Discover Your Purpose As A Programmer

Life Wasn't That Good As Expected

Last November marked a significant milestone for me—my first "birthday" in Australia.

After 6 years of hard work and dedication, I achieved one of the biggest accomplishments of my life: obtaining my Australia PR as a software developer. 🎉

Initially, I anticipated life to become more fulfilling or at least easier after surmounting such a major hurdle.

However, the reality turned out to be quite the opposite.

My drive for self-improvement dwindled, giving way to the emergence of bad habits that impacted my well-being and mental health.

I neglected my sleep, barely exercised, ate merely for survival and became addicted to gaming and social media.

The toll of these changes manifested in shifts in my emotions, often leading to strained relationships with those around me. It was undeniably one of the most challenging periods of my life, one that I would rather forget.

I started to admit that comfort is not what I should go after, it’s the opposite that made my life fulfilling and fun to live.

So, I decided to embark on a quest for purpose. I knew I needed to rediscover the fire that had once fueled my drive.

I asked myself four crucial questions:

What makes me unique (Strength)?

This question delves into your strengths, talents, and experiences that set you apart. Identifying your unique qualities can help you discover your niche and areas where you can excel. Consider your skills, passions, knowledge, and personality traits. What are you naturally good at? What activities energize you? What do you enjoy learning about?

What areas do you want to improve at the current stage of your life? (Weakness)

This question explores your aspirations and desires to improve yourself. What weaknesses do you want to work on next to advance your career, increase your income, or improve your life?

What activities make your life meaningful? (Value)

Think about activities you have done in the past that not only made you happy but also gave you a sense of satisfaction and brought meaning into your life. What kind of work would bring you fulfilment and satisfaction? Consider your career goals, interests, and values. What kind of impact do you want to make?

What legacy can you build with your strengths while encouraging improving your weaknesses? (Mission)

This question encourages you to think about the long-term impact you want to leave on the world. How can you use your strengths to overcome your weaknesses and contribute to something meaningful? Consider your values, passions, and the kind of world you want to create.

My answers:

What makes me unique (strength)?

• Background as an international student acquiring PR in Australia

• Obssed about mindset, growth and productivity

• Ability to sympathize and empathize.

• Strategic in thinking and planning

What areas do you want to improve at the current stage of your life?

• Communication(verbal and written) skills

• Habits for success in the technology industry

What activities make your life meaningful? (Value)

I used to work in a startup that helped students improve their employability skills. That's when I realized that my days are most meaningful when I help people unlock their full potential.

What legacy can you build with your strengths while encouraging improving your weaknesses? (Mission)

My next mission is to build the Legends of Tech project to elevate human skills for programmers to build legacies in the AI era.

Working on this will allow me to do what I love (helping younger programmers) while also focusing on developing my human skills which I believe are becoming critical in the age of AI.
I ran a course late last year and currently mentoring 6 international students to help them land their first job (I will share more on this journey).

My life has been super uncomfortable recently but it's fun, meaningful and full of growth.

Why not Raymond Hieu Tran but Legends of Tech? I believe in the power of teamwork and community. Great things are built by a group of people, not an individual.

I will continue updating my journey here🚀

Conclusion

Remember you're not alone if you're feeling lost or unfulfilled. Take the time to reflect on your values, passions, and strengths. Ask yourself the tough questions and be open to the answers you find. Embrace the challenges and never stop believing in yourself. You have the power to create a life filled with purpose and meaning.

Thanks for reading 💝