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Standout as a Junior Engineer: Work slower to grow faster

Jake Page on June 03, 2024

I recently finished one of the most important books I think I’ll read this year. Slow productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout ...
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z2lai • • Edited

Love that meme about typing vs thinking. Best article on dev.to ive read this year. There probably is a direct correlation between how much you type vs think and how good at programming you become as you progress from coding monkey to senior developer.

I've probably progressed backwards in the first three years of my career. Being given multiple projects to work on simultaneously and doing quick shallow work to meet deadlines, learning nothing and eventually burning out to the point where my productivity and ability to learn is screwed by my terrible health. Now im taking it slow, very slow, and I'm starting to be more productive than I ever was and finally producing work that I'm proud of, in between the bad days of brain fog I still get every week.

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Jake Page •

Thanks a million for the feedback Eben!

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Juraj •

Shutdown rituals are underrated.
Great post!

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Jake Page •

They sure are! Thanks Juraj

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vincanger •

yeah this is solid advice. good reminder to reconsider how I work.

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Ndeye Fatou Diop •

Such an amazing post 😌

Totally agree with you!

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Jake Page •

Huge thanks Ndeye!

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Micah •

so much helpful information here! Adopting even a couple of these habits will make a difference in your day to day experience at work and your long term career trajectory

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Jake Page •

Huge thanks Micah!

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Not-yourCoder •

Don't mind me but i read this while i
I was in toilet. Great one.

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Manuel Ibidun •

Amazing post! Thank you for summarizing the book so well 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

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Manuel Ibidun •

Pairing time blocking with pomodoro has worked really well for me. And by the way, the tips are equally useful for senior level developers too

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Jake Page •

Happy to hear that Manuel! Thanks

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Mitchell Mutandah •

Great article. Very helpful information!

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Ansh Saini •

Shutdown Rituals just might be the thing I need. Thank you!

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Konadu Akwasi Akuoko •

Thanks, much needed advice in the age of distractions

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Jake Page •

Cheers Konadu

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Elvis Gatere Kinyanjui •

So good!!!

Thanks Jake!

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Honoré SOKE •

To be productive, I just buy a pack of apples and hang them along the wall. Every daily success earns me the right to eat my favorite fruit. Now I undestand that many others way are out there. Thank

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Andrade Sampaio •

Congratulations for the post.

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Jake Page •

Valeu mesmo Andrade