teh_david

I've been programming for about 5 years, starting with Java as an undergraduate, then moving on to C++ and Fortran (!) as a grad student. Along the way I've dabbled in other languages: Python, Ruby, C#, and Clojure; but I feel like I've reached a plateau in my programming ability.

When picking up a new language, I feel like a can rapidly reach the level I have in the other languages I'm familiar with, but never seem to progress any further. Whilst I realise I am learning new things, I feel I'm becoming a "seasoned beginner" of all trades.

Having a goal that I really want to reach might help, but I don't really have any particular project I want, or more importantly, need to achieve. That's a whole other problem...

Is this feeling common? Any advice on trying to "level-up" my overall programming ability?