Love it. The courage to ask for better work conditions! I totally agree that we don’t always take the steps to do this when we should. I like your example of the simple math for justifying a purchase!

Fantastic. I sometimes fall out of my workout routine when work gets overwhelming but you are SO right.

I love your mindset around teamwork and personal relationships. You sound like a very healthy software developer!!

Jayme Edwards I had to learn the hard way. haha. It took me too long to realise all this. I'm a co-founder too so I might be a bit more of an outlier but I feel it all still applies, possibly even to most things in life.

That said, one shouldn't feel guilty if one needs to get something done outside of the "allotted time" if need be. I still have lots of ideas about work when I'm outside of it and write it down, or do a spot of research here and there, or if there's an email/discussion that's important then deal with it, only if it's important though.

It must be nice for your employees to have you as a co-founder! Great attitude. I hope your products and company go far.

Great advice! I've skipped meals too many times as well. Why is it we technologists seem to have such a hard time setting boundaries, and keeping up with routines (at least, I speak for myself)?

Glad to hear your priorities are, in my opinion, in the right order! I have screwed up my family and personal life many times over the past 20 years when I get them flipped the wrong way. It's tough!

Interesting question Filipe! Many teams I work on think I'm a great technologist, but what they soon find out about me is I'm actually really hard on myself.

I shared on some of the videos on my channel how my last job burned me out because of my employer (consulting agency) putting me on too many troubled projects. I was talking to my wife about this and trying to figure out why. She helped me see that even though I was frustrated - it was a sign that the company could trust me to care enough to turn a problem with a client around. This helped me get over some of the bitterness I initially felt.

What I've found I'm most passionate about is a) more creativity and b) less certainty. I think you'll find many of the videos on my channel reflect this. When teams are setup with a ton of controls and process it usually seems to be just to stroke the ego of those in power. They aren't comfortable with letting their vision unfold unpredictably and be influenced more by customers and the team - which is what happens when a truly innovative software product is built (in my experience).

So anything I can do to help others develop software with more freedom, a better mindset to accept that things will happen unpredictably, and harness the creativity in everyone (I hate "command and control" structures) is my focus!

Should also look at glasses that block certain types of light that can be damaging to the eyes. Additionally installing programs like f.lux helps :)

Ah I love flux! I mentioned it in the "flow state" video on my channel. My 21 year old son turned me on to it. :) Thanks for bringing this up for others who might not know about it!

1. Proper environment lighting is important. Flashing multicolored florescent industrial lights buzzing overhead is not as good as appropriately calibrated diffuse lighting.
2. Calibrate your computer monitors appropriately. Too dim means you have to strain your eyes to see the image. Too bright means your eyes are going to hurt.
3. Distributing meetings throughout the day forces you to leave your computer monitor for a bit and look at distant objects, also relieving eyestrain.
4. Taking breaks to do outdoor activities like lunchtime sports gets you away from your computer AND gives your eyes a different style of task to focus on. Looking at fast moving distant objects is different from staring at a screen.
5. Employers should provide eyecare health plans. Doing so gives employees a reason to get regular eye exams. Regular exams can help preemptively expose conditions such as glaucoma and diabetes before it's too late.

I have arthritis in my lower back (among other issues) from 18 years of military service. I run into the same problems, and I can't stress enough the importance of maintaining good posture and making sure you get up, stretch and move around.

It's easy to get into a long code session when you're on a roll and burn 6 hours hunched over your keyboard. That's a good way to end up like Igor from the old Frankenstein movies.

Thanks for your insight Ronald. It's good to hear your finding things that work for you. We're definitely not designed for all this chair/screen time!!

The pain in back and legs could also signal that you're feeling fixed in your job and career. I had it also last year but after giving my boss the pink slip it improved. Incredible. We have a three month notice period. Same chair, same desk but no pain any more.

Thanks for the kind words! I hope I can help a lot of developers have a better mindset earlier in their careers!

Cheers.