How Hard Tech Projects Make You a Stronger Person
Health & Wellness • Software Development Career Advice
The popular thing to do when faced with a toxic software project - is to complain. But you can use it to get stronger.
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How to Build Grit as a Programmer: 5 Ways to Thrive on Difficult Projects
If you’re a software developer or work in tech, you’ve probably found yourself stuck on a difficult project at some point. Maybe the codebase is a mess, deadlines are unreasonable, or the team is at odds with each other. It can be tempting to throw in the towel and join the chorus of complaints, but there’s another way to look at these challenging situations.
Difficult projects can be an opportunity for you to develop resilience, sharpen your skills, and ultimately increase your value in the marketplace. Today, I’m going to share with you five ways you can leverage those tough projects to grow, build grit, and set yourself apart from your peers.
1. Develop Resilience Through Adversity
When you’re on a project where nothing seems to be going right—whether it’s unrealistic deadlines, poor communication, or constant changes in requirements—it can feel like everything is working against you. But this adversity is also an opportunity to build resilience.
Resilience is like a muscle. The more you face tough situations and push through them, the stronger you get. As everyone else starts to freak out, complain, or give up, your ability to keep a cool head and push forward will inspire others and show leadership. You become the steady hand in the storm, and that’s a skill that’s highly valuable on any team.
Here’s a quote from Proverbs 24:16 that resonates with me: “For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again.” No matter how many mistakes you make or how many times you fall, what matters is getting back up. That’s resilience, and it will serve you well in your career.
2. Improve Problem-Solving Skills
Every software project comes with its own set of challenges. Difficult projects just seem to have more of them. But here’s the thing: solving problems is what we’re paid to do. Whether you’re a developer, QA engineer, or product manager, your value comes from your ability to find solutions.
If you’re facing a technology or problem you’ve never encountered before, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed. The trick is to focus on solving the problem at hand without getting bogged down by the need to master every aspect of the technology or framework. Keep your problem-solving efforts targeted and efficient, and don’t be afraid to dive in, even if you don’t know everything upfront.
As Proverbs 24:10 says: “If you falter in a time of trouble, how small is your strength?” If every challenge makes you want to give up or point fingers, it limits your growth. Instead, see each problem as a chance to strengthen your problem-solving skills.
3. Enhance Teamwork and Communication
One of the biggest challenges on tough projects is working with difficult people—whether it’s a demanding manager, an unmotivated team member, or unclear communication channels. It’s easy to fall into the trap of isolation or avoidance, but if you want to grow, you need to face these challenges head-on.
Clear communication is key. Don’t be afraid to have difficult conversations, even if they make you uncomfortable. If you’re frustrated with a coworker, schedule a meeting and talk it out. You might be surprised at how much progress you can make by simply addressing issues directly and calmly.
As Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” Difficult conversations and collaboration will refine your communication skills and make you a better teammate and leader.
4. Build Empathy and Leadership Skills
Leadership isn’t about having a title; it’s about influencing others and showing empathy. Even if you’re not in an official leadership role, you can still step up and guide others by showing empathy and understanding.
When you’re on a difficult project, it’s easy to get caught up in your own frustrations. But take a step back and consider what others on the team are going through. Are they dealing with the same pressures as you? Do they have constraints you’re not aware of? Showing empathy not only helps build stronger relationships, but it also positions you as a leader.
Proverbs 14:29 says, “Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.” Patience and empathy go a long way in building a positive work environment, even on the toughest projects.
5. Appreciate Positive Work Environments More
Finally, working on a difficult project can make you appreciate positive work environments so much more. When you’re stuck in a toxic or poorly managed project, it can be hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel. But when you do eventually move on to a better project or work environment, you’ll have a much deeper appreciation for it.
This also gives you the chance to reflect on what you can do to improve the current project. Even if you can’t fix everything, focus on the small things you can control—your attitude, your communication, and your contribution to the team’s success.
Proverbs 15:1 sums it up well: “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Maintaining a calm and positive attitude, even in the face of adversity, will make you stand out and help you build lasting relationships in your career.
Conclusion
Working in tech isn’t always easy, and difficult projects are a part of the journey. But by shifting your mindset and seeing these challenges as opportunities to grow, you can build resilience, improve your problem-solving skills, enhance your communication, and step into leadership roles—all while developing a deeper appreciation for positive work environments.
About the THRIVING TECHNOLOGIST show
On YouTube and all major podcast networks, Jayme shares teamwork and leadership strategies, guidelines for healthy company culture, and stories about real projects so you can have a sustainable career in the software industry.
Jayme Edwards
A family man and veteran of nearly 40 software projects, Jayme experienced many wins and losses over his career as an architect and consultant.
Now he's coaching software developers, managers, and business owners to overcome challenges in the IT industry - so they keep growing.