Tiago Bencardino

As I complete close to 22 years in the Software Industry and specifically in the realm of App Development, I wish I was told the following when I started: 1. Learn from other related areas like Psychology, Biology, Mechanics, Material Science. Stay curious to learn from what humans have discovered about this world. There is so much hidden science that can be used to our advantage, if only we uncover and become curious. Apply the Feynman thinking. 2. Read fiction and non-fiction in equal measures. Build your vocabulary of describing things not just in technical terms but also figuratively. Communication is a super-power in addition to being technical. 3. Experiment with things that you don't use at work. Build your skills on ancillary technologies so you can see how problems are solved with other tools. This is the Craftsman thinking needed to continuously hone your skills. 4. Learn to design if you are a developer. Learn to build in code, if you are a designer. Design + Code is a super-power to brings ideas to life. Anybody can learn anything, if curious. Don't put artificial mental boundaries just because of your previous training. Being a designer builds the craftsman attitude of refinement. Learn Typography, 3D modelling, Motion Graphics, Video Editing, Photography where this style of thinking is accepted as normal. 5. Solve problems 10X harder than what you are solving at work. This is the hard training needed to sharpen your skills. This is a common mindset in sports, where you train hard outside the ring and give your best shot on game day. For us, going to work is the game-day. Nights and weekends is the hard training time. 6. Learn Math. Specifically algebra, geometry, trigonometry, probability, statistics. Lot of 2D, 3D and Motion VFX is based on timing, positioning and math. It will help in creating more fluid, life-like interfaces. 7. Learn to write well in long form. Writing is Speaking slowed down. It gives time to put structure to our thoughts and choose the right words to describe things. The more your write, the more refined your mind becomes while speaking. This is just a real-world application of "Thinking Fast and Thinking Slow". Writing is slow, Speaking is fast. Train the mind on the "Slow processes", so it can be employed when using the "Fast processes". 8. Train your right brain. The right brain holds an inordinate capacity to connect unrelated concepts and ideas. When the traditional "left-brain" faculties fall short of coming up with a solution, the "right-brain" can help you make a breakthrough. Drawing, writing poetry, composing music, animation, etc. help in training the right brain. 9. Be a mentor. Share knowledge freely. This is not just about giving back to community. It also helps in identifying ones own blind/weak spots. Write blogs, books, speak at conferences/meetups, become a mentor to students, teach at schools or institutions. 10. Participate in Open Source development. This is just another way to improve your skills and also contribute to the community. It will also help build your résumé and make you an attractive candidate for companies looking to hire. More importantly, it will build confidence in you to do things publicly without fear! --- While you build yourself as a formidable force in the professional world, take time to enjoy life and relax. Focus on health and wellness, spend time with friends and family. Stay humble as you grow. Build a kinder version of yourself to help others where needed. Not everyone is as lucky and privileged. Learn daily. Grow daily. Do this and compound your growth over time! #lessons #softwaredevelopment #GrowthMindset