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Confession of an average developer

Maxim Chechenev on September 11, 2020

I've always been an average developer. Not bad, but nothing extraordinary. I worked in some reputable companies, not IT leaders. And I was sure tha...
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phantas0s profile image
Matthieu Cneude

That was an original read. You could improve your style of course, and you'll do if you write more. Nevertheless, the ideas you give are very interesting. Thanks for that.

I believe that most of our world is in our head. It doesn't mean it's easy to control, but we can control it with enough time and effort.

First thing first: good, average or bad doesn't mean anything. It means something if you compare yourself with somebody else. If you do that, you will always be better than somebody, and worst than somebody else. We have have tendency to focus on the negative, so we're often the worst compared to this hypothetical other(s_.

That's why we should work on ourselves, every day, to do comparison with our past self, and only with our past self. Nobody else.

Second: I do meditation every day for years and I'm generally obsessed with the idea of learning who I am. I believe it's the only way to unlock our potential. My conclusion for now: nobody is good from one day to another. It takes time and practice, and you will only go there if you love what you do.

How to find what you love? By trying. Experimenting different things. Don't be afraid to go out of your comfort zone. Try to help as much as you can. Practice enough and have fun; then, you'll be ready to continue to do that for enough time to feel good at it, and feel good about yourself.

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Imiebo Godson

Hello Maxim, I could relate to your earlier circumstances and state of mind. For a while now, I have been looking for excuses to quit trying to be a developer and find something else to do. I know I can be a really good developer, I tend to pick up things fast and I have been progressing quite well. But when I look at how much is still left to learn, and how good people are, it just gets to me.
Reading your post has given me the push I have searched for to keep going. Thank you

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Maxim Chechenev

Thank you! I'm glad that you found my post helpful for you!

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Pramod

An average developer here.
Like you, I was also not fascinated by coding. In fact, I got a late start. I started Java development around 25 years of age.

I like cooking and dreamt about film direction. But coding gives superior money than anything else. Also, this is a job where my intellect can be challenged. So I chose this job.

Besides this, I am lazy as hell. I know if I work harder I can become a super developer. But working for it seems so boring.
Thankfully I have got a great mentor who keeps guiding me and that is why I am still in a good job.
Your story motivated me. I found out that I am not alone.

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Ivo

Regarding the "lazy as hell" part: in my experience lazyness is just a symptom of what you're working on. So I'd suggest to try and find fun and optimally meaningful project to practice on.
And keep in mind that practice compounds. Results will come but it will take a while and someday you'll feel like you just made a giant leap.

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D

Hello Maxim,
It is delightful to read this article and thanks for sharing it. I am also a very average developer everyday just trying to improve myself and this article inspired me more to take more initiatives and keep learning and also that we can start improving ourselves at any point of time.
But only one question, how suddenly thought came in your mind? is there any incidence occurred or it was there from the beginning in your subconscious mind? which came to you subconsciously, but whatever may be the reason that helped you to improve and that's the thing.
well good luck for your career ahead!!

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Maxim Chechenev

It's hard to say and define when and how it came to my mind. Maybe, it was just the environment I grew up in. I had no one who could tell me that during my career (well, especially in the beginning of it). Or who could share some stories about this topic. So it took some time to experience things and realize it myself.
So I though that maybe my story could help someone, because I wish I had somebody who could tell it to me.

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D • Edited

Same here trying and learning, but that's good post of yours. So keep writing and keep inspiring.

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Dinys Monvoisin

Hi Maxim,

Thanks for sharing your experience. The first part was unfortunate to read, but eventually, I got the end. I am happy that everything is going well at your end.

A couple of things I will suggest for your article. It is great putting all the details, but I feel you cramp everything into it. It is hard to read.

Try to reduce and break the article into sections that will allow readers to skim what you wrote.

Can't wait to see the next update.

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Maxim Chechenev

Yeah, good point. I was trying to avoid unnecessary details but looks like I didn't succeed in it haha

I've just tried to remove a few sentences, thanks for advice!

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Andrew Baisden

Playing video games counts for something. Thats how I started too its what made me want to pick up programming. I was a geek playing around with games and computers from a young age. I did not start doing any real programming until I was in college.

