How to Get Better as a Developer
Being a developer comes with a lot of add-ons that you must possess to succeed and getting better is the most important in the list; Trust me, it is.
Meanwhile, you have to understand that becoming a successful developer comes with a whole other skill called soft skills that have a great role to play in your journey rather than just writing codes.
Before I go on I would want you to understand that by trying to get better as a developer or in anything you do you must acknowledge that you are not in comparison with anyone. You are too unique to do that.
Over the past 3 years, I have taught myself to code right from YouTube without any mentor or a senior developer to look up to or guide me through the process. And this was the journey that landed me my first job as a Full-stack web developer.
I am not meaning to brag but I want you to understand that I am qualified to talk to you about this.
You are probably guessing how much effort I put in to get this especially if you went through a boot camp or currently in one; yeah, it was truly a tasking process especially in a third world country like mine. But I am glad to be sharing a few tips from my experience with you.
I will be sharing 3 tips that made a better developer and could also make a better too.
1. Consistency
This is probably what you are will hear from most developers but that does not nullify the fact that it is the most Important of skills you must acquire as a developer(at least for me).
Consistency gives you the ability to turning coding into a habit.
“Perfection of effort is not required, by the way. It is the consistency of attempting to work these tools that brings the progress. It’s like anything else. If I want to tone muscle, lifting a ten-pound weight a few times every day will move me toward my goal much quicker than hoisting a fifty-pound barbell once a week. Yes, it is true: “Slow and steady wins the race.” Just try a little, every day. You’ll see.
Holly Mosier
You just have to keep doing it. Either you are doing it the right way or not just keep doing it. With time comes clarity and. experience
2. Passion
Passion is and was a very essence factor during my journey.
Though the issue of passion may be controversial so get this straight “Passion can be built on the way so you must not be passionate about programming before you start. Liking it alone is okay for a start.”
The main importance of passion is that it serves as an encourager when you are down. It makes challenges look like fun. It gives rise to a WHY behind why you started at first.
3. Curiosity
Be curious about coding. Be eager to learn new things. Try to listen to talks, podcasts, join meetups, and so on.
Mind you, I don’t mean you should jump from one technology to another but you should constantly want to know more about coding generally.
4. Teach
Teach what you know. It doesn’t matter how much you know. Just teach it.
“In learning you will teach, and in teaching you will learn.”
Phil Collins
The wonderful thing about teaching is that you discover that you know more than you think you know.
Also, teaching helps you remember that concept for a long time.
Conclusion
I know there are more other tips to help you become a better developer but I can only tell you what I have practicalized and confirm.
I hope you get value out of this piece.
Keep coding. Keep winning.
