Life Lessons from 13 Years as a Software Developer
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Chapter 1 Insights from a Developer's Journey
During my career from 2009 to 2022, I dedicated over 30,000 hours to website development as a front-end developer. This extensive experience has imparted invaluable lessons about setting goals, resolving issues, building relationships, and recognizing the separation between my identity and my work. Here are eight significant life lessons I’ve gathered along the way.
- You require much less than you believe.
The constant struggle for any developer lies in minimizing unnecessary complexity. In life, complexity often leads to anxiety. As Antoine de Saint-Exupéry aptly stated, “Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.”
- Improve everything you touch.
A former colleague emphasized that any code you modify should be improved, no matter how small the change. This principle extends to life: if you engage in something, strive to leave it in a better state than you found it.
- Avoid solving problems that don’t exist yet.
In programming, this is referred to as “speculative programming.” While it's natural to anticipate future issues, it's crucial to differentiate between diligence and overthinking. Staying focused on the current challenge is vital.
- It’s perfectly fine to say, “I don’t know,” but make an effort to learn.
Being a developer involves constant research, learning, and experimentation. Embrace the idea that you don't need to have all the answers. Life is a continuous experiment, and approaching it with curiosity makes it more enjoyable.
- Your job title does not define you.
Many developers fall into the trap of linking their identity to their job titles or the products they create. It’s essential to ponder the question, “Who am I?” and realize that your self-worth is not tied to your profession.
- Everything is transient.
Following the theme from the previous point, it's vital to recognize that everything has an expiration date—every project, every job, and every situation. Even the lines of code you write have a lifecycle. Accepting impermanence is a lifelong endeavor.
- Always begin with the end goal in mind.
Just as you wouldn't construct a house without blueprints, you shouldn’t set goals without a clear vision of your destination. In software development, understanding the problem at hand is essential before coding a solution.
- All forms of debt can be detrimental.
Similar to financial debt, emotional or technical debt can lead to the slow decline of any project. Eventually, the price must be paid, making a life mired in debt emotionally draining.
Which of these lessons resonates with you the most? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
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Chapter 2 Recommended Viewing
In the video "40 Life Lessons from a 40-Year-Old Developer," the speaker distills key lessons acquired over years in tech, emphasizing growth and wisdom gained through experience.
The video "8 Years A Developer | What I've learned | Self-taught" explores the insights from a self-taught developer's journey, highlighting important lessons learned along the way.