I want to share some thoughts that helped me improve as a person and a developer. Be sure, I am nowhere near done with this, but here is my experience from two sides
- One side is my personal experience
- The other side is what I see in others
While working with other devs or helping people who want to become devs, I often hear self-destructive thoughts.
If this sounds like a euphemism, just think about having these thoughts for the next 20-30:
- I will never learn X
- This is too hard!
- I can't start now because Y
Guess where you will be.
Adopt A Growth Mindset
Briefly, there are two types of mindsets: Fixed and Growth.
You can recognize them by the following characteristics:
Fixed Mindset
You believe someone is good at X because she was born extremely talented.
- Lucky her. I won't ever be like her.
- I tried and failed. It means, I am not good at it, and I never will
- People criticize me
Growth Mindset
You believe you can improve at anything through practice and effort.
- I am not there yet, but I am working towards my objective.
- I tried and failed. It means that wasn't the right way. What could I change to succeed next time I try?
- People give me feedback
There are more, and here is a two minutes video about them:
And if you are interested in this you can watch the TED talk The power of believing that you can improve | Carol Dweck
Bottom Line
Strive to adopt a growth mindset in whichever area you want to improve.
Complaining Is Not An Option
Complaining and whining are just useless. Moreover, people who keep complaining become annoying pretty quickly.
However, life is not always sunshine and rainbows. So, what do we do?
Assess the situation as objectively as you can. Then, think about how you can improve it, or at least look at the bright side.
You don't like your job? Change it. You cannot because of XYZ?
What if you would get laid off tomorrow, would you find a solution?
Bottom Line
What if complaining wasn't an option? Whenever a complaint surfaces in your mind, shut it down and think about how you can improve the situation.
Done Now > Perfect Tomorrow
If I need to work more on one of these three thoughts, this is it.
I don't think I am a perfectionist, but you know, this article could be better. I just need to spend some more time on it.
I have this cool idea for an app, but first I need to learn ABC. Once I am there I can't release it because the style could be better. Actually, I should add that fancy feature because more people will like it.
Guess what? I will never release it.
Bottom Line
Start small and start now.
Share
Share any thoughts that helped you as a developer and a person.
It will help everyone.
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