Identity

I’ve defined myself as a coder for years. I started programming when I was 13, 16 years ago (okay, now I feel old ).

But there’s relatively little time in which I can code, at least to the level I expect of myself.   Holding concepts in my head just doesn’t work – algorithms, data, processing – makes my head spin. Very frustrating, I know I can do it, can understand but right in that moment? No chance.

What makes it worse is that there is loads of helpful, productive work I can do in that state – just not hard-core coding. Which is what, internally, I’ve based my self-worth on. Bugger.

Talking over this in a mastermind yesterday, Noelle made an interesting point. “Coder” is part of my identity, it is not the identity itself. Batman can hit bad guys really hard. That isn’t the defining thing about him – he’s motherfucking Batman.

So, what is it about “coder” that describes a bigger self-image?

I solve problems.

Simple. How I do that could be providing a service, an information product, a helpful word or pointer to a webpage. Or even with a bit of code. The how is, essentially, incidental. It’s the problem solving that counts.