BartWullems's blog is a platform for sharing insights and expertise in Microsoft technologies, software development best practices, and programming tutorials. Through articles, code samples, and technical discussions, BartWullems offers insights into building scalable, maintainable, and performant software applications using Microsoft technologies such as .NET, Azure, and Visual Studio. Readers can learn about design patterns, development techniques, and tooling recommendations to enhance their skills and productivity as Microsoft developers. Additionally, BartWullems provides updates on the latest developments in Microsoft ecosystem, community events, and industry trends to help developers stay informed and engaged in the Microsoft developer community.

The Art of Simplicity

To become a successful software developer, focus on shifting your identity rather than just acquiring skills. Adopt the mindset of a developer who consistently follows best practices and builds daily habits. Reinforce this identity through small, consistent actions, and prioritize systems over goals to ensure long-term professional growth.

Becoming a professional software developer: Identity over skills

The Importance of Small Wins in Reinforcing Identity

Align your Identity with Professional Growth

“Adopt the mindset of a developer who consistently follows best practices and builds daily habits.”
This is not the way a developer thinks. A developer will challenge your best practices, they will break away from your best practices and daily habits because it destroys the creative mindset of a developer.
And I don’t think in these modern times of mass layoffs that people who use best practices and daily habits have any hope of finding a job. Why would a company hire you when there are 100,000 other developers just like you?
Train your creative brain, lose those online courses and self-help books on how to code. Get ChatGPT, get an Arduino and create your own OS from scratch on an Arduino, not based on any existing OS.
Don’t contribute code to git repositories or teamwork, train your brain to create code when no one is going to save you when you get stuck. Learn to think for yourself, train your real developer brain. The world needs people like that, not replaceable drones following an ideological path.

Love how the author applies principles from “Atomic habits” here. Gamechanger if applied indeed! Thanks for sharing.

Having drawn inspiration from Atomic Habits, a book that profoundly influenced my personal growth, I find myself in complete agreement with your perspective.

The Three Cs of Coding
<ol>
<li>Consistency- Be sure to keep your code consistent</li>
<li>Cleanliness- Your code should be easy to read for anyone</li>
<li>Complete- Be thorough. Bug-testing is important, especially when new features are added that could clash.</li>
</ol>