7 Habits I've Picked Up From Senior Software Developers

[@AndySterkowitz]

What are your biggest takeaways from this video?

[@mochaCF61]

My biggest takeaway was to keep learning and to keep an open mind.

[@omarmirza9957]

A big takeaway for me: the ability to focus is something to work on, not something fixed once and for all.

[@noobgoestrapping5084]

Just great perspectives. Your videos have a knack for repeating the same thing in new ways that help remind you of important things that keep you grounded and motivated. Top notch stuff.

[@georgechijarira6074]

The helping others really hit home. In order to explain something to someone you need to understand it at a deeper level.

[@roberthollingsworth3545]

First habit of this video: I developed a system to focus your mind in two weeks to a month..a proven system. It works for anyone from Jr. High and up that is mature and motivated. So, I have heard this number one complaint. I am a software engineer with these problems. I am accomplished in my field. I created it 35 years ago when I was in college and during the last 20 years i have been testing it. Just saying this is a problem.

[@slimyelow]

At my first junior position I was asked to build stuff from scratch that almost made my head explode. On top of that my bosses demanded without mercy that I give them accurate time estimates on how long it would take me to complete the tasks at hand. I don't recall how, but I was able to deliver by the end of almost each day. Needless to say that my estimates were way off. But I can attest to the fact that finding the tiniest elements of a problem and then grinding away at them relentlessly with every line of code is a skill worth fighting for. It may take you 12 hours to complete something that a mid level dev can do in 30 minutes. But the reward lies in the fact that you made it with your own bare hands, determination and completely without the need to ask anyone except google for help. Grit is absolutely key here.

[@casparbosch5615]

1. Being able to focus, reminded me that my 1 hour break had passed...

[@augusto256]

Dont take 1h breaks. Take 20min breaks instead.

[@casparbosch5615]

@@augusto256 I'll do that, it was also that my break had become longer than planned...

[@pranavkumar1818]

My life like right now !!!

[@andmoreagain]

Makes me feel a lot better about myself to hear that in your experience a lot of devs have some form of ADD/ADHD. Thanks for this vid.

[@AndySterkowitz]

Glad to help!

[@vonb2792]

Yeah I am ADHD intensive too. Been running around everywhere and super social, but now I am finally settling to develop programming. Taking programming + accounting

[@GraveRave]

@@AndySterkowitz I'm not a coder but an aspiring UI/UX Designer, and my problem is finding the right music playlist to help me focus. It's really something I struggle with.

[@imqqmi]

@@GraveRave I often put on music with little to no percussion/drums/beats, no (clear) lyrics and slow/adagio tempo. Many classical pieces like adagio for strings, hymn of the cherubim, the lark ascending by Ralph Vaughan Williams or game Skyrim has lots of ambient pieces by Jeremy Soule, some Enya/celtic acapella songs etc. But when I really need to concentrate I turn the music off, nothing beats the quiet as far as distractions go. Unless you try to drown out other sounds. You're at a disatvantage in that case. Moving to a quiet location would be a perminent solution. Failing that, using noise cancelling headphones with optional music at a low level, or pink/brown noise, asmr of seawaves, rain, wind through leaves etc could be a temporary solution. But after a days work it'll still be tiring.

[@Gazaryt]

I have a kinda mild to normal OCD, i feel like it's harder for people to vibe with me could that have something to do with it, i haven't thought about it actually

[@ronnieross711]

Read books to help with concentration. Never thought about reading like that. What a tool to use.

[@zuvlet]

A better tool. Playing video games helped me focus

[@midnull6009]

I'm multilingual and I read books in my first language. That REALLY gets my noggin' working.

[@johnshaw6702]

You did a great job of explaining good habits. I agree with everything you said. 1. Sometimes it is hard to let go of a piece of code that you know can be better, but time really is money. This is something I have struggled with many time in may career. 2. You can be really good at something, but, until you can explain it, you don't really understand it yourself. This is basically true. Explaining ( a.k.a. teaching) is the best way I know of defining the problem and solution. I've solved issues in the past by explaining it to a non-programer in terms they could understand. They'll say something like "if I understand it right. Why don't you do {blank}" and boom down goes the mental block - solution is born. I do recommend not disturbing a programmer on a roll. He may loose his train of thought, which slows things down, and may piss him off. Personal experience from the programmers point of view.

