Quote:
Develop at least two computer programs, web apps, or mobile apps that serve some real-world need and can serve as "portfolio pieces." (Any ideas?)
Lots. Where's your github repo? That's Step he First. What itches do you really really want to scratch? That's Step the Second. What field do you want to be in (webdev, appdev, systems programming) That's Step the Third and probably deeply related to Step the Second.
From there it is easy. You WANT to code in a field you ENJOY. Coding is a drag, really, unless you're doing what you want. Survey the languages of that domain, learn that language. Learn Git and TDD. If you can already code well enough to join a project, find one you ENJOY and join. Otherwise learn to code enough to get that good.
Look on Dice.com for job descriptions that match what you want to do. See what all they require. Often, besides the language proper are things like git, a scripting language like Ruby or Python, some database and front end stuff. Find at least one thing from each of those types and learn the basics.
My itch is keeping track of characters for games and fiction. Especially since they go back and forth and I'm often dealing with characters in two different eras. Sometimes three. I'm using Ruby, adding some MongoDB, have it all in a
github repo, and collaborate with others on Python stuff.
Quote:
"Get a job" is a high-importance objective, but while I'm working on that as best I know how, there's no quantifiable, measurable, tractable intermediate step(s) that I can make a "goal."
On the contrary, there are specific things you can do.
Here's what I do when I'm job-searching.
Quote:
(And I'm now wondering whether setting goals for a year at a time is really such a good idea, since I tend to forget them, except when it comes time to check up on them.
)
Okay, let me set the tone of my comments. Imagine us chatting as friends with a mug of hot cocoa, tea, wine, beer, or whatever. Internet conversations can often seem harsher than intended, and this is meant to help a friend.
If you don't plan your week by your goals then you don't have goals. You've got "wants". No issue with having wants, but they are not goals. So, chuck your entire list. Drop everything.
Spend two weeks praying, meditating, and seeking. What has God crafted you for? Don't do anything on your list. Eat, pray, spend time with friends and family. Clear your head and heart.
After two weeks you MAY be ready to listen. MAY is the operative word. It usually takes me three or four weeks if I'm on the ball. Sometimes it's taken me months, and I'm being nice to myself on that. I have to clear my head of things I have put there; expectations from others, drives based on my past, coping mechanisms for my weaknesses. Like the man said, you must empty your cup before it can be filled.
Eventually God will speak to you. Either accompanied by trumpets and fanfare, a word from the Word, a word from a friend, or a passion that just won't go away. That is the spark to feed. Nothing else. When you think you have it, meditate on it some more. Ask friends and family for their opinion. Disregard most of their responses but one or two shared thoughts will ring that bell.
Now make your list. It can be EXACTLY ONE ITEM long. That's your goal. EXACTLY ONE ITEM.
The next list is the steps to get to the goal. Everything else is just a want that you don't spend time on until your goal path steps are accomplished for the day.
That will make 2018 awesome for you.
