The three secrets to becoming a great programmer

I’ve learned a lot after spending the past fifteen years across a couple programming jobs. Things I didn’t learn from a college course or a video series or by rewriting my apps in Rust. No, this is firsthand, honest-to-goodness, trial-by-fire experience I’m here to present to you.

Secret #1: Do the thing you said you’d do.

Did you say you’d get a task done by a certain date. Do it. Did you assure your coworkers you would come to the meeting prepared? Be prepared. Did you make a commitment to a client? Commit. If you said you would do it, make sure it’s done. If you can’t get it done, say that and say it long before it’s due.

Secret #2: Show up to the thing you said you’d show up to.

It’s easy to forget, but show up. If your name is on the meeting invite or you have an obligation to be at—be there. Show up consistently.

Secret #3: Write it like you’d want to read it.

I’m not referring to code. Eventually you will, unfortunately, be asked to email a teammate or a client. Write that email like you were the one receiving it. Be direct, but polite. Keep it brief—very brief. If you need an answer make sure your message has a question. Present choices if needed.

I promise you that if you do these three things you’ll be ahead of 90% of all programmers out there. And by a long shot.

Bonus secret: Try it first.

If you don’t know how to do something, you got stuck trying to learn something new, or you don’t know if something is possible—try it first. It’s fine to reach out to others for help, but don’t make it the first thing you do. Explaining what you have already tried will make learning easier.