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WeAreDevelopers LIVE β€’ Dec 16, 2024

The Cult of Done: My Journey to Becoming a Maker

Leo Riviera

Leah Vera argues a developer's worth exists independently of their output. Discover five principles from the Cult of Done to overcome perfectionism and finish your side projects.

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#1 about 6 min

Overcoming existential dread and burnout in software engineering

Questioning the purpose of repetitive coding tasks leads to finding fulfillment through building tangible projects.

#2 about 3 min

Defining the maker mindset for technical professionals

Embracing the definition of making helps technologists convert feelings of overwhelm into an actionable desire to create.

#3 about 4 min

Breaking down project complexities into manageable action states

Acknowledging the natural phases of not knowing, action, and completion provides a structured approach for continuous discovery.

#4 about 2 min

Scrapping completed items to focus on iterative learning

Relinquishing attachment to finished products allows creators to value iterative learning over an abstract notion of perfection.

#5 about 6 min

Accepting failure and mistakes as natural project conclusions

Treating failure as an acceptable stopping point reduces performance anxiety and removes guilt associated with abandoning unworkable ideas.

#6 about 4 min

Shielding the creative process from premature outside opinions

Finishing a raw prototype independently prevents unsolicited feedback from derailing personal motivation and ownership.

#7 about 1 min

Using completed work as momentum for future projects

Completing smaller tasks successfully creates a compounding foundation of knowledge that accelerates ongoing technical growth.

#8 about 3 min

Reclaiming personal identity beyond professional and creative output

Separating individual self-worth from digital production restores intrinsic motivation and fosters a healthier relationship to external exploration.

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Brenda Romero Brenda Romero Β· WWC 2024

4:42 min

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