[@agnetafelicia5961]

So combining knitting with coding makes sense! I am focused and at the same time cooking certain ideas in my brain.

[@TheJacklwilliams]

I've never done it, but grew up with it done around me... That said I'd say knitting is truly a recursive function. I could see how one could do so and also work this line...

[@tjobrien7518]

Andy: focus on one thing at a time Me: yes makes sense Also Me: *watching this video while watching The Office while eating while watching my kid*

[@krushXMedia]

Most keypoints I have brief down in points from this video - - Focous - most important - Automate => automate repetitive things - be pragmatic => Don't waste a lot of time on refactoring => yes optimising is good but you have to deliver your product also so - Teaching/Helping Others => if you can't make understand the concept to an 5yr old kid then you are not as good as you think => good communication skills - Be Openminded => be willing to listen to others opening => be willing to adopt with the latest idea & tech =>accepting that in diff ways we can solving a problem - Open to feedback => oraganic discussion with seniors => best pratice design patterns => how to make code readable + efficient - Follow your interest => learn always new things so that you won't loose interest in what you are doing => try to learn two tech at a same time(better opt)

[@infinity818425]

Thank you for this. It seems overwhelming sometimes and you have made it manageable

[@AndySterkowitz]

Glad to help J

[@errrzarrr]

Ability to concentrate: Yeah. Until that notification makes a sound to remember you of your 3rd Scrum meeting of the day to _Discuss how important is that feature you are working on and if you're completing it anytime soon_

[@YuriyNasretdinov]

The answer to that problem is actually very simple: find a job that doesn't have useless meetings :). They do exist and those companies also usually tend to earn a lot of money, by, you know, being very efficient in general.

[@bradleybeach]

I've worked for several companies where if a meeting isn't productive you can just get up and leave. Where I'm at currently if you're busy working on something you type "heads down" in slack and don't go to the meeting. Definately something to ask about durring the interview process, remember if you're applying for a job it means you can do the work, you're just trying to figure out if it's a place you actually want to work.

[@TheJacklwilliams]

@@bradleybeach Yeah I haven't worked in dev in years and while I'm learning python and digging into other subjects, what I've seen/heard of SCRUM/Agile/Etc... I'm not sure that I'm going to have an easy time buying in... Who knows, I could become a convert (never say never) but I've lived in the vacuum of no communications and the other end where meeting hell was never ending and the only way to do ones job was work fourteen hours a day. Seven for meetings and seven for work...

[@midnull6009]

Interview the interviewee so that this doesn't happen... I always interview who interviews me. And random people that pass by nonchalantly. People really like to talk. :)

[@MyrkDomolith]

On the focus thing: The two most noticeable/common symptoms of ADD and ADHD are an extreme difficulty with focusing and hyperfocus- which is essentially the opposite. Improving your focus also includes your ability to break or lose your focus with grace- particularly with the hyperfocus. Toughest hurdle here is simply letting yourself be unfocused. Counter-intuitive, but (re)gaining your focus is easier when you're not busy fighting with yourself, and it lets you get to that autonomous type of focus people call "the zone". On automation: Do include routine stuff that requires a choice outside of work. Saves on mental energy that'll let you help focus and learn, saves time, saves headaches. There's the preventative version like having identical outfits, then there's reactive- like the pick-5, choose-best-2, go-with-1 method that you can use for making meals or going out to eat. On efficiency and refactoring: Basically: don't use clever code, and maintain a single coding system/style- IE if your data's stored in hierarchical classes/objects, stick to that with your implementation. Work out the problem however you like, otherwise. This also means learning which issues are already solved and where. A dev doesn't need to worry about dev-mode override stuff if the dev mode code gets removed before the release is put in production. On unconscious talent and studying: Share your knowledge with your coworkers. The smaller the gap between your knowledge of a system and your coworkers' knowledge, the more of your own work you can do. On following your interests: This includes interests that aren't coding and dev-related. Draw, make music, cook, play video games, solve puzzles, do your favorite kind of "nothing", whatever interests you, and let yourself suck or be stupid while you're at it. More personal fulfillment means more productivity, more mindsets to work with means it's easier to learn and work on tough problems, more technical skills and knowledge in other fields makes communication easier, and more transferable skills both bolsters the prior two "more"s and opens you up to avenues of success in the first place. Plus it's nice to simply recharge every once in a while.

