How to cope with anger and frustration as a dev?

Being a developer can be extremely satisfying at times. It can make you angry and frustrated at others. Not only bugs, but also conflicts with co-workers.

What are your coping strategies for dealing with negative feelings, like anger and frustration?

Comments

[𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐞 𝐝𝐞 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐝]

Walking. If you're getting so frustrated and angry that you can't concentrate, then go for a walk.

Though personally I feel these emotions are very "strong", and really shouldn't be found in the workplace. If you frequently find yourself feeling angry or frustrated at work, then you may have to consider some emotional training.

[Médéric Burlet]

Bugs

• Stress ball: When trying to fix a stressful bug I sometimes have one of those stress balls that I grip
• Another perspective: Even if a colleague or friend hasn't coded or checked the place where the bug is, if you explain carefully they might ask you to check something you haven't checked before.
• Take a break: If you are stuck on something take a breather, go outside for short walk, make yourself a coffee, have a smoke, whatever suits your boat.

Relations

Whether it be colleagues or clients this are some things I learnt which helped me a lot.

• Humans are never satisfied: Make sure when someone wants you to do something that they communicate a clear idea in detail of what they want. Say it back to them in other words and if they agree write an email (to leave a paper trace) and ask them to validate one last time.
• Git blame is your friend but not your solution: It can happen that sometimes you get blamed for a bug or a bad written code. Git blame it and check if it was you if it wasn't don't directly blame as this will escalate. Send an email saying checking the history XXX has made this function this way and ask him if there is a reason he did it this way. Explain you are tasked to solve this issue or rewrite and you simply asking more information (loop in your manager).
• Queue it: If you need to write back a comment or email but you are angry at what the client or colleague said, queue it. In the sense write the message then save it and wait few hours for the anger to have faded and re-read your message very often you will notice the tone is too straight and violent. Make the proper changes then send the message.

I have a few more tips and tricks but the comment is starting to be lengthy so might as well make a post later about it.

[Bruno A.]

Wow!! I like this!