Habits of a Software Developer
- What do you think are the traits of a good software developer? What are they like in the workplace? What would you as a co-worker think of this person?
Some traits of a good software developer might be: good at solving problems, empathy, able to stay of task and not get distracted, ability to work well with others, open to giving and receiving feedback, strong ability to self teach/learn, eager to help others, friendly/approachable. They would be someone who is successful in the workplace, and someone that everyone would want to work with or seek out for help and advice. I would probably view this person as someone who I would want to be my mentor, and learn as much as I could from. Someone that I would look up to.
- What are the habits that this person demonstrates to embody the identity of a software developer?
They would have habits of staying on task, maybe limiting there notifications on their phone or computer while working. They would also have habits of working hard, maybe by taking well timed breaks and not working for long periods of time to stay fresh throughout the day. This person would also demonstrate a strong habit of time management, maybe by having a solid schedule, and actually scheduling in time for work and non work activity.
- Who do you want to be as a software developer? What kind of behaviors do you already have in place to be that person? What behaviors would you need to put into place? How will you do that?
I want to be software developer that is an asset to my team, and someone who can contribute new ideas/code, and someone who others want to work with and view positivly. I already feel like my laid-back/relaxed personality makes it easier for people to work with me. I need to develop better analytical/programming skills/knowledge by being present in Turing lectures and trying to learn as much as I can. I also need to work on taking more frequent breaks and finding better ways to get unstuck.
Working on the 1st Law of Behavior Change: Make it Obvious
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Bring self-awareness to your current habits by making a Habits Scorecard. Make a list of your daily habits (examples: wake up, turn off alarm, check phone, etc.) as a way to bring awareness to what you do. Then, decide how effective that habit is for you and your goal of becoming a software developer. Put a + next to habits that are effective; put a - next to habits that are not effective; put a = next to habits that are neutral.
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Pick 1 new habit you'd like to build and create an implementation intention following this template: "I will [BEHAVIOR] at [TIME] in [LOCATION]." Then, stack the habit onto something you already do: "After [CURRENT HABIT], I will [NEW HABIT]." (Hint: make this highly specific and immediately actionable).
I will STRETCH for 5 minutes at 6:45am in my BEDROOM. After pouring my first cup of coffee, I will STRETCH for 5 minutes at 6:45am in my BEDROOM.
- Design your environment for success: what changes could you make in your space to better implement your habit? How could you remove any triggers for bad habits? How will you implement these changes?
When I wake up in the morning, stop spending so much time staring at my cellphone. Maybe put a lock setting on my phone so I can't stare at social media until 7am. Make looking at my phone in the morning a reward after stretching first.
- Respond after a few days of this implementation: What are your results? How do you feel about this method? How will you move forward with this habit?
My results have been a bit mixed, I've stretched every morning so far, but I still continue to look at my phone when I first wake up and then get sucked into social media. Maybe try and limit the social media to like 5 minutes in the morning when I first get up then make coffee then stretch? Still trying to work on this habit.