Where are you going now? The importance of the little things in the hardest of times

Here you are. After months or even years in the making, you finally got THAT job. Congratulations. You've read all the books, you do not hesitate on quoting your favourite authors to prove your scientifically-based point. You took yet another certificate of completion, just to be sure you've got everything right and updated. You've built your network, offline and online. You've got the promotion and the salary raise. The boss will love as much as the old or new recruiter will.

But then it hits you. Java SE 17 is already available online. You think "I could do this one...". AI Engineering is trending nowadays. Should you take that one too? Another update on SAFe and you're gone. You were tired of those updates, anyway. And there's that new technical Bootcamp seducing you with a complete DevOps program. You will make sure you'll check at least 3 different program syllabus before deciding where to invest your money.

This is happening everyday. All these things promise you a brighter and richer future. As if we were all in a hurry towards (a never guaranteed) success. As if we could just open up our wallets and go shopping for whatever we'd like, without consequences. Unless of course all these things could be sponsored by the ETF we've just bought, after enrolling in a free crash course on personal finance.

Don't get me wrong. I'm all for personal development, career improvement and making the best of your life, overall. But I also can see, and it doesn't take much as the attention-span of a toddler, that we are the more and more floated by dream sellers. This goes beyond the professional realm. I'll stay focused on our topic.

A friend of mine, age 39, has a steady job without complaints. She's the perfect example of "happy wife, happy family." As I turn to her and say, with a painful expression in my face, "I really need to solve my Java handicap", she immediately replies "Ah! I need to do that too!" This caught me off-guard. While I am on a "do-not-complain-and-get-your-job-done" journey, she doesn't need this particular skill in her work life. I reflected on this a little. Then I said: "Where do you wanna go?" She had no plan.

When we're young, we take risks. And we can afford taking dumb ones. The sooner, the better. We will learn and grow from them. We will eventually make better, more intelligent mistakes.

When we reach 40, our decisions are based on a 20-80 ratio. Meaning, you take a smaller amount of calculated risks for the biggest positive impact in your life. You don't bet on Day Trading in order to improve your life because you know statistics prove otherwise. You don't risk on being lucky. Not so much anymore.

So, assuming you've already got something, where are you going from now? What makes you think that new certification will actually change your life?

A few points to take into account before making a new decision:

1. Assess your current life. How happy are you with what you have? I'm not telling you we shouldn't be ambitious. But have you took the time to assess the things you DON'T need? A new career move with a bigger salary could be great but if you're happy at work, in a place that respects you and your work-life balance, is it really worth the change? Or is it time for that ETF?
2. Consider your experience and your age. Yes. I really mean it. No one likes it, but we have to. That DevOps Bootcamp would be great for a teenager drop-out from school or if you are already an Automation Engineer, for example. But if you are a senior professional, in a career out of this context and without experience, that Bootcamp may actually be driving your attention away from smaller, better things that you can do to excel at your current job. What is that little thing that's been missing on your CV for ages? Do not waste your money. Try improving the little things inside your reach.
3. Are you burned out or bored-out? Are you burning out because of things outside your control? It's time to delegate. Maybe to let go of control and stop worrying so much. The world is not going to end in your absence. Have you been sacrificing your health to make ends meet? This one is a pretty good reason to start a job search with some help. But the opposite is also a problem. Do you feel abandoned in the workplace? You feel your work is meaningless with too much time to spare or too many unnecessary meetings? Just like in 2) look at your CV. What's the little thing that you could be doing to improve your life? Or could you be looking for more interesting things to do with your time?
4. Make a plan and follow-through. I haven't heard about my friend since I asked her that question. But I do know she's relaxed. Maybe she forgot about Java. But not me. I cannot afford that luxury. I'll wait for my friend to let me know whatever life she's imagining. My little thing is Behaviour-Driven Development. I ask my IT clients what they want. Most times they tell me how they want it. I ask examples of how they picture themselves with what they want. Then, we commit to our plan: we see it documented, coded, tested and, hopefully, in production. It's harder to stop and do the same for myself. Oh, yes. Finishing that God forsaken Java course would be sublime. That's the second little thing. But you know what? I stopped spending money on courses. I will finish the ones I have. More information can be found for free.
5. Yes. Some information can be available for free. You've got the job. Is your boss requesting any certification? Or just trusting you? If you've been blessed with the latter, kill the "I'm not good enough" voice in your head with some free trainings available online. Do it for yourself. For those in IT, have you checked EDX, Coursera or The Test Automation University? Even Oracle University has some pretty good free options to get you started. Have fun!

Long live the little things in these fuzzy times. Stop. Stay calm. Go to some place quiet. Assess yourself. I hope you have a friend or an acquaintance you can go to for advise. And I hope that advise will not take your money away from you and from the really important things in your life.