DEV Community: Wilson Cazarré

Eliminating distractions to increase productivity

Wilson Cazarré — Mon, 01 Jun 2020 00:34:56 +0000

A few years ago I used to think that productivity was totally bounded to hard skills and how you deal with problems from a technical point of view. Recently I'm discovering that this is half true. As Cal Newport described in the very well written "Deep Work" focus is the main key to get your work done, and mostly it's rare to find out and by consequence it has to be valued. The reason for that is that no matter how good are the courses and books that you are giving to someone. If that person can't focus on it's work then is a useless investment.

To achieving what is called the mentioned "deep focus", Newport describe a set of disciplines called The Four Disciplines of Execution (4DX):

1 - Focus on the wildly important

I always had a problem with focusing on my current task. The reason for that is that I rarely summarized what my priorities were and what I was trying to accomplish. Focus the important and throw away the garbage is not just important to complete your goal, but to keep your sanity and not become overwhelmed.

2 - Act-on the lead measures

Always follow the plan no matter what and more important than this, be ready to act in what you have in hands at that exact moment. Identify where you are NOW is so important as realize where you will going to be AFTER.

3 - Keep a Compelling Scoreboard

Is important to have some measure tool to your task for the two main reasons:

We are more motivated to do some work by simply having a absolute number of our "impact" in that current task
This way we can easily visualize our current lead and as said in rule number 2, act on it.

4 - Create a Cadence of Accountability

Last but definitely not least create a rhythm. It's impossible to some system work out of sync with different parts working on different instructions and flows. Just think about the human body and how all workflow is centralized in the brain.

This step talk about how important is to check out your calender and report problems to keep sure you are STILL in the plan.

In conclusion

Deep work is a superpower, but one that can be taught and with the right discipline, achieved by any person at any field of knowledge. Know where you want to go is important because you can always be one step ahead and consequently never be taken down.

Getting things done (in the right way)

Wilson Cazarré — Sun, 31 May 2020 23:50:40 +0000

In this post, I will cover the method described in the book Doing things by David Allen. I want to discuss this method, showing its key parts, as well as talking about a personal experience of mine.

When thinking about Allen's method, it is important to always keep the following thought in mind: doing things should be simple, how to define what "done" means (the goal you want to achieve) and how you will achieve that specific goal (the " doing "to see).

This week, at the code company I work for, I faced a focus problem. My work at this company includes (but is not limited to) researching performance issues and figuring out how to make our code faster. The performance problem is that it is never an explicit problem. Instead, you're more likely to be looking for a problem where everything seems to be working normally.

The reason I went through this focus problem was because I didn't stop and asked "what is my problem here and what am I trying to achieve?" He was giving me a piece of software to analyze and find out what might or might not be causing a performance problem. I got stuck. By trying figure out all the problem at once, I became overwhelmed with a task that should be simple actually.

After that event I take a step back and start to trace a plan that would lead to a more precise and concise goals. I achieve that after a research throughout the thought process described by Allen:

Capture

When facing a problem, try to catch whatever it is in your attention. What first caught up your sight is usually important.

Clarify

After you find a small problem you need to understand what it truly means. This is the step that I've failed. I start to just "capture" things without a full understanding of what it would lead me to.

Organize

Now it's the time where you grab the thing you just find out and put it where it belongs. This process is important because here you define what is priority and what can be done later, or even by someone else.

Reflect

It's important review your process and tasks after writing down a new task, to make sure you will not be overwhelmed by all your tasks.

Engage

Simply do it. Without further ado start to work in your task, always going back and fourth in your plan to make sure you're still in the right path.

Conclusion

By summary what can be said: every time you became overwhelmed by a task, take a step back and do a detailed plan. Filter what is important and what is not priority. Always write down new ideas, don't keep to yourself because you simply are not that trusty; your notebook is your best friend.
With this simple process in mind you are going be able to crack down difficult task and come with a solution to almost every problem that you find from now on.

The 3G way: why invest in proactive people gives the best outcome

Wilson Cazarré — Mon, 04 May 2020 05:45:26 +0000

The 3G Way is a book by Francisco S. Homem de Mello, where the author gives us an overview of the way of management and culture of 3G Capital, a Brazilian-American multibillion-dollar investment firm. Trough these pages Fransisco describes what makes this company so successful. Let's take a look at this profitable approach.

