Welcome to the sixth issue of Zero to Hero Weekly.

This week, I did a lot of work behind the scenes, so there are not many new articles to read for you folks. And still, I have a ton to talk about, so here we go.

What’s New on Zero to Hero 👩‍🍳

This week, I was primarily focused on restarting the Zero to Hero live streams and creating the initial API architecture of FizzBuzz Pro. Thus, there are no new articles so far. And there’s a lot in the pipeline. For instance, I want to create a learning roadmap for the interested, which will be about how you can keep up with everything without getting overwhelmed (hint: give yourself the time you need—but there’s more to it)

There’s one video about Creating AWS ECR Repositories (PREMIUM CONTENT) that you might like, though.

So, stay tuned. Lots of quality content is on its way.

Zero to Hero on Twitch

I started sharing my development environment, live coding, and chatting with whoever bumps into Zero to Hero Twitch Channel.

Nowadays, I’m mostly coding Go; yet I’ll be all over the stack, from containers to Kubernetes, to UI/UX design.

I don’t have a definite schedule. Yet, since I work during the day, I’ll mostly be stream at nights (pacific time)—stay tuned.

I stream every couple of days; however, it also depends on my energy levels, and the programs that I might have with family and friends.

The best way to get notified as soon as I’m online is to hop on the channel and follow me on Twitch.

Random Thought of the Week

I know you are working hard, and deserve that promotion, or the salary hike, or at least the recognition. And that’s not enough. So are you making a case for it? Here’s how:

It’s true that, especially during the pandemic, people’s focus was more on “sheltering at work” and feeling blessed to have a job than fighting for a promotion.

And since things are turning back to normal, it might be just the time to work for the promotion that you rightfully deserve. Yet, don’t expect your managers and your peers recognize you. From their perspective, they are working as hard as you are. You need to make your case for your promotion. You need to make a case that you are already operating one level above you, and your peers already know and approve of your hard work.

Here’s how to do that:

Stay connected: This is important, especially when most of us are working remotely due to circumstances. Build a solid relationship with your manager. Ensure that you are having a one-on-one conversation at least twice a month, if not every week. Stay on their radar. Make your work visible, share the ideas you are interested in, and offer to help them in however way you can.

Add value: Leverage your knowledge, skills, and abilities to position yourself as the perfect person to lead a project; become the go-to person for particular domain topics. Be a bridge between people, teams, and even business units. Show your superiors how people around you can benefit from your assistance. Show that you can create an impact that exceeds your boundaries.

Have a brag book: This is important, and it’s often overlooked. But, trust me, two weeks from now, you will forget the vital feature you created today that delighted the customers.

Three months from now, you’ll not even remember the names of the people you worked with within that project and how you made their lives better.

Your brain is an amazing machine, but it is a grinch when it comes to remembering the historical nitty-gritty details of your achievements.

Document everything you do (in no more than 200 words). I’ve found out that keeping a daily free-form work journal is excellent for this purpose.

Before the end of your workday, you can write into your journal about what you did today and what you’ll accomplish tomorrow. And you’ll have a chronological record of your achievements that you can brag about in your next performance review meeting with your boss.

Yes these might be obvious tips, but you know what’s important?

Actually doing them.

Agreeing that they are great tips will not get you that promotion:
Getting your hands dirty and working on your promotion will “eventually” get you that promotion.

So grab that pen and start scribbling in your work journal, and good luck with your next performance review talk: If you start now, you’ll be well equipped when the time comes.

Look What I’ve Found

Here are the things that grabbed my attention this week.

I typically don’t share these anywhere else.

Exclusively hand-picked for you 👌. Enjoy.