# The Modern Software Developer Sign up for mindset and wellbeing advice in software development and free mental health chats 💚. This is one page of public article previews, not the complete archive. Follow Next page to continue. Summaries are not the original full articles. ## Self-Employed back to Permanent Employment DevFeed: [Self-Employed back to Permanent Employment]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Richard Donovan Published: 2024-08-09T14:13:32Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [The Modern Software Developer]() Topics: [Software Engineering](), [Development]() Tags: [employment](), [engineering](), [mental-health](), [software-developer]() ### AI overview A software architect reflects on a three-year period as a mindset coach for software engineers and leaders, including its achievements and challenges. They conclude that market conditions and limited demand for mindset coaching have led them to seek permanent employment again, while rejecting the idea that the experience was a failure. ### Source excerpt Was it all just one giant failure? ## My Imposter Syndrome Story DevFeed: [My Imposter Syndrome Story]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Richard Donovan Published: 2024-05-20T10:52:00Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [The Modern Software Developer]() Topics: [Software](), [coding]() Tags: [developers](), [series](), [software]() ### AI overview The third part of an imposter syndrome series recounts the author's experience as a software engineer starting a new job. It describes how high expectations, working with highly regarded developers, and a difficult project intensified persistent self-doubt despite evidence of competence. ### Source excerpt This is the third part of my Imposter syndrome series. In this issue, we discover the very real impacts of imposter syndrome on software developers by weaving through my imposter syndrome story. ## 💚 Code Review: The Author: Mindset Matters DevFeed: [💚 Code Review: The Author: Mindset Matters]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: The Modern Software Developer Published: 2024-04-14T19:31:56Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [The Modern Software Developer]() Topics: [Code review](), [engineering-culture](), [Development]() Tags: [code-quality](), [code-review](), [knowledge-sharing](), [pull-request](), [skills]() ### AI overview This article examines code reviews from the code author's perspective, focusing on how mindset affects stress, receptiveness to feedback, learning, and continuous improvement. It discusses fixed-mindset reactions and recommends taking feedback constructively, asking for clarification, showing empathy toward reviewers, and taking ownership of code. ### Source excerpt Words < 1200 - Read time < 7 mins ## 💚 Code Review: The Reviewer: Mindset Matters DevFeed: [💚 Code Review: The Reviewer: Mindset Matters]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Richard Donovan Published: 2024-04-07T18:52:48Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [The Modern Software Developer]() Topics: [Code review](), [engineering-culture](), [Code quality](), [Development]() Tags: [code-quality](), [code-review](), [collaboration](), [effectiveness](), [growth-mindset](), [knowledge-sharing](), [maintainability](), [team-dynamics]() ### AI overview This article examines how a reviewer's mindset affects code reviews, team dynamics, morale, and feedback effectiveness. It contrasts fixed and growth mindsets and recommends constructive, specific, empathetic feedback focused on code quality, readability, maintainability, knowledge sharing, and continuous improvement. ### Source excerpt Words < 1100 - Read time < 6 mins ## 💚 A Developer's Guide To Setting Boundaries DevFeed: [💚 A Developer's Guide To Setting Boundaries]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Richard Donovan Published: 2024-03-20T15:02:05Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [The Modern Software Developer]() Topics: [Development](), [code productivity]() Tags: [developer](), [mental-health](), [practical](), [productivity](), [stress](), [work]() ### AI overview A practical guide for developers on setting and communicating personal boundaries to protect time, energy, mental health, and work-life balance. It describes common boundary violations and suggests calmly stating limits, expressing concerns, and proposing solutions aligned with personal values. ### Source excerpt Words < 1000 - Read time < 5 mins ## The 5-5-5 of Active Listening DevFeed: [The 5-5-5 of Active Listening]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Richard Donovan Published: 2024-03-08T13:30:32Z Content type: article Language: en Sources: [The Modern Software Developer]() Topics: [Development](), [Software Engineering](), [code productivity]() Tags: [collaboration](), [communication](), [productivity](), [software-development](), [team-dynamics](), [teams](), [trust]() ### AI overview An article explains active listening in software development teams through five benefits, five recommended practices, and five behaviors to avoid. It argues that active listening involves understanding words, tone, body language, and emotions, and can improve communication, collaboration, trust, team dynamics, project outcomes, and wellbeing. ### Source excerpt Words < 1150 - Read time < 6 mins ## Managing Stress in Software Development with Breathing Techniques DevFeed: [Managing Stress in Software Development with Breathing Techniques]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Richard Donovan Published: 2024-02-23T14:02:16Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [The Modern Software Developer]() Topics: [Development](), [Software Engineering]() Tags: [coding](), [development](), [health](), [stress]() ### AI overview This article explains how occupational stress affects