"I guess the less conforming and more impulsive side of my personality had a thirst for action and wanted to jump to the big leagues prematurely, but how could I learn to get better incrementally, bit by bit while still working on exciting projects from the “get-go”?"
Though I don't have a course addiction, I do feel the same sentiments when it comes to my own skills. I did contribute to open source last year, but the project got stalled, and now I am searching for a new one.
Anyway, thanks for this wonderful article, Jake.