Develpreneur: Become a Better Developer and Entrepreneur

In this episode of the Building Better Developers podcast, co-hosts Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche dig into one of the most underused but powerful tools for business improvement: retrospectives. Whether you’re a startup founder, a seasoned project manager, or a solo entrepreneur, retrospectives are essential for continuous growth and team alignment. This post captures the key takeaways from the episode and the challenge they leave for listeners at the end. 🔍 What are Retrospectives? In agile development, retrospectives are a regular part of the process. At the end of each sprint, the team takes time to reflect on what went well, what didn’t, and what we can improve. However, Rob and Michael point out that this practice shouldn’t be limited to software teams. Every business project—from product launches to marketing campaigns—deserves a structured review. Retrospectives help answer the most important question: How can we be better next time? Retrospectives in the Real World Rob shares a recent personal anecdote from a hockey game. A late penalty call—after video review—proved that sometimes the real story only becomes clear in hindsight. Similarly, project issues may only reveal their full impact when the dust settles. Michael echoes this by discussing his struggle to disconnect from work, even after projects wrap. He emphasizes that finishing a project isn’t the end—it’s the beginning of learning. 🔧 How to Run an Effective Business Retrospective 1. Gather a Paper Trail Pull together your milestones, status updates, emails, Slack threads, and anything else that shows how the project unfolded. Don’t rely on memory alone. 2. Look at the Whole Timeline Too often, retrospectives focus only on the final sprint or the last few weeks. Instead, start at the beginning. What was your original estimate? What changed? 3. Invite Honest Feedback Michael stresses the importance of creating a “safe space” where everyone can share the good, bad, and ugly without fear of blame. “This is not the time to get emotional,” he says. “It’s time to get real.” 💡 Callout: “If your retrospective is all rainbows and unicorns, dig deeper. There’s always room to improve.” — Rob Broadhead 4. Document Lessons Learned After everyone has shared their thoughts, organize your notes into action items. What will you do differently next time? What can you improve today? 5. Prioritize for Change Don’t try to fix everything. Choose 2–3 key areas for improvement and build them into your next plan. Track these changes across future projects to see if the issues were one-offs or trends. 🧩 Common Pitfalls and Hidden Insights Many teams avoid retrospectives because they fear confrontation. But avoiding discomfort now only leads to bigger problems later. Michael highlights one big cause of project failure: misaligned talent. Assigning the wrong developer to a tech stack they don’t know can derail months of work. Other questions to ask: Did we start testing at the right time? Did we bring the right people in early enough? Were our environments ready when needed? These aren’t just technical issues—they’re signs of process breakdowns that can be corrected if surfaced honestly. 🎯 Episode Challenge: Your Mini Retrospectives At the end of the episode, Rob offers a challenge: Take 15–20 minutes today to reflect on your last project. What went well? What went poorly? What would you do differently next time? Even if the project was months ago, the process of reflecting can help you identify what to change, and remind you to document better for next time. 📝 Pro Tip: Don’t wait until the end of a long project. Build mini-retrospectives into your workflow every few weeks. Final Thoughts This episode of Building Better Developers is a call to action: don’t waste your hard-earned experience. Capture it, learn from it, and grow. Whether managing a dev team, running a startup, or building your brand, retrospectives are the secret weapon for smarter, more effective business decisions. Ready to improve your next project? Start with your last one. 📩 Keep Building Better Subscribe to the Building Better Developers podcast for more actionable insights on product strategy, technology leadership, and business growth. Have feedback or questions? Reach out at info@develpreneur.com—the team would love to hear from you! Additional Resources Prepare For Your Retrospective Moving Forward – Releasing Past Mistakes Learning From Your First Business Building Better Businesses – With Bonus Content

