In the next few weeks, I’ll explore with you how to choose a developer path: from technical deep dives to people leadership, and everything in between. Whether you’re at a fork in the road or just getting curious, this series is for you. Week 1 will be about exploring (experimentation, choosing a growth theme), Week 2 we'll focus on becoming visible and taking initiative, while the final week is about claiming growth (or moving away) and choosing your own path. Join me on this journey!
When Work Doesn’t Help You Grow
Let’s be honest:
Not every job gives you the space to explore. Sometimes you’re stuck fixing tickets or maintaining legacy code. Sometimes leadership doesn’t notice your potential.
That’s why I turned to side projects.
Not to build a startup.
Not to hustle 24/7.
Just to learn (on my terms).
What Side Projects Taught Me
Through small personal projects, I learned:
- How to own an idea end-to-end
- How to structure clean codebases
- How to write documentation someone might actually read
- How to explain why a choice matters, not just what I did
Examples:
- Built a React library to to hide and show your site's menubar when scrolling: react-hideandseekmenu
- Contributed to a scroll animation library (👋 open source!)
- Created an ESLint config for consistency in my freelance work
- Rebuilt an existing design from the ground up to learn a new framework: Gatsby Fitness Site
None of it made me famous (although I still think react-hideandseekmenu has potential), but it did make me a better developer!
Why Side Projects Are Secret Coaching
Here’s what you get (without needing approval):
- Ownership: you decide the “what” and “how”
- Safe space to fail: no deadlines, no pressure
- Visibility: you can share your process and outcomes
- Confidence: you see your own growth, clearly
Even 1–2 hours a week makes a difference.
If You’re Burned Out, Skip This
Side projects are amazing...when they energize you. If your brain is fried after work, rest. Seriously!
Growth isn’t just output. It’s sustainability.
Final Thought
You don’t need to get someone's permission to start. Just pick something that lights you up and feels manageable.
Your next opportunity might not come from your job: it might come from your curiosity.
💬 What’s one small side project that helped you grow — even just a little?
In case you want more guidance: I'm now offering free 30-minute coaching calls for developers who want to grow (whether you're junior, medior, or senior). In this call, we’ll talk about your current situation, challenges you're facing, and where you want to go next. You'll receive tailored advice specific to your goals and concrete next steps. No catch. Just me, helping you grow._
👉 Book your free call here: https://calendly.com/tim-lorent/free-30-minute-growth-call-for-developers
Speaking of free guidance: download my Free Developer Growth Kit — 3 Practical Guides to Grow from Coder to Leader. It gives you practical tools to level up your skills, mindset, and workflow, without burning out or guessing your next step.
Or if you’re ready to take the next step: check out my book From Hello World to Team Lead or the developer platform for career growth Campfires.dev. 20% of all revenue from the book and coaching will be donated to tech charities like TechMeUp, SheSharp, GirlCode, HackYourFuture.
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