Technically Speaking: Sit Down, Be Humble
If I told you that Kendrick Lamar would make a great software developer, you’d probably accuse me of sniffing paint chips. I’ll admit, Kendrick’s smooth flow may not compile as easily when converted to code, however I feel he was onto something when he said, “sit down _____, be humble” (probably missing an expletive there). In coding, the “how” rarely matters. You can implement a system in a plethora of ways. Often times, strict project deadlines means ignoring the “how" and taking on some form of technical debt in order to deliver. No one is truly at fault here as there is, like most things in life, a million (or more) ways of coding something. No one way is best. Some ways might be more encouraged, or frowned upon, but most things are left up to preference.
Consider the following: You are given creative freedom to do something in the way you feel is best, or most comfortable. You do it again, the same way. This continues and develops into a norm for you. After all, it works for you. Until one day, someone else comes along and introduces you to a different way of doing the same thing.
Do you:
- Scoff at the idea of “fixing something that isn’t broken”? 🙄
- Consider giving it a try, in hopes of potentially improving the process? 🤔
Your response in this scenario can have great implications on your growth as a developer, and as a person. It may be true that something that has been working for you doesn’t need fixing. After all, it’s working, why fix it? Exploring alternative ways of doing something, however, is one of the best ways to innovate and achieve groundbreaking results. Doing things the same way, and refusing to explore other methods, will trap you in a bubble of complacency that will only make it more difficult for you to grow. Allowing yourself to learn from those around you, especially when their ideas challenge your own preferences, is the best way to break out of that comfort zone that often only acts to restrain you. I’m not sure Kendrick Lamar would make a great developer, or that he’d want to, given his success in his current field, but he seems to have a grip on the importance of stepping out of your comfort zone, humbling yourself and trying new things.
