What actually made me a better software developer

There is just too much information online on how to code that at this point the challenge is to find a good one. I feel bad for everyone starting out now. Because they have to know which resource to consume. People need good guidance to master any skill and programming is not different.

1. Focus.

Close all those tabs you had opened. You don't need them. Focus on one thing at a time. That is the optimal way you can work.

2. Ask questions (stop proposing solutions)

Whatever you are building is worthless if you don't have a user. There must be at least one user. That might user might just be you. Then it is time to talk with yourself. Put a mirror infront of you and ask questions.

If it is another person, then engage them. Ask them to jot down what they need.

3. Understand the problem

The idea behind asking all the questions is to truely understand a problem. That is the main part of the job. Understand the problem.

4. Narrow down and simplify the problem to it's simplest form

Once you believe you understand the problem, then narrow it down to it's simplest form. Imagine a less tech savy audience and reiterate what you are trying to build for them. Or try to explain it to your kid or younger cousine.

Narrow down the problem.

5. Propose a solutions.

Finally, you are in a position to propose solutions. To go on the net to look into similar implementations.