Presented at try! Swift NYC 2018: https://www.tryswift.co/events/2018/nyc/#fear
Slides with speaker notes are here: https://static.ashfurrow.com/try_swift_2018/deck_with_notes.pdf
I'll link to the video when it's been uploaded.
Circumventing FearOf The Unknown
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Story Time
Agenda1. Fear Cannot Be Avoided2. Struggling is Normal3. Work Smarter, Not Harder
Fear Cannot Be Avoided
Everyone experiences fear
Fear cannot be avoided
Fear cannot be avoided…But it can be circumvented
We can change our relationship to fearBy acknowledging it
We can change our relationship to fearBy talking about it with others
The best work environmentsInvite you to ask questionsAnd talk about feelings
As a human beingYou deserve a supportive environment
Leaders need to exhibit curiosityAnd praise curiosity in othersAnd encourage empathy
Struggling is Normal
https://jvns.ca
Computers are actuallyPretty difficult
Engineers don’t write codeEngineers solve problems
Don’t get attached to your codeDon’t get attached to your tools
There is always someoneLower-stack than you
Work Smarter, Not Harder
Humans want to have an impact
When starting your careerYou focus on learning a lot of new thingsAnd gaining experience
Engineers tend to over-specialize
Expert
Expert Generalist
Expert Generalist T-Shaped
Branching out of expertise is difficultYou will struggleThat’s okay
As your career growsYou need to shiftAnd focus on improving how you work
Forget about flow state
Skill LevelChallenge LevelApathy
Skill LevelChallenge LevelRelaxation
Skill LevelChallenge LevelAnxiety
Skill LevelChallenge LevelFlow
Do shallow work
Skill LevelChallenge LevelFlowAnxiety
Skill LevelChallenge LevelShallow work
Pair with other engineers
Focus on a minimum-viable next step
Learn how you work bestBut don’t overdo it
Wrapping Up1. Fear Cannot Be Avoided2. Struggling is Normal3. Work Smarter, Not Harder
You’ve Got This(And it’s okay if you don’t)