3G capital has something that I'm definitely searching for in a company: Meritocracy. Instead of just rewarding people by their time in the company or general experience time, they choose to reward by their proactive and by how good work they are, no matter of time or hierarchy. Talented people are given credit just by their accomplishments.

And why is this concept so fundamental in a company? Simple, treat people in this way encourages proactiveness, competition and also makes the communication more open in general. You are sure that if you do a good job you'll definitely get something out of it.

Another way 3G capital uses to improve communication is informality. When you simplify the process of communication of let's say, a junior with a senior developer, you are letting this junior has more space to develop himself and most importantly, learn from experience with the hope that one day he also achieve a high position job.

Candor is another strong word in 3G capital's vocabulary. With the main goal of minimizing conflicts and make things simples, they invest in transparency where the information can be easily understood, without unnecessary complexity.

In short, the 3g way can be described as a method where you guide the worker to a more open space of thought, without complications and giving to him all the resources that he needs to be the best worker. If all of this work out you have a happy employee, proactive and able to handle different types of challenge. It's just the dream of all the workers I guess. Be recognized by doing his job, and doing it great.

An overview of different types of personality

Wilson Cazarré — Mon, 04 May 2020 04:01:55 +0000

Recently I've had a course on Carrer and Personality Profiles by Dr. Luiz Hanns. In that course, I was presented with a different view of personalities based on your way of thinking about a business in general.

Dr. Luiz summarize those personalities as follow:

Entrepreneur by nature: those who are more likely to get into self-business based on a biological or more often, environmental condition.
Entrepreneur by needing: those who don't actually search for self-business their whole life, but instead saw a good opportunity to make a profitable business out of an idea.

There's yet another type that caught me the attention: the scientist. According to Dr. Hanns, this type is moved by a riddle, an idea per see. When they like their search field and what they do nothing can stop them and it's almost certain that they are going to be the best in their field.

I always considered myself a lover of basically everything related to the technology industry. After my technical course on mechatronics, I discovered a whole bunch of different areas that I could work with but still stick to the engineering field. That's why I choose to go to the Computer field of engineering. The feeling that the possibilities are endless was always what moved me in the first place. So based on Dr. Hans's talk, I definitely consider myself a scientist.

Hans also takes time to talk about 6 traits that are needed to get higher jobs positions, which I'll try to describe myself:

Engagement in experiment and get new knowledge: I think that this is the trait that is more vivid on me. I'm always open to trying new things and see what we can get from it.
Wish for independence: this is basically talking about being proactive. Every time that I see a problem that I got previously knowledge on it, I usually stand front it.
Interpersonal skill/emotional intelligence: this is the most tricky of the 6 to me. I usually know how to deal well with critics and opinions from outside, but at the inside, I'm constantly charging myself, and sometimes I can get frustrated with when I can't get the job done. This usually means that I put some effort into the wrong way.
Frustration: it's basically the same relation as stated above, I can adapt well to circumstances, but know that a whole project fails because of me always let me down.
Relation with error: every time that I have the spaces and resources necessary to explore and go deeper into a problem, I run for it. It's a waste of time not to try something just because of the fear of committing a mistake.
Planning: this is just the most important part of any project. If you don't have a plan, you'll not just be more error-prone (which again, can lead to unnecessary frustration) but also will have no counter answer for when things get of control.

Conclusion

That study was a good experience of realization. Know a little more of yourself is the key to getting better not just in the professional approach, as well in the personal approach.

Lições do Vôlei ao jogo da vida

Wilson Cazarré — Sun, 03 May 2020 23:36:25 +0000

Trasnformando Suor em Ouro é um livro escrito por Bernardo Rocha de Rezende, o renomado técnico da seleção brasileira, Bernardinho. O livro nos conta a sua trajetória desde de sua faculdade até as dificuldades que passou para obter os tão sonhados títulos mundiais.

O que chama atenção nesse livro não é apenas o quão impressionante a carreira de Bernardinho foi, mas como cada ideia fundamental de Bernardinho pode ser aplicada em nossa vida, independente da sua área ou carreira:

Trabalho + Talento = Sucesso

Essa ideia parte do pressuposta que sem esforço é impossível realmente se destacar em algo. Não importa o que você esteja buscando, deve se prender aquilo obstinadamente e sempre se esforçar para melhorar. Seu sucesso não será definido pelo o que as pessoas dizem de você nem por um dom que você acredita não ter. Com o esforço necessário todos podemos nos tornar grandes líderes, dentro e fora do campo. A questão aqui é se você está disposto ou não a pagar o preço e lutar pelo que almeja.