In a recent episode of the Building Better Developers podcast, Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche explore the value of a business tune-up—a mid-year check-in designed to help business owners realign with their goals, improve operations, and reduce waste. Whether your business is thriving or simply coasting, regular evaluations can uncover blind spots, highlight new opportunities, and help you operate more effectively. What Is a Business Tune-Up? Rob Broadhead describes a business tune-up as a strategic assessment of your company’s core elements—from technology and marketing to compliance and overall alignment with your mission. It’s not just about checking sales metrics. It’s about asking: Are we still aligned with our mission? Is our customer experience consistent and strong? Are we positioned for sustainable growth? This type of review should happen at least once or twice a year and can often be completed in 30 minutes or less. Business Tune-Up Step 1: Review Your Website and Messaging Your website is often a potential customer's first interaction with your business. Rob recommends reviewing: Site functionality and uptime Messaging and value proposition Blog content freshness Design consistency and branding Walk through your website as if you were a first-time visitor. Does it clearly explain what you do? Are there outdated blog posts or confusing navigation paths? Business Tune-Up Step 2: Audit Subscriptions and Expenses Michael Meloche shares how he routinely reviews business expenses to identify unnecessary costs and expired tools. He recommends: Reviewing all active services and tools Identifying subscriptions no longer in use Evaluating recurring expenses for ROI Many businesses waste hundreds or even thousands per year on forgotten tools. This step alone can have an immediate financial impact. Business Tune-Up Step 3: Adjust for Growth and Scale If your business is growing, your infrastructure should grow with it. Michael emphasizes reviewing internal workflows and team bandwidth to determine if: It’s time to hire additional help or virtual assistants Agile practices and documentation need improvement Your current tools can be consolidated or upgraded Rob notes that as businesses grow, systems that worked early on can quickly become limiting. Simplifying and integrating tools may offer greater efficiency and ROI. Business Tune-Up Step 4: Check for Compliance and Security Staying compliant is essential, especially in regulated industries like healthcare, finance, and technology. Your compliance check should include: Reviewing certifications and licenses Verifying software updates and security patches Staying informed on new industry regulations Neglecting updates or certifications can lead to legal issues or vulnerabilities. Keeping up with best practices ensures stability and avoids disruptions. Business Tune-Up Step 5: Refresh Marketing and Outreach Marketing is often neglected during busy periods, but it shouldn’t be. Key areas to review: Campaign performance (email, PPC, content) Social media presence and engagement Follow-up processes for leads Marketing funnels and conversion paths Michael reminds listeners that maintaining an active presence—even in slower seasons—can generate new leads and keep your brand top of mind. Episode Challenge: Complete a 30-Minute Business Tune-Up Rob concludes the episode with a simple but impactful challenge: Take 15 to 30 minutes this week to perform a business tune-up. Review your website, marketing, expenses, workflows, and compliance. Even small improvements can generate new opportunities, cut costs, or increase performance. Stay Connected We want to hear from you. Whether you’ve completed a business tune-up or have questions about how to start, reach out: Email: info@develpreneur.com X (formerly Twitter): @develpreneur YouTube: Developer Podcast Channel LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/develpreneur/ Final Thoughts A business tune-up doesn’t require massive changes, but it can drive significant results. Taking a step back helps ensure that your tools, team, and tactics support your long-term vision. Use this moment to clean up, recalibrate, and prepare for the next growth phase. Additional Resources Reflect on How To Become More Effective, Then Tune And Adjust A Solid Restart – Stop, Plan, Reset, Go Habit Review for Developers: Boost Productivity and Build Better Workflows Building Better Businesses – With Bonus Content

