Why I’m starting over with coding in 2025

Summary

In this video, the creator reflects on the humbling experience of realizing that their skills don't match the expectations they set for themselves while working on a new software project. Adopting a 'Beginner's mindset' in 2025, they discuss how specialized knowledge can hinder progress in broader software development projects and the importance of embracing a generalist approach. The video explores how preconceived notions about tools, methodologies, and expertise can prevent real growth and offers a new perspective on mastering the challenges of building web apps from scratch.

Takeaways

• 😀 Realizing that you're not as skilled as you thought can be humbling, but it's also a liberating opportunity for growth.
• 😀 Adopting a 'Beginner's Mindset' in 2025 allows you to overcome the pressure of past expertise and focus on learning and progress.
• 😀 When shifting from backend development to building an entire web application, a broader set of skills is required beyond specialized knowledge.
• 😀 Specialized knowledge in one area (e.g., backend development) may not be sufficient when building a complete software product.
• 😀 Developing a web app on your own involves tackling areas like front-end, design, marketing, and documentation—skills that many developers don't initially consider.
• 😀 Preconceived notions about coding setups, like requiring multiple monitors, can be challenged by simplifying your tools and environment.
• 😀 It's easy to fall into the trap of thinking you're an expert, but in reality, you might just be highly specialized in a narrow field.
• 😀 The true value of software development lies in delivering results that meet the needs of users, not in demonstrating expertise.
• 😀 Perfectionism, especially when trying to show 'perfect' code, can hinder progress and lead to missed deadlines.
• 😀 Embracing vulnerability and sharing your work publicly can be a valuable experience that helps shift focus from perfection to practical results.
• 😀 Letting go of the expert label can free you from unnecessary pressure, enabling you to experiment, make mistakes, and learn more effectively.

Q & A

What is the significance of adopting a 'Beginner's mindset' in software development?

Adopting a Beginner's mindset allows developers to let go of preconceived notions about their skills and expertise. It encourages openness to learning new techniques and perspectives, which can ultimately help improve problem-solving and lead to better results when working on personal projects.

Why does the speaker find the experience of realizing they aren't as skilled as they thought liberating?

The speaker finds it liberating because recognizing their limitations opens the door to growth. Rather than feeling discouraged, this realization provides a fresh perspective and motivates the speaker to improve their skills, ultimately enabling better progress on future projects.

How does the speaker compare specialized skills in a job to the skills needed for personal software projects?

The speaker highlights that in a job, a developer often specializes in one area, such as back-end development or databases. However, when working on personal projects, a broader skill set is needed, including front-end design, marketing, and product development. Specialization in one domain can be limiting when building a full product.

What is the 'trap' the speaker warns against when transitioning from a job to building your own software?

The trap is assuming that the skills gained in a job, particularly in specialized roles, are enough to build a full project. The speaker points out that you may be missing key skills in areas like front-end design, documentation, and user experience, which are crucial for creating a complete and functional product.

What was one specific realization the speaker had about their own development experience?

The speaker realized that despite decades of experience in back-end development, they had never built something as specific as a documentation site. This highlighted how narrow their expertise was and how many new skills they had to learn to complete the project.

How does the speaker feel about using a small screen setup for coding, and what does this reflect?

The speaker initially believed that larger screens were essential for coding productivity. However, after working on a small laptop screen in Japan for several weeks, they realized that productivity is not dependent on screen size. This reflects the idea that preconceived notions about the 'best' tools or setups can limit flexibility.

What are some examples of preconceived notions the speaker had about software development?

The speaker had preconceived notions about what development practices were 'best,' such as using specific frameworks, following clean code principles, and relying on certain methodologies like Test-Driven Development. These ideas worked in team settings but proved to be counterproductive when developing personal projects.

Why does the speaker emphasize throwing away the expert mindset in 2025?

The speaker emphasizes throwing away the expert mindset to avoid the pressure of needing to be perfect. By adopting a beginner's mindset, the speaker frees themselves from the expectation of flawless results and focuses more on the process of learning and delivering a usable product, rather than achieving perfection.

What is the impact of viewing oneself as an expert, according to the speaker?

Viewing oneself as an expert can create a lot of pressure to always have the right answers. This can lead to frustration and missed deadlines, especially when building personal projects. The speaker suggests that this mindset often leads to focusing too much on making the code perfect rather than delivering a functional product.

What is the ultimate goal the speaker sets for their 2025 software project?

The speaker’s ultimate goal is to build a web app that provides value to users and is useful in the real world, rather than focusing on perfecting code. By adopting a beginner's mindset and embracing the process of learning, the speaker hopes to create a functional, user-centric project.