Before I started writing software, I’d last about three years at a job before I got bored, having exhausted all the opportunities to learn and challenge myself. In fact, I even became the resident computer repair person for the advertising agency I worked at as a Studio Production Artist (Quark/Illustrator/Photoshop), just to find something more challenging to learn. Oh, and I fixed the printers as well. But even then, after about three years, I was bored. That was before I entered the ever-evolving universe of computer programming.
In the world of software development, having a learning mindset has been one of the most valuable assets throughout my career. It's what has kept the spark alive, even after over two decades of coding. One of the best examples of how this mindset has shaped my journey is my relationship with Git. While many developers still shy away from it, finding it daunting and confusing, I absolutely love it. Understanding how Git works at a fundamental level has made my life so much easier and my job infinitely more enjoyable. It's transformed what could be a source of stress into a powerful tool that allows me to manage and explore code with confidence.
Another testament to the power of a learning mindset is my current pursuit of a Kafka certification. As a full-stack developer primarily working on the C# side, I began preparing for the Confluent Certified Developer for Apache Kafka (CCDAK) without realizing just how Java-centric the field is. But in hindsight, I'm grateful for this challenge. It’s opened my eyes to problem spaces that I hadn’t previously considered, and that excites me. I’m in that honeymoon phase where everything looks like a nail, and Kafka looks like the hammer. This fascination, even after 22 years in the industry (over 11 of which I've spent consulting), is a testament to the joy that comes from always being willing to learn and grow.
One of the best things about having a learning mindset is how much better it gets when you’re learning and sharing with others, like my coworkers at Improving, who are just as passionate as I am. There’s something really special about bouncing ideas around, tackling challenges together, and just geeking out over new discoveries. It not only helps you solidify what you know but also opens your eyes to new ways of thinking that you might not have considered on your own. When you’re with people who share your enthusiasm for learning, it’s like the excitement just feeds off each other. It makes the whole process more fun and inspiring. You realize that learning isn’t just something you do on your own—it’s a journey that’s even more rewarding when you’re in it with others who are just as curious and eager to grow.
Having a learning mindset isn't just about acquiring new skills; it's about cultivating a sense of curiosity and wonder that keeps you engaged and passionate about what you do. It’s the reason I continue to find joy in my work, even after all these years, and I’m incredibly grateful for that. So, here's to another 50 years of "I wonder if I can make this work" followed by "WAHOO!" moments, enabled by, yep, you guessed it: more learning. Because let's face it, that's where the real fun is.
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