How changing your thoughts can make you a better programmer

Published: October 15, 2020 · 3 min read

Disclaimer: This was originally published with Better Programming.

One framework for positive thinking in your own journey as a developer is the concept of having a growth mindset. Having a growth mindset means holding the fundamental belief that anything can be learned. As a programmer, this can help exponentially propel our careers, as our thoughts shape our actions.

What Is a Growth Mindset?

This is a term coined by renowned psychologist Carol S. Dweck. According to her TED talk, it is "the idea that we can grow our brain's capacity to learn and to solve problems." It means that our skills and knowledge can be developed, while our challenges can inspire growth. It's progress-focused and drives higher levels of achievement.

More importantly, it's necessary to recognize when you have a fixed mindset. Having a fixed mindset means you may have a deterministic view of a situation and see failure as a limit to your ability rather than an opportunity for growth. Fixed mindsets can make you stagnant and prevent you from exploring new ideas, methods, and ways of solving problems. You may shrink back from challenges.

Fixed Mindset

"Let me just stick to what I know. That's not my forte."

Growth Mindset

"I'm not familiar with this yet. However, I can dedicate time to learn more about it. There's an abundance of information, communities, and educational means that can aid in strengthening my skills in this. If I face challenges along the way, this can help me grow."

The Power of Yet

"Yet" is a small but transformative word that I like to use all the time! It makes any sentence a bit more hopeful while giving the speaker more belief in themselves. It expresses the need for patience in difficult situations and allows you to cultivate more ambition while expecting greatness from yourself over time. It emphasizes the process rather than the outcome.

This practice of training your mind can give you an extra boost wherever you are on your journey as a programmer. It's a positive habit that helps you stay enthusiastic about challenges and problem-solving.

Taking It With a Grain of Salt

"There is no recipe for life or struggle. There is no framework that works in all places, at all times. What is transformative in one context might be useless or stifling in another." — Carla Bergman and Nick Montgomery on Joyful Militancy

It's also important to take a growth mindset as a concept with nuance. It's not necessary to have a growth mindset with everything. We are in a constant negotiation of what we can give our time and energy.

The problem with fixed mindsets arises when we feel stuck in negative thoughts. Fears of failure are real. When we face criticism or setbacks, this may move us into a fixed mindset. In this case, we can ask ourselves, "In this situation, will this stagnate my personal growth in the long run? Is my current thinking healthy for me?"

We aren't born knowing how to code! We are always developing our own skillset as the field advances. We are in a state of lifelong learning. Having a growth mindset can help us progress and aid in our developer careers.