The latest articles on DEV Community by Debbie Whitaker (@debbie_whitaker_660b16098). https://dev.to/debbie_whitaker_660b16098 https://media2.dev.to/dynamic/image/width=90,height=90,fit=cover,gravity=auto,format=auto/https:%2F%2Fdev-to-uploads.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com%2Fuploads%2Fuser%2Fprofile_image%2F4106338%2F4a2c713d-c000-490d-b0f0-6ed935f55fc5.jpg https://dev.to/debbie_whitaker_660b16098 en Debbie Whitaker Sat, 05 Sep 2026 08:53:48 +0000 https://dev.to/debbie_whitaker_660b16098/the-15-minute-daily-log-that-keeps-my-side-projects-alive-1oa8 https://dev.to/debbie_whitaker_660b16098/the-15-minute-daily-log-that-keeps-my-side-projects-alive-1oa8 <p>I kept abandoning side projects until I started a dead-simple habit: a 15-minute daily log.</p> <h2> The rule </h2> <p>At the end of each coding session I write three lines in a plain markdown file:</p> <ul> <li> <strong>Done:</strong> what I actually finished today</li> <li> <strong>Next:</strong> the single next step</li> <li> <strong>Blocked:</strong> anything I'm stuck on</li> </ul> <p>That's it. No app, no dashboard.</p> <h2> Why it works </h2> <p>The "Next" line means I never open the editor to a blank mind. The "Blocked" line turns vague dread into a concrete question I can search or ask.</p> <p>After a month the log doubles as a changelog and a motivation boost. Give it a week.</p> probeginnerscareerductivity