Commit to Competence in 2024: A Guide to Professional Growth

Devoting just 10% of the workday to deliberate practice can significantly contribute to personal and professional advancement.

Reflecting on personal career advancement, dedicating time to getting better at existing skills proved to be the key.

Experience can streamline familiar tasks, but it might hinder exploration of new approaches. Actively choosing the longer route and focusing on aesthetics through deliberate practice can lead to novel solutions and continuous learning.

Searching for aesthetic satisfaction in work, characterized by clarity, cohesion, consistency, and conciseness, often unveils valuable lessons.

A practical way to apply aesthetic principles is by repeatedly reading and rewriting drafts, whether in programming or decision-making.

The pull request serves not only as a collaborative tool with others but also as a means of self-collaboration. It offers a comprehensive view of the work, aiding in evaluating both functionality and design.

Juniors often overlook the value of careful, repeated study of their own work, whether in programming or other disciplines. Refining techniques early pays off throughout one's career.

Applying the repetition loop—write, revise, repeat—similar to doing reps in a gym, enhances writing skills over time. Incremental improvements through consistent effort yield significant results.

Career growth is a marathon, not a sprint. Taking time to refine skills pays dividends throughout a long career. Prioritizing quality over speed is essential for long-term success.

Acknowledging the incremental pursuit of betterment and dedicating time to refine techniques is crucial for professional growth. Slowing down to do things smoothly ultimately leads to increased efficiency.

Work provides ample opportunities for improvement; the main challenge is the will to seize them. Make 2024 count by moving obstacles and witnessing the transformative power of a year dedicated to growth.