It’s time to build confidence and embrace your programming potential.
Aspiring developers will never be successful.
Woah, that’s a bold statement, right? But let me break it down before you think I’m crazy or just down-right mean 😅
When people say they are “aspiring” to be anything, they usually have dreams or goals of achieving something.
But having dreams is not equal to taking action.
As an “aspiring” developer, you may have a strong desire to become successful at programming, but if you don't take any action, your aspirations won't lead to any tangible results.
However, on the flip side, if you’ve ever written any code, even if it’s a simple console.log('hello world'), then I want you to erase the word “aspiring” from your mind and start claiming the title you deserve: Developer.
“But I’m still learning, how can I claim this?”
Well put it this way, if you enjoy singing but you’re not signed to a record label does that make you any less of a singer?
I’m here to tell you that regardless of your level or experience, you are better at coding than you think you are.
And here’s how you can start believing you are awesome too:
Shift that Mindset 🤯
When it comes to learning how to code, your mindset can make all the difference.
Having a Fixed Mindset = the belief that your abilities are predetermined and unchangeable.
Outcome: You're more likely to give up when faced with a challenge or setback.
Whereas…
Having a Growth Mindset = the belief that your abilities can be developed through hard work and dedication.
Outcome: You'll be more resilient in the face of obstacles and more likely to persist in your coding journey.
So how do you shift from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset when it comes to being better at coding?
When you make a coding mistake - and trust me, you will make plenty of them - try to view it as a chance to learn and grow, rather than as a sign of your inherent failure.
By reframing your mistakes in this way, you'll be more likely to learn from them and less likely to get discouraged.
Learning makes you better.
Also, focus on making progress, no matter how small. Celebrate each small win and use it as motivation to keep moving forward.
Progress makes you better.
Finding your Strengths 💪
As a developer (yep that includes you now), it's important to remember that you have unique strengths and talents that set you apart from other coders.
Whether it's a talent for problem-solving, an eye for design, or a knack for writing clean, efficient code, your strengths can help you thrive in the coding world.
But how do you discover and utilise your strengths as a programmer?
The answer is simply trial and error.
Try experimenting with different programming languages to see which ones you prefer and enjoy using the most. Don't be afraid to try something new - even if it's outside your comfort zone. E.g. A backend language, despite only ever using frontend languages.
Experimentation makes you better.
Another tip for discovering and utilising your strengths is to seek out feedback from others. Ask people for their honest opinions about your strengths and weaknesses as a coder. Use this feedback to help you focus on your strengths and work on improving any weaknesses.
Embracing feedback makes you better.
The Power of Practice 💫
As I mentioned before, only action will make you a successful Developer.
Consistent practice is essential for building both skills and confidence. Just like any other skill, coding requires repetition and dedication to become proficient.
But how can you create a practice routine that works for you?
Start setting aside regular practice time each day or week. Whether it's 30 minutes or an hour, having a consistent practice schedule will help you stay focused and motivated.
Consider blocking off a specific time each day or week, and treat it as you would any other important appointment or task.
Regular practice makes you better.
One practical way of practice is working on coding challenges and exercises. These challenges can help you build your skills and confidence by providing real-world problems to solve. Look for online coding challenges or exercises that are tailored to your level of experience, and try to complete at least one challenge each practice session.
Challenging yourself makes you better.
Remember, the key to effective practice is repetition. Don't be discouraged if you struggle with a particular concept or exercise at first - keep practising until it becomes second nature. Over time, you'll find that consistent practice leads to steady progress and increased confidence in your coding skills.
Repetition makes you better.
You may still not believe it yet, but you are better at coding than you think you are.
By shifting your mindset, embracing your unique strengths, and consistently practising your skills, you can achieve great things as a programmer.
Remember to focus on progress over perfection, to celebrate your successes, and to view mistakes as valuable learning opportunities.
Keep experimenting, keep learning, and keep growing as a coder. With dedication and hard work, you have the potential to achieve greatness and make a positive impact on the world through your code.
Keep going!
From your fellow ever-growing dev,
Cherlock Code
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Top comments (2)
Some great ideas here.
An idea that I also recommend is to summarise the things that you've managed to achieve every week. Write it down somewhere: in a book, a text file, or even a digital notes app. Keep doing it every week and over time, you'll literally be able to see how much you've progressed.
For anyone interested, I wrote a post with a longer version of this story/tip.
Thank you Anthony. Yes that's also a useful idea, keeping track of your progress is great for looking back at how much you have achieved and helps keeps you motivated to stay on track :)