M2 W1.md

Mod 2 Week 1: Building Habits to Become a Software Developer, Part II

Reflect on your habits from last module. What behaviors and activities were helpful for you? What activities and behaviors could be more effective for you? What processes would you like to try differently this module to become more effective at your work and as a software developer?

• I had a great morning routine of walking or throwing the ball for the dog, listening to the news or a book on tape, showering and doing a bit of work before class started in the morning. I was also really solid at time management and prioritization.
• I want to pay more attention to my physical and mental health this inning though. I didn't exercise enough last inning and I ate like I was. This caused stomach aches and bad sleep habits. I think if I exercise more and eat less/eat less junk, this could make my body love me a bit more.
• I would like to keep up with routine practice on exercises that are not due like jsFun, IronFE, and Codewars. One thing I want to improve is being less stressed when new projects are introduced. Take the beginning slow and establish work boundaries and project boards.

Setting intentions for this module: who do I want to be this module? What specific habits would help me get there? How are those habits tied to the identity of a software developer?

• I want to be less of a leader this module and more of a partner to my cohort. I want to still contribute in class but organize less for others. Deciding not to be an SLC Rep this inning was a good decision for me. I need to focus on my studies first before organizing and leading a cohort. The concept of being more collaborative than leading shows that I will be able to compatibly work with more people in small groups even if I am supposed to be the leader.

Incorporate temptation bundling to create a new habit by using this template:

• After I wake up in the mornings, I will get some form of exercise whether it is mild or aggressive.

  • I can accomplish this by putting on workout clothes as soon as I wake up so that it's easy to just go hop on a bike or run by the time I come down the stairs.

• After finish "coding" for the day, I will review my notes or one interesting thing I learned.

  • The night could be late but if I'm looking at a notepad the blue light shouldn't bother me too much before I go to bed. Hopefully that will also calm me down before I go to bed.

How to enjoy “hard” habits: Reframe your habits to consider their benefits rather than their drawbacks; name 3 habits that you have to do and explain the benefits of them. How do they further your goals longterm? How will they add to your processes as a successful developer? At the end of the day, how do they add to your life?

• Exercising is a habit that can be hard to do at times because of the lack of time in a day. It is so worth it though because it maintains a physical condition that makes you less stressed, and physically healthy. I will not always have the metabolism I currently have, so I need to keep up with this habit. Getting exercise when you're standing still at your computer all day is essential for software developers for obvious reasons. Going outside to exercise breaks up the monotony of things too.
• Listening to the news or a podcast can seem hard to justify when you have so much to do, but they are really just things you can tune into for 10-15 minutes while you're making lunch, doing the laundry or on a dog walk. It is super beneficial to be mentally stimulated by something other than code every day. But it can also feel like an escape from what you have been doing. Staying informed and well listened is important in any career where you are supposed to make logical and empathetic decisions.
• Cleaning my room and showering can feel tedious at times, but the alternative makes my life feel wholly out of control. It's a simple and mindless routine that helps me set up before the day really begins as well. Cleaning up after myself is important in all aspects of life, including physically coding. It's important to set those routines on cleaning up and also recognizing when things have gotten too messy.

Environment design (optional 5-min. additional reading: Motivation is Overvalued. Environment Often Matters More): how does your environment set-up currently help you with your habits? How could it be improved to make it easier for you to follow through on your habits?

• I have a great work area with a standing desk that adjusts for sitting as well, two screens with very useful backgrounds, good lighting and a plant that is fun to look at. I could have a book stand for my notebooks and textbooks so that it stays a little bit more organized I suppose.

“When you start a new habit, it should take less than two minutes to do.” Read this 4-min article on how to stop procrastinating. Apply the 2-minute rule to reframe 2-3 of your habits by scaling them down into the 2-minute version. How does this reframing help you think about shaping your new identity as a software developer?

• Do jsFun starts as reading the README and forking the repo and cloning it down. Then it becomes just reading the first prompt. Then it's just pseudocoding. Then maybe accomplish the first half of pseudocode. Then complete the whole thing. It reminds me to not be intimidated on starting something new. Jump into it slowly and make sure you understand it first. Eventually doing it a lot or for long periods will become easy.
• Getting back into exercising early in the morning starts with just getting up and putting on the right clothes. Biking out for 2 minutes. If I want I can keep going, or I can just turn back. The next day I will do a little bit more. This makes my new routine feel like less of of a commitment which may subconsiously frighten me with everything else that is going on.