Getting Lost in the World of Code
As a developer, getting lost in the glow of the screen is part of our job. While we may be lost in lines of code, it’s easy to forget the realities of the outside world. As Einstein said, “Imagination is more important than knowledge.” But if we forget to nourish our imagination with the outside world, we remain limited to knowledge alone.
The Loss of Social Life
As a developer lost in the world of code, your first question might be, “Go outside? What’s that?” Sharing code on social media during a gathering can make everyone drift away from you. Imagine the look of fear in the other person’s eyes when you’re talking about coding on a first date… The underlying question of “Why aren’t you talking to me?” is really: “Because dating you is harder than debugging!”
A Little Tension, A Little Humor
This is where the outside world of code comes into play! At this point, a reminder: “Don’t be afraid of making mistakes; the best way to learn is from our mistakes.” This is attributed to Alan Kay, an old software thinker. Now, let’s step into this world together.
- Take a Coffee Break
Your coffee is important, but sometimes changing the environment leads to new ideas. Instead of sitting in a café and thinking, “Can I turn this into a function?”, ask yourself, “Is this coffee good here?” Maybe the best ideas will come from someone you meet at the café!
- Improve Team Collaboration
Chat with your teammates not just about code but also about life. Don’t hesitate to say, “We found a solution for this bug, but what about our social life?” Because remember,
“Collaboration is the key to success.”
Helen Keller
- Turn Off Social Media
Yes, sharing code is great, but instead of saying, “Yes, I’m still at the computer,” turn off your social media accounts and go outside. Interacting with people face-to-face will enhance your social skills.
- Set New Goals
Just as you set goals while writing code, add goals to your life too. Like, “I will meet 5 new people this week!”
“The most important thing in life is not which path you take, but when you start walking.”
Harville Hendrix
- Pick Up Fun Hobbies
Believe that you have interests outside of coding. Maybe trying to bake a cake one day can help you make fewer mistakes in another code!
“Creativity is seeing life in a different way.”
John Cleese
The True Colors of Life
The world outside of code is a resource that will empower your software career. “Real life is more complex than coding.” Therefore, enhancing your social skills is as important as mastering programming languages. So, grab a cup of coffee instead of your keyboard and say hello to the real world!