Why Gratitude Makes You a Better Programmer

This is supposed to be a short reminder. Because I’m sure you know all of the stuff coming up in the next lines, but sometimes we just need to consciously remind ourselves of all the amazing things we have.

The problem is the following: There are tasks you have to do as a software developer, but you don’t want to do them because they seem too big or too boring, you name it. Now think of it this way: You are allowed to do them. You are able to conquer these tasks. Someone told you to do them because this someone thinks you have what it takes to write the code and finish these tasks.

So let’s think of the many things you can be grateful for to do your job.

Chances are, you’re sitting in a heated room, on a comfortable chair and you’re staring at a more or less modern screen with an expensive computer. Isn’t that alone just amazing?

You might have internet access, right? I guess you’re not reading this article offline. So you have the whole knowledge of the world at your desk. And I bet you’re using this knowledge sometimes to even do your job. So you have many options to complete your tasks. Crazy.

Are you allowed to wear headphones at work? I bet. Let’s say you can plug your headphones into your computer and then fire up Amazon music, Spotify, YouTube, whatever and listen to your favorite tunes while coding. For me, there’s no better way to get into the “zone” and focus only on programming.

What about your lunch break? First, you get to have lunch, right? Another not always obvious reason to be grateful. I know I’m exaggerating a bit, but getting a warm meal from the microwave or the snack bar around the corner and having coffee every now and then really is something you can be grateful for.

One of my absolute favorites is my cozy bed. The ability to enter my own warm and comfortable bed every single night and enjoying the sheets in the morning just five more minutes before I get up is a miracle.

With all that in mind, you will be happier, you will complain less and maybe you’re even more motivated to conquer your everyday programmer life and achieve all your goals for the day – and maybe it’s easier to bear with the family on the holidays. ;)

So next time you get a crappy task, do it with a smile on your face.

Merry Christmas!

P.S. I'm also grateful for dev.to. It's a great place to connect with fellow devs like you! :)

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