Salesforce coding lessons for the 99%Finally, Apex tutorials for point-and-click admins! Written by a self-taught Google engineer.
Salesforce coding lessons for the 99%
WARNING: MAJOR MOVIE SPOILERS AHEAD
If you haven’t watched Whiplash yet, do yourself a favor: leave this site and watch it right now.
This film is about a boy obsessed with becoming a great jazz drummer. And by “obsessed” he really is fanatical – the type of person who’d break up with his girlfriend so he could spend more time playing his drums, then go home and play every day until his hands bled.
Now what the heck does this story have to do with Salesforce development?
One of the most common questions I get from strangers is:
“Do you really believe anyone can learn to code?”
At it’s core, that’s one of the fundamental questions behind Whiplash:
Does hard work guarantee you success, or do you have to be born with it?
Although the movie was almost universally acclaimed, some people believe the message behind Whiplash is flawed, and that “no amount of practice, whether 10,000 hours or 20,000 hours, guarantees true genius.” They argue that people will foolishly go along with Whiplash’s success story, because we naively believe that hard work, not talent, is the key to success.
I guess I’m one of those people that fall in the naive bucket.
I believe that if your dream is to become a Salesforce developer at a well-known company – you can do it. I don’t care what your background is or how much failure you’ve experienced in the past… you can do it!
I know because I went through the “Whiplash” process myself. I sacrificed sleep, happiness, and probably some sanity to teach myself to code. A lot of the things the main character does in Whiplash, while extreme, reminded me of the mindset I had when learning. You have to do extraordinary things in order to achieve extraordinary results. And I think people like Mayank and Adam also had similar mindsets that ultimately led to their success.
Remember, the key is to never, ever give up. No amount of talent is required for this mindset, yet it’s the most important trait towards your success. Don’t give up on the dream, on the day, on the problem, or even on that one single line of code. You can do it.
Good luck students =)
David
It been 2 months since I visited this website and I happened to watch ‘Whiplash’ in between. As a beginner coder, watching this movie, I had the same exact thought in my head – sacrifice little pleasures and work you backside off until you get what you want. And as Fletcher says, he pushes his students because if you believe you have already reached your potential – you never know how good you could have been.
Thanks David for putting up this inspiring post. No wonder the movie is on the Top 50 all-time list on IMDb.
so happy to see a message from you David..I almost lost my way once I heard that you are no longer going to mentor us ..v inspiring to see you back..
Good to hear from you David! Still working my way learning how to code… slowly but surely and I’m getting there
We are so happieeeeeeee that you are back……
Awesome! Glad to see this post from you!
Thanks for your motivational words. I am in same boat now, learning every single bit of keywords in code and understanding the logic behind coding process. I know I am no where near to perfection but i have to work hard to get this peace of sh** straight.
Reddy
Whooppie, My idol is back…. So good to see you David… We do appreciate this surprise :)
Was playing around with my Dev and helping out a small charity with its Salesforce before finding your blog last month. Now I am gunning for the admin certification after getting the developer without difficulty. Your advice really helped me to prepare for both exams, and I just want to say a big THANK YOU!
Cheers,
Alex from Canada
Hi David,
As you can see so many people around you are soooo sad and at the same time happy for you. You have reached the highest of Salesforce technology! and we all waiting to know what is your next adventure? we know you will rock. Is it time to announce to fellow followers about your next carrier move? we all are waiting to hear the news! the adventure? Please fill us.
We are lucky that you are back……
OK.I opened your website today and boy was I glad to see a new post by you!!
I stopped at the second line – went ahead and watched Whiplash online and just back to the site to read the reminder of your post.
Good luck in whatever you are doing David and I want to push myself and be a good sfdc developer
Thank you!!
I haven’t seen Whiplash… but I have been an avid reader of your site. You inspired me to push myself, telling me that I could do it. I worked my full-time job (that I hated!) and rushed home every night to do my 2 hours of study. It was your encouragement that helped me stick with it, even when I just wanted to collapse into my bed. I reached my goal and passed the Dev-401 last fall.
I do not know if I could have stuck with it if not for your encouragement, your willingness to teach and your inspirational story. I may not have found my “Dream-Job” yet but I have grown in ways that I did not imagine possible.
Thank you, David, for giving so much of yourself to all of us. See you in the Dev-zone at DF15?
You ROCK!!!!
@ThatDarnWoman
Fair play David. Still an inspiration. Good to see you’re still full of that positive mojo. You’ve made me a true believer dude!
Well said David. Now that you are back ‘I think I can fly’… :P
But seriously, if Whiplash have taught me anything, it’s that you have to be ready to sacrifice something, if you want to be perfect at something. And that hard work never goes to vain. Thanks for the words of encouragement when I needed it.
I am going to be studying for my exams now. :)
Unbelievable! my idol’s been back! woo-hoo!
What the hell are you doing , David???
Sooooooooooo happiieeeeee u r back!
Great to see you back!! Whatever you do, don’t leave this community!!!!!