In less than a week, we’ll be in 2012. I know it’s a cliché, but where has the year gone? Naturally, we’re now at the time of year when folks set goals for the new year. While you might have some goals for your “real” life, how about a few resolutions for your developer life?
1 - Learn a New Language, Framework, Or Methodology
We must continue learning about the latest technologies.
About the only constant when it comes to developing for the web is change. Take NodeJS, for example: two or three years ago, it didn’t exist, and there was very little (if any) JavaScript being done on the server. Now, you can’t get away from it. Every web developer wants to stay on top of their game. To do so, we must continue learning about the latest technologies. If you’re a back-end dev, that could mean learning JavaScript and Node.js. It could mean taking up Ruby and Rails. For the front-end developer, that could mean really grokking CSS3, or understanding the new HTML5 APIs. Of course, that doesn’t mean you have to use it regularly; just keep yourself learning.
Along the same lines, now is as good a time as ever to re-evaluate your workflow, and learn better and different tools to get the job done more quickly.
2 - Get Better At What You Know
Set aside some time to also focus on existing languages and software.
Of course, staying sharp means more than learning new things. It also refers to improving in your use of your daily tools. I know I’ve been guilty of sticking with the patterns and methods that I’m comfortable with, and not learning new ones that might be better for a given situation. How knowledgeable are you about JavaScript design patterns? Do you have a solid understanding of object-oriented and functional programming in PHP? Have you used SQL joins? Are there any features your text editor offers that you aren’t using? These aren’t new technologies, but, if you aren’t using them, they’re new to you! Set aside some time to also focus on existing languages and software.
3 - Explore a New Field
This resolution is a different twist on the first one. Learning a new language, framework, or methodology in your own field is great, and might even be useful to your daily practice. But if you’re like me, you’re fascinated with every part of the web. Try exploring new fields. Back-end devs: look into front-end development. Front-ends, explore usability or user experience more than you have before. If you enjoy writing, you might be interested in content strategy, or fostering that design flare. There are dozens of fields on the web; explore!
4 - Engage the Community
Call it engaging, call it networking, call it whatever your want.
The web is a pretty incredible place: I can’t think of any other phenomenon that has ever made such strong friendships between people so far apart. In 2012, why don’t you try to engage this group of amazing people a bit more? Talk to them on Twitter; read their blog posts and comment or write your own articles in response; contribute to their code via Github, or another code-sharing site. Or, go to meet-ups, user groups and conferences. Call it engaging, call it networking, call it whatever your want; but one thing’s for sure: it will (in most cases) benefit both you and the other person. In addition to building great personal relationships, you’ll likely gain new referrals!
5 - Teach Others
The most beneficial comments are the ones that hurt your feelings.
Going hand-in-hand with our previous point, you should resolve to teach others more in 2012. Why? Well, how does it go, “Teaching something is the best way to learn it”? I’ve been writing for Nettuts+ for close to three years, and I can attest that that statement is completely true. Writing down exactly how a concept works forces you to understand it completely; you’ll be surprised how much you’ll learn about your topic when you try to teach it. On top of that, there’s the incredible feeling you get when you know that you’ve helped someone learn a new skill set.
Undoubtedly, you’ll face a few trolls, pointing out legitimate mistakes ( or just making stabby comments). Not to worry (too much); teaching is a learning process, and you’ll improve the more you do it. The most beneficial comments are the ones that hurt your feelings.
6 - Take Better Care Of Yourself
We are the martyrs of the web.
We web developers seem to pride ourselves on our dedication to our craft. We’ll work long hours, hunched over a computer in the dark, so absorbed in our work that we forget to shower or eat. We are the martyrs of the web, suffering to make the internet a better place.
Sounds heroic, but it really isn’t.
At the risk of mommying you, I’m going to suggest that you take care of yourself in 2012. Besides sleeping and eating well, make sure your workplace is ergonomic. It stands to reason that, if you spend a third of your life in your office, it might make sense to make it as comfortable as possible!
7 - Manage Your Time (and Other Resources) Better
Over 1 trillion videos were watched on Youtube this past year.
Perhaps this isn’t specificly related to web developers, but it is, nonetheless, something that almost every “knowledge worker” can afford to get better at. For a lot of us—especially freelancers—what you’re doing with your time could be the difference between feasting and fasting. Remember all those fun, new web technologies I recommended you learn about? Well, don’t let their lure limit your bacon-bringing hours to few and far between. Of coures, the internet at large can be just as much of a distraction. I’m sure you saw this recently; it gave pause when I did:
Assuming that the average YouTube video is 2 – 3 minutes long, we’re looking at something to the tune of one whole day. Something tells me I’m not much better off for it.
