With 2026 just a few weeks away, here is what I’m hoping to Start, Stop, and Continue for 2026.
START: Getting serious with the job search. I have been working through 100Devs but am getting to a point where I can be applying for jobs. In the new year, I want to put my best foot forward when it comes to applying for jobs and networking, or potentially looking at freelancing.
START: Learning more about AI. I probably need to do a longer post on my full thoughts on AI in the professional workplace, but like it or not it is here. I have a book called The Developer’s Guide to AI on order, which should help with the learning. I never want to surrender my understanding of software development and coding to artificial intelligence, but I do want to learn how to better utilize the tools out there in case I need to use them for a job.
STOP: Bouncing around on topics to learn. This is something that has held me back probably since I started coding. I have shiny object syndrome. I get really excited about for a few weeks, lose interest, and find something else to explore. That’s great sometimes, but it’s resulted in me being a mile wide and an inch deep in my knowledge. The last few months I’ve stayed with 100Devs, and the structure there has been really helpful. Going into the new year, I want an entire year of locking in on certain things to learn that will be most impactful for the next step in my career.
STOP: Not taking care of myself. The last few years have had a few ups and downs, and I’ve seen the physical shape of my body worsen. I’ve been resolved to eating junk food, lounging on the couch, and spending too much time on the computer and not enough moving and getting my heart rate up. I need to get back in shape! So yes, this is sort of a START topic I suppose but I needed another STOP for the blog post. I’m hoping to drop 5–10kg in 2026 while improving my upper body muscle.
CONTINUE: 100Devs coursework through completion. I am 15/69 classes into the program. Some of the classes were networking nights instead of lectures so I will skip those, but I’d say I’m about 25% through the entire program at the moment. I’ve made two projects that I have ready to put in a small portfolio to showcase the progression of my learning. I’m in a good spot! And in 2026 I want to actually finish the program out and make one or two really good portfolio pieces.
CONTINUE: Networking and meeting people. Since landing in Seoul, I’ve been able to get involved with Dev Korea which has been a blast. I’ve also started connecting and reconnecting with friends on LinkedIn and making new relationships. I don’t have any specific goal here, except that I want to make friends and build out a network where I’m positioned to help others and can ask for help as well when needed. I do hope that my network can help with the job search in 2026, but I won’t put that expectation on any one person.
CONTINUE: Reading some cool books! In 2025 I read some pretty neat books, the best being Surprise, Kill, Vanish by Annie Jacobsen. Her writing style was very interesting, and she usually writes about some historical topics, so I was all in to that book. To finish 2025, I read Brave New World by Aldous Huxley, and that book has an incredible last few chapters (there is a very good debate near the end). I’m sure I’ll have one or two software books in 2026, but mostly I want to read more history and a few classic fiction books.
What are your START, STOP, and CONTINUEs as we go into the new years?
Aaron is a Software Developer experienced in web development and business-process management applications. You can follow him on Bluesky or Mastodon.
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