[@samerel-murr2115]

I don't know if this helps but for me what helps is being around other people focusing and break down tasks to 15-25min. Also be realistic with can be done in a day, with giving enough time for at least one thing you want to do outside of work/university-work. Last thing is that meditation helped me at least with improving the quality of the time I have focusing on the task, I haven't really found it actually making my focus last longer.

[@itsjuliam]

An incredibly helpful comment. Thanks.

[@thomasmeister8476]

Working in the field for 20 years - still learned something :-) Thanks for this video!

[@bryanstark324]

Super good tip! Take a step back because we often hyperfocus on details because we're afraid it will end up being a screw up down the road. But step back and realize that good-enough is good-enough.

[@treyGivens1]

Thanks for making this video. It's so nice to think that you found it in your heart to provide content that helps people. What a beautiful thing.

[@carol00210]

Thank you so much for dedicating your time to people you don’t even know. I really enjoyed your video and got really inspired from the first tip since I also have ADHD, but notice that the hyper focus that it makes me have relatively frequently helps me a lot with my programming tasks. It feels like the code and me become one and one only, and nothing in this world can break the frenesi of wanting to solve the task I got in front of me. When I’m hyper focused for a longer period of time I even dream of coding and solve problems in my dreams, which I find so interesting. I heard once ADHD brains have an obsession with logic problems, which I find so true, because while I don’t solve the problem I can’t rest. So I think it’s a very good trait to have as a programmer, after all. Thanks for helping me to see my ADHD in a more positive way. All the other tips were also incredible :)

[@afshah.7972]

I've got ADD and I can relate to what you said. I am a beginner studying basic coding and I code in my dreams too which feels amazing ;)

[@Ronobuildstech]

i gotta say this man thank you , the books that you suggest have really improved my perception of things;

[@AlessandroBottoni]

Excellent video! Every programmer should watch it. Congratulations!

[@AndySterkowitz]

Thank you very much

[@fuskyful]

This is the best video any software developer should watch. I have always valued soft skills when hiring new devs over experience. Because those people create better teams which can achieve better things. You just named a lot of them in a very good way. Thank you for this, it was very refreshing.

[@lukesmall5571]

Great video! Once I get into a software development job I will defiantly make these habits of mine!

[@gregkail4348]

Thank You for this I need to watch it again a most likely again........

[@victorromeo949]

First here, love from Kenya 🇰🇪

[@victorromeo949]

@Jaime Dale On point

[@Alex_Murimi]

Second 🇰🇪

[@thementor9764]

mnado nini huku

[@stillwaitingforblackmetalr2503]

Hey man, on point 1, people with ADD actually don't have any issues hyper focusing. ADD is actually when people go from hyper focus to 0 focus, with no in-between. For someone with ADD, hyper focusing on things you love doing is as easy as breathing. They can spend 12 hours straight, no breaks to even drink water or go to the bathroom, doing the same thing. But give them a task that doesn't excite them and they won't be able to focus for more than 1 minute. So if most programmer you know have ADD, it's not a weird coincidence, it actually makes MORE sense.

[@analisamelojete1966]

Tip to concentrate: Play your favourite music without lyrics (mine is synth-wave when coding) and think what you’re doing is like a video game. Then you’ll focus quite easily.

[@matt-g-recovers]

Great video. I've been in a senior role for a bit over a year and a team lead for longer, but I find the more responsibility I get, the more focus is key because the work becomes more interrupt driven for the 9-5...so any development that I need to do frankly happens before or after hours. Currently, I am working as platform team lead for a Fortune 5 enterprise size company and on a cross governance team over seeing a dozen teams and assisting with reviewing the code of ~60 engineers. Yep, interrupted and needing to help others all day. The ADD comes back and I just decided to find my couple of golden hours before work and treat it religiously. Funny you mention the ability to be teachable, critical but open minded. Trying to get into an architect spot and the Sr Architect and I had a great debate over the way we do branching and he won me over after about 30 minutes but I push back respectfully until his points sank in.

[@xcdcd214]

Automation Automation is my favorite. And following a well Tested and Written Notes or Guidelines

[@KS-df1cp]

Syntax is one thing but mindset matters! Thank you for these details. This was very helpful.

