When You Try, You WIN: Lessons from Bowling for Tech Professionals
My reflection on perseverance, curiosity, and the mindset that drives success in life and technology
The Power of Stepping Outside Your Comfort Zone
As technology professionals, we often find ourselves in familiar environments, behind screens, solving complex problems, and building innovative solutions. But sometimes, the most profound lessons about our craft come from the most unexpected places. This summer, a simple family bowling trip in Skegness taught me invaluable lessons that directly apply to our journey in technology.
The Reluctant Beginner
My daughter Tito(Dukks or Beatrice or Beat or Rice …she’s got so many names lol), much like many of us in tech, prefers the comfort of her laptop and indoor creativity. When we suggested bowling during our summer holiday, her reluctance was palpable. She’d rather play roblox, code, design, or tinker with technology than venture into unfamiliar territory. Sound familiar?
This mirrors the hesitation many aspiring developers feel when approaching new technologies, frameworks, or career opportunities. The fear of the unknown, the comfort of familiar tools, and the anxiety of potential failure can be paralyzing.
The lesson here: Sometimes the best growth happens when we are gently pushed beyond our comfort zones, whether that’s trying a new programming language, taking on a leadership role, or simply attending that networking event we have been avoiding.
The Art of Methodical Learning
What happened next was fascinating. While my wife and I focused on having fun, Beatrice approached bowling with the methodical curiosity of a natural problem-solver. She:
- Analyzed the tools: Carefully examining each bowling ball’s weight and texture
- Studied the environment: Understanding the lane conditions and pin placement
- Iterated consistently: Each throw became a learning opportunity
- Built incrementally: Steadily improving her technique frame by frame
This systematic approach is exactly what separates successful technologists from the rest. Whether you’re:
- Learning a new programming language
- Debugging complex system issues
- Architecting scalable solutions
- Leading technical teams
The principle remains the same: curiosity, methodology, and persistence.
The Compound Effect of Small Improvements
Throughout the game, Tito maintained a steady 4-6 point lead over her mother while trailing behind me initially. Each frame, she made small adjustments, tweaking her stance, adjusting her approach, refining her release. These marginal gains compounded over time.
In technology careers, this principle is fundamental:
- Junior developers who consistently learn new concepts eventually become senior engineers
- Individual contributors who gradually take on mentoring responsibilities become technical leaders
- Small optimization efforts in codebases lead to significant performance improvements over time
The key is consistency and patience with the process.
The Breakthrough Moment
By the ninth frame, something remarkable happened, Beatrice was only three points behind me. The underdog had become a genuine contender. This moment represents what many of us experience in our tech journeys:
- The bootcamp graduate landing their first developer role
- The junior engineer successfully leading their first major project
- The career changer finally feeling confident in their technical abilities
- The entrepreneur seeing their first users engage with their product
These breakthrough moments don’t happen overnight, they are the result of sustained effort, learning, and adaptation.
Victory Through Persistence
In the final frame, when it mattered most, Tito delivered. She knocked down the needed pins and won the game. Her victory wasn’t just about bowling, it was about the mindset that drives all meaningful achievement.
Lessons for Tech Professionals and Aspiring Developers
1. Embrace the Learning Curve
Every technology stack, every new role, every challenging project comes with a learning curve. Instead of being intimidated by it, approach it with curiosity and methodical thinking.
2. Progress Over Perfection
You don’t need to be the expert from day one. Consistent improvement and iteration matter more than initial skill level. Focus on getting better, not being perfect.
3. Analytical Thinking Wins
Whether you’re debugging code or learning to bowl, the same principles apply: analyze the problem, test hypotheses, learn from results, and iterate.
4. Persistence Pays Off
The tech industry rewards those who persist through challenges. Every failed deployment, every bug that takes days to solve, every rejected job application is part of the journey toward mastery.
5. Celebrate Your Wins
In our fast-paced industry, we often move quickly to the next challenge without acknowledging our achievements. Take time to recognize your progress and victories, both big and small.
For Aspiring Developers: Your Journey Starts with Trying
If you’re reading this and considering a career in technology, remember that every expert was once a beginner. Every senior developer wrote their first “Hello, World!” program. Every technical leader started with basic tutorials and made countless mistakes.
The barrier to entry isn’t talent, it is willingness to begin and persist.
Start with:
- Online courses and coding bootcamps
- Building small projects that interest you
- Contributing to open-source repositories
- Joining tech communities and meetups
- Finding mentors who can guide your journey
The ThriveinTech Philosophy
At ThriveinTech(www.thriveintech.net), we believe that success in technology is not reserved for a select few with innate abilities. It’s available to anyone willing to embrace curiosity, maintain persistence, and approach challenges with methodical thinking.
Whether you are a seasoned professional looking to level up or someone just starting their tech journey, remember this fundamental truth: When you try, genuinely try, with consistency, curiosity, and persistence: you position yourself to win.
Your Next Frame
Just as Beat approached each bowling frame as an opportunity to improve, approach each day in your tech career as a chance to learn something new, solve a challenging problem, or help a colleague grow.
The pins may seem far away, the alley might feel unfamiliar, and the ball might feel heavy in your hands. But with the right mindset, methodical approach, and persistence, you will find yourself knocking down barriers you never thought possible.
Life is an adventure. While at it: Try → Learn → Build Capacity → Celebrate the Win.
The tech industry needs diverse voices, fresh perspectives, and determined individuals willing to push boundaries. Your unique background, your analytical mindset, and your persistence are exactly what make you valuable.
So, what’s your next throw going to be?
Beatrice’s website: www.bfadev.com