Learning new technologies is a lot like learning to drive a car. Here's why.

Learning new technologies is a lot like learning to drive a car. Here's why.
Photo by why kei / Unsplash

Are you struggling to learn new tools and technologies as a developer?

For years, I had the same experience. Shifting from one project to another, I felt like an absolute rookie, devoid of confidence while my friends who continue working on the same technology and project soon grew to be an expert in their domain.

So here's what I did.

BMW 745e 7 series G12
Photo by Philipp Katzenberger / Unsplash

When I first learned how to drive a car, it seemed like there were so many things to keep track of - the accelerator, brake, clutch, gearshift, steering wheel, etc. It was overwhelming at first, but with practice and guidance, it became more natural and intuitive.

Similarly, when I started working on a new project and/or technology, there was an abundance of concepts and technologies to grasp quickly. In reality, it was too much to take in and I struggled.

But just like with driving, I found that practice and guidance were the most important parts. You can't really learn without practising and if you don't get constructive feedback from an expert, you waste time and effort because you don't know your blind spots which that person can instantly spot on.

Now in terms of practice, each time I directly started working on the complex parts, I was stuck. It was always like that for me until I made a drastic change, which made an instant impact; breaking the concepts into smaller pieces and focusing on one at a time. Just like when you're learning to drive, you start with the basics, like stopping and starting, before moving on to more complex manoeuvres like merging onto the highway.

Night highway
Photo by 基米 背风处 / Unsplash

I then built my confidence with easier tasks. When learning how to drive, you don't just go on the highway on day 2. No, first you learn to drive on a desert road so that you can solely focus on the basics. Eventually, you start driving on the road with traffic.

To conclude, working on new projects and technologies is a lot like learning how to drive a car - it can be overwhelming at first, but with practice and guidance, it becomes more natural and intuitive.