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"If you're overwhelmed by the size of the problem, break it down into smaller pieces" Big problems can feel overwhelming, but they don't have to. Often, the sheer size of a problem can create a feeling of paralysis, making it seem impossible to even begin. Instead of focusing on the entire, daunting "big picture," try shifting your perspective. The key is to recognize that any large undertaking can be dissected into smaller, more manageable parts. Think of it like a lemon tree. The tree represents your overall goal, and the lemons are the smaller steps needed to achieve it. Just as a whole lemon can be segmented into individual slices, a complex project can be divided into smaller, achievable tasks. By breaking down your goal into projects, and then those projects into individual tasks, you create a clear roadmap. This simplifies the process and makes it far less intimidating. Focusing on one small task at a time allows you to make steady progress without feeling overwhelmed. Each completed task builds momentum, gradually bringing you closer to your overall goal. This simple strategy, illustrated by the lemon tree analogy, can be applied to any challenge, whether it's a work project, a personal goal, or even a daunting household chore. Illustrated by Quoted Visually #motivation #productivity #mindset

AI-assisted coding, leadership & more in a new podcast! I recently joined the fantastic Frontend FM podcast (with Maxi Ferreira) to discuss my journey in tech, the impact of AI on software development, and some of the hard truths we need to address. Listen to the full podcast episode on Frontend FM here: https://lnkd.in/g3Y6PekG One topic we explored in detail was the "70% problem" – the phenomenon where AI gets us impressively far, but that final 30% requires deep engineering expertise. In a recent article, I cover why we're seeing this pattern and what it means for the future of software development. We discussed this in the podcast, along with a lot more! Here's a snippet from the article that highlights the key challenge: "The initial progress feels magical - you can describe what you want, and AI tools like v0 or Bolt will generate a working prototype that looks impressive. But then reality sets in. The final 30% - the part that makes software production-ready, maintainable, and robust - still requires real engineering knowledge." https://lnkd.in/gTrv9qQP This is something I'm passionate about, as we navigate the exciting but complex world of AI in coding. Don't forget to subscribe to Frontend FM for more insightful conversations! #softwareengineering #programming #ai

Hands free coding with AI: How to vibe code with your voice Humans speak 3-5x faster than they type so I'm excited to share my latest exploration into voice coding - a way to build software by simply speaking our ideas. Here's the full write-up: https://lnkd.in/gkQTk_ud I dive into "vibe coding with voice" where tools like superwhisper and modern AI coding editors let you transform natural language into code. This approach isn't just about avoiding keyboard fatigue but is about shifting our focus to high-level prompts and letting AI help handle the syntax. The video shows how using voice commands with tools like code-generators (Bolt, v0 etc) or editors (Cline, Cursor, Copilot etc) can make the development process more fluid and ergonomic. By speaking your prompts (and even setting up "replacements" for favorite prompts) you can speed up your workflow, reduce repetitive typing, and even mitigate strain if prone to RSI. I invite you to check out the post for a full demo and a deep dive into how voice coding could reshape our developer workflow. Happy vibe coding! #softwareengineering #programming #ai

"AI can't do it all: Why human skills are still critical for coding" My new article ✍ : https://lnkd.in/gRTjFCqm In my last article, "The 70% problem: Hard truths about AI-assisted coding" I unpacked how AI handles 70% of coding grunt work - leaving the critical 30% (think architecture, edge cases, and quality) to us humans. My new piece, "Beyond the 70%: Maximizing the human 30% of AI-assisted coding" dives deeper: what durable skills should developers master to thrive alongside AI? From system design to debugging, this is your guide to owning the part AI can't touch. In this sequel, I reveal: - The durable skills you MUST master: Discover the engineering skills that AI can't replicate, from system design to debugging, and why they're more crucial than ever. - The senior developer's edge: Learn how experienced engineers can leverage AI as a "force multiplier" and become indispensable technical leaders. - The junior developer's growth path: Get practical advice on how to thrive in the AI era, avoid skill atrophy, and become a highly valued contributor. Why Tim O'Reilly says "We’re not facing the end of programming, but rather ‘the end of programming as we know it today.’" Whether you're a senior developer guiding AI with your deep expertise, or a junior engineer rapidly climbing the value ladder, success will belong to those who sharpen these durable, human-centered skills. Read "Beyond the 70%: Maximizing the human 30% of AI-assisted coding". #programming #softwareengineering #ai

