Growing as Makers Archives

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Growing as Makers

How I Stayed Focused & Motivated While Working Solo

While working alone was less than ideal, I was able to make the best of it by leaning on others for collaboration and by consciously managing my time.

Growing as Makers

Stop Trying to Optimize Your New Developers!

New developers can only learn so many things at once, and they need to tackle high-value skills first. Optimizing their workflow can — and should! — wait.

Growing as Makers

Strategies for Remote Mentorship

Mentoring (and being mentored) while working remotely requires a high level of communication. It’s challenging, but it's well worth it for both parties.

Growing as Makers

Remote Onboarding: Lessons from a Summer Shoveling Manure

Onboarding remotely is difficult and stressful. But if we can stay flexible, work together, and pay attention to our environments, we can make it easier.

Growing as Makers

How to Ask When You Don’t Know What to Ask

How do you ask for clarification when you're completely confused? Here are a few strategic questions to help you understand a problem when you aren't sure where to start.

Growing as Makers

3 Steps to Building Credibility & Winning Your Client’s Trust

The client needs to know that they are in good hands, with a team they can count on for solid, well-reasoned advice.

Growing as Makers

Business Development in a Coronavirus World

The business world is undergoing a lot of change and uncertainty. Here are five ways you can connect with people during business development conversations.

Growing as Makers

Abstraction Laddering – An Easy, Effective Problem Framing Exercise

You can't solve a problem you don't understand. Before you jump into action, bring your issues into the right level of focus with the Ladder of Abstraction.

Growing as Makers

Developing from Home? Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions

When I started working from home, I had to adjust to the extra effort it takes to communicate with others. It was easy to wrestle with problems alone.

Growing as Makers

Six Ways to Improve Your Listening Skills & Become a Great Consultant

As kids, we're told to listen, but we're not taught how. Fortunately, we can improve our listening skills with focus and practice.

Growing as Makers

Changing Constraints: Thoughts on Postponing a Wedding

A few things I learned when the coronavirus pandemic delayed my wedding, plus some thoughts on how they relate to life as a consultant and developer.

Growing as Makers

A Blog Post Writer’s Toolbox

Stephen King's "On Writing" describes a writer's toolbox. I outline the most important tools and explain how to leverage them while writing a blog post.

Growing as Makers

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