[@valis007]

Useful, thank you, will start to apply your advice and practice more, cheers from Paris

[@DrDemolition]

That last advice is SUPER HELPFUL. Subbed.

[@FlaviusAspra]

Focus: yes, for senior. For team lead+, add on top: ability to change focus, but really keep sharp focus on the new thing. For explaining: I'm a CTO and I think explaining everything I was learning on forum was key to getting here. I started basically 1 year after starting to learn programming, and continued for 10 years very intensively. I still do it. 15yoe.

[@OGMyth]

Even thought I've ended up developing in a visual DSL type environment, I find that most of these still hit home and hold true for development that feels more like configuration/admin work.

[@macuilxochitli]

Very good advices these that you are giving us here Andy,.am quite new developer but i think your comemts are wise.cheers from Chile!!

[@dirkrobbertse4503]

Hi Andy, have you stopped making KZbin video? Always loved your content, because I'm from the motor trade getting into programming and really love your content man

[@karlasolares4283]

Thanks Andy! Great tips! :D I needed to listen to this. I'm a junior developer and I am constantly wondering how to become better and grow not only as a dev but also as a person

[@-Jason-L]

"readability" should never be compromised. Every nightmare codebase became that way one pragmatic decision at a time. Skipping it is a false efficiency, propagated by devs who are accustomed to the old project based approach (primarily among services companies) where someone else needs to fix/maintain/enhance their work.

[@Randomdude-i8x]

I think it's a balance. Sometimes the cost of doing it the "right way" destroys readability and introduces a lot complexibility, and sometimes improving readability makes the code much more complex. Sometimes an ugly hack is just a good solution.

[@Max-db6hq]

@@Randomdude-i8x ​you can make your ugly hacks as long as you maintain them yourself, for the lifetime of the application. Otherwise there is no "balance", it's just you being lazy and destroying the lives of other people who have to maintain your mess.

[@Randomdude-i8x]

@@Max-db6hq well I do think you'll have to document your hack beyond doubt. If developpers lives are destroyed by bad code, the bad code is not the problem but the lack of healthy boundaries is.

[@-Jason-L]

@@Randomdude-i8x many of us consider "the right way" to include enhancing readability. Refactor for clarity and expressing intent

[@Randomdude-i8x]

@@-Jason-L generally I agree with that and is also how I work. But I think there are exceptions to this where "doing it right" adds complexity and makes it more difficult to maintain (while technically the more superior solution). So sometimes I just settle for "this will do for now". I also want to deliver. It's not always that you need to extend code, sometimes the simple solution is good enough.

[@Kaizala1933]

Great Content as always, thank you Andy!!

[@migrant_x]

I love automating things, i automate practically everything i can, even if not necessary, just because. You can't never learn enough :)

[@rafaelrico]

Your speak form is so good. I understand your english. Your voice is agradable.

[@viperactual]

Glad to know there are devs out there like me. Great advice.

[@josephanthony9294]

Great Video. You have very good insights and I especially like "Strong opinions, loosely held".

[@innomin8251]

Dude, I can totally related to Point 1 immediately. I've been a software engineer for ~ 17 years at this point. Last year, in the middle of COVID-19, I had major concentration problems at work, and eventually saw someone. I have ADHD. Probably did since childhood. I've worked pretty well in office environments for a long time, and the doctor said between self-medication through caffeine and the structure of physically going *to* work, I was managing the symptoms. When my job went fully remote because of the pandemic, those coping mechanisms weren't enough any more.

[@xshortguy]

This also describes me. I should get checked for ADHD.

[@lukasmajerik6439]

ADHD has everybody => it's not illness => it's absence of focus => focus is hard => train focus. My story - after telling my mind last 6 months, don't think about this, that, it's not important, I have got much better. And yeah, you tube is devil. Watch only on what you have decided, when youtube is off, otherwise, it will drawn you in itself for hours. Have a nice day sir.

[@ilikemyodds1]

@@lukasmajerik6439 agreed

[@gebys4559]

@@lukasmajerik6439 it's not illnes for you, but try working with a kid that has a snap focus period of 7s and you are unable to even consider a behavioural therapy without pharmacological help.

