I need to be around people who are better than me. I need people who help me see where I’m lacking. It’s not comfortable and I love compliments just as much as the next guy. But I grow by being around those who are better than me.
I’m taking a second week off going to the gym. I don’t want to. I’m afraid I’ll lose the habit I worked hard to create. But my ribs still hurt– but are getting better.
Back in late 2020, I started working out at a boxing gym. I mention this from time to time during the live streams but don’t talk about it in the videos. I love it! I started out watching YouTube videos learning punches and combinations and working on the heavy bag at first. Then, I got up the courage to start attending classes. Then, a few months ago, I started sparring.
Sparring was where I realised how truly bad I am at boxing. I flinch. I fail to bring my guard back up. I get punched a lot and often come away with bruises.
Two weeks ago, I was sparring with someone who hits harder than I am used to. A lot harder. Either I am not sparring correctly or he isn’t. But I left with bruised ribs (which are still healing) from a body shot and bruises all over my nose. If that doesn’t teach me to bring my guard back up, I don’t know what will.
My ass was kicked. No other way to say it.
My initial reaction was to retreat. “Maybe I’m not cut out for this”, I thought. I feel stupid every time I wince from the pain of doing very normal things like raising my arm over the last two weeks. It even hurt to take a deep breath at first.
But then I started to think about how I can get this guy next time– once I finish healing, of course. I have a recording of the sparring match and I watch his confident punches which landed and my over-thought unsure return attacks. I have so much room for improvement.
This is the way it should be.
This is how I got better at software development.
I worked with guys who were way better than I was and they showed me that I had lots of room to improve.
I highly encourage all developers to work in a team. The lone developer can be a dangerous thing. What works is just fine when you are working alone. By being humbled by others, you go back to looking at the basics. You realise you have to get better.
And you also aren’t served by being the best in your team, either. You need someone who outshines you.
I have always been encouraged by people who are enthusiastic about what they do and always improve. I can talk forever about certain developers I’ve worked with who were never complacent with their abilities. They never phoned it in like 80% of their peers did. They were excited about what they did and that made me excited.
They never half-assed software development. And they held a mirror up to me whenever I did.
I thank all of you who follow this channel. You listen to my rants and chats. You spend your free time talking about software– something most of your fellow developers wouldn’t do. I used to constantly hear fellow developers say “I don’t code at home, I have a life”. That was the wrong attitude.
And I’m experiencing the same thing with boxing.
If you want to do something, you have to be willing to be bad at it. And I think I suck at this so far.
Most people give up when it’s harder than they thought it would be. They give up on software development. They give up on making videos. They give up on a lot of things. We all do. I wanted to do it when I got my butt kicked. “Maybe I’m not cut out for this.”
Here’s to all of you who stick with it.
Eric (the guy who makes apps)
1 March 2022
Oh, and I highly encourage you to have a look at boxing. I did the app for my boxing gym. It’s called SMBC app and has lots of videos and workouts on it if you are interested in learning the basics. But check your local area.
