In the next few weeks, I’ll explore with you how to choose a developer path: from technical deep dives to people leadership, and everything in between. Whether you’re at a fork in the road or just getting curious, this series is for you. Week 1 will be about exploring (experimentation, choosing a growth theme), Week 2 we'll focus on becoming visible and taking initiative, while the final week is about claiming growth (or moving away) and choosing your own path. Join me on this journey!

The Problem: Too Many Options, Not Enough Clarity

Ever feel like you’re supposed to have a 5-year plan but you’re just trying to get through the sprint?

Same.

The developer world is full of advice:

"Go deep on systems!"
"Mentor more!"
"Learn Rust!"
"Become a Tech Lead!"

It can feel exhausting. I know it felt like that for me.

What helped me a lot in getting a clear sense of direction wasn’t chasing a title.

It was this:

Picking a growth theme.

What’s a Growth Theme?

It’s one focus area you’ll explore for 2–3 months.

Not for forever, not a commitment you can't move away from if it does not give you energy, just...a direction.

A growth theme gives your curiosity structure.

Examples:

  • Mentorship: pair with juniors, run a feedback session
  • Testing: improve coverage, add missing tests, teach others
  • Communication: write better PRs, present internal demos
  • Architecture: study patterns, refactor a legacy component
  • Developer Experience: improve tooling, docs, onboarding

How It Helped Me

When I picked accessibility as a theme, I:

  • Audited main flows of a customer and suggested an improvement plan
  • Shared learnings in a lunch session with peers
  • Pushed for an a11y committee on the project
  • Mentored others on simple, quick wins

It wasn’t about becoming an a11y expert.

It was about getting curious, adding value, and seeing what stuck.

Why It Works

A growth theme:

  • Gives focus without pressure
  • Makes feedback more intentional
  • Creates visibility through action
  • Reveals where your energy flows

You stop asking “Where should I go?”

And start asking, “What do I want to learn next?”

Final Thought

You don’t have to map your whole career. Just pick a direction for this season.

Choose one theme. Apply it at work. Share what you learn.

That’s how you grow: not by planning, but by doing.

💬 What would your growth theme be this month?

In case you want more guidance: I'm now offering free 30-minute coaching calls for developers who want to grow (whether you're junior, medior, or senior). In this call, we’ll talk about your current situation, challenges you're facing, and where you want to go next. You'll receive tailored advice specific to your goals and concrete next steps. No catch. Just me, helping you grow.

👉 Book your free call here: https://calendly.com/tim-lorent/free-30-minute-growth-call-for-developers

Speaking of free guidance: download my Free Developer Growth Kit — 3 Practical Guides to Grow from Coder to Leader. It gives you practical tools to level up your skills, mindset, and workflow, without burning out or guessing your next step.

Or if you’re ready to take the next step: check out my book From Hello World to Team Lead or the developer platform for career growth Campfires.dev. 20% of all revenue from the book and coaching will be donated to tech charities like TechMeUp, SheSharp, GirlCode, HackYourFuture.