In this episode of Building Better Developers, Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche explore impostor syndrome—a challenge many entrepreneurs and leaders silently struggle with. You're not alone if you’ve ever felt unworthy of success or like you don’t belong. Why Impostor Syndrome Appears After Success Impostor syndrome tends to show up at the most inconvenient times, usually after a win. You’ve landed a big client or completed a major project, but instead of confidence, you feel doubt. Michael identifies three primary triggers: Burnout – You’re stretched too thin and start to question your ability. Lack of direction – Uncertainty about what’s next fuels anxiety. Criticism – Negative feedback sticks harder than positive progress. 💡 “You may not feel different, but your momentum is finally paying off.” – Rob Broadhead The Risk of Ignoring Impostor Syndrome in Business Rob explains that impostor syndrome can derail progress. It causes you to second-guess your success and stalls the rhythm that helped you grow. Michael shares a personal story: after rising to a leadership role in healthcare, he left, not because of performance, but because the toxic environment fed his self-doubt. Sometimes, impostor syndrome is triggered by external circumstances, not internal flaws. Reframing Impostor Feelings Into Growth Rob reminds us that comparison is dangerous. Your story is unique, and judging your path against others only fuels impostor syndrome. He encourages a mindset shift: Your success is valid, even if it came suddenly. Momentum often builds quietly, then breaks through. You’re not an impostor—you’ve grown into your potential. 🎯 “You’re not an impostor. You’re someone who showed up every day and kept going.” Your Weekly Challenge: Reflect on Impostor Moments This week’s challenge is about introspection: Are you experiencing impostor syndrome right now? What triggered it—stress, fear, criticism? What can you do today to take a confident step forward? Identifying patterns and acknowledging your achievements can turn doubt into fuel for progress. Don’t Face Impostor Syndrome Alone Michael’s advice? Getting perspective and support from someone who knows your journey, whether it’s a mentor, close friend, or coach, can help you reset and regain clarity. Final Thoughts: You’re Not an Impostor—You’re Evolving Feeling like an impostor doesn’t mean you don’t belong—it means you’re growing. That discomfort is a sign that you’re stepping into new territory. Own it. Embrace it. Use it. 📩 Keep Building Better Subscribe to the Building Better Developers podcast for more actionable insights on product strategy, technology leadership, and business growth. Have feedback or questions? Reach out at info@develpreneur.com—the team would love to hear from you! Additional Resources Navigating Difficult Conversations: Insights from the Building Better Developers Podcast Managing Stress Through A Calculated Approach Stop Chasing Your Tail: How To Reset Your Progress Without Panicking Building Better Businesses – With Bonus Content

In this episode of Building Better Developers, Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche explore what it means to go off the rails in business—and how to get back on track. From chaotic workloads to scattered thinking, they break down the signs, the causes, and the concrete steps to help you regain control and clarity. 💡 Quick Insight: Even your best efforts can feel like spinning wheels when your business is off track. The key is not to do more—it’s to refocus. What Does It Mean to Be Off the Rails in Business? The phrase “off the rails in business” describes a common but serious problem: you’re working harder, but falling further behind. Maybe your to-do list never ends, deadlines slip, and your downtime feels exhausting. As Rob describes, it’s like switching website themes and ending up in a rabbit hole of distractions and rework. Michael shares his moment of derailment—a single ticket turned time sink—which echoes what many developers and business owners experience. One task hijacks your attention and throws everything else out of balance. Why Multitasking Pushes You Off the Rails in Business A major contributor to chaos? Multitasking. Michael debunks the multitasking myth: “If you’re juggling two complex problems, you’re not being productive—you’re just dividing your brainpower.” Context-switching slows you down and increases stress. Instead of progress, you get fatigue and frustration. 🧠 Callout: Proper focus means doing one thing at a time. You’re faster, sharper, and more likely to finish well. Warning Signs You’re Off the Rails in Business Rob explains how overwhelm sneaks in. It might start with 40 hours a week and creep up until you’re doing 80—without even noticing. Suddenly, tasks pile up faster than you can finish, and you end up playing catch-up 24/7. Michael adds that sleep and downtime become less restorative. Even off the clock, your brain replays task lists or stress dreams. That’s a clear signal you’ve gone off the rails in business. Look out for: Long hours with diminishing returns Frustration when trying to prioritize No mental separation between work and rest A lack of meaningful task completion Simple Ways to Reset When You’re Off the Rails in Business