I’ve been a frontend developer at Palantir for the past 5+ years.
In this post, I’ll share habits that helped me go from overwhelmed junior dev to confident senior dev.
Ready?
Let’s get started! 🎉
📚 Download my FREE 101 React Tips And Tricks Book for a head start.
Habit #1: Educate yourself outside of work
If you’re not learning outside of work, you’re falling behind.
Even if you have the best employer in the world, your education is your responsibility.
So, at least once every 2–4 weeks:
Pick up books like The Pragmatic Programmer, Effective TypeScript, or Advanced React
Read blog posts from experts like Matt Pocock (Total TypeScript), Josh Comeau (joshwcomeau.com), Kent C. Dodds (Epic React), etc.
Watch courses to review your basics (Udemy, FrontendMasters, etc.)
The more you learn, the more efficient you’ll be at work.
Habit #2: Work on different projects and skills every month
The worst thing that can happen to a frontend dev?
👉 Getting stale.
Especially in the age of AI.
Working on the same type of project over and over slows your growth.
Why?
You have fewer tools to solve problems
You get less flexible and adaptable
You become easier to replace
Try new things every month. If you can’t at work, explore with side projects.
Habit #3: Get enough rest
The less sleep I get, the more bugs I ship 😅.
Your brain needs rest. And what that looks like depends on you.
But one thing’s for sure: you can’t cheat sleep.
Getting enough rest keeps your mind sharp and your code cleaner.
Habit #4: Stay in touch with what’s happening in the frontend world
I still see devs who ignore AI (and other new tech trends).
This breaks my heart 🥲.
Most devs who ignore change will eventually get replaced by it.
You don’t need to jump on every trend. You don’t need to use the latest framework.
But you do need to stay aware. Pay attention. Adapt when it makes sense.
Otherwise? You’ll slowly become obsolete.
Habit #5: Review code regularly
Code reviews are underrated 🙂.
Not just for the code author, but for you.
I’ve learned countless patterns and tricks just by reviewing code.
It’s a simple way to grow while helping your teammates.
No access to reviews at work? Browse open-source projects on GitHub and read PRs.
💡 Check out these examples of large, production-grade open-source React apps.
Habit #6: Teach back what you learn
“If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough.” — Albert Einstein
Teaching forces you to understand things deeply.
I’ve often thought I knew something—until I tried to explain it.
That’s when I realize I don’t actually get it yet.
Teaching is a shortcut to mastery.
Run internal sessions at work.
Write on a blog.
Record short videos.
Anything works 😉.
Habit #7: Avoid tutorials and copy/pasting
Tutorials are fine—in small doses.
But they quickly become a way to avoid learning, not to encourage it.
Instead of binge-watching, try to build something. Use tutorials only when you’re stuck.
Same with copy/pasting code.
If you don’t understand what you’re pasting, you won’t remember it. And you’ll keep repeating the cycle.
💡 Quick tip: if it’s a piece of code you use often but don’t want to memorize, save it as a snippet (like in VS Code snippets).
Summary
Becoming a great frontend dev takes time.
But these 7 small habits can make a huge difference over the long run.
What’s next?
Pick just one—and try it this week 🙂.
If you're learning React, download my 101 React Tips & Tricks book for FREE.
If you like articles like this, join my FREE newsletter, FrontendJoy.
Top comments (22)
While working, how can we improve ourself at the same time. I have a situation as you mentioned, stuck in the "stale". I feel so tired after work because of stting in the computer almost everyday - I have regular breaks, stand up and walking regularly -But it's hard to sit after work or holidays, even I do growth that I expect is not even close. Could you please share your own experience?
So the easiest is to do some of these while at work. For example you can reach back, mentor people, organise book clubs, etc.
Personally if I really want to get something done I do it in the morning before work. However I don’t have kids: which makes this easier.
To be honest you may be right, I already do most of those things but as experience and improving my knowledge is kinda stale maybe because of how busy I'm (student at the same time). I hope I'll fix it in the future
Oh if you are a student you are already actively learning: which is great 🙏
Continuous learning is the best way to grow :)
💯
And in the frontend world that is the only way
Nice 👍 suggestion. It's more helpful for those frontend developers who are starting their career in this field. They'll be prepared after reading this topic.
Hey, could you share your GitHub or Twitter's username because I wanna talk to you personally.
Glad you like it! You can reach out on x.com/_ndeyefatoudiop?s=21
man this is super solid - been trying to keep up with stuff but its so easy to slack lately, you ever feel like you start off strong then lose steam after a few weeks?
Super glad you like it. Honestly it really depends on you and what you enjoy.
For example I find some Substack like addyo.substack.com/ or some newsletter like importreact.beehiiv.com/ great to find posts.
Also dev.to is great and daily.dev. You can also watch YouTube videos if that is what you like ☺️
Hi I'm new. Do you think PrimeAgent, Fireship and such great for learners or waste of time?
I personally like fire ship because the videos are short and I don’t have a lot of times.
But honestly use the resources that work for you and you enjoy. That is the most important to keep doing this 🙏
Insightful. I need guidance like this, can we connect. (I don't mean on LinkedIn)
Super glad you like it! Sure :) Feel free to reach out on X or Bluesky
What's your username or Send me link
x.com/_ndeyefatoudiop?s=21
Very insightful 👏
Glad you like it 🙏
Highly recommend!
Thanks 🙏
Really insightful post! It’s refreshing to see how consistent habits like code reviews, staying updated with frameworks, and prioritizing accessibility can make such a difference in a senior developer’s workflow. I’ve found that balancing technical depth with collaboration skills is key to growing in this role. Also, sites like Coyyn.com often share valuable resources and tools that align well with these practices—worth exploring for anyone aiming to level up in frontend development. Thanks for sharing your routine!
Nice!
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