Developer Tea

We continue talking about conducting a mindful job search in today's episode. The truth is, that next application you put in is probably not going to end in an accepted offer. Whether by your decision or theirs, most job applications go nowhere. In this episode we'll talk about how to deal with this reality, as well as some other myths of interviewing. 🙏 Today's Episode is Brought To you by: Squa...

If you've ever felt bad about looking for a job, or you're wondering if now is the right time because a bunch of coworkers or friends are on the move, this episode is for you. We talk about approaching making a career change decision mindfully, and considering how it will affect your internal happiness. 🙏 Today's Episode is Brought To you by: Auth0 Auth0 is here to solve your login problems, for...

Pick the right tool for the job. But who is picking? What tools can they choose from? And what is the actual job, anyway? This advice is important because it gives you a starting framework to answer some of the most important clarifying questions in any task of significance. 🙏 Today's Episode is Brought To you by: Compiler Compiler is a brand new podcast from RedHat where the hosts answer the mos...

You are much more likely to succeed with iteration than you are with a perfect first attempt. This is purely a function of probability, and is even more supported by the idea of progressive improvement. When you can iterate, it is a better route to higher confidence of success than perfect preparation. 🙏 Today's Episode is Brought To you by: Auth0 Auth0 is here to solve your login problems, for g...

When you have to predict, you're likely to have error in your prediction. Sometimes that error is easily handled - other times, it can be catastrophic in effect. The next time you have the urge to predict into the future, ask yourself - what benefit do you gain from predicting this now? Can you avoid unnecessary prediction all together with a different route? 🙏 Today's Episode is Brought To you b...

Random choice may actually be your best bet. At the very least, starting with random is a good exercise in self control, and will help reveal information more easily than intuitive guessing might. Give random a chance! 🙏 Today's Episode is Brought To you by: Auth0 Auth0 is here to solve your login problems, for good. Auth0 provides simple, secure, and adaptable login for applications and business...

It's easy to believe that everyone you get along with agrees with you about anything and everything. The truth is harder to confront, but often, this illusion can cause problems - especially when you actually want diverse perspectives. In this episode, we talk about two types of illusion of agreement, and how you might combat them. 🙏 Today's Episode is Brought To you by: Compiler Compiler is a br...

The number of things you have to choose to do in a day is constantly being fought over. Your calendar, if it's like most calendars, has very little to do with how you want to spend your time. Limit your options. Focus on fewer things. Eliminate your obligations. 🙏 Today's Episode is Brought To you by: Auth0 Auth0 is here to solve your login problems, for good. Auth0 provides simple, secure, and a...

When we understand the features and boundaries of any object, we can do more with that object based on those constraints. This doesn't just apply to code - it applies to our lives in meaningful ways, and acts as a heuristic and a powerful model for thinking. 🙏 Today's Episode is Brought To you by: Compiler Compiler is a brand new podcast from RedHat where the hosts answer the most complicated que...

Averages can trick you into thinking a generalized idea about a complex set of data. This kind of compression happens not only with averages but any other process that summarizes information. Ask yourself: What am I missing in this story? 🙏 Today's Episode is Brought To you by: Retool Build internal tools, remarkably fast. Connect to anything w/ an API. Drag-and-drop React components. Write JS an...

In today's episode, I have a discussion about product development and counter-intuitive decisions Dom had to make along the way in making Around . This is part two of the interview - make sure you go back and listen to the first part as well! Note: The previous episode had a glitch in the audio, it is fixed as of September 26, 2021. Thanks for your patience! 🙏 Today's Episode is Brought To you by...

In today's episode, I have a discussion about product development and counter-intuitive decisions Dom had to make along the way in making Around. 🙏 Today's Episode is Brought To you by: Retool Build internal tools, remarkably fast. Connect to anything w/ an API. Drag-and-drop React components. Write JS anywhere. Check them out over at https://retool.com/startups/devtea 📮 Ask a Question If you en...

