You’re struggling to keep up with the latest coding techniques. How can you get back on track?

1 Assess your skills

The first step is to identify your strengths and weaknesses as a coder. What are the areas that you are confident and proficient in? What are the gaps or pain points that you need to work on? You can use online quizzes, tests, or self-assessments to evaluate your current level of knowledge and skills. Alternatively, you can ask for feedback from your peers, mentors, or managers. Be honest and realistic about your skill assessment, and use it as a baseline for your improvement plan.

2 Set your goals

The next step is to define your learning goals and priorities. What are the specific coding techniques that you want to learn or improve on? How do they align with your career aspirations, interests, or projects? How will they benefit you and your organization? You can use the SMART framework to set your goals: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. For example, you can say "I want to learn React.js and create a web app using it in three months" instead of "I want to learn web development".

5 Review your progress

The fifth step is to review your progress and adjust your plan accordingly. You should track your learning activities, outcomes, and feedback. You can use tools, such as GitHub, Google Sheets, or Trello, to document your work and achievements. You should also seek feedback from others, such as mentors, peers, or clients, to validate your results and identify areas for improvement. You should celebrate your successes and reward yourself for your efforts. You should also revise your goals and resources if needed.

6 Keep learning

The final step is to keep learning and stay curious. Coding is a lifelong journey, and there is always something new to discover and master. You should keep yourself updated with the latest trends, technologies, and techniques in the industry. You should also explore new domains, topics, or challenges that interest you or challenge you. You should never stop learning and growing as a coder.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?