When I first started in Web Development, I wasn't sure of where I was heading. I had chosen a career that was unique to my surroundings. I didn't have people to help me learn. It took me months to navigate through the web and have a decent learning plan. A learning plan that was custom and not overwhelming. During my research and trying to get started, I stumbled onto communities that inspired and helped me. I read books, blogs, took courses and joined a few groups.

Looking back now, many people had a hand in the way I grew as a developer. I am still growing too. In the article, I will share some of the best advice I ever received that has played a pivotal role in upbringing, learning and work.

Set reasonable goals.

It's is very tempting to set unreasonable goals for your learning, your projects or your work. Give yourself enough time to breathe and enough time to find a balance between your social and work life. Cut down your tasks into workable components.

Goals help you to work towards your dreams because dreams without goals will amount to nothing.

Be willing to learn from others.

Learning this was humbling. You can not do everything alone. We all come from different walks of life. Everyone has a story to tell and something to share. If you can't go through it yourself, listen to those who have been there.

A wise person is born from listening and learning from others. Don't go in alone when you can get help.

Share the little you know.

One thing that held me back for so long is that I thought I didn't know enough until someone told me, "until you let it out there, you will never know if it can help someone." Don't be afraid to share what you know. Your take about everything is important. You never know how many people relate to you unless you try.

You will always have something unique to share. Allow others to learn from you.

You are the captain of your ship.

Your life is your is yours and yours alone. Take responsibility for your decisions and everything you do. Own your learning and your growth. You need to be able to motivate and inspire yourself to keep on going when things are tough.

Don't be afraid to take charge of your story and creating a new path for yourself and others.

What is your "why"?

Understand your "why". Why are you doing what you are doing? Understanding this will carry you through your journey because you will go through phases when you don't know what you are doing. Your why will remind you why you started this in the first place. Have an ultimate goal and a deep understanding of where you want to end.

Have passion in what you do and understand where you are coming from because that will carry you through the tough times.

Run your own race.

Understand that you are different. The way you do your things will always be different from others. Understand your pace, accept it and appreciate it. Understanding my pace gave me peace because I was a slow learner. The key is to have a positive mind, feel comfortable with who you are and how God created you.

Set your values and your principle. Live by them.

Work with what you have.

Don't wait to be somewhere to start doing something. I was surprised to eventually realise that I had most of the resources I needed in me and around me that allowed me to get started. Look intently at what you have around you. It does not only have to be possessions, your surrounding but your personality too. 

Yes, your work will take you halfway but, your personality will also do a lot of the work through your growth.

Build habits.

Be consistent in everything you do. Build a routine around your life and the things that are important to you. Start making small changes today. It's never too late to start doing the right things and what you want to do.

Habits are small actions that will eventually sum up to something great. 

You will find people that will appreciate you.

Finding a job or the communities that you will fit in is very hard. The truth is, after a long search, you will find someone or a group of people that are going to appreciate your personality and your experience. They will invest in you, employ you and help you grow.

It's okay to be different and to do things differently. If you are not sure, try it and see the benefits that follow.

This advice I got that played an important role in my growth as a Front-End Developer. Now, this is my general advice to you because I have lived through it. It works.

Leave a comment and your thoughts about the article.

Thank you 👍.