Thoughts of a 40 years old software developer

Category: Books

  • How to Do Things You Hate: Lessons from Peter Hollins

    How to Do Things You Hate: Lessons from Peter Hollins

    It was one of those afternoons. Energy gone. Procrastination wrapping around me like chains. Bills on the table. Emails stacking. My workspace a battlefield of clutter. That’s when I hit play on Peter Hollins’ audiobook, How to Do Things You Hate.

    His voice wasn’t fluff. It wasn’t hype. It was real. Straight talk. Like a fellow warrior saying: Get up. Move forward. Stop hiding.

    And the lessons hit me like a wake-up call.

    1. Accept Discomfort

    Growth is pain. Hollins made it clear: it’s not about avoiding discomfort, it’s about owning it. You don’t need to like the task. You just need to face it. Every distasteful chore is training. Every moment of resistance is a chance to sharpen discipline.

    2. Win Small

    The mountain is climbed one step at a time. Hollins calls it the power of small wins. Break the beast into pieces. One bill. One email. One drawer organized. Stack victories. Momentum builds. Discipline compounds.

    3. Visualize Victory

    Before the fight, see the outcome. Hollins’ visualization exercises aren’t soft—they’re strategic. Picture the relief when the task is done. Picture the order after the chaos. That vision is fuel. It drags you forward when willpower runs dry.

    4. Stay Present

    The dread of a task is heavier than the task itself. Hollins taught mindfulness. Focus on the now. Not the dread. Not the what-ifs. Just the action in front of you. One breath. One movement. One stroke of the pen, one click of the key.

    5. Build the Growth Mindset

    Fixed mindset says, I can’t. Growth mindset says, I’ll learn. Hollins hammered this home. Every hated task is training. Every challenge is a chance to adapt, evolve, and strengthen.

    6. Prioritize with Clarity

    Chaos kills momentum. Clarity builds it. Hollins showed how to strip away noise and zero in on what matters most. Order the battlefield. Attack the high-value targets first.

    7. Reward Discipline

    Discipline is the foundation. But reward locks it in. Hollins stressed the power of positive reinforcement. Finish the job, then enjoy the win. Not before. Not during. After. That’s how you train the mind to embrace the grind.

    Final Thought

    Doing what you hate isn’t about tricks or hacks. It’s about discipline. It’s about confronting discomfort, stacking small wins, and owning the process. Hollins’ words are a reminder: stop waiting to feel motivated. Start moving. Motivation follows action.

    PS: take action right now:
    ☑︎ Start treating every hated task as training, a chance to learn, adapt, and grow.
    Write down this task now!

    Whats the task?

  • How to Finish Everything You Start

    How to Finish Everything You Start

    Jan Yager:

    1. Ruthless Prioritization: Not everything is equally important. Identify your core values and goals, then prioritize tasks that align with them. Learn to say “no” to commitments that don’t contribute to your priorities, avoiding overcommitment and scattered focus.

    2. Tame the To-Do List Monster: Break down large, overwhelming tasks into smaller, actionable steps. This makes them seem less daunting, clarifies the process, and provides a sense of accomplishment as you complete each step, keeping you motivated on the path to completion.

    3. Master Your Time Management: Develop effective strategies to utilize your time efficiently. Set realistic deadlines, schedule tasks strategically, and minimize distractions. Consider tools like time trackers and to-do list apps to stay organized and focused.

    4. Embrace the Growth Mindset: View challenges as opportunities to learn and grow, not roadblocks to success. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes; see them as stepping stones on your path. Celebrate progress, even small victories, and leverage setbacks as valuable learning experiences.

    5. Prioritize Self-Care: Don’t pour from an empty cup. Taking care of yourself physically and mentally is essential for sustained energy, focus, and motivation. This includes getting enough sleep, eating healthy foods, exercising regularly, and engaging in activities you enjoy.

    6. The Power of Collaboration: Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Delegate tasks when possible and leverage the expertise and support of others. Collaboration can lighten your workload, bring fresh perspectives, and accelerate progress towards your goals.

    7. Embrace Continuous Improvement: Reflect on your progress regularly and adjust your approach as needed. Be open to learning and adapting your strategies based on experience. Don’t be afraid to change your plans if they no longer serve you effectively.

    https://archive.org/details/finish-what-you-start-the-art-of/page/n11/mode/2up

  • Key Teachings of the Corpus Hermeticum:

    Key Teachings of the Corpus Hermeticum:

    The Corpus Hermeticum is a collection of writings attributed to Hermes Trismegistus, a legendary Hellenistic figure combining aspects of the Greek god Hermes and the Egyptian god Thoth. These texts cover various philosophical, spiritual, and mystical topics, and they have influenced a wide range of esoteric and philosophical traditions throughout histo

