The Resolutions To Help Every Web Developer Improve

No matter what time of year it is, everyone, even web developers, can make some resolutions that are designed to help them improve their skills and further their careers. As we near the end of winter (and the end of the year), now is the perfect time to begin thinking about what you would like this summer (and next year) to hold for you. Why not make one or two of the below resolutions to help fast track you there?

• Learn a new language, framework or methodology
  When it comes to the internet, the only thing that really remains the same is that it is constantly changing. Web developers can no longer rely on the few languages, frameworks and methodologies that they learnt at school – they need to branch out and learn something new. Employers will look for these sorts of skills should you ever decide to change jobs.
• Explore a new field
  This is similar to the above resolution, just with a twist – instead of staying in your comfort zone, why not look into something different? If you have been working as a front-end developer for 20 years, take a trip down the career path of back-end development or even the development of mobile phone applications.
• Teach others about development
  This is not necessarily to say that every web developer should go out their and get a teaching degree. You could try writing for a popular blog or magazine to share your wealth of knowledge with others. This will help you learn, too – writing something down and explaining it really forces you to understand what you’re talking about.
• Look after yourself
  Many developers will be surprised to see this resolution on the list, but it really is an important one. The industry is full of people who are so dedicated and absorbed by their work that they don’t eat or sleep properly. You should also make sure that your work environment is ergonomic and protects your health.
• Manage your time better
  Don’t allow yourself to become distracted by all the other things that the internet has to offer, including Facebook, YouTube and even engaging blogs (like this one!). Web developers need to create a schedule of work and free time and stick to it to ensure that all projects are completed on time and you make some money.

This only scrapes the tip of the iceberg when it comes to all of the resolutions that web developers could be making to help themselves improve and further their careers. You could also try taking a break every once in a while, generating a passive income, using better programming practices, or even engaging the community – whatever you need to get you to where you want to be.