It’s OK If You’re Not a ‘10x Developer’
Am I even good enough for this field?
Let’s face it—tech can feel like a constant race. Someone on Twitter is shipping new side projects every weekend. LinkedIn is filled with folks landing their 3rd remote gig, while you’re still debugging the same Laravel API that’s refusing to cooperate. It feels like everyone’s sprinting ahead, and you’re stuck on the starting line. But hear me out—it’s OK. You don’t have to be a ‘10x developer.’
There’s this myth in tech: If you’re not shipping code at the speed of light, automating your life, and dropping open-source libraries before breakfast, you’re not doing enough. But let me tell you from personal experience, both Naija-style hustle and UK-level grind can leave you feeling like you’re never enough. Truth is—slow progress is still progress. And that’s where the magic lies.
The Silent Pressure of ‘Doing More’
Ever notice how easy it is to compare yourself to other developers? You see people pushing updates at midnight, grinding on weekends, while you’re just trying to survive the week. It’s almost like the slower you go, the louder your doubts become.
Maybe you’ve thought:
Am I even good enough for this field?
Shouldn’t I know more by now?
How is everyone else getting so much done?
But remember: “Na who give up, fuck up.” Life isn’t about speed. You don’t win by burning out trying to keep up with someone else’s highlight reel. Coding is a marathon, not a sprint—and every pull request you push, every small bug you fix, counts as a win.
Mastering the Art of Going at Your Own Pace
It took me time to accept that not every day will be productive. Some days, you’ll fly through your to-do list; other days, you’ll stare at your screen for hours trying to figure out why null won’t behave. And that’s normal.
Here’s what I’ve learned:
Stop glorifying hustle culture. Taking breaks doesn’t make you lazy—it makes you smart. When you pause, you give yourself time to recharge and come back sharper.
Celebrate the small wins. Did you finally get that migration file to run? Did the API return a clean
200? That’s progress. Write it down. Own it.Focus on your lane. Someone else’s journey isn’t your competition. Your biggest competitor is who you were yesterday. Keep showing up, bit by bit.
Your Value Isn’t in How Fast You Code
In this industry, we’ve been sold the idea that success looks like a 10x developer—a genius who works faster, sleeps less, and builds 5 startups at once. But here’s the truth: There’s no prize for burnout. Your value isn’t measured by lines of code but by the impact you create over time.
Take it from someone who’s coded through the highs and lows of Lagos and London—you don’t need to become a productivity machine. You just need to stay consistent and trust the process. You’re already enough.
Don’t Give Up. Adjust the Pace.
When things feel heavy, slow down—but don’t stop. Remember: "Na who give up, fuck up." This journey isn’t about being the fastest or the smartest; it’s about showing up, even when it’s hard.
One day, that code you wrote will help someone. One day, your skills will land you that gig you thought you weren’t good enough for. But to get there, you’ve got to keep moving—no matter how small the steps.
So, this week, let’s stop chasing the myth of the 10x dev. Let’s take it slow, write code that matters, and remember that progress—no matter how small—is still progress. You got this.
Final Thought:
Whether you’re coding from the chaos of Lagos or sipping tea in London, it’s OK to go at your own pace. Keep pushing. Keep learning. And above all, don’t give up. Because the only real failure? Giving up.
By the way, I’ve just launched a new Discord channel—34 amazing people have already joined in just two weeks! We’re cooking up something exciting: our first community project—an eCommerce platform. If you want to join the squad, here’s the link: Join us on Discord. Let’s build together. 💻 🚀