Of course, “all work, no play” and all that, right? I’m not suggesting you be a slave to your clients, or an unbearably dull workaholic. I’m merely stating that we would all be wise to track exactly where our hours are going and make an effort to use them a little better.
8 - Use Better Programming Practices
I don’t think you’ll ever have an issue with over-documentation.
No, I’m not repeating resolution two in different words. This time, I’m talking about the practices that surround the actual coding itself. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve eagerly started a new project, and—half an hour later—said, “Hmmm . . . I should create a branch to try this feature. Oh, wait, I forgot to initialize Git when I started . . .” Making sure I remember to use code versioning from the beginning is something I’m going to be working on in 2012; it keeps your project history so much cleaner.
Another meta-coding practice I usually neglect (to my detriment) is commenting. I’ll conjure up a few clever lines of code, and be tickled for the rest of the day. Next week, I’ll return and spend twenty minutes trying to figure out what it does. This plagues you too? Do yourself a favor and leave useful comments to yourself, and others. Documentation is right along the same lines as commenting. When I was recently learning Dojo, I found its in-code documentation to be invaluable. Of course, the level of documentation will depend on the publicity of your project, but I don’t think you’ll ever have an issue with over-documentation.
9 - Generate Passive Income
I’m guessing that most of the Nettuts+ audience performs client work, either as a freelancer or otherwise. Well why not make some passive income on the side? Envato has ten (count `em!) marketplaces where anyone with the right skills can profit. Build a theme for Themeforest, write a script for CodeCanyon, the possibilities are close to endless. Of course, if your skills don’t trade on the Envato marketplaces—or even if they do—there are bunches of other ways to make passive income. If you’re a writer, for example, check out Tuts+ Premium. They’re always looking for new passionate teachers.
The manager of Tuts+ Premium, Skellie, recently opened the Passive Income Author blog, where you’ll find great information on self-publishing.
Selling items on a marketplace or personal website is a brilliant way to passively make some extra cash while still doing exactly what you enjoy.
10 - Take a Break
Put on a completely different hat… sometimes
So far, every resolution has been something you can do to improve your craft as a developer. I’ll close by noting that one of the best things you can do to become a better developer is to not be a developer . . . sometimes. Put on a completely different hat… sometimes. Keep another hobby that’s not even tangentially related to development, and, preferably, doesn’t involve computers. Some play an instrument, some read, some write, some cook. Whatever you do, set aside some get-away time. When you do so, you’ll find that solutions to programming problems often show up on during time off.
Certainly, regular breaks are important, but so are those longer, couple-times-a-year vacation / holiday breaks. Throw a few of those in your annual schedule as well!
Your Resolutions?
Well, that’s my list of ten resolutions all web developers should make. Have any of your own that aren’t on my list? Let’s hear them in the comments!
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some mistake in point No 1 : Lanaguage should be Language :)
Mistake #2: correcting typos…
lol okay that was funny, but back onto the topic guys :p.
Whatever!.. hahaha.. not important
My top year resolution will be to finish my internship successfully. But these are great resolutions too, I’ll be sure to follow. Back to work now.
“Healthy Body – Healthy Mind”, this one is seriously important.
If you aren’t really getting enough exercise or your hobby also involves sitting down then do something about that, go running or take up a high adrenaline sport or something that really takes the breath out of you. When you get fitter you’ll find you need less sleep, have better concentration and think much more efficiently. All this would be extrememly beneficial to development work and it doesn’t even have anything to do with web development. Not only would you enjoy a physically rewarding sport but your development would improve too.
—When you get fitter you’ll find you need less sleep, have better concentration and think much more efficiently–
I agree.
Aside from the “Take Better Care Of Yourself” & “Take a Break” points, I guess I did score the others.
I hope that 2012 will be more exciting, for me and you all.
Thanks for the tips, Hope you’ve all enjoyed 2011 :^)
i like it :)
i like it …………. superb :)
Excellent post. I’m definitely going to work on some of those and of course some of my own like start my own blog.
Thanks, Andrew.
Speaking of Envato, the support is really bad and un-motivating. I have a pending support ticket long ago (many weeks ago) and no response yet ..
Nice article! Some lessons learned before, some are brand new to me, but all are pretty much what we all need to take into account!
I hope #10 – Take a Break …
My new year resolution is to finish what i sta
yep thats a an interesting list but you seem to forgot to mention to practice some sport beside sleeping and eating ; ]
Rather a nice list of suggestions. Already had 1, 2, 5, and 9 on my personal list. May add others. Thanks.
I am always aiming for #1 rule every year, though sometimes its tough to stick to it when trying to make a living and freelancing on the side. My choice becomes, eating, sleeping, reading, or practicing the new language. Need to free up some time!
