Every year, St Patrick’s Day rolls around, and I see people talking about luck—four-leaf clovers, lucky charms, and the occasional green pint. But when it comes to a career in coding, does luck play a role? Do you need a lucky break to become a web developer, or is there something else at play?
I used to think that successful developers were just naturally gifted or had some kind of mysterious "coding gene." But after years of experience, I can confidently say that luck has very little to do with success in web development. Instead, it comes down to persistence, problem-solving, and learning from mistakes. Let’s break down this myth and talk about what really makes a great developer.
Why Luck is a Myth in Coding
When you see an experienced developer solving problems in minutes, it’s easy to think they’re just lucky. But what you don’t see is the years of practice, failed attempts, and late-night debugging that got them there.
Here’s the reality:
- Everyone starts from scratch. No one is born knowing how to code. Every expert developer was once a beginner struggling with their first "Hello, World!" program.
- Mistakes are part of the process. The best developers aren’t the ones who never make mistakes; they’re the ones who learn from them quickly.
- Opportunities come to those who seek them. Getting a job in tech isn’t about luck—it’s about consistently improving your skills, building projects, and networking.
The Real Formula for Success in Web Development
If luck isn’t the answer, what is? Here’s what actually matters if you want to learn to code and build a successful career in coding.
1. Persistence Over Perfection
You will get stuck. It’s inevitable. The difference between those who succeed and those who quit is how they handle frustration. Every time you Google an error message, debug a tricky function, or rewrite messy code, you’re building resilience.
2. Problem-Solving Mindset
Web development is less about memorising code and more about solving problems. Every bug, broken feature, or unexpected behaviour is a puzzle waiting to be solved. The best developers aren’t the ones who know everything; they’re the ones who know how to find solutions.
3. Learning from Failure
Every developer has horror stories of breaking an entire website or deleting critical code. Instead of seeing these moments as disasters, see them as learning experiences. The more mistakes you make, the better you become—because each mistake teaches you something new.
4. Building Real Projects
You won’t become a web developer just by reading tutorials. At some point, you need to build things on your own. Start with small projects, experiment with different frameworks, and challenge yourself. Real-world coding experience beats passive learning every time.
5. Surrounding Yourself with the Right People
Find a community. Join a Slack group, participate in coding forums, or connect with other beginners on social media. Learning to code is easier when you have people to ask for help and share wins with.
Creating Your Own Luck
The truth is, what looks like "luck" in coding is really just hard work meeting opportunity. When you keep showing up, writing code, and improving your skills, you increase your chances of success.
- "Lucky" developers land great jobs because they built solid portfolios and applied to many positions.
- "Lucky" coders find the right mentor because they actively engage in online communities.
- "Lucky" programmers solve problems fast because they’ve spent years troubleshooting similar issues.
None of it is magic. It’s all effort, consistency, and smart decision-making.
Final Thoughts: Luck is an Excuse, Not a Strategy
If you’ve ever thought, "I’ll never make it as a developer because I’m not lucky," I’m here to tell you that luck has nothing to do with it. You don’t need luck to succeed in web development. You need persistence, problem-solving skills, and the willingness to learn from your mistakes.
So instead of waiting for luck to find you, go create your own luck. Start coding, build projects, and keep moving forward. Your career in coding isn’t a lottery—it’s a journey you control.