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Thank you all for coming out today. I really appreciate the invitation to speak here. A lot of the opportunities I've had and the joys and honors that have come my way are because of conferences like this. I enjoy meeting people, being social, and saying hi to influential members of the community, like the CEO of LivingSocial. Originally, I was planning to give a talk on tips for getting the most out of this conference, but I realized that I forgot to send my talk title to the organizers. As a result, I got scheduled on the last day.
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At first, I thought I could still give a talk on how to maximize this conference, but then I figured I would do something different. After listening to Aaron's talk yesterday, I felt inspired. What if I just stood up and spoke about myself? But then I realized that while that might be interesting, it would be even better to communicate an important message: you're awesome. The Rails community is awesome, and every individual here is awesome.
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It's important to acknowledge that the people who are speaking today are phenomenal, but I want to emphasize that greatness isn't just about their accomplishments. The real question is whether you, yourself, are awesome. Personally, I don't consider myself the greatest developer in the world. I strive to be awesome, but I acknowledge my imperfections. What truly matters is that each of you is awesome in your own right.
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And consider this: if I were to show a picture of Roger Bannister, how many of you would recognize him? He became known for running the first four-minute mile back in 1954, a feat that was previously thought to be physically impossible. While some later disputes that claim, Bannister decided to challenge that notion and achieved what was thought to be impossible. He trained hard, practiced, and ultimately proved everyone wrong.
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Though he faced stiff competition, he persevered through practice and determination. It was an incredible accomplishment to blaze his own trail in the realm of athletics. In my own personal experience at the Rubicon 5K, I ran what I thought was a great time of 33 minutes because there was no one in front of me. However, I later realized that there were others who finished ahead of me, which illustrates how selective our memories can be.
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Awesome can mean different things for different people. I recently got inspired when I heard about a talk given by Kii MCM, a remarkable individual who completed an Ironman triathlon. An Ironman consists of an extensive swimming, biking, and running challenge. Kii's impressive ability is astonishing, and her preparation for such an event shares the same principles as Roger Bannister's journey. Both exemplify how determination and hard work can lead to greatness.
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So, how does one achieve awesomeness? We find ourselves in a supportive community, where the opportunity to grow is abundant. To be great, you have to put in the practice. No one is born an exceptional developer, speaker, or athlete. Each of us must invest time and effort into honing our skills. Successful individuals engage in various forms of practice, whether through active speaking engagements, events, or blogging.
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Think back to the early screencasts you admire, like those from 'Rails Envy.' Look at how far Greg Pollock has come in his performance style. The screencasts and resources we have now are the result of deliberate practice over time. Imagine attending a concert where the band only practiced when they performed; it wouldn’t be a great experience.
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Similarly, we need to be intentional in our effort to better ourselves in programming, including focusing on the fundamentals. Engage with practices such as test-driven development and becoming well-versed in the four rules of simple design. It's essential to find resources and communities that resonate with you, such as code retreats and programming dojos, which offer a chance to improve alongside others.
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Sharing your code is also vital. Github is a fantastic platform for this. By uploading your projects, you can receive constructive feedback and opportunities for collaboration. The Rails community is especially welcoming, encouraging everyone to share their work without hesitation.
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Our community fosters a meritocracy that values contributions beyond just coding skills. It thrives on the willingness to share knowledge and experience with others—the more you contribute, whether through writing, giving talks, or engaging in discussions, the more you develop as an individual.
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Now, let’s take a moment to welcome everyone who has joined the Rails community recently. If you’ve been doing Rails for less than six months, please stand up. Look around because this community is one of the most vibrant and supportive groups you’ll ever encounter. The people here are fantastic, and participating in conferences like this can feel like a family reunion.
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As we move forward from this event, I urge you all to take action. Get out there, share your work, and most importantly, embrace your awesomeness. Be eager to connect with others, learn from them, and contribute to this community.