    1. Divine Wisdom and Knowledge:
      • The texts emphasize the pursuit of divine wisdom and understanding. They explore the nature of the divine, the cosmos, and the human soul.
      • Action: Engage in regular study and contemplation of the texts. Reflect on the nature of the divine and seek to understand deeper metaphysical truths.
    2. The Unity of All Things:
      • A central theme is the idea of the unity and interconnectedness of all things. The divine, the cosmos, and humanity are all interconnected parts of a single whole.
      • Action: Practice mindfulness and awareness of the interconnectedness of life. Foster a sense of unity and compassion in your interactions with others and the world.
    3. Spiritual Transformation:
      • The writings often focus on personal spiritual transformation and the ascent of the soul. This involves purifying oneself, attaining knowledge, and ultimately achieving unity with the divine.
      • Action: Develop a regular spiritual practice, such as meditation, prayer, or contemplation, aimed at personal growth and transformation.
    4. Gnosis (Knowledge):
      • Gnosis, or direct experiential knowledge of the divine, is a key goal. The texts encourage seekers to transcend ordinary understanding and attain deeper spiritual insights.
      • Action: Seek experiential knowledge through practices that promote direct inner experiences, such as meditation, contemplation, and other spiritual exercises.
    5. Moral and Ethical Living:
      • The Corpus Hermeticum advocates for living a virtuous and ethical life. It emphasizes the importance of virtues such as wisdom, truth, and purity.
      • Action: Cultivate virtues in your daily life. Strive to live with integrity, honesty, and compassion in all your actions.

    Action Plan for Engaging with the Corpus Hermeticum:

    1. Set Clear Intentions:
      • Define your goals for studying the Corpus Hermeticum. Are you seeking spiritual growth, deeper knowledge, or personal transformation? Setting clear intentions will guide your study and practice.
    2. Regular Study:
      • Dedicate regular time to reading and reflecting on the texts. Take notes, highlight key passages, and contemplate their meanings.
      • Consider reading reputable translations and commentaries to gain deeper insights.
    3. Meditation and Contemplation:
      • Incorporate meditation and contemplation into your routine. Use these practices to internalize and reflect on the teachings.
      • Focus on themes such as unity, divine wisdom, and personal transformation during your meditation sessions.
    4. Ethical Practice:
      • Apply the moral and ethical teachings in your daily life. Practice virtues such as honesty, integrity, and compassion in your interactions with others.
      • Reflect on your actions and strive to align them with the principles outlined in the texts.
    5. Seek Community and Guidance:
      • Engage with a community of like-minded individuals who are also interested in the Corpus Hermeticum. Join study groups, online forums, or attend workshops and lectures.
      • Consider seeking guidance from teachers or mentors who have a deep understanding of Hermetic philosophy.
    6. Integrate with Modern Life:
      • Find ways to integrate the teachings into your modern life. Balance your spiritual pursuits with your professional and personal responsibilities.
      • Use the insights gained from the Corpus Hermeticum to enhance your work, relationships, and overall well-being.

    By following this action plan, you can engage deeply with the Corpus Hermeticum and integrate its teachings into your life, fostering spiritual growth, wisdom, and personal transformation.

  • Essentialism

    Essentialism is a book by Greg McKeown that teaches you how to live a more meaningful and purposeful life by focusing on what is truly essential and eliminating everything else. Here is a possible summary and action plan based on the book:

    • Explore • Evaluate • Eliminate

    • Inspired • Talented • World needs to

    Summary:

    • Essentialism is not about doing more things, but doing the right things. It is a disciplined, systematic approach for determining where your highest point of contribution lies, then making execution of those things almost effortless.
    • Essentialism consists of three parts: essence, explore, and execute. Essence is the core mindset of an essentialist, which is to choose less but better. Explore is the process of discerning the vital few from the trivial many. Execute is the way of making doing the essential things easier and more enjoyable.
    • To become an essentialist, you need to challenge the assumptions and beliefs that drive you to do more, such as the fear of missing out, the desire to please others, or the illusion of control. You also need to reclaim your power to choose what matters to you and say no to what doesn’t.
    • Essentialism is not a one-time event, but a constant practice. It requires you to be vigilant about your priorities, to eliminate distractions and obstacles, and to create routines and systems that support your essential goals.

    Action Plan:

    • To apply essentialism in your life, you can start by following these steps:
      1. Define your purpose and vision. Write down what you want to achieve in your life and why it matters to you. This will help you to clarify your criteria for making decisions and to align your actions with your values.
      2. Audit your activities and commitments. Make a list of all the things you spend your time, energy, and resources on, both at work and at home. Then, evaluate each item based on how essential it is to your purpose and vision. Keep only the ones that are truly important and eliminate or delegate the rest.
      3. Schedule your priorities. Instead of letting your calendar be filled with other people’s agendas, plan your time around your most essential activities. Block out time for the things that matter most to you, such as your health, your family, your learning, or your creativity. Be flexible and adaptable, but also protect your time from interruptions and distractions.
      4. Simplify and streamline. Look for ways to make your life easier and more efficient. Reduce the number of options and decisions you have to make. Automate or outsource the tasks that are not essential. Create habits and routines that support your goals. Use tools and technology that enhance your productivity and effectiveness.
      5. Review and reflect. Regularly check your progress and results. Ask yourself what is working well and what needs improvement. Celebrate your wins and learn from your failures. Seek feedback and advice from others who share your vision or have achieved what you want. Adjust your strategy and actions as needed.

