Dive 68: What are your REAL Dreams?

Each failure is a step towards success. If you learn from it.

Hey, it’s Alvin!

As someone who’s been making software professionally for over a decade, people often ask me how to get into the industry. They’re often wide-eyed, idealistic, well-meaning people who are looking for the easiest way to get in. They think it’s an easy way to make lots of money.

But those who know me well know I hate sugar-coating the truth.

It’s hard.

It’s hard to keep up with the latest tech if you’re not into that. So, if you’re only in it for the money, this will be a tough career.

It’s hard to get in because hundreds of thousands of people want in. But there aren’t nearly as many openings because companies overwhelmingly want experienced developers over juniors. Because everybody wants apples, but nobody wants to grow the trees.

I don’t want that to be the case. In fact, the second article I ever wrote on Medium was about how this industry-wide attitude will ruin companies desperate for software development help. It is what it is, though. But wait, there’s more…

Making quality software is also hard. I’m talking about software that solves a problem meaningful to enough people that you can make money off of it. I’m talking about software that’s reliable, user-friendly, secure, and performant. Anyone can code. But can you solve a problem and implement a solution fast, cheap, and well? Can you meet the standards of the software team you’re working with?

Yes, I know software developers who say that making software is easy. They’re usually one of two people:

• Those who are exceptionally talented (those are rare)

• Those who have low standards

If you have low standards, you’ll have more bugs to fix. More fires to fight in evenings, on weekends and during holidays. Are you good with that? If you have high standards, there’s a ton to think about. Because you need to think through complex problems and plan to mitigate them thoroughly to prevent fires. That’s hard work.

I know there will be people who say, “Alvin, you shouldn’t discourage people like that.”

I’m not.

This is a test.

A test of your dreams.

There is not a single career in the world that’s right for everybody. Software development is no exception. If you’re looking to get into software development as a career and everything I just said discourages you, then you shouldn’t go in. This is not the career for you. Because you’re not ready to face the challenges ahead.

Those who will succeed as software developers will take my words for what they are: a “heads-up,” not a discouragement. They’ll take what I say and ask more questions, so they’re more prepared for what may be ahead. Their preparation will set them up for success.

Is your passion YOUR passion?

What got me thinking about this is a recent post by Robin Waldun. The post criticized experienced people for playing the “Old People Card whenever a younger person displays that hint of… passion.” The “Old People Card,” (or “OPC,”) is like a wet blanket. It’s when people say things like, “Oh, when you get to my age you’ll chill out,” “You’re too young to think that way,” and “Aw, you’re still a fetus!” Waldun claims that this “invalidates the emotions and struggles of youth.”

This is a common complaint that the “youth” have about older people. Except, this complaint is just the young people’s version of the “Old People Card.” Because what Robin Waldun calls an “Old People Card” is just a way that those with more experience express emotions stemming from their own struggles in life. So, waving off an older person’s self-expression as an “OPC” is ironic because it invalidates the experiences of older people. It’s just an “OPC” played in the opposite direction.

But if we’re being honest with ourselves, what other people say only invalidates our struggles if we allow it.

The broader implication of the post is that playing the “OPC” discourages young people from pursuing their dreams and passions. Ultimately, though, we’re each responsible for how we respond to other people’s words and actions.

When I was around 8 years old, I went to daycare after school, where I had this exchange with a daycare worker:

Me: Do you know what the saddest part of life is?

Daycare Worker: No, what?

Me: Death.

Daycare Worker: Oh, you’re too young to worry about that.

I wasn’t worried about it. I was curious. But I also knew he didn’t want to engage further on the topic. So, I went off to do something else. Did that stop me from pondering more about life’s biggest questions? No.

Before I built my first ever desktop computer, I was told how much work it would be. How if I picked incompatible parts, it wouldn’t work. I was told if something broke, I’d have to go through a torturous RMA process with the manufacturer. I was told about the messiness of cable management. Did that discourage me from building my computer? No. I’m using it right now.

When I started this newsletter, I was told that I must find a niche. Or it won’t grow and be successful. I don’t have a popular niche. Did that discourage me from starting my newsletter? No. Of course, I know plenty of other newsletters that have way more subscribers than mine. But I’m still writing.

You don’t lose your zest for life just because someone else says you will.

Not if you think for yourself.

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,

the courage to change the things I can,

and the wisdom to know the difference.

If someone else’s words can snuff out a person’s passion so easily, then it’s not a passion. It’s a fantasy. A dream a person does not care to actualize. So, when someone else challenges their fantasy, they feel discouraged. Not because they can’t actualize their dream. But because they’re reminded that they haven’t taken meaningful steps towards it. Because deep down inside (maybe) that’s not a dream they care about.

And if you find yourself in that position, it’s ok.

Because there will be dreams you’re passionate about. You know you found a passion if everything about it (all its challenges) excites you. That excitement refuels your passion, growing it ever more. That’s how passions work.

Where there’s a will, there’s a way.

If you’re truly passionate about actualizing your dream(s), you’ll make it happen no matter what other people say. In fact, you’ll welcome the criticisms and skepticisms of others with open arms because they can push you closer to fulfilling your dreams by preparing you for the challenges ahead. You’ll ask questions to learn from others’ mistakes, so you don’t end up in the same miserable place they did.

So. What are your real dreams?

Reply to belowthesurfacetop@gmail.com if you have questions or comments. I’d love the hear from you.

Thank you for reading. Test your passions. And I’ll see you in the next one.