[@AYoonesi]

I've seen many of your vids, I guess the most important thing is not to give up, at least it was for me for years - great content, hope more will reach you

[@qwarlockz8017]

Hey Andy, thanks for a great vid. You should be on peoples regular viewing list since you create this positive and productive reinforcement loop that is always really important to stay moving. Motivation is really important and listening and talking to people like you... is key. Thanks again.

[@AndySterkowitz]

I appreciate that!

[@r1ch007cs123]

Your content is honest and to the point. KEEP IT UP!

[@gamertarians1634]

As a musician who became a programmer, I would recommend if you have trouble with focus, learning a musical instrument.

[@whoisprimuschi]

Thank for your video. It is not only a habit that you say about "to study and grow in programming at beginning of 2 or 3 years", also it motivates me due to my job is temporary closed by the political inconsistence "Myanmar".

[@timstevens3361]

some of my most productive days i dont even turn the computer on !!! these are idea days. i create an idea of what i want. i create an idea of how to implement it. i dont need to be anywhere near a computer for these steps and sometimes this is half of the work. then i start writing code. then i test it. rinse and repeat.

[@eukelarTV]

I have problems focusing unless the thing is interesting if it’s interesting then no one could divert my attention if I can find a cool project then I will be unreachable you could tell my name and I wouldn’t even know it, however if i can’t find something interesting to do I’ll bounce around and just pogo between a million things

[@andmoreagain]

Hard same

[@Compufreak]

I think this is quite common - that's why there is point 7 in this video. Try to develop into a position where at least 50% of what you do is something you enjoy. For me it was going from full stack developer to backend developer to software architect back to something that probably is best described as "technical lead" (still searching for a good name ^^), something inbetween software architect and backend developer with a strong focus on quality :> I love the variety which motivates me to keep rolling. There are some hard times inbetween, but they always are rewarded with some more interesting tasks following ;)

[@mikesummer670]

Mediatiation practice is literually a concentration practice process.

[@porky1118]

I'm also not good at focusing on something. But when I'm really motivated, I can focus on something until it's finished, no matter how long it takes.

[@seyieneimeyase]

Thank you for the timely dose of inspiration and motivation. 😊👍

[@AndySterkowitz]

Glad to help 😊

[@jordanweir7187]

These are all absolute gold dude thanks for uploading, subbed

[@crapphone7744]

One advantage of ADD is that when you find a task you're interested in, you can go into that tunnel.

[@dougebersole1204]

Great video, Andy. I really appreciate all of your great content.

[@christinewasike]

I genuinely loved this!😊

[@UNGETABLE7]

Your videos are a gem man, always helpful. Thank you!

[@patrickedet5475]

Very Informative video ! Thanks

[@ОленаДоманська-и3х]

Thank you for such useful tips 🙂

[@TheAndres7777]

thanks! I learn a lot with your videos.

[@joeygarcia7826]

Excellent list! When you said all good programmers have some form of ADD, I laughed out loud. It is true! Finding the right time to figure stuff out is different from I know what has to be done, and I just need time to write all the. The former, I save for my prime time best focus time. Really good noise cancelling headphones is a good investment!

[@Randomdude-i8x]

Very cool! Nice to learn that I do most of these.

[@pablohernandez4305]

Thanks for this video, interesting habits I need to practice some

[@harmonicresonanceproject]

I found this really useful.

[@rayko12345]

Thanks dude! Appreciated! Really need to focus on the last one, finding that interest I had before!

[@hanscarlsson7276]

I have been developing software solutions for 40 years now. These are a few more traits that I think make a good developer: 1. A genuine desire to really understand the problem that the customer/user experiences and find a solution to that problem. The solution might not even be to develop a piece of software. 2. The ability to communicate solutions and ideas in a clear and understandable way to other people. 3. The ability to document and describe the implemented solution so that others may further develop and maintain the solution. No one lives forever.

[@albirtarsha5370]

This is one of your best videos.

[@AndySterkowitz]

Thanks Albir!

[@claraharmonson2181]

Excellent video! My ADHD and I are doing a happy dance 🎉🎉🎉

[@elrogelio]

Very good video man. I definitely need to work on my focus.