This episode isn’t just about recognizing the chaos but fixing it. ✅ Start with a Simple List Michael emphasizes returning to basics: create a short, actionable to-do list. Rob recommends the “eat the frog” technique—do the most challenging task first, then build momentum. ✅ Cut Inputs and Distractions Turn off notifications, close unnecessary tabs, and silence nonessential communications. Michael even suggests shrinking your screen: fewer distractions = more done. ✅ Limit Your Workspace Work in a smaller, quieter space. Avoid mixing leisure with labor. If you game or relax in the same space you code, your brain won’t reset. ✅ Accept You Can’t Do It All Rob offers a hard truth: sometimes you must take the loss. Focus on finishing the most important thing. Trying to do everything means finishing nothing. Final Thoughts: Reset, Don’t Burn Out When you’re off the rails in business, doing more won’t solve it. Instead, stop. Focus. Simplify. Get a small win and build momentum from there. 📝 Challenge of the Week: Every morning, take 2 minutes to assess your mental state. How do you feel? What one thing must get done today? Write it down—and do only that. 📩 Keep Building Better Subscribe to the Building Better Developers podcast for more actionable insights on product strategy, technology leadership, and business growth. Have feedback or questions? Reach out at info@develpreneur.com—the team would love to hear from you! Additional Resources Stop Chasing Your Tail: How To Reset Your Progress Without Panicking A Solid Restart – Stop, Plan, Reset, Go PTO Taking Breaks: Why You Need More Than a Long Weekend Building Better Businesses – With Bonus Content

In this episode of the Building Better Developers podcast, Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche discuss one of the most underrated leadership and communication skills in business: reading the room. Whether you’re pitching a project, leading a team meeting, or giving a client presentation, understanding how your audience is responding in real time is the key to success. This episode bridges the gap between performance, perception, and persuasion—and shows why paying attention is as important as being heard. 💡 Quick Insight Reading the room is about adapting your message on the fly to match your audience’s energy, reactions, and needs. What Does “Reading the Room” Actually Mean? Rob begins by defining the concept: reading the room means understanding how your audience receives your message. It’s not just about knowing your content—it’s about learning how it’s landing. Are they bored, intrigued, confused, or excited? Simple cues like body language, eye contact, note-taking, and facial expressions help you determine whether to stay the course or pivot. For example, if you present a design idea and mention it being “purple,” and everyone suddenly frowns or checks their phone—that’s your cue to reconsider the color scheme. Use Simple Cues to Gauge Reactions ✅ Positive indicators: Smiles, nods, focused eye contact, and laughter ❌ Negative indicators: Looking at phones, crossed arms, blank stares, groans Michael’s Take: Lead With Engagement Michael points out that comics have long understood the value of “testing the waters.” His advice: begin with something interactive—an icebreaker, a question, or a relatable story. This will give you early insight into the audience’s energy and mood. However, be mindful of selective engagement. Calling on introverts or hesitant individuals can backfire. Know your audience, and engage accordingly. 🎯 Pro Tip Start with a relatable topic—weather, local sports, or a widely shared frustration. Use this to connect with the audience before diving into deeper content. Practical Tips to Build Your Room-Reading Skills Rob and Michael offer several techniques that anyone—developer, team lead, manager, or entrepreneur—can use to sharpen their ability to read the room: Observe before you act: Quietly watch how people interact at the start of the meeting. Look for patterns: Is one side of the room more responsive? Use humor strategically: A shared laugh can unite the room quickly. Adjust mid-stream: If you lose the room’s energy, switch gears. 🧠 Weekly Challenge: Hone Your Observation Skills Find a setting—a coffee shop, park, or waiting area—where you’re simply an observer. Spend 5–10 minutes analyzing how people interact. Then ask yourself: What would I say to grab their attention right now and steer them toward a shared emotion or idea? This challenge helps you build intuition and awareness that you can use in business presentations and leadership moments. Final Thoughts: Reading the Room is a Superpower Mastering how to read the room can dramatically change how others perceive you, whether you’re pitching, presenting, or simply collaborating. It transforms one-sided talks into meaningful conversations and helps your audience feel seen, heard, and valued. 📩 Keep Building Better Subscribe to the Building Better Developers podcast for more actionable insights on product strategy, technology leadership, and business growth. Have feedback or questions? Reach out at info@develpreneur.com—the team would love to hear from you! Additional Resources Navigating Difficult Conversations: Insights from the Building Better Developers Podcast Pitching Your Business: Start Conversations That Drive Growth Face-To-Face Conversation – Efficient And Effective Building Better Businesses – With Bonus Content

