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Technology is rapidly changing.

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As soon as you've learned one language,
library, framework or

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tool, another appears that makes
what you've just learned obsolete.

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As a software developer, you'll experience
the pace of technological innovation

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in a very direct, personal way.

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The technology that you learn and

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use today won't be the same technology
that you'll learn and use in the future.

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This treadmill of change
feels disheartening.

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Time spent learning should
never feel like time wasted.

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Luckily, this couldn't be
further from the truth.

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Learning something today,
even if it's obsolete tomorrow,

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prepares you to be a better developer.

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Every time that you've learned a new
technology, whether it's a language,

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library, framework, or

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tool, you grow your basic
understanding of software development.

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You'll begin to see the commonalities
between different technologies.

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You'll start to realize that they're not
as different as they might initially seem.

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And the more you learn, the more
easily you'll see these similarities.

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You'll also get better at
the learning process itself.

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Just like with any skill,
the more often you practice learning,

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the easier it'll become.

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That will give you the ability to
ramp up quickly on new technologies

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as they emerge.

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Being a software developer
means being a lifelong learner.

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Lifelong learners recognize that learning
doesn't just happen in school or at work.

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It's an on going process that
can happen any time anywhere.

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They're self motivated, self directed and
always excited to learn something new.

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Let me be clear, being a lifelong
learner as a software developer

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isn't about learning each latest and
greatest shiny technology as it emerges.

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There are a wide range of soft skills
that developers also need to learn

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from communication skills
to time management skills.

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Accept that it's impossible
to learn everything and

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treat your available learning
time as a limited resource.

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That'll help you to budget
your time carefully and

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make the right decisions
about what to learn.

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As a lifelong learner, you might feel
like you have to always be learning, but

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it's okay to take breaks.

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Doing so will help you to
stay committed and focused.

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Remember, lifelong
learning isn't a sprint.

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It's a marathon, so
learn how to pace yourself.

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It also helps to develop
good learning habits.

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Schedule time for learning so that it
becomes part of your regular routine.

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Have a plan so that you know what it
is that you need or want to learn.

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And track your progress by keeping a log,
or writing a journal or blog.

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Be sure to also vary
your learning methods.

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Mix things up by taking an in person
class, or by reading a book, or

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collaborate with some other developers
while learning the same things as you are.

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Working on a project as a group is a great
way to practice what you've learn.

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The benefits of being a lifelong
learner are numerous.

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Lifelong learning keeps you relevant
to employers, your mind sharp,

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fuels creativity and innovation,
increase the social interaction and

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more than anything, it's fun.

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Become a better developer today and
start your journey as a lifelong learner.