Context is critical, but what does that mean? What are the parts of context you should care about? In this episode, we talk specifically about temporal context, and how you can think about context in terms of "inner" and "outer" layers. 🙏 Today's Episode is Brought To you by: Compiler Compiler is a brand new podcast from RedHat where the hosts answer the most complicated questions about our work....

"What do I do about this?" This question is one that can trigger action, even in a moment of pain. When we make a clear decision about how we are going to react to our situation, we immediately change the narrative from "this is happening to me" to "this is what I'm choosing to do." This agency is critical to processing and managing difficult situations, and it will change how we relate to our exp...

If you can make better decisions, every other effort you put forth will benefit. One common error made when making decisions is overtuning on perfection. In today's episode, we'll talk about two razors that help combat this tendency. 🙏 Today's Episode is Brought To you by: Compiler Compiler is a brand new podcast from RedHat where the hosts answer the most complicated questions about our work. De...

Expectations can cause pain, but they can also be useful. An expectation should be a hypothesis. Where we go wrong is when we mix our expectations with our hopes or fears. 🙏 Today's Episode is Brought To you by: Retool Build internal tools, remarkably fast. Connect to anything w/ an API. Drag-and-drop React components. Write JS anywhere. Check them out over at https://retool.com/startups/devtea...

Flexibility is not something you conjure in a moment of need. It is something that is developed and gathered like a resource when you least require it. 🙏 Today's Episode is Brought To you by: Compiler Compiler is a brand new podcast from RedHat where the hosts answer the most complicated questions about our work. Demystifying the tech industry, one question at a time! Find it wherever you downloa...

There is something almost pseudo-religious about talking about purpose that is easy to get hung up on, especially if you don’t consider yourself a particularly spiritual person. Purpose is often equated with some kind of externally designated path. We often think of purpose as something that is destined or otherwise set out before us. If you have been hesitant or afraid to explore your own purpose...

Our brain wants beliefs to stay the same. We don't want to change, and yet progress is dependent on change. That doesn't mean your beliefs are all wrong if you have had them for some amount of time. But confirmation of pre-existing beliefs can limit your growth and progress as an engineer and as a human being. Put your beliefs on trial. 📮 Ask a Question  If you enjoyed this episode and would like...

We see the world through stories. We communicate about the world through stories. So, the stories we tell turn out to be incredibly important to the way we operate in the world. ✨ Sponsor:   Gun.io Ever wanted to strike out on your own, but felt the overwhelming impossibility of doing every job you never wanted? Accounting, marketing, sales... If you're like many developers, you just want to focu...

If you wait until your tank is empty, you've created an urgent situation you could have avoided. Keep your tank full, early and often.   This applies to almost everything in our lives, but so often we sacrifice a full tank for some marginal gain. This leads to a scarcity mentality and a lack of flexibility.   What can you do to fill your tank?

The most critical career mistake you can make isn't a secret. Are you in control? If you aren't driving your career, who is? What if the best thing you could do was nothing? Not indefinitely, of course - but often, we intervene in the world when the right choice is to do nothing. This is uncomfortable because it is unfamiliar, but might be the most critical change you can make in your thought proc...

The romance of endless success is a broken picture of reality. Instead, focus on inviting failure and taking advantage of the opportunity it brings: the opportunity to take responsibility. ✨ Sponsor:   Gun.io Ever wanted to strike out on your own, but felt the overwhelming impossibility of doing every job you never wanted? Accounting, marketing, sales... If you're like many developers, you just w...

What are your ideals? For many people, ideals are fragile. The moment we see a hero fall, our own lives are immediately thrown into a state of confusion. Instead of having fragile ideals, we should explore the underlying motivations, and set ourselves up for dynamic ideals that don't break easily. 📮 Ask a Question  If you enjoyed this episode and would like me to discuss a question that you have...

Great questions trigger thought and further questions. In this episode, I pose 4 questions (and a bit of homework) to help you get a handle on where your career is headed. Whether you are in a transition point, at the beginning of your career, or in a senior role, these questions can help point you down the pathway to better understanding and clarity for where you stand today. 📮 Ask a Question  I...