Ruthfultech Rewind: Wrapping Up 2023

So…this is it, the final Ruthfultech post of the year.

When I started this blog back in August, I had no idea what I was in for.

Since then, it's been a real pleasure hearing how many of you have enjoyed or been helped by the content in one way or another. I've crossed paths with some remarkable people along the way, reinforcing my belief that putting yourself out there opens doors to like-minded individuals. On top of this, I've learnt so much so I have decided to share the top 3 things I’ve learnt from starting Ruthfultech:

1. Don't be scared to put yourself out there. People will always have something to say but what you can't hear won't hurt you. And if you do end up hearing it, acknowledge that people having negative opinions is natural and I'm certain you even have some too👀, so let it go. Having a strong foundation as to why you are putting yourself out there can help. Someone out there is waiting to hear your story, no matter how insignificant you may think it is. You do the world injustice by hiding behind fear. If you are looking to put yourself out there for 2024, a website is a great starting place. Hostinger are having a sale on web hosting which includes a handy website-building tool so you don’t have to faff about with site building. Check it out here.

2. Document the work you do. Whether it's publically i.e. through a blog or privately i.e. in a personal journal, document your work. I’d personally recommend doing it publically as the instant feedback you get from others makes it easier to refine & improve. You’re also able to grow a supportive community of like-minded individuals in the process. Our memories are often poor at recalling what we've done unless it's negative - this is just how humans are wired as a survival tactic. By documenting your work, you have a reservoir you can use to assess how far you've come, direct gratitude towards and strategise on how you can improve 🎯.

3. Altruism is a powerful force. Altruism is a game-changer. I've always felt a bit weird calling myself a 'self-taught' developer; 'community-taught' sits better with me. There were so many individuals who took the time to message me, call me or invest into me and my career switch, with no expectation of getting anything back. Thanks to them, I'm now in a position to pay it forward. So, be ready to give without expecting anything in return.

   [p.s. I need to stress this, especially to the women out there as they tend to undersell themselves a lot. There is a time for everything (Ecclesiastes 3:1), there is a time to be altruistic and do things without expectations, and there is a time to set a price you deserve and demand proper reimbursement and recognition, don't blur the lines between the two].

What to expect from Ruthfultech in 2024

I have so many exciting things coming up in 2024 that I believe will really help this community develop in all areas. Ultimately, I am really excited to continue sharing my journey, supporting every big-dreamer and providing practical resources to enable people to develop professionally and personally 🌟.

I want to thank you for coming on this journey with me so far.

I wish you an amazing holiday season.

Until next YEAR,

Ruth