I've been into software engineering for 8+ years. As any coder i aspired to a faang job. Blew a good chance in my beginnings when competition was not this crazy. Then years passed and later found myself considering how a faang life would've been. I never really managed to discipline myself into faang interview prep. But today i have tons of startup experience, know some good tech, built some products, my passion is strong, and my only reality is that i will eventually succeed with my life plans. We all chase the money, and landing a faang job is a certainty of getting it, but you could regard faang as a false objective. Instead focus on learning how to deal with your life, with your craft, be a little cunning and money has a good chance to follow. It takes time but who cares, enjoy the ride