Tools of The Effective Developer: Whetstones
As a programmer you are the ultimate software development tool, and like any tool you need regular care to stay effective. If you don’t invest enough in self-improvement you’ll end up useless, with a blunt sword. I’ve seen many programmers wielding blunt swords, unable to fight their ways out of old habits and paradigms. Don’t let that happen to you. Sharpen your sword regularly.
First and foremost you should take good care of your body. Health is the most important property, and it’s achieved with exercise, nutritious food, and enough sleep; The hallmarks of software developers. 😉
The second most important sharpening activity is constant learning. If we stop learning we become frozen in the slice of time we call life. So try to learn something new every day.
For me, the best way to acquire new knowledge is by reading books. Since I spend so much time in front of the computer screen, a book is a welcome break. I can bring it and read it wherever I want, including the bed and the toilet.
Acquiring knowledge is one thing, making it stick is another. If you want to keep your knowledge for a long time, you should practice. The most effective practice is to teach others what you know. Gather your workmates and hold a lecture, or write about it on your weblog.
If your company allows it, or if you’re lucky enough to have spare-time, make a hobby project. Try to implement something based on your new knowledge. Rereading is the worst kind of practice, but something I resort to sometimes.
My most used whetstones are reading, writing and running a million hobby projects. What are yours? Which ones would you like to have? It doesn’t matter how you do it, as long as you keep your sword sharp.
Previous posts in the Tools of The Effective Developer series:
- Tools of The Effective Developer: Personal Logs
- Tools of The Effective Developer: Personal Planning
- Tools of The Effective Developer: Programming By Intention
- Tools of The Effective Developer: Customer View
- Tools of The Effective Developer: Fail Fast!
- Tools of The Effective Developer: Make It Work – First!
Hey Hans, You are right… a healthy lifestyle and continue learning makes software development a cool job.