Because luck isn’t all up to chance…
Yesterday I won the lottery!
How lucky am I?
Said very few people ever.
Yet, there are indeed many people who have genuinely won in the “lottery” of life. Whether they have bagged their dream job or found their perfect partner, some people just never seem to stop winning.
But luck is a fickle mistress. When we hear how lucky successful people are, how they seem to have been in the right place at the right time, and how their success is due to nothing more than chance, do we ever really question why?
And is luck really all there is to it?
When it comes to software development, the answer is a resounding no.
While luck can certainly play a role, the truth is that success in coding is largely a matter of hard work, persistence, and a willingness to take risks.
That’s why I want to explore the concept of luck in software development, and how you can create your own luck throughout your coding journey to becoming the most successful programmer you can be.
Now let’s get lucky!
Creating Luck Through Hard Work
When it comes to learning how to code, there's simply no substitute for hard work.
While it's true that some developers may seem to have been born with an innate talent for programming, the reality is that even the most gifted coders still need to put in countless hours of practice to truly master their craft.
Now that’s easier said than done, but why is hard work so important?
For one thing, it allows you to build a strong foundation of skills and knowledge that you can draw upon when opportunities arise.
Imagine if you practise writing code every day for 6 months straight. That would be tough right? You may have other commitments or you may lack motivation at times.
Yet, I guarantee that if you do this, you’d be a very capable programmer. You may even have a small portfolio of mini-projects that you could then use in job interviews that would set you apart from other candidates.
In fact, you may even be able to launch one of your projects as a side hustle, building a brand around it, and gaining paying customers.
How lucky would you be to start making money from your project?
The answer would be that you created that luck through sheer hard work.
By dedicating yourself to learning and mastering the craft of coding, you'll be better prepared to take advantage of opportunities as they arise.
Creating Luck Through Networking
As the saying goes, "It's not what you know, it's who you know." And in the tech industry, this couldn't be more true.
Building a strong network of contacts can open up countless opportunities for achieving success as a software developer.
So how can you build a strong network?
Firstly, you need to surround yourself with like-minded individuals, be it online or in real life.
Online communities such as GitHub, Stack Overflow, Twitter, and LinkedIn can provide valuable networking opportunities in helping you connect with other software developers.
Follow leaders who you admire and start looking at those who follow them. It is very likely you’ll find people on a similar path to you that you can reach out to.
Asking questions is a great opener to start up a conversation whilst gaining some knowledge at the same time.
If you prefer the face-to-face approach, you can attend industry events and meetups. Meetup is a great place to find local events, and for bigger industry events check out TechRadar who always have their eye on the ball of the world of Tech.
You’ll soon find that just by attending an event you could strike up a conversation with many interesting people and this could open the door for future job opportunities, collaboration on projects or even mentorship.
Speaking of mentorship, finding a mentor can provide valuable guidance and support as you navigate learning how to code. Look for mentors who have experience in your area of interest, and who are willing to share their knowledge and expertise with you.
When you actively network, you can create your own luck of being in the right place at the right time.
Creating Luck By Taking Risks
The most successful developers understand that calculated risks are often necessary in order to achieve success.
I spoke earlier about having a project that you can launch as a side hustle, well that would most certainly involve taking a risk. A risk of not knowing if anybody would like your product let alone be willing to pay for it.
But then again what if they love it?
Suddenly you’ve got yourself an awesome business opportunity where the sky is the limit on what it could achieve.
Of course, taking risks can be scary. It can mean putting your reputation, finances, or even your career on the line. But you have to be willing to step outside your comfort zone and pursue the things that may seem daunting or challenging.
By starting this blog, I took a massive risk on my part. For one I committed myself to a regular weekly schedule of writing that no matter what I’m dedicated to sticking to. All while not even knowing if anybody will care about what I have to say!
However, if this takes off, then it would be a risk worthwhile and I can look back and be grateful for taking that first step.
Whether it's launching a new startup, pursuing a challenging project, or taking a leap into a new area of development, taking risks can open up new opportunities you may not even imagine.
There’s no reward with risk, and the luck of gaining rewards comes from taking those risks.
Luck Is What You Make It
When it comes to software development, luck is often seen as an elusive and unpredictable force.
But as we've seen, luck is not just a matter of chance. It's something that can be created through hard work, building strong networks, taking risks, and being open to new opportunities.
Of course, there will always be factors beyond our control that can impact our success as programmers. But by focusing on the things we can control, we can create our own luck and increase our chances of success.
So the next time someone tells you that you're just lucky to be where you are, remember that luck is what you make it. By putting in the time and effort to learn and grow as a developer, success will follow.
Now I won’t say good luck, I’ll say go create luck!
From your fellow ever-growing dev,
Cherlock Code
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