Activity #1 - '29 Behaviors That Will Make You an Unstoppable Programmer'
- Say "I Don't Know",
- Identify and resolve bigger issues,
- Learn under pressure
I've been practicing saying I don't know, I love the peace it brings to plainly admit. I find that even if I do believe that I know and attempt a description of the subject, the result can still be finding I don't know. I have found that the best way for me to focus in on an feature is to start with awareness of the larger picture. For me this has been designs, "I don't know" and learning to appreciate that every person is both good and bad, it simply depends on the grace of whoever is judging them.
I like stretching, the stretch itself can be uncomfortable, but the results make for a more enjoyable life when practiced. Learning under pressure I see as a parallel to stretching, though it may not be comfortable it makes for a better life.
Activity #2 - Atul Gawande interview and excerpt from 'Checklist Manifesto'
Utilization of a checklist I see as a true practice of focus and mindfulness. It humbles the user or users to progress through their tasks with a consistant and concise mechanism, the list. It does not impede their ability to improvise or adapt, rather it enhances it through fortification. I see myself using lists as a means to stay on task, keep up with workflow, measure progress, as well as a means of quality assurance. As a student I would add that it would help to form habits for software development.
Activity #3 - Pairin Survey
My greatest strength is my temperance, I know this from how I find other strengths that come from it: among these are empathy, patience, logic and gratitude. I find my best work creative problem solving in an environment of mutual respect, open mindedness and transparency. I feel I could improve in communicating in a concise way, bold and challenging ideas in a way that inspires enthusiasm. Being a detail oriented person means sometimes I get bogged down by details and slip in a readiness to outwardly discuss the ideas I have, often over concerns on how my ideas may be received.
I hope to maximize my strengths in software development through immersion; to which I am referring to both the technical work and the community of people. I plan to maintain a practice of self examination and to find challenging work with an organization (or organizations) that I will feel fulfillment in working with.