In the world of tech, it's easy to fall into the trap of comparing yourself to others. Maybe it's the developer on your team who seems to solve problems twice as fast, or that person on Twitter who contributes to five open-source projects and still has time for a blog and a podcast. But the truth is, trying to be the “best” in class is a moving target—and a distracting one. A more sustainable and rewarding mindset is to focus on raising your own level, day by day. Progress, not perfection, is what actually moves you forward.
One of the most powerful habits in tech is deliberate practice. It's not just about writing more code; it's about writing it thoughtfully, reflecting on what went wrong, and iterating. Whether you're learning a new language, framework, or debugging a tricky issue, take time to understand why things work the way they do. Set mini-goals for yourself like “understand closures in JavaScript” or “write a CLI tool in Python.” Small, focused wins accumulate into mastery far faster than trying to master everything all at once.
Another key principle: read code that’s better than yours. Great developers often become great by studying great code. Browse open-source projects on GitHub, explore coding patterns in well-architected systems, or even review a colleague's pull request thoroughly. Try to understand the decisions behind the code, not just the syntax. Over time, you'll internalize better design patterns, naming conventions, and problem-solving strategies.
In IT, documentation is your secret weapon. Many engineers overlook it, but writing clear documentation sharpens your own understanding and benefits your future self and teammates. Next time you finish a project, document what worked, what didn't, and what you’d do differently. It's a habit that quietly levels you up while making you a more valuable team member.
Also, don’t underestimate the power of asking good questions. Whether it’s in code reviews, stand-ups, or forums like Stack Overflow, learning how to ask precise, thoughtful questions is a sign of maturity—not weakness. It shows you're actively trying to grow. Plus, the answers you get will often lead you to deeper insights and connections that pure Googling can’t.
Finally, prioritize consistency over intensity. You don't need to pull all-nighters or take every online course under the sun. Instead, commit to steady, regular improvement: an hour a day of learning, a new tool explored each month, a blog post every few weeks. This consistent approach not only avoids burnout but helps you build real, compounding knowledge. Remember, the goal isn’t to outpace everyone else—it’s to make sure your future self is better than your present one.
This is an example of incremental progress and it is probably the most important "ping" I made during my student life at Hallam.
For more advice from other people in the IT sector who have been there and done it all you need to do is click on these links and check out these Blogs! They are producing some incredibly cutting edge content!
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