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%
My colleagues recommended the movie 3 Idiots to me, and I’m thankful they did. It’s considered one of the best Bollywood movies of all time and I can see why. If you haven’t seen it already, come back to this post when you have =)
Sometimes when I watch movies I can’t help but make parallels to the Salesforce world. 3 Idiots might as well have been created by a Salesforce ISV. It’s basically about 3 students and their pursuit to become engineers. And their journey reminds me about 3 things I’ve learned during my own pursuits.
Focus on learning, not on the outcome.
I struggle with this one. You might struggle with this one too. Let me throw out some tough love:
If any of these points hit you in the feels, you might need to focus more on learning. Don’t chase the certification or the title. Chase the knowledge, the understanding, and the rest will take care of itself.
Do what you love, not what’s expected of you.
I’ve done a lot of things right in my career and I’ve made a hell of a lot of mistakes too. Looking back, I remember the highs and the lows. Twice in my life I’ve taken pay cuts (30% and 50%) to gamble on myself and try pursuing things I knew I’d love – like coding. Looking back I’m thankful I had the wisdom to make those decisions at those times.
I also know what it’s like taking the other path in the road. Again, twice in my life, I’ve taken positions because they paid more, they were more prestigious, and my family/friends would envy me more for doing so. Both times I’ve left, shamefully, because my heart knew I took the job for the wrong reasons. Every day, every step down those paths took me one step further away from where I really wanted to be. Each morning was more difficult to wake up to than the last.
You could argue that this is a fantasy that doesn’t apply in the real world. You can also argue that every decision, good or bad, leads you to where you are today. You may be right to some degree, but, you always have to remember to learn from your mistakes. Maybe you’ve made similar mistakes like I have in my career. What goals are you pursuing in your life and why are you doing it? I hope my students on SFDC99 are learning for the right reasons. These students somehow always seem to be the ones to find a way to succeed.
Give back to the world
I made this site to pass on the knowledge that others had freely given to me. In turn, people like Kieren Jameson (MVP), Geoffrey Flynn (MVP), and Mayank Srivastava (future MVP) have taken knowledge from this site and passed it forward in their own way. I like to think these kinds of things make the world a better place. Small acts of kindness have a habit of multiplying – compounding on top of each other. It’s one reason why the Salesforce community is so incredible. I hope you too can contribute back to this community in your own special way!
Anyway if you’ve read all of this and you’re still on the fence to watch 3 Idiots, I recommend you watch it for its killer songs. Still have em stuck in my head!
“What goals are you pursuing in your life and why are you doing it?” A question that everybody needs to ask themselves once in a while. Also, from my personal experience, it’s never too late to analyze that.
David, your post reminds me of Gandalf’s quote: Saruman believes it is only great power that can hold evil in check, but that is not what I have found. I found it is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay… small acts of kindness and love. – Hobbit
SD
I love Lord of the Rings =) Great quote, thank you!
Glad you liked the movie and the Concept. I did the same and utilized the resources you uploaded. I am very thankful to you for all these efforts you put. I am a fresher in salesforce with ADM201 and DEV401 (turned out easy with your posted material). I am starting my venture again for deep diving into your website and get rest of three certifications ( advance admin, Sale and service).
Thanks David for all these efforts once again and I will see you next month for sure.
Thanks,
Anuj
See you at Dreamforce Anuj!
Hi Anuj,
Congratulation.
I am also preparing Admin 201 exam, Can you please suggest about material, this site material is enough to fight the exam.
and can you share your Admin 201 exam experience which types of question you face.
Waiting for positive reply.
Many Thank’s
Mukesh
“Chase Excellence and success will follow”.. it maybe cliched, but it’s true nevertheless.
Its nice of you to appreciate and write about a Bollywood movie.
I’m told I need to watch PK next =)
Bahubali :)
Great . . .
Thanks David for sharing your experience. It will help us a lot.
Thanks,
Amit N. Bhandarkar
David,
You are one of the few people who love sharing their experiences and share them with everyone thru this blessed site to make other people’s lives better. (Way to go!!). Please carry on doing so, you can’t ever estimate how many lives – (in turn families) you have touched in a positive way.
I am always thankful that I was able to know a person by the name of ‘DAVID’ ……..
Please carry on teaching, sharing and making careers and thru these careers touching every individual’s family who have benefited directly or indirectly from your sharings!!!
Great words Suku =) Thank you! Wow!
Inspiring Words
Learning for the right reasons is great advice for everyone.
I definitely second the statement that those people who deserve some tough love from above need to refocus on learning and not on the piece of paper. It may even get you hired, but you won’t last long unless you continue to learn and make yourself better.
This site was definitely my inspiration, and I’m glad that giving back always feels like more of a privilege than a chore
Good man Geoff!! =)
Great post David.
“Chase knowledge and expertise and money and fame will chase you. Not the other way round.” – one of the best quotes from the movie. Great post David
Thanks David for inspiring all your students I am also one out of them :) . Really i don’t have that much of confidence before join your site. I start working in salesforce but really don’t have so much idea like am doing right or wrong but after follow your site . I learned a lot about trigger and apex. Now i can easily write any complex trigger. And i also started giving back to community you can see this on success community :)
Pritam I am very proud of you!!!!
Hahaha..I am so happy that you watched 3 idiots :).. No doubt one of the best movies of Bollywood and the best point about the movie is stresses on the fact that knowledge in more important than tags/laurels.
Lovely post David.
It’s Katie from South Africa!!!! HI!!
Hey David,
Awesome words “Do what you love, not what’s expected of you.”
Yes, really awesome words David, you are genius man, undoubtedly