How to Stop Treating a Tech Career Like a Fantasy and Start Treating It Like a Plan
A lot of people say they want a tech career. But if you listen closely, what they really have is a fantasy, not a plan. A fantasy sounds like: - “I’ll figure it out as I go” - “Once I feel ready, I’ll take it seriously” - “I just need the right motivation” A plan sounds very different. The moment things change The shift happens when you stop asking: “Can I see myself in tech someday?” And start asking: “What am I doing this month to make it real?” That’s where most career switchers get uncomfortable and where progress actually starts. Why fantasies feel good (but go nowhere) Fantasies are exciting because: - There’s no pressure - No tradeoffs yet - No risk of being wrong But fantasies don’t require decisions. Plans do. Plans force clarity around: - A specific role - A realistic weekly time commitment - What matters now vs later - What progress looks like in 30 - 60 - 90 days That clarity is what turns effort into momentum. What treating tech like a plan actually looks like People who successfully switch careers into tech don’t wait to feel confident. They: - Pick a direction before they feel ready - Narrow their focus instead of keeping options open - Replace “learning” with building toward outcomes - Measure progress by output, not motivation It’s less exciting at first and far more effective. A simple reality check If someone asked you: “What’s your plan to get into tech?” Could you explain it clearly without saying “I’m still figuring it out”? If not, that’s okay. It just means you’re still treating it like a possibility instead of a priority. Here’s the challenge for today: Stop asking whether a tech career is possible for you.Start deciding whether you’re willing to plan for it. That one shift is where real career changes begin.