In this episode of the Building Better Developers podcast, Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche walk you through how to demo your product in a way that not only shows off your work but also gathers critical feedback. Whether you’re pitching to potential clients, investors, or internal stakeholders, the proper demo can shape the direction of your product and business. 💡 Quick Insight The goal isn’t just to impress—it’s to learn. A successful product demo uncovers how your audience thinks, feels, and reacts. Why Learning How to Demo Your Product Is Essential Learning how to demo your product effectively goes beyond closing deals. Product demos are one of the best opportunities to validate your design, features, and user experience. According to Rob, a good demo is a goldmine for insight—not just a flashy sales pitch. Instead of asking, “Did they like it?” ask, “What did I learn from that?” How to Demo Your Product by Highlighting Strengths or Weaknesses Before presenting, choose your strategy: Highlight strengths to double down on what works Expose weaknesses to get help improving problem areas For example, if your product’s interface is great but reporting is weak, don’t ignore reporting. Show it, ask about it, and solicit targeted feedback. That’s how you improve. Michael shares a story from college where a hardware failure nearly ruined his team’s demo. Thanks to practice, they improvised successfully. The takeaway? Always rehearse your script, because live demo time is valuable and limited. 🛠️ Subtle Cues: Use Live Feedback in the Moment Part of knowing how to demo your product includes reading the room. Look for signs of confusion, interest, or resistance. If someone frowns or seems hesitant, ask them directly. Often, people just need a nudge to open up. “If your audience has no questions, you probably missed the mark.” – Rob Broadhead The best demos lead to honest conversations, not just polite applause. A/B Testing as a Strategy for Product Demos Want to improve your demo game? Rob suggests using A/B testing for demos. Create two or more variations of your presentation and see which resonates more. Demo A might show off Feature X Demo B might highlight Feature Y Record which gets better reactions, more questions, or stronger engagement This technique is especially useful at trade shows or meetups, where you can test pitches quickly with varied audiences. How to Demo Your Product Like a Pro Michael reminds us that you don’t need a perfect product to start demoing. Use prototypes, early versions, or limited-feature trials. Attend meetups, present at conferences, or offer free trials with specific features. Your product won’t grow in a vacuum. It develops through interaction. And remember: your first audience might not be your best-fit customer. Testing with different people gives broader insights—and sometimes, reveals entirely new market directions. 🎯 This Week’s Challenge: Demo Your Business Rob issues a practical challenge: “What would a demo of your business look like?” Think beyond elevator pitches. If someone gave you 15–30 minutes, what would you say? What features, benefits, or challenges would you share? Better yet, record yourself. You’ll identify habits, rough transitions, and opportunities to improve your message and delivery. Final Thoughts Learning how to demo your product is foundational for developers and entrepreneurs. A polished, feedback-focused presentation helps you improve your product, sharpen your message, and better connect with your audience. Don’t just perform—engage. The right feedback can turn a good product into a great one. 📩 Keep Building Better Subscribe to the Building Better Developers podcast for more actionable insights on product strategy, technology leadership, and business growth. Do you have feedback or questions? Email the team at info@develpreneur.com—they’d love to hear from you! Additional Resources Successful Presentation Tips for Developers: Effective Demo Strategies Building Out Your Application From a Demo The Power of Clickable Demos in the Software Development Lifecycle Building Better Businesses – With Bonus Content