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Denis Veleaev

That's a strong article. Thanks a lot for that, Maxim. I feel the same inner battlefield. Would be very glad to hear more about your way of finding a job abroad. Your experience can be very helpful for people (and for me in particular).

Thanks again for the article!

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Maxim Chechenev

Hi Denis, thanks!
Yeah, I think it could be an interesting topic to write a post about. Just curious - is it something specific that you are interested about finding a job abroad?

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Denis Veleaev • Edited

Big thanks for the interest! Looking forward to seeing the article!

I'm also a natively Russian speaker Frontend Developer from a small poor non-EU country with a lot of "average" companies. By "average" I mean that they're actually good, but... you know... the opportunities here are incomparable with, let's say, Netherlands.

So, basically, I'm interested in everything :) Because I do relate to your experience.

  • All these "average" companies have similar expectations from the candidate, which are not that high (deep understanding of the fundamentals + hands-on experience with your tech stack + agile practices + leadership and communication). What's the difference between these expectations and the expectations in a top-level company (I don't mean just Google-like companies)?
  • What helped you to stand out among a lot of local professionals? I assume you had to be much better than them because they had to help you with visa and relocation. You're also not a native English speaker and probably don't know Dutch.
  • By the way, the fact that you don't know Dutch was a problem for you or for your employer?
  • How many years of experience is enough to try to find a job abroad?
  • What type of visa do you need to work abroad and what are the limitations?
  • How did your company help you with relocation?
  • What was the process of looking for a job abroad? What tools did you use? How much time did it take? If it's not a secret, how many failed attempts did you made?
  • If you're willing to share it... Where do you feel more secure? I mean... In your homeland, you're probably a much more desirable candidate than in top-level companies abroad.
  • How much time did you prepare for the interview and how? How did the interview process look like?
  • Is it easier to get into a big company or in a small startup?
  • What difficulties did you met during the relocation process and after?
  • Are the relocated employees treated in the same way as the local ones?
  • Everything else that you think is important to know

Thanks a lot, Maxim, that you're willing to share this information. It would be incredibly useful, and, I hope, will help me and others to bust the mental myths about relocation and thinking big.

If you're willing to talk more about it, please DM me @DenisVeleaev

Thanks again!

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Paco Ocampo • Edited

Your post has been my game-changer, I spent a lot of time behind my excuses and fears. I'm an average developer trying to hide that I'm not as good as my chief and co-workers believe. No more. I'm writing from Mexico City at 00:42 trying to work but now I'll try to be what I dreamed to be many years ago. Thank you Maxim you saved my career

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Maxim Chechenev

Nice to hear it! Just curious - can I ask what is your dream that you are going to achieve?

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Anzhari Purnomo

Great article!

To me, there is nothing wrong with being an “average developer” as long as you are happy and doing your best. Software development is just a job. You can hate your job or you can love it, it does not matter as long as you are good enough.

But on the other hand, if we add competition into the equation, I always believe that people who love their job will always have better results.

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Monique Altero

Thank you so much for this! I feel inspired because I had the same behavior to change and reprogram my mind.

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Maxim Chechenev

Thank you! It's very nice if my post has inspired you, that means a lot to me :)

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Isaac Torres Michel

Hi Maxim, I really did find myself in your experience. Thanks for sharing it, I think that maybe you're a better dev that the one you think you're. You're a dev that inspires others to improve.

Keep the good work.

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Maxim Chechenev

Thanks, it's really nice if my words can inspire or help anyone - that's way more important to me than just writing the great code :)

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Hamza Yaakoubi

Hey maxim,
Great article
So inspiring

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Tiago Soares

Without the average developer, the Wheel doesn't work. 😁

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Theodoros Kokosioulis

I couldn't relate more! Thanks for sharing this!

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perpetual . education

Average developers make the world go round!

We'll settle for Good!. It's a great place to be.

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Roy Honders

Hey Maxim, I see on LinkedIn that you came from Russia, I was curious to know that when reading the article.
Also I see you like coffee, would you be interested in meeting up over a cup of coffee?

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Maxim Chechenev

Sure, feel free to send me a DM.

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Arthur Kateeba

Hi maxim,

Thanks for sharing your story ...

Am truly inspired that I can became whoever I want to be.