Develpreneur: Become a Better Developer and Entrepreneur

Holidays and vacations are meant to recharge us.  They help us maintain or restore a positive focus and improve productivity.  Nevertheless, we want to avoid too much of a good thing.  A long vacation of a week or more can be highly renewing.  However, we can also lose focus, momentum and miss opportunities. Retrospection And A Positive Focus The slow times that seasonally appear in our lives are perfect times for review and retrospection.  Likewise, we can spend some time reflecting while resting during a Holiday meal or lounging around.  The best use of such times is with a positive focus.  Yes, there are mistakes we want to avoid or correct. But, on the other hand, we can adjust our plans and schedule to embrace positives and things that energize us. Energizing Or Draining We do not spend enough time considering what energizes or drains us.  Our focus is often on what needs to be done and tasks to complete over approaches and maximizing happiness.  That may seem a foreign idea.  However, it is a key to being more successful and happy.  We may be in a position where we are the chief, cook, and bottle washer.  That is rare.  We underestimate opportunities to outsource and delegate.  We can also find ourselves split over our approach to a task by not defining how best to proceed. Personality Flaws and Strengths It is not uncommon to find suggestions on approaching relationships and tasks based on your personality profile.  These are not empty suggestions.  There are tasks and ways to work that drain us and others that energize us.  None of us can do only the "fun" tasks.  However, we can approach our plans with a focus on doing more tasks that energize and less that drain.  That net positive will allow us to avoid burnout. Of course, we may have some days that are better than others.  Nevertheless, a retrospective that highlights what we do best is a critical step in keeping a positive focus.

We are starting into that time of year where you might be most busy or struggle to find meaningful work.  For those that are experiencing the latter, this episode is to help us embrace downtime.  There are two important considerations during these times. First, we want to avoid backsliding on our progress and momentum.  However, we also want to rest and recharge.  No one can run full steam without rest.  These downtimes allow us to do so.  We also can use these periods for reflection and planning. Embrace Downtime And Recharge First and foremost, we need to use these times to refill our tank.  There are many reasons to take some time off from work.  Nevertheless, the primary focus should be rest.  We do not have near as many opportunities to stop and relax as we do to push ahead.  Respect the rarity of time off and slower days to use them wisely.  That means you may need to be happy with a shorter to-do list and fewer things completed some days simply because you had less to be done. Continued Momentum One of the best tools we have for becoming better developers is momentum.  That habit of making regular progress is powerful.  It is a critical motivator each day and affirmation as we see improvement over time.  Therefore, we do not want to lose momentum.  A three-day weekend is not likely to break our focus.  However, a week or two of vacation can completely derail that progress. One way to keep our momentum is to keep doing what we always do.  That might be easy and not impact our vacation.  For example, fifteen minutes a day is not much to ask.  On the other hand, the momentum from an hour or two of focused work may keep us from needed rest.  In those cases, we should look for ways to reduce our effort. For example, we can reduce time spent and possibly focus on planning or review rather than implementation.  That allows us to keep things fresh in our minds with a minimum of effort. Reflection And Planning There is an art to reflection and planning.  They are activities that require intention and freedom to let your mind roam.  There are rabbit holes that we can come across in either of these tasks that are worth exploring.  Thus, time constraints can make it difficult or impossible to give these the attention they need. Instead, we can embrace downtime and use it to allow us to explore some of those rabbit holes, if not all of them.  The added benefit of seasonal downtimes is that they often come after a long or busy work period.  Those are the perfect times to be retrospective and assess what we want to change in the future.  That is how we get better. We measure, evaluate, and correct course.

