As someone who has spent years working in the technology field, I’ve learned a lot of valuable lessons along the way.
From finding good mentors to staying challenged, there are many things I wish I had known when I was just starting out.
In this blog post, I’ll be sharing some of the most important things I’ve learned over the years.
Whether you’re just starting out in the tech industry or you’re a seasoned pro, I hope that you’ll find these insights helpful and valuable.
Find Good Mentors
Having the right mentor at the right time can make all the difference.
Find someone whose life you admire, whose type of work you want to do, and whose skills you want to develop. This provides access to a wealth of information on how to get there, and more importantly, how not to get there.
They can introduce you to the right people, recommend the right books, put you on the right path, and help you grow 10x faster than you could on your own.
However, you have to put in the effort to find them and build a relationship with them. They can also give you the motivation to believe it’s possible.
Overcome Imposter Syndrome
Have you ever felt way, way, way out of your depth and kind of guessed/bullshitted your way through something because there was no other way out?
Petrified that at any moment you’ll be exposed for the fraud you are? Even though everyone around you (oddly enough) acts for all the world as you do indeed deserve to be there.
That’s impostor syndrome.
The thing is, lots and lots of very successful people feel like that all the time. According to a recent report, a whopping 58% of tech employees report experiencing this.
So, if you’re feeling down, there are ways you can bring yourself up. Write a list of your achievements. This will remind you of how far you’ve come. Also, find a mentor. This can help you gain an outside perspective, learn and grow, and feel seen.
Stay Challenged
We need to stay challenged in order to grow.
The challenge needs to be creative so that you’re learning new things to address a problem, and it also needs to be fun.
If it’s not creative, then it’s just physically or mentally taxing which might build fortitude, but slow your learning by leaving you gasping for air.
If it’s not enjoyable, then you’re not getting anything from the challenge.
Your motivation to meet the challenge is only not getting fired, or not failing, as opposed to wanting to learn the material or solve the problem.
Become Comfortable with Failure
Being comfortable with the possibility of failure is accepting that an idea might not work, but that will certainly result in learning. It’s about being honest and realistic, but also daring.
When you take a big risk, you’re certainly challenged, and by being challenged you learn much, much more.
Build Good Habits
We need to keep our bodies and minds in check to stay sharp and productive.
Start the day with a healthy breakfast that makes you proud; regularly practice a sport or activity that relaxes you, changes your mood, and makes you forget about the rest of the world for a moment; take breaks during work hours; and last but not least, have a good and comfortable setup kit for work. This in my case is the combo of chair - monitor - mouse .
These are some points that I’ve added to my routine and have consistently given me good results in the long run, especially during exhausting times.
The Importance of Restless
One of the things that I miss the most about Patagonia is nature.
There’s something about being surrounded by mountains, lakes, and forests that are so grounding.
It’s easy to get lost in the hustle and bustle of the city, but being in nature reminds me of what’s truly important.
I try to make time to go on hikes and spend time outside whenever I can. It helps me to recharge and come back to my work with a fresh perspective.
For sure you have a place that makes you feel that way, if not, try to find it and go as much as you can.