Introduction
When starting a new year, we often write down lists of resolutions to try and improve ourselves and our lives.
Working as a Software Engineer, having goals and things to create and aspire to is really important, to keep up with the many changes in the area and to have our career journey polished.
This is my current list for this year that just began.
Roadmap for 2025
🔜 Short-term goals: (6-8 months)
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Improve React Native knowledge
Keep building, breaking, and fixing things to get better at React Native. Experiment with new patterns and best practices to solidify my skills.
Measure of Success: Successfully build and deploy at least one side project or significant features using advanced React Native concepts. Be able to explain complex topics to others with confidence.
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Be the owner of a major feature in my full-time work project
Take full responsibility for a key feature, from planning to production. Make sure it’s well-architected, scalable, and impactful for users.
Measure of Success: Deliver a full-fledged feature with minimal supervision, receive positive feedback from both users and teammates, and document the process clearly for future reference.
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Reduce tech debt significantly and work on accessibility
Clean up outdated code and improve maintainability without slowing down development. Push for better accessibility so the product is more inclusive for everyone.
Measure of Success: Successfully refactor at least two major legacy components and improve accessibility compliance scores (e.g., WCAG). Get recognition from QA or users for making the app more inclusive.
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Bring fresh, disruptive perspectives and big-picture thinking
Challenge existing assumptions and introduce innovative ideas. Keep a strategic mindset and think beyond just code—consider business impact and user experience.
Measure of Success: Propose and implement at least one major improvement that positively impacts performance, developer experience, or user engagement. Be recognized as someone who brings valuable insights to discussions.
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Be a speaker at conferences and share knowledge with the team
Step up as a speaker to share insights and experiences with the dev community. Actively mentor teammates and help spread technical knowledge within the team.
Measure of Success: Give at least one talk at a conference or internal event. Have teammates apply my teachings and ask for more knowledge-sharing sessions.
🕔 Long-term goals: (8-12 months)
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Reach Senior level in my career
Become a trusted expert and key decision-maker in the team. Take on more complex challenges and mentor others along the way.
Measure of Success: Get officially promoted to Senior Engineer or be recognized as one through responsibilities and leadership. Have a clear impact on technical decisions.
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Learn new skills: NodeJS, Docker, Kubernetes
Expand my backend and DevOps knowledge to be a more well-rounded engineer. Gain hands-on experience with these tools to improve scalability and deployment strategies.
Measure of Success: Conclude a couple of courses on these technologies and implement something valuable using them.
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Guide new joiners and juniors, explore team leadership
Help newcomers get up to speed and foster a supportive learning environment. Understand the responsibilities of leadership and how to manage a team effectively.
Measure of Success: Successfully onboard at least one new teammate and receive positive feedback on guidance. Lead a project or process that requires coordination across the team.
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Contribute more to open-source projects
Give back to the developer community by fixing bugs, adding features, and improving documentation. Learn from experienced contributors and collaborate with developers worldwide.
Measure of Success: Have multiple merged pull requests in at least one major open-source project. Be recognized as an active contributor in an open-source community.
Some important soft skills to keep developing:
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Emotional intelligence for everyday work
Stay calm, patient, and empathetic, even in stressful situations. Build strong relationships with colleagues by understanding different perspectives.
Measure of Success: Maintain good relationships with teammates and receive positive feedback on communication and collaboration. Feel more in control of emotions during high-pressure situations.
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Growth mentality
Always look for ways to improve and never settle for “good enough.” Treat challenges as opportunities to learn rather than obstacles.
Measure of Success: Regularly take on tasks outside my comfort zone and reflect on key learnings. Show continuous improvement in skills and mindset over time.
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Embrace uncertainty and let go of anxiety about it
Accept that not everything will be predictable, and that’s okay. Focus on adapting, staying flexible, and making the best decisions with the information available.
Measure of Success: Feel noticeably less stressed in uncertain situations and approach challenges with a problem-solving mindset. Receive feedback on being a steady, adaptable team member.
Conclusion
Setting goals is one thing, but staying accountable is what truly drives progress. I’d love to hear from you—what are your short-term and long-term goals? Drop them in the comments or share your thoughts! Let’s keep each other motivated and on track. If you’re working on similar objectives, let’s connect, exchange insights, and push forward together.
FAQs
Q: How do you plan to measure success for these goals?
A: Each goal has a clear measure of success outlined, whether it’s a specific deliverable, a metric to track, or a feeling to cultivate (e.g., confidence, patience, or adaptability).
Q: How do you plan to achieve these goals?
A: I plan to achieve these goals by setting aside dedicated time for learning, practicing, and working on side projects. I’ll also make sure to collaborate with others, seek feedback, and stay accountable through regular check-ins.
Q: What are some potential roadblocks or challenges you might face in achieving these goals?
A: Some potential roadblocks I might face include self-doubt, imposter syndrome, and the fear of not being good enough. I’ll need to work on building my confidence and resilience to overcome these challenges.