software developers, including the effects of prolonged fight-or-flight activation and accumulated stress. It recommends breathing techniques such as the physiological sigh to promote relaxation and reduce stress. ### Source excerpt Words < 1000 - Read time < 5 mins ## Caffeine's Effects on Focus, Energy, Sleep, and Productivity DevFeed: [Caffeine's Effects on Focus, Energy, Sleep, and Productivity]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Richard Donovan Published: 2024-02-16T13:01:23Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [The Modern Software Developer]() Topics: [Software](), [coding]() Tags: [crashes](), [dependency](), [developer](), [energy](), [headaches](), [mood](), [productivity](), [software-developer]() ### AI overview This commentary examines caffeine's short-term effects on focus and energy, its relationship to adenosine and tiredness, and the risks of dependence, jitters, crashes, disrupted sleep, and morning grogginess. It recommends balancing intake to avoid overreliance. ### Source excerpt Words < 950 - Read time < 5 mins ## 💚 Big Changes - Continuous Improvement DevFeed: [💚 Big Changes - Continuous Improvement]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Richard Donovan Published: 2024-01-27T10:42:55Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [The Modern Software Developer]() Topics: [Software Engineering](), [Development](), [Test-driven development]() Tags: [changes](), [continuous](), [efficiency](), [software-developer](), [software-development](), [test]() ### AI overview The author describes applying continuous improvement to a software development newsletter by making the writing more concise, increasing publishing frequency gradually, using a consistent template, focusing on smaller topics, and helping readers act on the content. The article connects this approach to software development feedback loops and test-driven development. ### Source excerpt Words: < 1050 - Read time: < 5 mins ## Failure, Success and What to Expect in 2024 DevFeed: [Failure, Success and What to Expect in 2024]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Richard Donovan Published: 2023-12-31T17:24:28Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [The Modern Software Developer]() Topics: [Development](), [Software]() Tags: [collaboration](), [community](), [developer](), [development](), [fitness](), [mental-health](), [software-developer]() ### AI overview A personal reflection on the author's failures, successes, mindset, and priorities in 2023, along with plans for 2024 focused on community, collaboration, fitness, and mental health. ### Source excerpt Welcome back to The Modern Software Developer. ## Taking responsibility DevFeed: [Taking responsibility]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Richard Donovan Published: 2023-11-28T15:40:00Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [The Modern Software Developer]() Topics: [Software](), [Code]() Tags: [career](), [code](), [developer](), [health](), [software-developer](), [work]() ### AI overview An opinion article argues that taking responsibility for one's time, career, thinking, wellbeing, outcomes, relationships, and code can support personal growth and professional success. It presents responsibility as ownership of actions and decisions, with choices carrying consequences. ### Source excerpt With great responsibility, comes great power... ## How Productivity Metrics Can Undermine Software Development Teams DevFeed: [How Productivity Metrics Can Undermine Software Development Teams]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Richard Donovan Published: 2023-10-15T20:40:16Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [The Modern Software Developer]() Topics: [developer-productivity](), [Development](), [test-coverage]() Tags: [developer-productivity](), [metrics](), [test-coverage]() ### AI overview The article argues that conventional software-development productivity metrics can be harmful when turned into targets, particularly when used to assess individual developers. It says such measures can encourage gaming and fail to measure the outcomes leaders intend to assess. ### Source excerpt Welcome back to The Modern Software Developer. ## Senior Developer Archetypes - Which One Are You? DevFeed: [Senior Developer Archetypes - Which One Are You?]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Richard Donovan Published: 2023-09-30T08:00:15Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [The Modern Software Developer]() Topics: [Software](), [systems](), [coding]() Tags: [developer](), [senior-developer](), [software](), [software-developer](), [systems]() ### AI overview The article explores different senior developer archetypes and discusses the technical skills, industry experience, systems perspective, and broader responsibilities associated with the role. ### Source excerpt Welcome back to The Modern Software Developer. ## Avoiding The Classic Mid-Level Developer Trap DevFeed: [Avoiding The Classic Mid-Level Developer Trap]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Richard Donovan Published: 2023-08-19T09:12:22Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [The Modern Software Developer]() Topics: [Development](), [Job](), [Software Engineering](), [Learning]() Tags: [career](), [developer](), [job-titles](), [junior](), [learning](), [software-developer](), [tech-stack]() ### AI overview The article examines the ambiguity of the mid-level developer role and describes a "Mid-Level Developer Trap" that can lead to lost focus, demotivation, stalled learning, and job dissatisfaction. It characterizes mid-level developers as having experience with their tech stack, partial self-sufficiency, awareness of their capabilities, and the ability to research problems and seek help. ### Source excerpt Welcome back to The Modern Software Developer.