Any monkey can learn to code

I first talked about this way back in 2013.

In fact, this is exactly what I said:

“But, to be honest, I’ve never really talked much about what it REALLY takes to be successful as a developer. Because, while all that technical mumbo-jumbo is cool… none of it REALLY matters. Yes, you need to know how to do those things… but those things aren’t what MATTER most when it comes to determining the successful from the unsuccessful. Any monkey can learn to code.”

Which… okay.

Touch aggressive maybe.

But, the point stands.

I mentioned this is yesterday’s podcast (johnmorrisshow.com)… 51% of CIO list soft skills as the top skills they want from technology professionals.

In another study by CareerBuilder, 77% of tech companies said soft skills were just as important as hard, tech skills in the employees they’re after.

But, back in 2013…

Man, I took flak for saying that.

Everyone was so wrapped up in tech skills…

Being the end-all, be-all.

Now, five years later…

“Well, duh, that’s obvious”…

Is the common response I get.

So, what happened?

It goes back to what I’ve been telling you. The rapid evolution of our industry has all kinds of side effects. Competition, overwhelm…

And, a loosening focus on hard skills.

Why?

Because, as an industry grows in complexity and the rate of change increases, focusing on any one language, framework, tool or skill…

Becomes sillier and sillier.

Because, five minutes later, something new is out.

(Which, btw, is why the Medium-heads who love to call everyone noobs for not learning the latest “flavor of the week” are so moronic.)

Eventually, what matters is NOT what you know…

But, your ability to learn…

A soft skill.

Your ability to adapt, your work ethic, your dependability, your non-douchiness. What companies need is someone who can thrive in a rapidly-evolving environment.

Not someone who happens to know XYZ language.

Yes, they still ask.

Yes, it still matters.

But, when it comes to who they actually hire…

More and more it’s about those soft skills.

Point is…

As you’re putting all this time into learning HTML and PHP and Node or Go or whatever it is you’re doing… don’t forget to develop a work ethic.

To be honest.

To learn how to communicate effectively.

Those things may well be the thing that get you hired.

(Which, btw again, is why I strongly recommend any new developer freelance for at least a year. There’s maybe no better way to learn all these skills while getting paid.)

Anyhoo, whether it’s hard skills like HTML, CSS, PHP and MYSQL or the soft skills you learn as a freelancer, it’s all in my curriculum on SkillShare.

And, you can get started with it for nothing.

Go here to start the 2-month, no-cost trial.

Take all my courses.

Cancel anytime before the 2 months is up.

And, never pay a penny.

It’s a great way to get the skills you need to get paid to do this developer thing… without handing over your first born to do it.

Anyway, link is here: https://www.skillshare.com/r/user/johnmorris

Later,

John

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John Morris

JOHN MORRIS

I’m a 15-year veteran of freelance web development. I’ve worked with bestselling authors and average Joe’s next door. These days, I focus on helping other freelancers build their freelance business and their lifestyles.

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By the way, just hit 95K for the year. I can’t thank you enough for everything you’ve taught me. You’ve changed my life. Thank you!

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I started this 3 days ago, following John’s suggestions, and I gained the Upwork Rising Talent badge in less than 2 days. I have a call with my first potential client tomorrow. Thanks, John!

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John is the man! I followed his steps and I am flooded with interviews in a week. I got into two Talent clouds. The very next day, I got an invitation from the talent specialists from Upwork and a lot more. I wanna shout out, he is the best in this. Thanks John for helping me out!

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Divyendra Singh Jadoun

After viewing John’s course, I made an Upwork account and it got approved the same day. Amazingly, I got my first job the very same day, I couldn’t believe it, I thought maybe I got it by coincidence. Anyways I completed the job and received my first earnings. Then, after two days, I got another job and within a week I got 3 jobs and completed them successfully. All the things he says seem to be minute but have a very great impact on your freelancing career.

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I’ve been in an existential crisis for the last week about what the heck I’m doing as a business owner. Even though I’ve been a business for about a year, I’m constantly trying to think of how to prune and refine services. This was very personable and enjoyable to watch. Usually, business courses like this are dry and hard to get through…. repeating the same things over and over again. This was a breath of fresh air. THANK YOU.

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Waqas Abdul Majeed

I’ve definitely learnt so much in 2.5 hours than I’d learn watching different videos online on Youtube and reading tons of articles on the web. John has a natural way of teaching, where he is passionately diving in the topics and he makes it very easy to grasp — someone who wants you to really start running your business well by learning about the right tools and implement them in your online business. I will definitely share with many of the people I know who have been struggling for so long, I did find my answers and I’m sure will do too.

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Scott Plude

I have been following John Morris for several years now. His instruction ranges from beginner to advanced, to CEO-level guidance. I have referred friends and clients to John, and have encouraged my own daughter to pay attention to what he says. All of his teachings create wealth for me (and happiness for my clients!) I can’t speak highly enough about John, his name is well known in my home.

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John is a fantastic and patient tutor, who is not just able to share knowledge and communicate it very effectively – but able to support one in applying it. However, I believe that John has a very rare ability to go further than just imparting knowledge and showing one how to apply it. He is able to innately provoke one’s curiosity when explaining and demonstrating concepts, to the extent that one can explore and unravel their own learning journey. Thanks very much John!

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Misrab Mohamed

John has been the most important person in my freelance career ever since I started. Without him, I would have taken 10 or 20 years more to reach the position I am at now (Level 2 seller on Fiverr and Top Rated on Upwork).

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