We finish the season of interviews with a discussion of how to set a pace that leads to success.  We often refer to milestones and steady progress as productivity tools.  However,  here are some steps you can take to find success.  Sometimes the most significant obstacle is our focus and prioritization. Set A Pace - Assume A Marathon The side hustle is often a form of drug for an entrepreneur. First, we see a problem and a solution.  Then, we want to get that solution to those that need it most.  That is part of what drives us and energizes us.  Therefore, it only makes sense that we will sacrifice a lot to achieve that goal or vision.  However, we are still human and need to plan our schedules with our limits in mind. Assume that your project will be a marathon and not a sprint.  Thus, the schedule for each day and week must be one you can maintain over time.  Do not fill your days with work and no rest for long periods. Instead, set a pace you can keep, and that takes your rhythms and needs into account. Declining Productivity Developers suffer from an inability to self-assess, similar to drinking and driving.  Some will even argue they drive better after a few alcoholic drinks.  Likewise, some developers think more hours always equals improved productivity.  Unfortunately, this is far from the truth.  Lack of rest and sleep can drastically reduce your hour-over-hour productivity.  Even worse, several adverse health effects are linked to long work hours.  

The season of interviews is wrapping up. First, however, I want to share some points about achieving goals and setting them.  This past season was a little different from other ones for the podcast.  It required a different approach.  That has helped me gain new insight into ways we can plan out milestones and find ways to hit them.  It is not easy and requires effort.  Nevertheless, here are some steps you can take to find success. Achieving Goals Requires Deadlines The key to achieving a goal is to meet deadlines.  First, you have to set them.  Then, you have to meet them.  I have had numerous conversations over the years with those that are trying to push themselves.  Those often include a softer view of deadlines than when someone else sets them.  Many of us find excuses to pass on a personal deadline that we would not if someone else set it.  That is the challenge of being a self-starter.  We need a reason to do many tasks, and often we rely on others to give us that impetus.  Deadlines and milestones provide a mechanism for driving us forward and taking the necessary steps. Appropriate Markers and Deadlines A journey requires us to progress towards the destination.  Random progress markers do not help.  They might even take you off track. Instead, set milestones that are pulled out of the progress you naturally will make.  Avoid adding tasks that are simply there to show progress and instead use existing tasks.  Find points where you have a well-defined success-fail measure and then set a date for that to be achieved.  This process may seem simple.  However, it can be handy in providing accountability and pressure to keep you on track. Build In Buffer Side hustle tasks and similar "not our day job" work can often be pushed aside. However, we are far more susceptible to letting life get in the way of those goals.  Priority setting is essential, and we need to include that in our side hustle and other areas of life.  When you feel you do not have enough hours in the day, it is an indication to scale back somewhere.  Likewise, tasks with lesser priority need to include some buffer time in the planning.  You know you will push back a milestone for something more critical so give yourself some time to account for it.  Then, be aggressive in tackling your milestones sooner rather than later.  You might get done early and be able to shift focus elsewhere or otherwise build some buffer for life's more significant distractions.

The greatest blessing you can have is to find joy in your work. It is a cliché to say you will never work a day in your life. However, that does not mean it is also not a true statement. Jeff Dillon has found that and plans on retiring to focus on what brings him joy. This situation may be a perfect example of how to enjoy the challenge of the job most suited to you. Enjoy The Challenge Or Face Boredom We wrap up our interview with Jeff looking towards the future. He is ready to embrace his new full-time job. That sets up an excellent example for the rest of us. Of course, he could retire and ride off into the sunset. However, that seems anticlimactic and even dull. Instead of resting on his past successes, Jeff is looking forward to enjoying the challenge this new direction provides. We need to be pushed to grow. Thus, obstacles and challenges are not things to avoid. Instead, they should be pursued methodically so that we grow in the direction we desire.   Find A Win The conversation with Jeff points to another thing we need to be able to do. That is to declare victory at some point. We do not need to do this randomly. Instead, we find a good point to consider a task or project complete and declare victory. When we take that step, we free ourselves to pursue other challenges and paths. Retirement is only one such way to achieve this sort of closure that leads to growth. A Little Background Jeff has 21 years in higher education technology leadership at two public Universities. He was on the cutting edge of web development during that time and a leader in mobile evolution. He has founded three successful companies, with the latest being EdTech Connect, a platform created to democratize the Higher Education conversation. Over the past year, EdTech Connect has kept him on the leading edge of the future of Higher Education technology. That ranges from the latest mobile apps and chatbots to how institutions will soon use Artificial Intelligence to enhance the student experience. We will see how he can speak to many perspectives of Higher Ed Technology. Check out his site: https://edtechconnect.com   https://er.educause.edu/articles/sponsored/2021/9/democratizing-the-higher-ed-technology-conversation