A great way to improve your communication skills: a vocal, visual and transcription review. Great advice from Vinh Giang

"Intelligence alone is not enough" We often equate intelligence with success. But this image brilliantly illustrates a crucial point: intelligence alone is not enough. The left stack, built solely on "intelligence" blocks, is limited. It represents the potential that remains untapped without action. The right stack, however, towers above. It's constructed with "intelligence," yes, but also "showing Up" and "curiosity." - Showing up: Intelligence is useless if it's not applied. Consistent effort, dedication, and putting yourself out there are vital. It's about turning knowledge into action. - Curiosity: Intelligence without curiosity stagnates. A thirst for learning, asking questions, and exploring new ideas fuels growth and innovation. Don't let your intelligence be a solitary tower. Build a well-rounded foundation by actively showing up and nurturing your curiosity. Illustrated by Roberto Ferraro who is always worth a follow! #motivation #productivity #mindset

Excited to be co-chairing O'Reilly's "Coding with AI" with Tim O'Reilly! I'm excited to sare that I'll be co-chairing O'Reilly's upcoming conference, "Coding with AI: The End of Software Development as We Know It," alongside Tim O'Reilly! This event, set for May 8th, is shaping up to be a great moment for developers navigating the transformative landscape of AI. https://lnkd.in/ejWPBU_T We're bringing together the brightest minds to explore the "how" and "why" of AI in coding. The incredible lineup of speakers includes Jay Parikh, Gergely Orosz, Chip Huyen, Shawn Wang, Harper Reed, Simon Willison, Chelsea Troy, Steve Yegge, and Andrew Stellman. Join us on May 8th for "Coding with AI: The End of Software Development as We Know It." And if you have a story to share, a tool to demo, or a workflow to reveal, submit your proposals by March 12th. We're eager to hear from you! #softwareengineering #programming #ai

"A bad day does not make a bad year" We all experience difficult days - when nothing goes right, challenges multiply, and our outlook darkens. During these moments, it's easy to become discouraged and let negativity cloud our perspective. Remember: one difficult day represents just a small dip in your overall upward trajectory. Don't let temporary setbacks derail your long-term progress. When struggling, step back to regain perspective. Consider how far you've come, what obstacles you've already conquered, and how you've grown. Visualize better days ahead and stay connected to your purpose. Tomorrow brings new opportunities. A challenging day, week, or even month doesn't mean a bad life. You have the resilience to overcome difficulties and move forward. Embrace this perspective and transform setbacks into foundations for your comeback. Illustrated by Michael J Boorman who is always worth a follow! #motivation #productivity #leadership

It's really never too late to start. Starting something new is always possible - whether it's a career change, side project, fitness goal, or learning opportunity. Don't let your age, the hour, or the calendar date become barriers. Taking that first step matters most. Begin with something small, start today, and maintain momentum. Small, consistent actions create powerful results over time. #motivation #productivity #mindset

