10 Mistakes I Made as a Developer

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Every developer has a story filled with bugs, breakthroughs, and facepalm moments. Whether you're just starting out or have been in the game for years, we all make mistakes that shape us.

Here are 10 mistakes I personally made on my journey—and what I’d do differently if I could go back.

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1. Ignoring Version Control Early On

I used to write code without Git. One wrong CTRL + Z and poof—progress gone. Learning Git (and platforms like GitHub) was a game-changer. I now commit early, commit often.

✅ Do this instead: Learn basic Git commands and create a GitHub repo for every project, even small ones.

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2. Chasing Every New Tech Stack

I was jumping from React to Angular to Vue in the same month. It felt productive, but I was spreading myself too thin. I wasn’t mastering anything.

✅ Do this instead: Pick one stack and go deep. Depth beats hype.

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3. Not Writing Tests

Early on, I thought writing tests was for big teams or “real devs.” Then bugs piled up and broke everything.

✅ Do this instead: Start with basic unit tests. It’ll save you hours in the long run.

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4. Copy-Pasting Without Understanding

Yes, Stack Overflow is amazing. But I often pasted solutions without knowing why they worked—and that led to more problems.

✅ Do this instead: Pause. Read the documentation. Understand the why, not just the how.

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5. Not Asking for Help

I thought asking questions meant I wasn’t “good enough.” So I stayed stuck—alone.

✅ Do this instead: Ask. Communities like Stack Overflow, Discord, Reddit, and even LinkedIn can save you hours or days.

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6. Avoiding Documentation

Let’s be honest: docs can be dry. But skipping them caused me more confusion than clarity.

✅ Do this instead: Make the docs your best friend. They're written by the people who built the thing you're using.

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7. Underestimating Soft Skills

I focused only on writing code. But being able to communicate, write clean documentation, and work in a team? Equally important.

✅ Do this instead: Practice writing, collaborating, and explaining concepts simply.

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8. Not Building Real Projects

I did tons of tutorials but wasn’t actually building anything on my own. I felt “busy,” but I wasn’t growing.

✅ Do this instead: Build small real-world apps—a to-do list, portfolio site, or even a simple API.

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9. Poor Time Management

I would code all night and burn out. No schedule, no boundaries, no balance.

✅ Do this instead: Use a planner, set short sprints, and don’t forget to rest.

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10. Not Sharing What I Learned

I kept everything to myself, thinking I wasn't “expert” enough to teach. Big mistake.

✅ Do this instead: Start blogging, tweeting, or recording short videos. Teaching helps you learn better too.

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What I’d Do Differently

If I could start over, I’d:

• Focus on one stack.

• Share my journey from day one.

• Treat mistakes as stepping stones, not setbacks.

I’m still learning every day—and that’s the best part of being a developer.

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💬 Your Turn:

What mistakes did you make early on? What did you learn from them? Drop a comment—let’s learn together.

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If you found this post helpful, feel free to follow me here on Hashnode or connect with me on Instagram @sharma.pratyush2710. I’ll be sharing more dev tips, lessons, and project breakdowns!

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