In the latest episode of the Building Better Developers podcast — part of the Building Better Businesses season — Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche tackle an all-too-common challenge: how to stop chasing your tail when you’re overwhelmed. When panic sets in, it’s easy to feel trapped and exhausted. But by learning to recognize the signs early and taking small, strategic steps, you can break the cycle and get your progress back on track. Stop Chasing Your Tail: Recognize When You’re Stuck Panic usually strikes when we realize we’re no longer moving forward. Rob describes this moment as a dog chasing its tail — you suddenly become aware that you’re going nowhere, which triggers frustration or fear. Common causes include: Overcommitment and unrealistic expectations Financial stress from unplanned expenses Projects running off course Emotional burnout from constant pressure Callout: “Sometimes the best first step is to simply stop and admit: this isn’t working.” — Rob Broadhead Before rushing to fix everything at once, take a moment to breathe. Acknowledge where you are without judgment — it’s the first step toward real progress. Reset Your Focus and Stop Chasing Your Tail Once you’ve caught yourself chasing your tail, the next step is resetting your focus. Michael Meloche shared a simple but powerful process: Assess the Situation: Figure out why you’re stuck. Time, money, overcommitment? Identify the actual causes. Set a Realistic Goal: Pick an achievable objective. Make sure it’s something you believe you can reach. Take One Step Forward: You don’t need to solve everything today. Just move one inch closer to your target. Rob emphasized that panic often prompts us to make bad decisions. Instead, progress happens through small, steady steps, and each small win builds confidence. Pro Tip: If your goal feels overwhelming, break it into even smaller milestones. Take Your First Step: Stop Chasing Your Tail Today The biggest challenge once you’re stuck is picking your first step. It doesn’t have to be huge — it just needs to be in the right direction. Need to fix your finances? Cancel one small expense today. Overwhelmed with work? Finish one small task you’ve been avoiding. Stuck in a complicated client relationship? Draft an email to start the conversation. Callout: “Momentum builds when you focus on just one small, positive action at a time.” — Rob Broadhead Even slowing down your tail-chasing a little bit helps. Eventually, you’ll regain control, stop spinning, and move purposefully toward your goals. Challenge of the Episode This week’s challenge is simple but powerful: If you feel stuck, take just one step forward today. Pause. Breathe. Pick one action that moves you closer to your goal. You’ll be amazed how much better you feel once you’re driving — even if it’s just one small victory. And remember, Rob and Michael invite you to reach out anytime at info@developernurd.com if you want to share your journey or need a boost of encouragement. You’re not alone — we’re all building better businesses, one step at a time! Additional Resources Developer Tools That Transform: Habits for Smarter Development Managing Stress Through A Calculated Approach Why Setting Deadlines Is the Key to Successful Projects Building Better Businesses – With Bonus Content

Welcome back to another episode of the Building Better Developers podcast! In this session, Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche dive into one of the most potent strategies for startups and growing businesses: building a minimal viable product (MVP) that delivers real customer value — without draining your time or budget. Learn how focusing on the essentials can help you launch smarter, generate revenue faster, and build a product your customers truly need. What is a Minimal Viable Product (MVP)? At its core, a minimal viable product is the simplest version of a product that delivers real value to customers. Rob defined it as: Definition: The least amount of work needed to solve a customer’s problem and receive value (and payment) in return. An MVP isn’t just a rough draft — it’s a usable, valuable product without unnecessary features. The goal is to solve real problems and gather feedback before investing heavily in polish or expansion. Rob and Michael emphasized: solve the customer’s immediate problem first, then grow and refine over time. Building a Minimal Viable Product Under Tight Deadlines Rob explained how real-world MVP development often happens under budgetary and time pressures. Using backward scheduling, you start with a firm deadline and map all tasks backward, including coding, testing, deployment, and client training. When a project slips behind, Rob likened it to