Mine will be to become more active outside of work.
All great tips, especially #6 and #9. It would be really nice if I could make a little extra dough on the side without constantly working for it (trying to get some items onto GraphicRiver and Etsy). All in all, I’d say my only qualm is with #1. I highly recommend #2 over #1, not along side it. It’s hard to study your butt off in one or two specialized areas when you’re constantly stressed about learning all the latest and greatest trends. The end result? You end up learning a bunch of filler stuff, trendy stuff, and in-the-moment stuff, some of which may end up being borderline useless after years of dedicating a lot of time toward mastering it (e.g. Flash). I’d rather focus on one or two CMS solutions, constantly bettering myself with html/css/javascript/php in general, and locking down my chosen web practices and getting good at them (like, choosing a mobile solution, responsive vs. mobile site, semantics, UX/design approaches, server admin, etc).
I totally agree with you. It’s really hard to know all that stuff perfectly. Kind of impossible to be good both at Illustrator, PhotoShop and at the same time with coding php, asp.net, front-end.
I think a big resolution for developers is to finish things they start. I’m sure everyone has at least 3 projects that they are trying to work on at the same time, or have been sitting there for years awaiting someone to develop them.
Not going to lie – this is exactly my problem.
Urgh, that’s my weak spot :)
Dears me, u can read others mind…
Same :)
+1 :P
damn! exactly this is the problem what i have also
Great one! Not sure why I didn’t think of that, as it’s definitely my problem. Good to know I’m not alone :)
I am in the list fellows :-)
Great article!
Take a break … I really wish to, but I don’t have time :-)
Happy new year everyone.
Where is your ergonomic image from?
“The Ergonomically Positioned Workstation,” http://cornerstonewest.ca/?p=237 (see the PDF linked there).
The challenge for me is to figure out what Language, Framework, Or Methodology to learn. Based from experience, I don’t have the heart or “fuego” to learn back-end programming. Seriously, I’ve tried. So this puts me into reflection if I should just concentrate on front-end related scripting… such as JavaScript and Jquery since I am already knowledgeable with CSS3.
i hope that to me and all
:)
1,2,8,10 are my prefer job in the 2012
This is exactly what was in my mind!
Jeffery is right, so much can be done leaving the desk and walking out to the couch or in my case out to the wood working shed and just spend a few minutes being not so conscious. Let things flow as they will
Good article and it will be more helpful to the web developers. thanks to net tuts
greate article!
I wish I will have a year like this!
Become a better teacher and writer. Some of the most valuable realizations I’ve had are while teaching others or blogging what I’ve done.
Good one, hope we dont break our resolution..
My biggist one would be to really learn JavaScript, I’ve been putting it off for way to long.
I think this should be in the list as well.
Contribute to opensource developments.
Nice One… “Take a Break” is interesting…Will use experience of 2011 and make 2012 more shining.
I definitely need to get on “taking breaks” and making my workspaces more ergonomic. My health is at he top of my list for 2012.
Thanks!
will add to my list too :)
I think the above mentioned options are too good to choose anything particular.
My top 3 choices will be:
1- Learn a New Language, Framework, Or Methodology
2- Get Better At What You Know
6- Take Better Care Of Yourself
I plan to learn Ruby after using PHP for the last 7 years. Don’t hurt to learn another language.
Great article! I just got a new computer chair for Christmas. Before that I was sitting on a hard wood kitchen table chair for 12 hours a day. I agree comfort/health is extremely important.
Precious advices. To seek constantly the self improvement and taking care of the health must be in top of the list.
my big problem exactly is 6th step.
nice!!
Well said! I love this top 10 New Year’s Resolution list. I most defiantly will follow this! Starting now. Thank you Andrew.
Fully agree on your list and sure will try to manage with it!
Taking breaks and taking better care of myself are the most difficult for me, it seems.
I add spending more quality time with the kids and show them something new.
Loved your article!
The thing with new year`s resolutions is that keeping dont stick to their guns. I for example allways have resolutions like “quite smoking” or “start a new study” or “playing sports” or whatever, it changes every year but the thing, i still smoke, i never did a new study and I still only regularly visit the gym.
Nice article!
One of my major resolution for this new year will be manage my time, I think it is the most important thing if one really wants to put in practice the rest of resolutions. For doing it I strongly recommend the Pomodoro technique, it has helped me a lot!!
;)
Thank you so much for posting this new year resolution for the web developers.
Normally I hate this kind of thing, but this was really quite good. Thank you.
I hope 10 …….take break. ^_^
this is not plan it is life style =)
nice plan…. :)
Good list .
My resolution for 2012 would be 1920×1080. Same as last year’s :P