I have seen experts from various tech fields and have also met and have been fortunate to work with a few and also those few who have expertise on multiple domains, technologies or programming languages.

Working with these experts, i observed a lot of things, and i’ll classify them in two, two different practices through which people attain mastery. Hard work is a common in both.

Patience:

These are professionals who have attained expertise after years of experience, they have dedicated their time, disciplined themselves, went through errors and mistakes, kept a note of it, maintained the patience, and continuing the hard work, they reached a position where they are addressed as experts in their field or organization.

This is one positive way, but the main factors are patience and hard work. The other way is what i call as addiction or some may call it as devotion.

Addiction:

These are the band of impatients, rebels and misfits. The geeks, freaks and nerds. They are in love with the thing they are doing, they just devote themselves to it. They are always happy to burn the midnight oil, no matter what circumstances. Debugging and clearing the bugs, innovating, completing projects before deadlines, is what gives them a sense of accomplishment.

Here the main factors are devotion and hard work. many a times it seems crazy, and i have found some to be witty and fun loving. But generally, i found most of them to be snobby or egoistic, which creates a big gap between them and their co-workers. Which should not happen.

I don’t want to sound philosophical, but i seriously believe hard work and humility, always help to grow and earn respect.

There’s nothing wrong in being devoted to something you love or are passionate about. I know how it feels, when that thing has been accomplished and you are completely exhausted.

But, do take breaks, get out of your lair, take a day off, hang out, and when you come back to your den, you are the warrior, you are the ninja. Let the hacking begin.

photo source: Charles & Hudson

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