I think the main building block is to have mental elasticity and willingness to try new ideas and technology.
Also, you need to be willing to get over the hump. That part when you are looking at something like node or rabbitmq. You've read the intros 2-3 times and it still seems like crazy incomprehensible gobbledygook.
When I get to that place, I stop working on it, go out for a walk and just let my brain work through it in the background.
30 mins later i sit down at the computer and it starts to make sense.
The other HUGE trick is to hire someone on Airpair to chat with you about the new tech for 30-60 mins. Actually I just gave you the best advice. Do the airpair thing for any new tech you want to get into.
Also, you need to be willing to get over the hump. That part when you are looking at something like node or rabbitmq. You've read the intros 2-3 times and it still seems like crazy incomprehensible gobbledygook.
When I get to that place, I stop working on it, go out for a walk and just let my brain work through it in the background.
30 mins later i sit down at the computer and it starts to make sense.
The other HUGE trick is to hire someone on Airpair to chat with you about the new tech for 30-60 mins. Actually I just gave you the best advice. Do the airpair thing for any new tech you want to get into.