Beyond the code – What is Problem Solving? – What causes these feelings of Anxiety?

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Beyond the code – What is Problem Solving? – What causes these feelings of Anxiety?

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Beyond-the-Code-Presentation

Presentation about anxiety and negative thought patterns that developers may have.

On Github wzaghal / Beyond-the-Code-Presentation

Beyond the code

Created by Wisam Zaghal / @wisamjs

So who's here!

Roles

  • Bootcampers
  • Freelancers
  • Employees

Our Day to Day Activities

  • Fixing an old jQuery bug you found in your project
  • Creating a new responsive site for a client
  • Helping a team of developers to create a new internal tool

Our tasks involve:

  • Using existing knowledge
  • Learning more about existing knowledge
  • Learning completely new things
  • Unfamiliar territory
  • Familiar but with a twist

Problem Solving

What is Problem Solving?

“to use cognitive processing to find a solution to a difficult question or situation”

Too Much Focus On The Solution

“to use cognitive processing to find a solution to a difficult question or situation”

"Difficult question or situation"

  • Being stuck is to be expected
  • Doesn't matter how much you know
  • Reaching dead ends is a Good thing
  • How else will you get better?

“In order to succeed you must fail, so that you know what not to do the next time.”

Anthony J. D’Angelo

Embrace it.

We all go through it

And take it easy on yourself :)

I'm Stuck!

Embrace it

We all go through it

And take it easy on yourself :)

Cut yourself some

  • Yes, it's frustrating
  • Yes you might feel stupid
  • You're not stupid and you'll learn even more thanks to this situation

it's normal!

And it's part of being a developer

We're all human

Ask the crowd, how many people were stuck on something this week? How many of you were a little upset - scared/worried while you were stuck? How many of you then criticized yourself for being stuck? Use this to go to next point which is shared experiences & unrealistic expectations on reality.

What causes these feelings of Anxiety?

  • Unrealistic expectations on reality
  • We think we're alone
  • First bulletpoint was already touched regarding expecations on never being stuck

#1: A good developer knows/does...

Instead, we can:

  • Remember that there is no set definition of what a developer 'should' know
  • Be honest about our strengths and weaknesses, and do the same with others
  • Gently encourage yourself to explore and try new things

#2: But person X knows subject Y...

Instead, remember:

  • You know things
  • Other people know things
  • These things overlap far more than you realize
  • You may not be seeing other people very clearly

Story time

Perspective

Let's make an effort to see ourselves and each other more honestly

Let's take it easy on ourselves

Let's be open about this

Head over to #techstories

Thank you!

Any questions?

Beyond the code Created by Wisam Zaghal / @wisamjs