One of the challenges of building a community is providing enough value to the members.  That requires a community effort from almost the start.  We continue our interview with Jeff Dillon, discussing the obstacles they face at Ed Tech connect. Chicken And Egg Addressed Through Community Effort It all comes down to a "which is first" problem, also known as chicken and egg.  Your community needs content and involvement to be valuable.  However, you need the members to provide some of that content and participation.  This obstacle exists for almost every site you like to frequent.  The solution is often offered through investing time and money into the content initially.  Sometimes, this is augmented by providing members other incentives early on. For example, some sites pay members in the early days or offer freebies down the road.  In any case, there has to be a way to draw in members. Gamification The lowest cost approach to the above problem has often been to use gamification. For example, gifts cards and monetary awards can be provided.  However, it is not uncommon for users to be happy with unique badges, titles, or labels to distinguish their membership.  Jeff found this to be a good starting point for their needs and has incorporated it into the solution.  Reviews and feedback lead to rewards.  Thus, the members are slowly building the needed original content. A Little Background Jeff has 21 years in higher education technology leadership at two public Universities. He was on the cutting edge of web development during that time and a leader in mobile evolution. He has founded three successful companies, with the latest being EdTech Connect, a platform created to democratize the Higher Education conversation. Over the past year, EdTech Connect has kept him on the leading edge of the future of Higher Education technology. That ranges from the latest mobile apps and chatbots to how institutions will soon be using Artificial Intelligence to enhance the student experience.  We will see how he can speak to many perspectives of Higher Ed Technology. Check out his site: https://edtechconnect.com https://er.educause.edu/articles/sponsored/2021/9/democratizing-the-higher-ed-technology-conversation

We continue the interview with Jeff Dillon of Ed Tech Connect with a solution for finding software.  That is not a simple problem to solve in the modern world of dozens and might be hundreds of options.  There are solutions that partially or completely address your needs.  However, you need a way to reduce those options to a few and then one. Finding Software Without A Guide There is an amazing amount of software available on the market from broad-purpose to highly niche solutions.  That can add up to a herculean task when finding software to fit your specific situation is required. Technology In Higher Ed - More Than Registration Any university or similar institution lives and dies through registration.  They need students and want to make the sign-up process for those students as smooth as possible.  However, that is not a simple problem to solve.  The modern student profile and course requirements are complicated and tough to streamline.  Likewise, financial aid is its own headache and is almost unique to each situation.  That is the tip of the iceberg we explore in this episode. A Little Background Jeff has 21 years in higher education technology leadership at two public Universities. He was on the cutting edge of web development during that time and a leader in the mobile evolution. He has founded three successful companies with the latest being EdTech Connect, a platform created to democratize the Higher Education conversation. Over the past year, EdTech Connect has kept him on the leading edge of the future of Higher Education technology. That ranges from the latest in mobile apps and chatbots, to how institutions will soon be using Artificial Intelligence to enhance the student experience.  We will see how he can speak to many perspectives of Higher Ed Technology. Check out his site: https://edtechconnect.com https://er.educause.edu/articles/sponsored/2021/9/democratizing-the-higher-ed-technology-conversation

