You’re probably thinking, ‘But as a developer, don’t I have to know everything to be relevant?’ No, you do not. In reality, focussing on these five abilities will not only enhance your confidence but also help you advance your career.
Introduction
As a developer, I’ve learnt the hard way that trying to understand everything isn’t the same as improving professionally.
Early in my career, I wanted to know everything: every framework, backend language, and new JavaScript tool. I believed knowing everything would make me irreplaceable. But instead, I felt as if I was going in circles. I was familiar with everything, but it was getting me nowhere.
It became worse when I realised I lacked depth in a certain aspect of my work. I suffered from imposter syndrome and often doubted my talents. That’s when I changed my approach. I stopped attempting to do everything and began focussing on the truly important skills. And I’m going to share those abilities with you because I believe they’ll help you on your journey.
Prioritize What Matters
Developers have an endless supply of tools and frameworks to learn. Each one has its own learning curve. However, you don’t need them all. Ask yourself, what solves difficulties in my current role?
For example, I used to switch between React and Vue in order to remain relevant. However, most of my projects required React. So I worked on improving my React skills. Tasks were easier, and I achieved better results. Stop juggling and start prioritising; it will shift your approach to development.
Master the Art of Learning How to Learn
The technology world moves quickly, and it’s impossible to keep up with everything. The key is not to learn everything, but to learn how to learn.
Instead of spending hours watching tutorials, I now focus on applying what I’ve learned. For example, when I was learning Docker, I didn’t just watch videos; I also created a containerized app from scratch. The best way to learn is to get your hands dirty. If you want to stay relevant as a developer, concentrate on improving your ability to adapt and learn quickly.
Communication Skills Are Just as Important as Code
Let me ask you something: have you ever written brilliant code, only for the team to misunderstand its purpose or not use it? That’s where communication comes in.
I once had to explain to my team why the existing code for a feature needed to be rewritten instead of patched again. It kept producing bugs, and while patching appeared like a simple remedy, it didn’t address the underlying problem. After rewriting it, the reoccurring difficulties were resolved, and no new issues occurred due to that functionality. Being a successful developer is more than simply writing code; it’s about making judgements that avoid future hassles and communicating the “why” behind those decisions.
Consistency Over Intensity in Learning
Ever tried to learn an entire framework over a weekend, only to forget half of it by the next day? Been there, done that. Here’s what I’ve learned: consistent, small steps are more effective than rushing through everything.
For example, instead of trying to master TypeScript in one week, I decided to take it a little at a time and practice it every day. Before I knew it, I started feeling more confident and actually got a good grip on it! Consistency not only makes learning easier but also sticks with you longer.
Focus on Problem-Solving
No matter what framework or tool you use, your main goal should be to solve the problem. That’s what makes you a great developer. This is a skill that goes beyond trends and technologies.
For example, I once worked on a project, in which the existing codebase was an absolute mess. Fixing one issue often leads to another problem. So, instead of focusing on the trending tools I wanted to use, I approached the task by breaking the problem into smaller, manageable parts. It wasn’t anything fancy, but it worked and that’s what made the project a success.
Conclusion
Being a great developer isn’t about knowing everything. But it's important to know what matters and start focusing on that. You don’t need to remember everything. You just need to know how and where to find the right answers when you need them. Isn’t Google there for a reason? So, use it wisely!
The most important thing is knowing how to tackle a task and find effective solutions to the issues. A lasting foundation is established by prioritising the appropriate abilities, learning with intention, and maintaining consistency.
So, let me ask you: are you ready to stop chasing trends and work on what really matters? Believe me, the outcomes will be worth it.
P.S. I wrote this article while I was on the train, so it’s a bit of a brain dump, but sometimes those are the most honest thoughts, right? 😅I’ve always felt the need to approach learning this way and wanted to share it with you guys. Hope it helps!
If you find this article helpful, feel free to highlight, clap, leave a comment, or even reach out to me on Twitter/X and LinkedInas it’s very appreciated and helps keeps content like this free!
By the way, if you’re curious about JavaScript promises and want to dive deeper, I’ve got a detailed article on that too.
Check it out here: https://dev.to/manashjb/everything-you-need-to-know-about-javascript-promises-and-how-they-work-1apg.
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