being in a sinking boat: Callout: “You start throwing unnecessary features overboard to stay afloat and meet your goal.” This mindset forces you to focus only on what is essential for delivering a usable and valuable product. Strategies for a Successful MVP Launch Michael shared key strategies for building a winning MVP: Identify Core Infrastructure Early: Understand what servers, integrations, and compliance needs must be addressed upfront. Start Minimal, Grow Later: Build a basic but functional version first. Leave polish and extra features for after you solve the core problem. Include Testing Early: Invest in automated and user testing from the beginning to catch bugs and inefficiencies while they’re still easy to fix. Tip: “A minimal viable product means delivering the highest value with the least wasted effort — not sacrificing quality.” Launching an MVP early allows honest customer feedback to shape your product, saving time and money in the long run. Episode Challenge: Review and Trim Your Feature List This episode’s challenge is simple but powerful: Critically review your feature list or project backlog. Ask yourself: Does this feature directly solve a customer problem? Trim anything that adds complexity without delivering immediate value. By applying minimal viable product thinking, you can accelerate delivery, control costs, and create better customer outcomes — all while staying on track. Final Thoughts: Smart MVPs Lead to Stronger Businesses Delivering a minimal viable product is about prioritization, not shortcuts. When you focus on solving real problems and strip away distractions, you create faster wins, better products, and happier customers — without blowing your budget. Ready to level up your business and development skills? 👉 Visit Developerneur.com 👉 Subscribe to the Building Better Developers podcast on your favorite podcast platform! 👉 Watch more episodes on Developerneur’s YouTube Channel Additional Resources Defining An MVP Properly for Your Goals Defining ‘Done’ in Agile: How to Stay on Track and Avoid Scope Creep A Positive Look At Scope Creep Building Better Businesses – With Bonus Content

In the latest episode of the Building Better Developers podcast, Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche explore the real impact of not taking time off. Titled “PTO: Taking Breaks,” the episode is a candid, at times humorous, look at why stepping away from work is crucial, not just for employees, but for entrepreneurs, managers, and developers alike. 🛑 PTO Taking Breaks Is Not a Luxury—It’s a Necessity Rob admits he preaches taking time off but struggles to follow his own advice. Michael shares a cautionary tale about being the only person at his company who could handle a crisis, getting called during a literal mountain climb. The problem? No PTO plan. No backup. That kind of burnout is all too common. “PTO isn’t just for employees—it’s for your mental health, your business, and your sanity.” – Michael Meloche 🧠 How PTO Taking Breaks Supports Mental Health The hosts emphasize that burnout doesn’t just affect your energy—it also affects your relationships, productivity, and decision-making. Rob contrasts two work schedules: one that included long breaks and focused time blocks, and one that pushed him from 6 AM to 7 PM nonstop. The verdict? Without breaks, even high performers become less effective. Callout: PTO taking breaks isn’t weakness—it’s smart business. 🚫 Three-Day Weekends Don’t Count Rob issues a reality check: a three-day weekend isn’t enough to unwind. Friday is spent catching up, Saturday is spent stressing about Friday, and Sunday is spent worrying about Monday. Real rest comes after the decompression curve, typically on day four or five. “A true break begins once your mind finally stops racing—and that takes time.” – Rob Broadhead 🛠️ Build Systems That Let You Step Away Michael and Rob both highlight a key to long-term success: designing your role and your company so they can operate without you. If you can’t unplug without a disaster, the issue isn’t the workload—it’s the lack of systems and delegation. Michael even references Tim Ferriss’ famous point: if you can’t remove yourself, you don’t have a business—you have a job with overhead. 🎯 Weekly Challenge: Define Your Ideal Work-Rest Rhythm This week’s challenge is twofold: Reflect on your most productive daily rhythm—Are you an early bird or a night owl? How can you schedule focused blocks that align with your energy? Plan your next real PTO—at least 4–5 days, without email, Slack, or your laptop. Challenge Callout: When was the last time you took more than four days off—without technology? Final Thought: PTO Taking Breaks Makes You Better At the core of this episode is a simple but powerful idea: you cannot give your best when you’re running on empty. Whether you’re building a business, managing a team, or coding the next great app, you need downtime to do your best work. So stop glorifying the grind. Take a break. Plan a vacation. Step away from the screen—and come back stronger. 