Our Top 10 Productivity Tips for Software Developers

One of Benjamin Hardy’s pieces of advice is to always try to find gratitude, especially at the end of the day. He suggests keeping a journal, and before going to bed – list three things about the day that you are thankful for. It will help you sleep better. He also suggests listing 1-3 things you will do tomorrow.

And that partly ties into my own tip. Things can always get worse. Always. There’s working outside performing physical labor in extreme heat or cold, and other inhospitable conditions. A lot of jobs require you to get down into the dirt, or filth daily. Many places are simply very dangerous to live. Use your imagination, it can always get worse. Be thankful they aren’t.

When life really sucks, when you don’t feel like coding, debugging, refactoring, or even reviewing code – ponder how life might be if you weren’t a software developer. Take a look at some of the most dangerous jobs in the world. Imagine being a land mine clearing specialist. And then imagine being a distracted land mine clearing specialist. Under the hot sun. Under fire. And you haven’t had breakfast. And gotta go #2. But you’re in MOPP Gear. It gets worse from there.

You’re making good money, perhaps working from home or in a nice office, likely to have air conditioning, fresh water, and can probably afford your next meal. These are things to be very thankful for, even with life’s curve balls. Barring a health condition that physically prevents you, whatever it is, you can do it. Otherwise, it’s your mind telling you that you can’t or making excuses. Deep down, you probably know it.

So, take a look at what others have no choice but to endure – especially in third world countries. This can offer a powerful argument to that part of your mind that’s holding you back. Somehow, they manage to get through it. You can, too.