How Not to be Stupid in Programming

As a chemist for many years, I had always been curious about web development but had convinced myself that I wasn't cut out for it. I would often look up posts from people who had made the shift from one career to another, wondering if I could do the same.

Starting as a web developer was tough. I struggled to progress as quickly as my peers, and it would take me hours to figure out even the simplest functions. There were days when I felt like giving up, thinking that I didn't have what it takes to make it as a web developer.

But I soon realized that my background in chemistry wasn't a disadvantage. In fact, it gave me a unique perspective and approach to problem-solving. I learned that the key to success in web development was to break down problems into their simplest form, just as I would with chemical reactions.

So I set out to implement several changes in my approach to web development:

First, I spent time cleaning my workspace and eliminating any distractions that might take my focus away from programming.

Next, I would set a timer for a set amount of time and dedicate that time solely to programming, without any distractions.

Rather than trying to tackle complex tasks, I would focus on simple tasks, such as building a registration form for a single user.

I spent a significant amount of time reading and understanding the problem at hand before writing any code. As a chemist, I knew the importance of thorough planning and preparation.

Once I fully understood the code, I would test it in a raw file to ensure that it worked as intended.

Then, I would implement the code into my own projects, always looking for ways to improve and optimize.

Lastly, I learned the value of embracing mistakes and failures as opportunities to learn and grow. In chemistry, mistakes could have serious consequences, but in web development, mistakes could be fixed and improved upon. I learned to approach mistakes as learning opportunities, taking the time to understand what went wrong and how to prevent it from happening again. This mindset shift helped me overcome my fear of failure and allowed me to embrace a growth mindset.

Through these changes, I was able to overcome my doubts and succeed as a web developer. My background in chemistry gave me a unique perspective, allowing me to approach problems in a different way than my peers. I am now confident in my abilities and excited to continue growing as a web developer.

Takeaway

I would like to emphasize the importance of changing one's perspective, focusing on simplicity, thorough preparation, eliminating distractions, testing, and embracing mistakes as opportunities to learn and grow. The overall message is that these strategies can help individuals overcome doubts, succeed in a new field and be not stupid.

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How Not to be Stupid in Programming

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