    If you want to learn more about essentialism, you can read the book or check out some of the web search results I found for you:

    Source: Conversation with Bing, 30/12/2023
    (1) Essentialism by Greg McKeown | Book Summary » The Process Hacker. https://theprocesshacker.com/blog/essentialism-book-summary/.
    (2) Essentialism by Greg McKeown – Summary & Notes – Graham Mann. https://www.grahammann.net/book-notes/essentialism-the-disciplined-pursuit-of-less-greg-mckeown.
    (3) Book Summary – Essentialism The Disciplined Pursuit of Less. https://readingraphics.com/book-summary-essentialism-the-disciplined-pursuit-of-less/.
    (4) Summary of “Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less” – Medium. https://medium.com/@blinkreadssummarys/summary-of-essentialism-the-disciplined-pursuit-of-less-fad51cf2a4bb.

  • Review of The Art of Loving by Erich Fromm

    I was recomended to read this book during the Da Vinci trainings. Tomas said it changes the way how you think about love and what is needed to cultivate it.

    Here is my action plan to changing your approach to loved ones based on the book The Art of Loving by Erich Fromm could look something like this:

  • Knygos

    Šias knygas galite rasti mano paskyroje https://www.sena.lt/grozine-literatura/coelho_paulo-alchemikas20040/1768488?edit=1
    Knygutės iš rūsio
    1990 ir vėlesnės knygos
    Klasikinė grožinė literatūra 1990 ir vėlesnė
    Dar kelios senos knygos iš grožinės literatūros žanro

  • Software engineering at Google

    Software Engineering at Google: Lessons Learned from Programming Over Time 

    “This book would not have been possible without the massive collaborative effort of our curators, authors, and editors. Although the authors and editors are specifically acknowledged in each chapter or callout, we’d like to take time to recognize those who contributed to each chapter by providing thoughtful input, discussion, and review.

    So maybe you want to take a look at those books

    What Is Software Engineering?: Sanjay Ghemawat, Andrew Hyatt

    Working Well on Teams: Sibley Bacon, Joshua Morton

    Knowledge Sharing: Dimitri Glazkov, Kyle Lemons, John Reese, David Symonds, Andrew Trenk, James Tucker, David Kohlbrenner, Rodrigo Damazio Bovendorp
    Engineering for Equity: Kamau Bobb, Bruce Lee

    How to Lead a Team: Jon Wiley, Laurent Le Brun
    Leading at Scale: Bryan O’Sullivan, Bharat Mediratta, Daniel Jasper, Shaindel Schwartz
    Measuring Engineering Productivity: Andrea Knight, Collin Green, Caitlin Sadowski, Max-Kanat Alexander, Yilei Yang
    Style Guides and Rules: Max Kanat-Alexander, Titus Winters, Matt Austern, James Dennett
    Code Review: Max Kanat-Alexander, Brian Ledger, Mark Barolak
    Documentation: Jonas Wagner, Smit Hinsu, Geoffrey Romer
    Testing Overview: Erik Kufler, Andrew Trenk, Dillon Bly, Joseph Graves, Neal Norwitz, Jay Corbett, Mark Striebeck, Brad Green, Miško Hevery, Antoine Picard, Sarah Storck

    Unit Testing: Andrew Trenk, Adam Bender, Dillon Bly, Joseph Graves, Titus Winters, Hyrum Wright, Augie Fackler
    Testing Doubles, Brad Green, Miško Hevery, Antoine Picard, Sarah Storck
    Unit Testing: Andrew Trenk, Adam Bender, Dillon Bly, Joseph Graves, Titus Winters, Hyrum Wright, Augie Fackler

    Testing Doubles: Joseph Graves, Gennadiy Civil
    Larger Testing: Adam Bender, Andrew Trenk, Erik Kuefler, Matthew Beaumont-Gay
    Deprecation: Greg Miller, Andy Shulman
    Version Control and Branch Management: Rachel Potvin, Victoria Clarke

    Code Search: Jenny Wang

    Build Systems and Build Philosophy: Hyrum Wright, Titus Winters, Adam Bender, Jeff Cox, Jacques Pienaar

    Critique: Google’s Code Review Tool: Mikołaj Dądela, Hermann Loose, Eva May, Alice Kober-Sotzek, Edwin Kempin, Patrick Hiesel
    Static Analysis: Jeffrey van Gogh, Ciera Jaspan, Emma Söderberg, Edward Aftandilian, Collin Winter, Eric Haugh

    Dependency Management: Russ Cox, Nicholas Dunn

    Large-Scale Changes: Matthew Fowles Kulukundis, Adam Zarek
    Continuous Integration: Jeff Listfield, John Penix, Kaushik Sridharan, Sanjeev Dhanda

    Continuous Delivery: Dave Owens, Sheri Shipe, Bobbi Jones, Matt Duftler, Brian Szuter

    Compute Services: Tim Hockin, Collin Winter, Jarek Kuśmierek

    Titus Winters. “Software Engineering at Google”.

    You can download it freely from: https://abseil.io/resources/swe_at_google.2.pdf