Each specialist needs constant growth and development; otherwise, he will begin to degrade without movement. Self-development is an inexhaustible resource in which both results and the process itself bring pleasure.
The most important thing for self-development is a stable motivation for a long time. And only on your own can you find the right balance between theory and practice, choose the right frequency of switching between topics and find an incentive to learn new things.
Sound sources and a development plan are also crucial for self-development.
The efficiency of development depends on the quality of the selected sources. Therefore, it is recommended to study classic books (on programming, design, marketing), listen to podcasts, and watch thematic blogs, and they often advise additional functional materials for study.
The IT industry is developing incredibly fast, but at the same time, many concepts have been known to specialists for decades. Focus on obtaining fundamental knowledge, from which you can later derive and more effectively receive new ones.
For planning purposes, draw up a simple mind map that identifies the critical branches of development. In this case, you can make a selection of materials from books, articles, or courses for each stage.
The development process is straightforward and complex at the same time. There is nothing complicated when the learning process is captivating when you do not notice the effort expended. The difficulty lies in that you need to do this business every day.
Self-study begins to pay for itself only after a period of constant study. Try to make it part of your daily activity, in which the process itself will be enjoyable, not just the results.