Web development is not an easy thing and sometimes it can be daunting, even to the point we start to question ourselves with questions like this: "Is it really for me?"

But I believe that you're probably a capable person who is struggling because you're approaching it the wrong way. Hence, here are a few sentences that helped (and still help) me to become a better developer:

Note: The wisdom they provide can be applied to development in general and even to your life. So, let it settle in your mind!

Number #1

"Trust the process."
― Natalie Sideserf

Programming is a process, and a process can be understood as a series of steps that must be taken toward a goal. They cannot be skipped, and trying to do that will probably cause lots of headaches.

For instance, you may skip one step because it demands a prerequisite knowledge you deem you have but you know you don't. Then, you end up wasting time because, instead of implementing the right solution (not the perfect, a good solution) from the beginning, you keep guessing and trying and finding that most attempts were a failure and, when you come up with something that works, it is a subpar solution.

Therefore, understand and trust process.

Natalie Sideserf makes hyper-realistic cakes and she said that when she was talking about how sometimes she felt she would not be able to bring to life one of her cake ideas, but then she remembered that, if she followed the process she learned, she would be able to achieve the desired result.

Number #2

"Before starting, stay calm and slow down, don't just jump at a problem without a plan. Also, take a very logical and rational approach."
— Jonas Schmedtmann

This is something I have to remember constantly, at least up until now. I have to confess that I'm inclined to get anxious when I have to deal with a complex project.

However, since I started training myself to stay calm, to plan and to break big complex tasks into smaller simpler ones I noticed great improvements.

Yes, you read it right. This is something that requires training. You won't be able to change the way you approach things overnight. As soon as you note you're approaching a problem the wrong way stop and follow these tips.

Jonas Schmedtmann describes himself as a

"[...] full-stack web developer and designer with a passion for building beautiful web interfaces from scratch."

Besides he's been designing and coding for more than a decade. He also has a Master's degree in Engineering.

With seven courses and almost two million students just on Udemy, I'm sure he applies these tips to his life.

Number #3

"The master has failed more times than the beginner has even tried."
— Stephen McCranie

A few years ago I was trying to learn Java and found some free courses on the web. I got enrolled in a Udemy course that I believed was offered by Google. In one of the videos one of the instructors cited this phrase.

It stuck with me for a simple reason: I'm a perfectionist. Besides, I don't know when, but several years ago I came to believe that the student must surpass his teacher.

This is a good thing. But it can become a terrible mindset where you can't get things done because you can't make them perfect. The truth is: there's no perfection in this world. And that's a good thing if you think about it.

Therefore, remember that the path to success is full of failures. Learn with them, don't let them let you down. Learn to fail smart. By doing these things you'll become a master!

Note: I'm not sure this is the author of this sentence. Stephen McCranie is the result of a Google search. The problem is that some results indicate he's a cartoonist and others an author. Because of that, I can't provide any detailed information about him.

I hope these sentences help you too. See you in the next post!

Cover image by Nick Youngson CC BY-SA 3.0 Pix4free