📩 Keep Building Better Subscribe to the Building Better Developers podcast for more actionable insights on product strategy, technology leadership, and business growth. Do you have feedback or questions? Email the team at info@develpreneur.com—they’d love to hear from you! Additional Resources When Coffee Hits the Fan: Developer Disaster Recovery Finding Balance: The Importance of Pausing and Pivoting in Tech Supercharge Your Focus and Productivity: Expert Tips for Success Building Better Businesses – With Bonus Content

In this episode of the Building Better Developers podcast, Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche dive deep into a critical—but often misunderstood—element of project management: setting deadlines. This episode goes beyond the basics of timelines and introduces the psychology, strategy, and communication needed to make deadlines effective, not stressful. Why Setting Deadlines Matters for Business Projects Deadlines define a project’s rhythm. As Rob puts it, “the deadline is the finish line.” It’s not just about when code is complete—it’s about when the product is ready for delivery, after testing, packaging, training, and documentation. Deadlines force prioritization. Without them, projects risk becoming endless cycles of scope creep and perfectionism. But setting arbitrary or unrealistic deadlines can just as easily derail progress. 🛠️ Pro Tip: Don’t confuse code complete with project complete. Always factor in post-dev steps like UAT, deployment, and training. The Psychology of the Deadline Rob shares a story of adjusting clocks in his home to help a chronically late family member—an example of how deadlines are often more psychological than technical. This translates to project work, where teams may pad estimates or set artificial deadlines to force earlier delivery. Agile frameworks like Scrum embrace this by using time-boxed sprints to create urgency and reduce procrastination. 🧠 Callout: Know your team. Some people thrive under pressure. Others need more space. Tailor your deadlines accordingly. Waterfall, Agile, or Somewhere In-Between? Michael discusses the contrast between Waterfall and Agile methods. For new projects, spending more time upfront to define user stories and requirements can create more reliable deadlines. In ongoing projects, Agile’s iterative cycles help manage evolving requirements, but deadlines still matter. Whether it’s a feature release or a bug fix, every task needs a timeline to stay focused and accountable. The Pareto Principle in Deadline Planning Michael invokes the 80/20 rule: aim to deliver 80% of the features on time, with 20% reserved for polish, stretch goals, or unexpected blockers. Build slack into the schedule like airlines do with flight times. Customers are happier when you’re early than when you’re late. ⏳ Did You Know? Airlines improved customer satisfaction by padding schedules—80% of flights now arrive “early.” Apply this mindset to your dev work. Clear Communication is Non-Negotiable Both hosts stress that if a deadline needs to move, communicate early and honestly. Clients value transparency over surprises. If you’re late because of scope creep, own it. If it’s your mistake, fix it—even if it means eating the cost. Your credibility is built not on perfection, but on reliability. Weekly Challenge: Define “Done” Rob’s challenge this week is deceptively simple: Think of a current project. Define what “done” means to you. Now, define what “done” means to your customer. List the steps required to bridge that gap. Only then can you set a deadline that truly aligns with expectations. Final Thoughts Deadlines are less about time and more about expectation management. From internal planning to external delivery, successful businesses treat deadlines as promises, not guesses. Set them thoughtfully. Communicate them clearly. Most importantly, deliver on them. 🎯 Takeaway: A well-set deadline isn’t just a timeline—it’s a roadmap to success. 📩 Keep Building Better Subscribe to the Building Better Developers podcast for more actionable insights on product strategy, technology leadership, and business growth. Do you have feedback or questions? Email the team at info@develpreneur.com—they’d love to hear from you! Additional Resources Managing Anxiety and Stress: Insights and Strategies for Daily Life Deadlines: A professional approach to the Side-Hustle Estimation Essentials: How to Nail Pricing for Development Projects Building Better Businesses – With Bonus Content