"What makes a software engineering team effective?" Ever wonder what truly makes a team effective? Google's Project Aristotle, a deep dive into team dynamics, revealed a powerful truth: it's less about individual talent and more about how team members interact. And at the core of it all? Psychological safety. The five dynamics that drive team effectiveness are: 1. Psychological Safety: Creating an environment where risks are welcomed and mistakes are seen as learning opportunities. 2. Dependability: Ensuring consistent, high-quality work delivered on time. 3. Structure and Clarity: Defining clear roles, processes, and expectations. 4. Meaning: Connecting work to a sense of purpose and personal significance. 5. Impact: Demonstrating how team efforts contribute to broader organizational goals. While Project Aristotle's research was conducted within Google, the identified factors influencing team effectiveness could hold some relevance for teams in other contexts. By focusing on these five factors, software engineering teams can create an environment conducive to collaboration, innovation, and success Learn more in "Leading Effective Engineering Teams" from O'Reilly: https://leet.addy.ie/ and our write-up on The Pragmatic Engineer: https://lnkd.in/ghVmXqhr #softwareengineering #programming

"10 Google engineering practices your team can adopt" Free to read: https://lnkd.in/gKCWSFxd What can your team learn from Google's approach to software engineering? In my new blog post, I dive into 10 key practices, including: 1. Cultivating a comprehensive testing culture 2. Establishing effective code review processes (small changes are key!) 3. Prioritizing comprehensive documentation (keep it close to the code!) 4. Fostering a culture of knowledge sharing 5. Utilizing progressive rollouts and feature flags 6. Strategically managing technical debt And much more, including AI in software engineering and blameless postmortems! My latest blog post breaks down our software engineering practices into actionable steps you can implement in your own team. From smaller teams to larger orgs, there are key takeaways here for everyone. Bonus: If you haven't read it yet, the "Software Engineering at Google" book, which this builds on is free to read online: https://lnkd.in/ghUV3__5 #softwareengineering #programming #LifeAtGoogle

Realistic ocean waves in the browser thanks to WebGPU! Get ready to make some waves! Explore a mesmerizing demo where you can interact with realistic waves and procedurally generated ocean sounds - all thanks to the power of WebGPU & Web Audio. I've taken matsuoka_601's incredible WebGPU fluid simulations prototype and cranked up the immersion. Demo: https://ocean.addy.ie (code: https://lnkd.in/gzKi5dNZ, original: https://lnkd.in/g_MYyggQ) But first, let's give credit where credit is due! Matsuoka's original graphics demos are a masterclass in pushing the boundaries of browser graphics. He generously shared the techniques behind his work, breaking down the magic to achieve stunningly realistic fluid movement, even on integrated graphics. Check out Matsuoka's original article - it's well worth the read! https://lnkd.in/gDDdGedj Matsuoka achieves high-performance, real-time fluid simulations in the browser using WebGPU by combining two key techniques: MLS-MPM (Moving Least Squares Material Point Method), a hybrid particle and grid-based approach, eliminates costly neighbor searches and enables efficient physics calculations, even for large particle counts. In my version, I'm generating ocean sounds here by using white noise filtered through a low-pass filter and modulating it to create the ebb and flow of waves. Your browser will need to support WebGPU for the demo to work (https://lnkd.in/gGCJSCGx), but the video should give you the key ideas :) #programming #softwarenengineering #javascript

"Why cognitive load (not clean code) is what really matters in coding" What truly matters in software development isn't following trendy practices - it's minimizing mental effort for other developers. I've witnessed numerous projects where brilliant developers created sophisticated architectures using cutting-edge patterns and microservices. Yet when new team members attempted modifications, they struggled for weeks just to grasp how components interconnected. This cognitive burden drastically reduced productivity and increased defects. Ironically, many of these complexity-inducing patterns were implemented pursuing "clean code." The essential goal should be reducing unnecessary mental strain. This might mean: - Fewer, deeper modules instead of many shallow ones - Keeping related logic together rather than fragmenting it - Choosing straightforward solutions over clever ones The best code isn't the most elegant - it's what future developers (including yourself) can quickly comprehend. When making architectural decisions or reviewing code, ask: "How much mental effort will others need to understand this?" Focus on minimizing cognitive load to create truly maintainable systems, not just theoretically clean ones. Remember, code is read far more often than written. #programming #softwareengineering #tech

