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Tell HN: The loneliness of a pretty good developer

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Re: Tell HN: The loneliness of a pretty good developer

#91

Post by freemint »

> What can I do to change things?

Find a talented Junior developer which is able to think in your in presence (not stunted by your presence) and out spoken enough to disagree while you stand them character wise and take them under your wing. Mentor them as far as you think you can be effective mentoring them. Then let them grow on their own and after some break pick the next candidate.

Edit: Oh i see you are already doing that. Different suggestions: network with fellow professionals and contribute to a trade publication.

Re: Tell HN: The loneliness of a pretty good developer

#94

Post by hoten »

ziddoap wrote: post #21

“If you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room.” I know saying this is easier than doing it, but; seek upward movement until you no longer feel like you're the smartest person in the room. I would also add, although it's purely personal opinion, that seeking a solution to loneliness through work is a surefire way to feel more lonely. You say you're big on self-improvement, but are you only focus…

I like to say I aim to be the second dumbest person in any room.

Re: Tell HN: The loneliness of a pretty good developer

#95

Post by 100011_100001 »

tsss wrote: post #66
ctvo wrote: post #16

I think you're an above average developer working at a below average company. This could be the root of all your problems. Nothing is more frustrating than working with peers you know aren't carrying their weight. Do you want to be an engineering leader? This is what you are, regardless of your official title at your company. Engineering leaders are judged by how much better they make everyone else. You may hear the…

Or he just bangs out a ton of crappy code in the name of "pragmatism", while everyone else has to clean up after him and thus takes longer. I've seen this many times.

Eh, that is exactly what I don't want. Pretending I am this amazingly productive developer and my code is just trash.

I just checked. In 2021, only two defects were created against my specific code changes. If I had to home into a weakness of mine is that sometimes I solve today's problem well, but don't think extensively about how tomorrow's problem in that space might look like.

The struggle is between creating simple solutions vs over-engineering for future proofing. I'm pretty sure I'm biased towards simple solutions.

Re: Tell HN: The loneliness of a pretty good developer

#96

Post by id »

abledon wrote: post #72
100011_100001 wrote: post #57

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've had the same debate myself. Honestly, not counting crazy hectic meeting days I could work 9-3 and still produce more than others. The only thing stopping me is the feeling that if I'm getting paid I should be working. However, I know that if I worked 9-3 my personal well-being would improve.

you need to see a therapist about feeling guilty about overworking. You only need to work as much as whats required, nothing more. If you can close off your assigned 'tickets' etc, given each sprint, do so, then rest. Your personal well-being is #1.

It's kinda weird watching team members finish two tickets per week when you know they could finish two per day. I know I should probably relax like them but it feels too much like cheating (and let's be honest, it is).

Re: Tell HN: The loneliness of a pretty good developer

#97

Post by rootingforyou20 »

100011_100001 wrote: post #33
ziddoap wrote: post #21

“If you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room.” I know saying this is easier than doing it, but; seek upward movement until you no longer feel like you're the smartest person in the room. I would also add, although it's purely personal opinion, that seeking a solution to loneliness through work is a surefire way to feel more lonely. You say you're big on self-improvement, but are you only focus…

I've thought about this. I actually do not think I'm the smartest person in the room, hell two of the people in my direct team are definitely smarter than me. I think I have really good systems that allow me to consistently solve problems and write code. On the loneliness front, I meant in the scope of working. I have four kids, I am everything BUT lonely with them. However, I do agree that aside from work and one of…

OP, don't know you but rooting for you

Re eating/getting healthier,

1) food: this guy Rip is truly a lifechanger (esp if since you're in the zone when it would be smart to look after your heart: https://mealplanner.plantstrong.com/

2) Lose weight (this approach might be appealing to your engineer'y instinct): https://www.fourmilab.ch/hackdiet/

3) Exercise:

- Warm up (DO THESE): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QWyyHfARNI

- Try to get through a round of this w/ good form + then try to do 2, 3, etc: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTSIqbuZC0Y&t=369s

I don't have any career advice for you, leaving is one option but consider that it would great for you to "skill-up" the people around you so when you leave it isn't like they lost their Golden-Boii, but rather bow out like a Bob Iger at Disney & leave them with a glorious future blah blah

Re: Tell HN: The loneliness of a pretty good developer

#98

Post by fightme »

throwanem wrote: post #80
fightme wrote: post #76

Quoted post unavailable.

More than that one guy we all had to work with one time and wished we didn't? The one who bigs himself up over how much he knows, insists on making himself a constant obstacle to gratify his fragile ego, and that's why nobody actually wants to work with him? Yeah, I don't know why it should come as a surprise that hiring managers don't especially like that guy. No one else does either.

Did you know it's possible to be a team player without having to worry about other peoples' career development? Sounds more like the manager is being an obstacle if the direct reports have to do that kind of legwork.

Re: Tell HN: The loneliness of a pretty good developer

#99

Post by 100011_100001 »

andrewmcwatters wrote: post #88
tsss wrote: post #66

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Or he just bangs out a ton of crappy code in the name of "pragmatism", while everyone else has to clean up after him and thus takes longer. I've seen this many times.

This could be the case, but we don't know, and it's also helpful to think about this from a charitable perspective.

I prefer this perspective :)

Honestly, I have no need for validation. I've just started to feel angst and figured if there is a place where I can get good advice, even if it hurts, it would be HN.

From that perspective I have gotten enough good input to make this thread worth it to me.

Re: Tell HN: The loneliness of a pretty good developer

#100

Post by inglor_cz »

100011_100001 wrote: post #33
ziddoap wrote: post #21

“If you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room.” I know saying this is easier than doing it, but; seek upward movement until you no longer feel like you're the smartest person in the room. I would also add, although it's purely personal opinion, that seeking a solution to loneliness through work is a surefire way to feel more lonely. You say you're big on self-improvement, but are you only focus…

I've thought about this. I actually do not think I'm the smartest person in the room, hell two of the people in my direct team are definitely smarter than me. I think I have really good systems that allow me to consistently solve problems and write code. On the loneliness front, I meant in the scope of working. I have four kids, I am everything BUT lonely with them. However, I do agree that aside from work and one of…

A tip from me... Try intermittent fasting and spend the 1 hour allotted for lunch on a brisk walk or a short (30-40 minutes) exercise if you have a nearby gym.

I think you will feel better. I certainly do, on a similar regime.

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