Personal Optimization

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Thoughts on Coming Out During Job Interviews

My hands trembled as I stepped into the office, looking for any signs that I might not be welcome — a strange look at my short hair and gender-neutral clothing, a disapproving glan

Personal Optimization

3 Ways I’m Honing my Presentation Skills by Building Good Habits

Each of these approaches has helped me build good speaking habits and feel more comfortable and confident giving talks. I love giving talks, and I'm excited to keep getting better

Personal Optimization

Plowing Through Procrastination & Facing Down Anxiety

Shouldering burdens on your own, especially when you are stuck, is not healthy or productive. Step back, review your situation, and pull in a friend. Just getting out of your own h

Personal Optimization

A Spreadsheet for Breaking Down & Tracking Big Goals

I find it easier to achieve my goals when I define them, break them down, and use simple tools to visualize and measure my progress. Here's a spreadsheet I've been using for goal t

Personal Optimization

Driving Change at Your Workplace – 5 Questions to Ask

You want to make a change in your workplace, but where do you being? How do you know that it's the right change? And how do you get people on your side?

Personal Optimization

Resolving Conflict when Others Disappoint, Step 3 – The Conversation

The key is to focus on the facts, not on your emotions. You don't want a "you said, I said" fight. You want to understand why things went wrong and create a plan to set them right.

Personal Optimization

Resolving Conflict When Others Disappoint, Step 2 – Preparation

With a focus, a broad perspective, and a set of goals, you can tackle difficult conversations with more confidence. Preparation a great way to keep them from getting emotional or s

Personal Optimization

Resolving Conflict when Others Disappoint, Step 1 – Is This Worth Discussing?

When someone lets you down, it's always tempting to just let it go. That can be the wise response — or it can make things worse. Here are a few questions you can ask yourself to fi

Personal Optimization

Questions to Ask Your First Prospective Tech Employer

Not all companies are created equal. Asking smart questions during a development job interview can help you tell the good ones from the bad. As a new grad, you have a lot of power

Personal Optimization

Using Objectives and Key Results for Self-Improvement

The Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) approach helps you stay on track and headed toward your goals. It's a business tool, but I've had great success using it on personal projects.

Personal Optimization

Six Steps for Effectively Helping a Coworker Resolve an Issue

How do you effectively navigate the conversation when a coworker brings a problem to you? Here's an outline for helping your coworker gain clarity on their issue and take responsib

Personal Optimization

Three Google Calendar Hacks for Busy Teams & Complex Schedules

Here are some quick tips to better utilize Google Calendar to stay organized, save yourself time, and keep things simple!

Personal Optimization

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