[@NatureFreak1127]

This video and the one on how to think like a programmer is also very relevant for UX as well. Thank you. ♥️

[@Kmm1295]

Wow thank you for mentioning add and focus issues. I always believed you become a programmer only if you are good at focusing. Turns out we need a lot of focus training 👍 Its inspiring to see that focus does not come naturally sometimes🙏🏻

[@xoangelesxo]

2 habits that I have picked up since starting my coding journey are I am unafraid of asking for help to unblock myself, and I rubberduck waaaaaay to much 😃

[@christiancoder454]

yess!

[@robertreeve8365]

YEAH, really good video and thank you! super valuable

[@BulletTheEnforcer]

Thank you, especially for that last comment.

[@NIC_Pineiro]

I really liked this video. My role is in basic level 1 help desk and i been pursuing networking for a while now but its been getting difficult to stay motivated. I like how you said to pursue your interest. I think I might just go down the python rabbit hole

[@poloe4]

Thanks a lot for this. Very helpful!!!

[@robscherer]

A constant flow of good info, love it!

[@oneoneoneman]

Hate early rising ups. Can't function in the morning. When I worked for someone else I had to arrange different working schedule. Now I work for myself and start usually at 10, till 16h I'm usually done. Work smarter not necessarily harder, or strive to achieve that.

[@sabertooth5979]

wow I have ADD so this is very reassuring.

[@juromaru777]

I am trying to work on focus as well!!!!

[@ruckboger]

OMG that's what I was doing just now. Finished and opened YT and this video was in my feed. Creepy.

[@anshuman.tiwari]

Thank you sir from my heart

[@jessstuart7495]

Automating things is good, if you have the time to do it. I would often have to develop python scripts to automate stuff on my own time, because these projects were not "billable hours". Then your boss gets wind of you having these scripts, and asks you share them with your coworkers who inevitably find ways to break them (use them beyond their original purpose), then they go around badmouthing you for writing buggy code.

[@daniel71626]

Good one, I understand your points. And there is a lot of miscomunication in SWE as well. That is a skill as well.

[@MwishaLudack]

Awesome thanks Andy, I'm new to this game so I need every opinion I can get from the experts. Good job.

[@5kr3aminMunk33]

ADHD can help you stay on track, gotta use that hyper focus to your advantage

[@PsychoStueyHappyKittens]

I wish you all success in your learning endeavors!

[@rololop34]

Thank you. From my experience I especially agree with "Teach others". Trying to formulate concepts and mental models into understandable phrases and sentences is an intricate task in itself and really gives your own knowledge that final touch in terms of understanding and long-term memory.

[@khalil4968]

Thank you for the video, very informative and clear!

[@glee21012]

The number one skill you need is patience, in particular, dealing with management, who typically got where they were because they sucked at developing, so they were put in charge. Screw up, move up types.

[@sbwlearning1372]

Just said as much. Found managers to be hostile to developers and their ignorance and ineptitude coupled with their need to try the latest team building or organizational nonsense wastes months and months of time. Managers don't do anything and aren't good at anything except company politics Hate them

[@glee21012]

@@sbwlearning1372 Yes, the latest fad, or corporate cheerleading. Like trying to make development comply with Six Sigma or lean manufacturing. Like we crank out widgets at a factory.

[@Jonathan_Henderson]

Another brilliant video! I hope to become as good of a content creator as you

[@justafighter1346]

1. Train your focus meditation can help

[@doaashafik3073]

Thanks for your video, Its cool

[@adamhenry5019]

Keepin me motivated good stuff legend

[@leecherlarry]

the growth of this channal is mind blowing, congrats Andy!!

[@billmckinzie]

Well, those programmers over 60 really know their stuff!

[@Hannodb1961]

I had the privilage of getting out of web development 10 years ago to work on the desktop application of my current company. 10 years later, and the powers that be want to rewrite our systems in angular and API micro services. Is it just me, or has web development just become even more convoluted and over complicated? Is there any hope of being a developer that never has to see any java script in his life, and just work with C#? Web development really sucks the joy out of life.

[@TheJacklance1]

Meditation has changed my life

[@cUser691]

@Jack Lance- been putting it off for yr... read Bezos, entreps, Oprah meditating. What kind do you practice? How long each time? Hard to get mind to stop “thinking”. Thx for response in advance

[@bboylorettoEight08]

Thanks for the tips mayn

[@valkon_]

I block distractions with headphones and ambient sounds (preferably rain and heavy snow).

[@spaceghost7807]

Thanks for this.