Você não pode estar limitado ao seu sucesso

Um dos fatores com maior potencial para destruir a ascenção profissional de uma pessoa é a zona de conforto. De maneira análoga, a única pessoa com real potencial para destruir sua carreira é você mesmo. Não devemos nos limitar a uma vitória - seja ela grande ou pequena - devemos estar sempre buscando mais, se nos esforçamos e superamos um desafio é sinal de que novos desafios maiores nos aguardam, e que consequentemente irão requerer mais esforço.

Esforço coletivo é a chave para não se desgatar individualmente

Nunca tentar abraçar o mundo sozinho é uma das regras pela qual eu vivo. Tenho total ciência do esforço que faço para alcançar minhas metas e da mesma forma sei que sozinho, esse esforço é inútil. No final de uma partida de vôlei não importa quantos pontos um indivíduo fez, apenas o do seu time.

A expectativa precede a frustração

Definir metas ousadas é uma ótima maneira de se forçar a aprimorar. Porém metas irreais apenas acarretam em frustração e desgaste emocional. Sempre saiba aonde quer chegar, mas ainda mais importante, como chegar, dessa forma você saberá os passos que deve executar e além disso, o que pode dar errado. Isso apenas dará mais clareza para a sua mente entender o que e como deu errado, evitando a frustração desnecessária.

Conclusão

Esse livro não é apenas uma lição para os esportes, mas uma lição para vida. Um exemplo claro, e firme de que com esforço é possível atingir qualquer objetivo. Bentinho é definitivamente um exemplo a ser lembrado pelos brasileiros e pelo mundo.

A different approach to productivity in the workplace

Wilson Cazarré — Sun, 03 May 2020 01:12:41 +0000

Joy Inc. tells us the history of Menlo Innovations from the point of view of its CEO, Rich Sheridan, and how he was able to provide a workplace that has the feeling that we're all looking for. Instead of just put pressure and create almost a hostile environment for its co-workers - as many companies do - Sheridan decides to look at the situation from a different angle. What if we could bring happiness to the workplace and STILL keep our numbers high? That's what he did.

Let's see why this works so well at Menlo Innovations. It's possible to summarize Rich's approach into some key points:

Motivated workers = more engaged workers

First, let's talk about motivation. I always find difficult to work in something that I don't love at all. Even when I get the job done, I have never felt it fulfill. In other words, I would never be able to be the best in something that I didn't see meaning, or just don't like it. Joy is the key to find meaning in that you do, thus, the key to motivation. A more motivated worker means someone who is able to drive its creativity to the maximum level, and do things that another co-worker wouldn't think or just wouldn't care enough to do.

Flexibility in the workplace means more creativity overall

Would you rather work in a dark and windowless or in an open space where you feel more comfortable and relaxed? I'm guessing the first one. The primary goal to redesign Menlo's office was to give their co-workers more freedom to even redesign the place if necessary. That freedom in their space means freedom in their mind. A more open and enjoyable space gives you all the flexibility that you need to come up with new and fresh ideas!

Communication is everything

This concept of workplace also brings another advantage: open communication. In Menlo, this process is done through a _high-speed voice technology which allows them to avoid conflicts and misunderstanding instructions. This goes against many companies' communication systems, which are done by email or things like that. Theses techniques can be error-prone and also since the writing is the most difficult type of communication, it's far more difficult to ensure that all the employees are on the same page.

Teamwork - you are never working alone here

At Menlo, each employee works in pairs and each pair has its computer. This is done for a couple of reasons. First is less likely that for you to commit a mistake since you always got someone on your back, helping you out. It's also a technique for improving communication between co-workers which creates a more enjoyable space overall. Also, every week they change partners which helps them to built new relationships and gain more experience.

Conclusion

Joy is the key to change the world. Is the only thing that can ensure that your co-worker will give their best, always. Rich Sheridan's company culture not only proves that as well serves as an inspiration that can lead to real changes in the workplace and consequently the world.