How To Progress Further, Faster

Breaking into tech can feel like a marathon everyone seems to be built for but you, but the truth is, how you run the race matters. If you want to speed up your progress, there is no other way around it: build projects. It could be a to-do app or a full-scale portfolio website, building projects gives you hands-on experience, a sense of accomplishment, and tangible proof of your skills.

Why Projects Propel You Forward

Building projects force you to solve real problems. You move beyond tutorials and textbooks into situations where bugs aren’t pre-solved. I thought I was doing something just by watching tutorials, but I wasn’t. I had to take an uncomfortable step into the unknown and start building. Every challenge strengthened my problem-solving skills and built my confidence. Moreover, those projects gave me something to showcase to employers—proof that you can take an idea and turn it into reality.

Fail Fast, Learn Faster

Failure is not just a possibility—it’s inevitable. But here’s the thing: failure is your teacher. The sooner you hit roadblocks, the quicker you’ll learn to overcome them. Can’t get an API to work? Struggling with responsive design? Each setback teaches you more than success ever could. Don’t be afraid to fail; embrace it as a stepping stone to growth.

Start Small, Stay Consistent

Your projects don’t need to be groundbreaking. My first project was an app about the number of COVID-19 cases. It interested me, so I just went with it. Start with what interests you, even if it’s as simple as a weather app or a portfolio site. Just start. What matters is consistency. Make it a habit to code daily, even if it’s for 30 minutes. Small, steady steps lead to big gains over time.

Share Your Journey

Don’t just build—share. Post your projects on GitHub, write about your challenges, and seek feedback. I did this regularly on LinkedIn. Others saw my progress, and I even helped others learn on the way! Engaging with the tech community not only builds your network but also exposes you to new ideas and opportunities.

In the end, the key to progressing further and faster isn’t avoiding failure—it’s diving headfirst into it. Build, fail, learn, repeat. That’s how you grow.