The Bad Habits That Could Kill Your Web Development Career (Part 2)

With the number of clients, designers, bosses and other people that web developers have to work with just to get an idea off the ground, is it any wonder that many of them begin to develop some very bad habits? Unfortunately, these habits could have a very negative effect on their career. Following on from part 1 of this article, the most common ones are:

• Being a workaholic
  It may surprise a lot of people in the web development industry that being a workaholic can kill your career faster than stealing other people’s work can. As anyone who works in a creative industry will know (such as photography or art), getting the “creative juices” flowing does not happen at the flick of a switch – you need to take a break every now and then to stop yourself from burning out.
• Being shy
  Whilst this doesn’t overly sound like a bad habit, a web developer who is too shy will never get their business to thrive. Why is this? You’re more likely to charge much too low for your work, to let clients treat you like a doormat, and to market yourself ineffectively. Step out of your protective bubble every once in a while and make your own success.
• Willing to “jump”
  Ever heard the saying “If I say jump, you say how high?’ There is nothing wrong with going above and beyond the call of duty to help your clients out, but this doesn’t mean that you are there to bow at their feet and meet their every web development demand. If you respect yourself and your work, others will respect you, too.
• Being unorganized
  There seems to be a belief that creative individuals (including web developers) are pretty unorganized and messy – but this should not be the case, as clutter in your office can have a big effect on your productivity and the quality of your work. Come up with an effective filing system and keep your desk neat!
• Being cocky
  There are many in the web development industry who like to show-off a little too much, who like to brag about their skills and achievements a little too much, and who think that they’re better than everyone else who comes along – don’t be that developer. You are always learning, and you need to accept this with humility.

The bad habits outlined in both part 1 and part 2 of this article are only some of the ones that could kill your web development career before it’s even off the ground. Avoid adopting even one of these habits at all costs, and you can help to ensure that your career as a web developer is a long and successful one.