Strategies for becoming a better programmer

The start of a new year is a good time to review the year that’s been, and to make plans for the year ahead. Over on his DevelopWithPasson.Com blog, Jean-Paul Boodhoo has a great post Strategies for becoming a better programmer:

• Be prepared to unlearn

• Validate assumptions about your skillset

• Do less reading about what others are doing,and more doing of things that others may want to read about

• Allow yourself to get into mad scientist mode at least once a week

• Allow yourself to exhibit some planned NIH every once in a while

• Don’t compete against anyone else except yourself

• Don’t waste your time

• Help the people around you to reach their full potential

• Keep it fun

The list makes good advice - as I read his original post, I noted both things that I’ve been doing well, and some areas for improvement.

What are you doing this year to improve?