Planning and Scheduling: Essential Habits for Building Better Developers
Posted on Building Better Habits

Planning and Scheduling: Essential Habits for Building Better Developers

Welcome back to “Building Better Developers” as we continue our journey through Season 23, focused on building better habits. In Episode 6, Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche dive into the fundamental skill of planning and scheduling as a daily practice. This episode stresses the importance of structuring your day with a manageable, prioritized list of tasks. We will show you how doing this can improve productivity and mental clarity. Here’s a recap of the key takeaways on how to build a sustainable planning habit. The Power of Daily Planning and Scheduling Rob starts by emphasizing the need to tackle tasks with intention. Careful not to jump into work or focus on the sheer volume of items on our plate. Instead,... Read more

Improving Coding Skills: Building Better Developers by Building Better Habits
Posted on Building Better Habits

Improving Coding Skills: Building Better Developers by Building Better Habits

In the latest episode of Building Better Developers, Rob and Michael continue their journey through Season 23, “Building Better Habits.” In Episdoe 5 the focusing on improving coding skills. Like diving into why developers should consistently refine techniques, stay updated with evolving coding standards, and explore new tools. This hosts go beyond just writing code; it’s about forming habits that make continuous learning an essential part of a developer’s daily routine. Tools and Techniques Rob shares insights on the importance of regularly updating coding habits and exploring new languages and techniques. While it’s easy to rely on familiar coding methods, especially in stable languages like Java, doing so can lead to missed opportunities to improve coding skills and write more... Read more

Automation for Better Habits: Streamline Your Workflow and Boost Productivity
Posted on Building Better Habits

Automation for Better Habits: Streamline Your Workflow and Boost Productivity

Welcome to episode four of Building Better Developers. This season, we are focusing on “Building Better Habits.” This episode shows how automation can handle repetitive tasks in your daily routine. By automating mundane work, developers can focus more on creative and strategic projects. These automation practices help build a more efficient development process. The Power of Automation in Development This episode centers on how automation can dramatically improve productivity by eliminating repetitive tasks. The hosts highlight that developers often perform redundant tasks that, though small, can add up to significant time losses. They encourage listeners to reflect on their daily routines and pinpoint actions that automation could streamline. These might be running scripts, batch processing, or setting up CI/CD pipelines.... Read more

Kitchen Sink App: The Ultimate Developer Tool for Consistent and Scalable Software Design
Posted on Building Better Habits

Kitchen Sink App: The Ultimate Developer Tool for Consistent and Scalable Software Design

In the latest Building Better Developers episode, Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche discuss the “Kitchen Sink App.” This season emphasizes building better habits for developers. The Kitchen Sink App involves creating a prototype or template with essential project controls and elements. It helps developers refine designs, ensure consistency, and facilitate productive client conversations. Introducing the Kitchen Sink App The hosts reintroduce the concept discussed in previous episodes. The Kitchen Sink App serves as a foundational tool for early-stage software development. By creating a prototype with key UI controls, styles, and functionalities, developers establish a solid visual and functional baseline. This approach promotes design consistency, encourages code reuse, and enhances client communication about the app’s look and feel. Rob’s Experience with... Read more

Pomodoro Technique: Boost Your Focus and Productivity with Time-Blocking
Posted on Building Better Habits

Pomodoro Technique: Boost Your Focus and Productivity with Time-Blocking

In the latest season of Building Better Developers, Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche delve into the essential topic of building better habits. Season 23, episode 2 starts with a deep dive into a powerful productivity method: the Pomodoro Technique. This episode offers valuable insights and practical advice for elevating your focus and productivity. What Is the Pomodoro Technique? The Pomodoro Technique, named after the Italian word for “tomato,” is a time-management method designed to boost focus and efficiency. The name comes from the tomato-shaped kitchen timer used by its creator, Francesco Cirillo. The technique involves breaking your work into intervals of 25 minutes, called “Pomodoros,” with short 5-minute breaks in between. This method helps combat distractions, enhances focus, and encourages... Read more

DP810_S23E01 Security Awareness: Protect Your Code, Your Career, and Your Future
Posted on Building Better Habits

Security Awareness: Protect Your Code, Your Career, and Your Future

Season 23 of the Building Better Developers podcast kicks off with a focus on building better habits. The first episode covers a critical topic for developers and tech enthusiasts: security awareness. Hosted by Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche, the episode stresses the need for vigilance. In today’s rapidly evolving digital world, staying aware is more important than ever. A Shift Toward Actionable Advice The hosts emphasize that this season will be more actionable than ever. Unlike the last season that focused on the developer journey, Season 23 targets building better habits. These habits promote more effective and responsible development practices. Each episode will cover specific skills, tools, or behaviors. Developers will learn how to integrate these into their daily routines.... Read more