"As you get smarter, you stop having an opinion about everything." With deeper knowledge comes the recognition of complexity. You begin to see issues from multiple angles and understand that few questions have simple answers. This realization can be initially unsettling. Yet this uncertainty brings benefits. It fosters open-mindedness and tolerance while improving your decision-making through more comprehensive consideration of information. A crucial skill is knowing what doesn't deserve your attention. Focus your mental energy selectively. Equally important is recognizing when your opinion need not be expressed. Sometimes listening proves more valuable than speaking. Illustration by Ash Lamb who is always worth a follow! #motivation #productivity #mindset

We released Canvas in Gemini, allowing you to code and preview React/JS components quickly. Here's a one-shot Stock market component! Try it out: https://gemini.google.com If you have feedback, please feel free to share it. We want to keep improving Gemini's code generation quality for web development. More to come! Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gS2s8C9b #programming #softwareengineering #ai

"A quick call can turn into a long fall from productivity." Anyone who has experienced deep focus knows this truth. One moment you're in the zone, making significant progress. The next, you're derailed by an interruption that could have been handled differently, and your momentum vanishes. Regaining that focus takes considerable time and energy. This reality is stark: while we expect our productivity to maintain a steady course, interruptions cause sharp drops followed by slow, gradual recoveries. To protect your productivity: - Set clear communication boundaries about when you're available for calls versus other forms of contact - Embrace asynchronous communication for non-urgent matters - Create dedicated, notification-free blocks for focused work By implementing these approaches, you can significantly reduce interruptions and maintain your productive momentum. Illustrated by Ash Lamb who is always worth a follow! #motivation #productivity #mindset

"Never underestimate the power of small habits" Small habits may seem insignificant, but they create remarkable impacts over time. These daily practices compound powerfully. Consider that saving just $8 daily accumulates to $3,000 yearly. Reading 20 pages each day means finishing 30 books annually. Walking 10,000 steps daily equals completing 70 marathons per year. The secret is consistency. When you maintain a small habit long-term, results inevitably follow. Begin with modest changes and prioritize steady progress over perfection. #productivity #motivation #work

"Using Three.js & JavaScript to create infinite scenic landscapes, packaged as a chill driving game" https://slowroads.io/ is a browser-based game using WebGL (via Three.js) to generate an endless set of scenic landscapes you can drive through. No installs, no logins, just roads. #softwareengineering #programming

"An MCP that lets Claude talk directly to Blender" Create beautiful 3D scenes using just prompts! What is MCP? Anthropic's Model Context Protocol (MCP) is a new open standard connecting AI models to diverse data sources. It enables richer, context-aware AI interactions by simplifying integration. Think of it as a universal connector for AI. Imagine breaking down the barriers between your AI and your essential tools – apps, services, content repositories, dev environments, and more. MCP aims to replace the current fragmented integration methods with a unified protocol, enabling AI to access and utilize data more effectively. Example here: Siddharth Ahuja used MCP to let Claude control Blender, creating 3D scenes from simple prompts. He was able to generate a 3D scene ("low-poly dragon guarding treasure") without directly working on it himself. This showcases how MCP can empower users to translate natural language into complex actions, automate creative processes and interact with software in a more intuitive way. Learn about MCP: https://lnkd.in/gkkH9eK9 Link to try out the demo: https://lnkd.in/gFEyHhD8 There's a lot of exciting work happening in the MCP space that I think is going to empower developers to do more with lower-friction. Watching this space. #softwareengineering #programming #ai

Tip: Canvas in Gemini can convert designs to React code! This week we announced Canvas in Gemini which you can use for free to generate React/JS components at https://gemini.google.com. Canvas can also take a design/mock-up (e.g. a Figma export) and turn that into interactive React code too. Here's an interactive shopping component in one-shot. Pretty amazing how well this works. Try Canvas out and do let us know if you have any feedback. Would love to see it continue to get better. #softwareengineering #programming #ai