Learning Addiction Keeps Programmers in Chains

Thriving Technologist

Learning new technologies, frameworks, and processes as a programmer gives you a feeling of accomplishment. But unchecked, learning can become a dangerous addiction that damages your software development career.

In this episode, I share how software engineers can cap their earning potential if they fall into common traps when learning is the absolute wrong thing to do. If you want to have a long career in software and get the rewards, recognition, and success you deserve - knowing when to (and not to) learn is essential.

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Chapter markers / timelinks:

(0:00) Introduction (1:22) 1. How Learning Addiction Harms Tech Careers (1:28) 1.1 Procrastination (3:03) 1.2 Sunk Costs (3:57) 1.3 Declining Value (5:41) 1.4 Social Avoidance (7:15) 1.5 Work/Life Imbalance (8:48) 2. How To Know When Learning is a Trap (8:54) 2.1 Self-Delusion Your Project Requires It (10:01) 2.2 Self-Delusion You Need It To Get a New Job (11:20) 2.3 Influencer Hype and Vanity Metrics (13:03) 2.4 Tech Industry Pushes Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) (15:10) 2.5 Current Challenge Looks Easier in New Tech

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