This is based on feedback and learning from developers, coaches, hiring partners and the careers team. We expect you to modify it to suit your own dreams.
- [ ] I make software
- [ ] I can build web apps
- [ ] I can build front-end apps
- [ ] I can build with objects
- [ ] I can build with a framework
- [ ] I can pair program
- [ ] I can do TDD
- [ ] I understand software
- [ ] I understand how a web server and client work
- [ ] I understand how a database works
- [ ] I understand how my language works
- [ ] I understand what makes software well-engineered
- [ ] My teams succeed
- [ ] My teams build software together
- [ ] My teams resolve difficulties
- [ ] I help others become better
- [ ] I write code others can easily understand
- [ ] I write code that is easy to change
- [ ] I learn quickly
- [ ] I pick up new languages and frameworks efficiently
- [ ] I use the expertise around me
- [ ] I keep track of my progress
- [ ] I improve the way I do things
- [ ] I am resilient
- [ ] I can handle being a beginner
- [ ] I maintain control in stressful environments
- [ ] I love my job
- [ ] I am passionate about software
- [ ] I set my own direction
Pick a goal. Write down as many answers to the following questions as you can think of. Really push yourself — the best answers might come at the end!
- Which resources & people can help me achieve this?
- What evidence could I get to help me tell if I've achieved this?
- What specific actions can I take to achieve this?
Refine each section down into a few of the most promising items. List them out as a sublist in your goal tree. For example:
- I can build web apps
- ADVISORS: Coaches, my cohort, the GDL group, my mentor
- RESOURCES: time, week 3 & 4 challenges, the code of previous cohorts chitter challenges
- EVIDENCE: I can build a simple web app in a few hours
- EVIDENCE: I can make a twitter clone
- EVIDENCE: A peer understands how it works
- EVIDENCE: A coach thinks it seems fine
- ACTION: Take a look at the week 3 outline
- ACTION: Try making a 'hello world' web app
- ACTION: Ask my mentor for an example web app to look at
- ACTION: Take stock of where I am and re-plan
Then schedule some time to perform those actions, or even do the quick ones (like asking your mentor) right now!
Don't wait for a handy moment to get around to it — your time is your most precious resource and you will need to take control of it personally to achieve your goals.