life lessons | Et Cetera

27 Jul

A Developer’s Impact

There are a few metrics in common use for gauging a developer’s ability: Proportion of success Years of experience Speed / efficiency Quality of code Fame or reputation Amount of code written Ability to think abstractly Different people and...
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29 Mar

Workaholics: Turn “want” into “must” to save your health.

It’s past midnight as I write this, so I know what I’m talking about when it comes to working hard. It’s surprisingly easy to get addicted to work and productivity (workaholism?), to the extent that any moment spent idle feels...
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15 Feb

Inspiration

Inspiration is a funny thing. Sometimes it comes and goes at a whim, rising and ebbing in the background until it hits fullforce like a wave, pushing you at its forefront toward your goals. Other times you feel it coming...
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7 Dec

On Persistence

There is a quote from one-time president Calvin Coolidge that I try to live my life by. The quote goes: Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful...
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5 Oct

Make Failure a Benefit: Harness the Misery of Rejection

Yes, this is in response to a recent event. No, I don’t want to talk about it — but I should. Recognize failure out loud, and you become its master. You apply for a job, you carefully craft your...
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29 Sep

Yes, being a digital nomad hurts

Digital nomadicy is not the easiest of lifestyles. You don’t know where you’ll be sleeping the next night. Your food sources are erratic at best. You have trouble maintaining relationships. Making sure you get work done...
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28 Sep

Failure in Focus

When I was between jobs and applying to new new ones daily, I maintained digital sticky notes on my laptop with info on my progress on each potential position, to stay organized. Then, whenever a job didn’t pan out,...
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