We start the next set of interviews with a discussion about technology in higher ed with Jeff Dillon.  He has spent his career in this area of focus and has a wealth of ideas.  These are applicable to multiple verticals as you will find during our conversation.  Of course, if you are in the world of higher ed, you will likely find his site invaluable. Simple Beginnings The path Jeff has followed does not seem particularly special.  However, when you look at his trajectory and the growth of technology in higher ed you will see a perfect pairing.  He is like a fine wine paired with a high-quality meal.  While each is good on its own, you get so much more considering them together.  The is much that has transpired in the world of education over the last few decades.  Jeff has had a front-row seat.  We can learn from him how to keep up with rapidly changing environments. Technology In Higher Ed - More Than Registration Any university or similar institution lives and dies through registration.  They need students and want to make the sign-up process for those students as smooth as possible.  However, that is not a simple problem to solve.  The modern student profile and course requirements are complicated and tough to streamline.  Likewise, financial aid is its own headache and is almost unique to each situation.  That is the tip of the iceberg we explore in this episode. A Little Background Jeff has 21 years in higher education technology leadership at two public Universities. He was on the cutting edge of web development during that time and a leader in the mobile evolution. He has founded three successful companies with the latest being EdTech Connect, a platform created to democratize the Higher Education conversation. Over the past year, EdTech Connect has kept him on the leading edge of the future of Higher Education technology. That ranges from the latest in mobile apps and chatbots, to how institutions will soon be using Artificial Intelligence to enhance the student experience.  We will see how he can speak to many perspectives of Higher Ed Technology. Check out his site: https://edtechconnect.com https://er.educause.edu/articles/sponsored/2021/9/democratizing-the-higher-ed-technology-conversation

We take a break from our interviews and a wealth of recommendations to review how to apply these.  There is a technical fit and organizational fit for solutions of all types.  It is critical that you know how these may fit your specific situation. Technical Fit The idea of technical fit is possibly the easiest to see from the outside.  There are specific requisites in the solution that must match the problem definition.  For example, a development shop that uses C# for its code will not benefit from a Java code generator.  There may be some helpful output.  However, it will not fit the development standards.  Thus, there is little difference in a process or other non-technical solutions.  You may see constraints related to resources, budget, speed, maintainability, or other areas. Those include solutions for business growth.  In a simple example, you may grow a business through more customers in a current market or moving to a new market.  Therefore, your mileage may vary based on your focus. Buyer Beware The most significant challenge in finding an organizational or technical fit is determining where it will not be suitable.  Thus, the focus is often on where a fit occurs rather than where it does not.  That is part of the nature of selling products or convincing ourselves which solution is best.  Therefore, focus on where needs are met rather than where requirements are not.  This approach will expose solutions that do not fit.  

The last part of our interview episodes with Krishna Mohan dive into how he helps companies grow.  The primary concept is planning for growth.  However, we also need to ensure we give the changes time to be effective.  Krishna often sees this as an annual approach and that fits well with budgets, resources, and incorporates seasonal differences where they occur. Planning For Growth The first part of any plan is setting a goal.  We need to create a finish line that is our current situation plus the desired growth.  Once we have those in place, we need to set a course for those end goals that have reasonable milestones along the way.  It is unlikely you can double or triple your business in a year.  However, you can grow aggressively and load up your pipeline with resources and potential customers to make the needed steps over a longer term.  There is a reasonable limit to growth smart and effectively.  That limit constrains what we can do over a year, but we can stretch our timeframe beyond twelve months and achieve those objectives. Avoid One And Done There are the above limits on growth that we need to be aware of. But, likewise, we want to grow sustainably.  This situation is like a diet that works but then is immediately abandoned.   We instead want to take steps and grow in a way that builds momentum and habits.  Those will allow us to grow and continue to build on past success instead of struggling to maintain our new levels of success. A Little Background Krishna loves to share what he has learned along the way to becoming a successful Entrepreneur and Business Coach.  You might be able to convince him to share a copy of one of his books. 1. Elite Real Estate Professionals- Leaders in Real Estate Industry (#1 Best Seller on Amazon) 2. Insiders Secret to Build Business Credit and Financing 3. How I find $10K in any Business within 45 Minutes (Available for Free on my website: https://geniusbusinesscoach.com/ ) He also is offering a 3 Part business education series for free.