust. Focusing on what has worked over time, not what’s just new or shiny, helps your reputation spread.

Publishing ideas that go against the crowd can pull the right people in. Critiquing temporary trends or sharing how you fixed persistent problems helps connect with others who value substance. Blog posts, LinkedIn updates, or case studies about boring but critical fixes stand out. Over time, this approach makes you the go-to person for tough, ongoing issues—trusted even when the newest trends have fizzled.

Being seen as reliable and resilient keeps the referrals coming. Building a reputation for stability and problem-solving means clients reach out when they need someone they can count on. Still, choosing this path requires a steady mindset as much as a good message.

Mindset for staying the course

Managing FOMO and peer pressure

In tech, the fear of missing out is hard to dodge. The steady stream of new tools and shiny announcements can make anyone feel left behind. When I moved from Beijing to Berlin, I felt isolated—everyone seemed to be on a different path, and I worried I was missing out by focusing on infrastructure instead of the latest app frameworks. But taking a quiet moment to reflect on my own goals helped me cut through the noise.

Aligning what you learn and how you work with your long-term goals helps reduce anxiety. Supportive people make a difference too. Surrounding yourself with colleagues or mentors who value depth over trends keeps you on track. Teams or friends who talk openly about what matters most, and support each other in ignoring quick fixes, help keep stress and FOMO in check. Building this sense of support, at work or in your network, makes it easier to stay the course.

Building motivation for the long game

Let me share a quick story. When I first started my science company, we hit a wall: our first big project failed, and I felt like giving up. But instead, I spent a few minutes each week jotting down what didn’t work, what I learned, and how I might try again. It was annoying at first, but over time, I saw real progress. That habit—reflecting on setbacks and learning from them—kept me motivated, even when things moved slowly.

Writing about why you picked your path or visualizing where you’d like to be helps anchor motivation. Weekly reflections on why the work matters, what values guide you, or how your daily tasks link with bigger goals keep you going. Visualization—imagining yourself thriving in a meaningful, stable niche—makes everyday basics feel connected to a bigger picture. My background in fundamental physics taught me to value deep, systematic thinking over quick wins. That way of thinking keeps me focused on long-term impact in tech and beyond. Regularly checking in with your core goals and imagining the future you want makes it much easier to block out distractions and stick with what works.

Choosing the steady, so-called boring route in tech might not get you on the cover of Wired, but it’s often more secure and, frankly, more satisfying. Chasing trends can leave you frazzled or out of work when the hype fades. Solving persistent, behind-the-scenes problems and building a calm reputation can help you stand out. Less stress, better pay, and more trust are the natural side-effects. It’s not just about avoiding trends—it’s about picking depth and stability over constant chasing. With practical frameworks and a clear message, even old skills become new advantages. Sometimes, the best opportunity is right under your nose—il ne faut pas chercher midi à quatorze heures.