Today marks day 127 since May 31st, 2024, when I made the difficult decision to quit my job as a Property Manager and AirBnB host to focus on upskilling myself and embarking on a total life transformation.
When I made the decision, I was eager to focus on my personal development. To learn Web Development. I was incredibly excited to embark on this journey and see where it would lead. So, I created a straightforward plan and started with full enthusiasm.
Before making the decision, as I mentioned here, I had raised enough savings and planned that no matter what, I had enough to last me for more than the next six months.
I invested a significant portion of my savings in personal development and relocation.
Then I budgeted that my remaining savings would last me until I start earning again.
Well, life has a funny way of testing your commitments.
The journey started smoothly, but then family issues arose here and there, and I had to step up as my siblings look up to me.
Now, I am at risk of exhausting my savings before I start earning again.
But guess what? The most amazing thing is that I see that as another challenge, another mountain to climb, and an extra motivation to do more, put in more effort, and to analyze and adjust my strategies.
I made the decision to leave my comfort zone and embrace discomfort. Therefore, I will embrace whatever discomfort comes my way, make no excuses, focus solely on my efforts, and reaffirm my commitment to do all I can each day.
You see, when we make the hard choices to move forward, life has a way to test us. Before now, I trembled when these challenges came, but now, I see them as extra motivation to go ten times harder.
Now each day, I wake up with new determination and laser focus. The things that once easily distracted me, I no longer notice or pay attention to.
Initially, I planned to follow a structured path, learning full-stack development by completing The Odin Project's JavaScript Full Stack Curriculum before seeking job opportunities. However, I've come to realize that this journey is a never-ending journey of continuous learning, growth, and personal development. So, I have changed my strategy.
When you make that difficult decision to focus on your goal, life tests your commitment to see if you are really serious. To see if you are willing to go all the way. To see if you are flexible. To see if you are strong enough. It is up to you to rise up to the challenge. It's up to you to look life in the eyes and show how determined, willing, and hungry you are to achieve that dream.
Many of us here have made crazy sacrifices to get to where we are today. Ask the successful developers here, they will tell you their own story of determination and willingness to keep moving forward no matter the circumstances. Therefore, I encourage you not to give up. Yes, it's hard. Yes, I cannot imagine what you are going through, but don't quit. Keep pushing.
Even if you are yet to achieve that dream, know that for the fact that you wake up each day to work on the dream, you are already living the dream. So don't quit.
One of the reasons why I can never quit today is the fact that everything I have now and doing now was once upon a time a wild dream. I remember praying and dreaming of a day when I would own everything I possess today and have the resources to dedicate myself to my goals 24/7. If someone had told me on January 1st, 2023, that I would be where I am today – with all my accomplishments in the past twenty-two months – I would've listened but struggled to believe wholeheartedly. It would have sounded like an optimistic prophecy. But here I am.
It took hard work, focus, and determination to get here, so I am committed to putting in more effort. And I know that each passing day is taking me closer to achieving my dreams.
Don't give up. If you've come this far, you can still take more steps ahead. Don't give up. You are closer to achieving that dream than you think.
I believe in myself. I believe in my abilities. And I know I can achieve that impossible dream. And so can you.
Let's go all in. The stakes are too high. So, let's keep pushing, giving our all, and never giving up.
Come on, DEVs 🦾. Keep pushing on!
From Grëg Haris with ❤️.
Happy coding! ❤️.
Top comments (4)
Your perspective really resonates. Life does indeed have a way of testing our commitments. Treating these obstacles as challenges and recalibrating is spot on.
While code camp platforms are important elements, learning how to learn and taking ownership of your progress are even more important. That said, having a fallback plan is wise. Internships, internal hires, or education benefits can blend learning with stability.
Don't underestimate the power of soft skills. Dev is great for starting conversations, but also make those deeper connections and showcase your other interests when it feels right.
Following our dreams is ideal, but life often has other plans. Thankfully, programming skills are versatile and timeless. Design patterns are like languages—they transcend time and technology.
this is spot on 🫡
Thank you for sharing this, Greg.
I'm at that point where I just have to make progress; I have put in a lot of time and effort and given up some stuff for this - it definitely has to work.
It's an upward spiral from here.
great to hear man.
It just has to