Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

If you're a programmer, you probably know how tempting it is to jump on the latest and greatest language, framework or design system that promises to make your life easier, your code faster and your peers impressed. You might have spent countless hours watching tutorials, reading blogs and browsing GitHub repositories to learn the new shiny thing that everyone is talking about. You might have even rewritten your entire project using the new technology, only to find out that it has some drawbacks, bugs or compatibility issues that you didn't anticipate.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that learning new things is bad. On the contrary, it's essential for any programmer to keep up with the trends and innovations in the field. But sometimes we forget why we're doing what we're doing: to solve problems for our users. Users don't care if you use React or Vue, TypeScript or JavaScript, Bootstrap or Tailwind. They care if your app works well, looks good and meets their needs.

So how can we resist the hype and focus on the user? Here are some tips:

1. Before you start learning a new technology, ask yourself: what problem does it solve? How does it help me achieve my goals? Is it worth the time and effort to learn it?

2. Don't fall for the "fear of missing out" syndrome. Just because everyone else is using something doesn't mean you have to. There's no shame in sticking with what works for you and your project.

3. Don't compare yourself with others. You don't have to impress anyone with your skills or knowledge. You have to impress your users with your solutions.

4. Don't be afraid to ask for help or feedback. Sometimes we get so caught up in our own bubble that we lose sight of the bigger picture. Reach out to other programmers who have more experience or different perspectives on the technology you're using or learning. They might have some valuable insights or tips that can save you time and trouble.

5. Remember that there's no silver bullet. No technology is perfect or can do everything for you. Every choice has trade-offs and consequences. Be aware of them and make informed decisions based on your context and requirements.

The bottom line is: don't let the hype distract you from your purpose as a programmer: to create useful products for your users. That's what really matters in the end.

Thanks for reading. I post more frequently on Twitter. Follow me @MenonOG on Twitter.