Have fun. Don’t let anyone set limits on what you can or can’t do. Follow your curiosity, no matter how impractical it seems. If your goal is to really be the b

Have fun. Don’t let anyone set limits on what you can or can’t do. Follow your curiosity, no matter how impractical it seems. If your goal is to really be the best programmer and not the best paid programmer, eschew the typical path and figure out how to earn money to fund your research (freelance, contract gigs, anything that gives you freedom with your time). Discipline yourself to take care of the money work and then do as you please. Above all else: write and teach as you go. Doing this significantly improves your ability to see flaws in your process/thinking and move much faster. Last but not least, what my dad taught me: don’t let anyone steal your joy.