Maintaining self confidence as a developer can be hard
Maintaining self confidence as a developer can be hard. Here is why
Coding is like riding a roller-coaster
Serious projects require serious skills. But sometimes even with those serious skills you are asked to be a magician literally. Clients and managers can literally ask you for a time machine. My boss just asked me to make port a variable that can be altered with a dialog box. So, there is that. When you can solve a problem you feel like you are on top of the world. When you are stuck with a problem you want to break your computer because of frustration. Who can relate to this? I have worked in very difficult projects. Many of them required me to solve one problem after another. So as soon as one problem was solved I felt extremely confident and than this confidence only lasted until I was stuck trying to solve another challenge. Challenges after challenges from hair pulling to having celebratory coffee within the same day. Who else can relate to this? except for fellow software engineers. So how can a person maintain a healthy amount of confidence through all of these ups and downs of a coding career. Here is what I do and it helps me. I think you should give it a shot too.
Have some great back up plans
I am coding for a good company now. But I definitely have some plans for the future that has nothing to do with my company. I am writing a book on JavaScript, blogging almost everyday and is working on personal projects. These types of projects give me hope outside of the company work. That way even when I am stuck with a problem I am still super hopeful and do not feel so down. Back up plans are not necessarily only back up plans, they are also a great way to develop skills and feel more positive all the time
Create a personal brand
Nowadays, it is absolutely important that you have a personal brand. So a portfolio, or some you tube videos on coding or a twitter account is a must. I know someone who even created a logo of his own name. Nothing wrong with that. A personal brand does not just make you appear like a professional. But when you have it, it gives you confidence. A personal brand will remind the people you work with that you are capable of finding another job asap. It will show your managers that you are worth the money you are charging. Imagine, being in an elevator with Warren Buffet and having the confidence to hand him your business card and tell him that he needs a front end developer like yourself. In reality, Buffet has famously said that he will never hire front end developers or designers for his Berkshire Hathaway website. If you do not believe me, see it for yourself. https://www.berkshirehathaway.com/
The destination should never count it is the journey that counts. As a coder you should have the confidence to hand your business card to people like that without any self doubt. Therefore, work on a personal brand that gives you that level of confidence.
Network
Coding cannot be done without networking. Plus you have to be a member of stack overflow or coding communities where you can discuss coding problems with others. Senior engineers are very helpful in stack overflow. Coding is a career that requires people to develop a habit for problem solving. Many with highly developed skills will just jump in the band wagon trying to help you out. Coders give each other ideas, solve serious problems together and even help each other improve skills. My front end skills seriously improved while I was talking to the coding community on Twitter. Also do not be offended if someone does not want to help. Maybe they are busy or maybe they cannot. Networking is not friendship!! You network to spread talent, learn and explore through others. You are not trying to make friends. But if you end up making some friends through networking. Well, than kudos you have made some similar minded friends. But networking is an essential part of being a coder and gives you a great deal of confidence knowing that you can ask for help and advice. You also do not feel lonely stuck in a situation where you have to solve some serious problem.
Take a Hike
Relax, I have solved many coding problems in the tub or while taking a stroll. The mind needs to unwind and when it does suddenly the solution can reveal. If you cannot solve an issue leave it, do something else. Take a stroll around your neighborhood. Watch the sunset. Then get back to coding again. Do not try to solve something for hours. Ask for help, do something else. Believe, that you will end up solving all coding problems but you need a sound mind for that and definitely need to be in a great mood for it all.
Hope this helps!!!
Spread the love like a spread operator
…Love
Samanja
