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Comment by csk111165 | Hacker News Reader

This one liner "Only 10% of programmers are top 10% programmers, 90% are not." completely changed my view towards programming, I am also a software developer working at ANZ, but I do feel that I am not doing the great work. I just wanted to ask how to be at 10% of the top programmers, Is there any pathways? Please suggest, I do feel existential crisis in some point of time.

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While i do not claim to have all the answers, the following suggestions might help.

What you are feeling is normal. Take a look at the book Why we do What we do: Understanding Self-Motivation by Edward Deci for some insights. Relentlessly work on improving yourself to get "better" at various aspects of "Programming" (assuming that is what you want). Don't compare yourself to others, focus on incremental improvement everyday and set your own Goals/Criteria. Become Self-Driven and proceed at your own pace.

Drops of Water, if they fall continuously, can bore through Iron and Stone - Chinese Martial Arts Saying.

... but this is just another self improvement story ??

No.

same story, different spin.

but if it helps you ....

>same story, different spin.

Nope.

There is a reason i mentioned Deci's book; i highly recommend going through it. Peak: Secrets from the New Science of Expertise by Anders Ericsson is also relevant here.

nah. but happy that it helps you.

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