Programmers should avoid self-comforting ineffective learning

I have been engaged in front-end development for more than 5 years, and I consider myself a programmer who insists on learning. I have both time and pressure, so I spend more time thinking about growth.

One particularly important thing I have been doing recently is subtraction.

During these years of development, I have worked for different companies, different back-end languages, and different businesses. In addition, I have set a goal for myself to learn a valuable course every year. I have learned C#, PHP, and JAVA successively. This is not a casual study. I require that after learning, I can at least use the framework of the corresponding language to do simple basic development. The result is that in addition to C#, I learned PHP's for back-end development and Springboot for development. Although it was just conventional development, I went through the process from 0 to 1.

Of course, in addition to back-end languages, front-end technology stacks include Vue, react, RN development, and Nodejs can be used for daily development. Of course, the most skilled ones here are Vue and nodejs. Later, I felt that to do front-end, I had to do the whole thing, so I spent money to learn Android app development specifically.

After learning so much, it stands to reason that I should be very confident in myself. But when I ask myself, I don’t. I feel that I have never found a point that makes me particularly confident. I want to make my own products, but I have never made them. For some time, I have been confused.

Looking back now, it was probably because I read a book "The Road to Financial Freedom". As for the specific content, I forgot which paragraph. Anyway, I later started to do subtraction, subtraction in many aspects, as follows

1. Pack up the books you buy, put the frequently used ones on the open side, and store the rarely used ones.
2. I stopped buying books because I discovered that I actually had a ton of books that I just read the beginning of.
3. Organize the computer desktop and folders, especially organize a large number of development exercises, classify them and delete a large number of early and useless ones.
4. Organize the mobile phone desktop and folders, and change the mobile phone from 4 screens to 2 screens.
5. Organize your browser’s bookmarks bar into categories.
6. Sort out the stocks you are interested in, sort them into categories of your choice, and resolutely remove the ones you are not familiar with, leaving less than 10 in the end.
7. Organizing the notes: deleting more than 150 articles in total and re-categorizing them.

The most touching thing here is organizing notes. I found that I learned a lot of knowledge points over and over again and memorized them again and again. Every year I took a lot of notes with titles such as JavaScript study notes, Vue study notes, nodejs study notes, etc., but the work content was not particularly large. The knowledge points I memorized before were forgotten due to infrequent review and use. When I use them again, I will search them out again and record them again. Just keep moving forward like this.

However, there is a big problem with this: I am standing still. This word vividly describes my situation. It seems that I am learning: I have taken notes, but in fact there is no progress at all. It is all self-comfort, a relief from the anxiety caused by age, and a relief from the pressure imposed by society.

1. Focus on Application: While learning a wide range of languages and technologies is valuable, it's equally important to focus on applying this knowledge. Building real-world projects or products can boost your confidence and demonstrate your skills. Start small and gradually work your way up to more complex projects.
2. Narrow Down Your Interests: It's common to feel overwhelmed when you've learned a lot but lack a clear direction. Take some time to identify your specific interests within programming and development. Do you enjoy web development, mobile app development, game development, or something else? Narrowing down your focus can help you set more targeted goals.
3. Set Clear Goals: Define clear, achievable goals for yourself. Instead of just aiming to learn a new technology, specify what you want to accomplish with it. For example, you could set a goal to build a particular type of web application using a specific technology stack. Having specific goals can provide a sense of purpose and direction.
4. Regular Practice and Projects: Consistent practice and working on projects are key to retaining and deepening your knowledge. Consider contributing to open-source projects, participating in hackathons, or collaborating with others on side projects. These experiences can provide new challenges and opportunities for growth.
5. Avoid Overconsumption: Continuously reading books and taking notes without applying the knowledge can lead to information overload. Focus on quality over quantity. Prioritize in-depth understanding and hands-on experience with the technologies you're interested in.
6. Networking and Collaboration: Connect with other developers in your field. Join online communities, attend meetups or conferences, and engage in discussions with peers. Collaborating with others on projects can introduce fresh perspectives and help you learn from different experiences.
7. Mentorship: Consider seeking a mentor who can provide guidance and feedback on your career path. A mentor can help you set realistic goals, provide insights, and hold you accountable for your progress.
8. Review and Revisit: Periodically review your notes and past projects. This can help reinforce your knowledge and identify areas where you need improvement. It's important to strike a balance between learning new things and reinforcing what you already know.
9. Time Management: Given your busy schedule, effective time management is crucial. Allocate dedicated time for learning and project work. Prioritize tasks based on their importance and impact on your goals.
10. Stay Informed: The tech industry evolves rapidly. Stay updated with industry trends and emerging technologies, but be selective in what you choose to explore deeply. Focus on technologies that align with your goals and interests.

Remember that progress in a career as dynamic as front-end and back-end development is a journey, not a destination. It's okay to experience moments of uncertainty and self-doubt. The key is to channel that energy into purposeful learning, application, and personal growth.