I'm not a born developer, I had to become one !🥋

Remember "Wax on, wax off" ? It wasn't just about cleaning cars; it was a profound lesson in muscle memory, discipline, practice, knowing that you don't know and mastering the basics before diving into the complex moves.

My teacher kept telling me this quote during my bootcamp at Ironhack France in 2019. At the time I was seriously struggling, I was more asking why than how, and I had to deal with the fact that I was not naturally gifted for coding.

Now, I'm more a confirmed developer
and I've been reflecting on the timeless wisdom of Mr. Miyagi from "The Karate Kid" and couldn't help but draw parallels to my own coding journey. 👨🏻‍💻

Like Daniel, I had to become what I am - "Wax on, wax off."

🔍 Code On: Master the Fundamentals

Just like the foundational martial arts moves, coding has its basics. Dive deep into the fundamentals - understand variables, loops, and functions. Just like Miyagi's "wax on," this is your chance to build a strong coding foundation. Those foundation appears everywhere in your coding journey.

💡 Code Off: Reflect and Review

Just as Mr. Miyagi had Daniel reflect on his movements, take time away from your code. Review what you've written, understand the logic, and identify areas of improvement. This reflective "code off" time is where you refine your skills. This is where Pair Programming take place !

🔂 Repeat: Consistency is Key

Coding, like martial arts, is about repetition. The more you code, the more you internalize the patterns. Just like Miyagi's consistent training, coding regularly helps you improve and develop a coding muscle memory. This is why Code Kata are importants !

🚀 Apply: Transcend the Basics

Once you've mastered the fundamentals, it's time to apply them creatively. Just as Daniel used his refined moves in unexpected situations, use your coding skills to solve real-world problems. Find your own way by comparing to other developers.

So, let's embrace the "Wax On, Wax Off" philosophy in our coding journey.

The mastery lies in the balance between learning, reflecting, and applying. 💻

PS : I talk about the first TRUE Karate Kid movie, not the Jacky Chan x Jaden Smith one.

#WaxOnWaxOff #CodingPhilosophy #LearnToCode #MiyagiMindset