Mark as Unread

I have found one nice way of making sure I do not miss out on e-mails that I have put on a back-burner, to be read and replied to later, whenever I get some free time. These days, I have started marking all such e-mails as "Unread". I turn them to "Read" only after I have read them, and replied to them if necessary. Working quite well for me..

Project Management…

Following are some points that I personally need to work on, as an individual developer and for my team in general:

1. Giving enough time for testing and code reviews
   
2. Handling delays to the project caused by external factors sooner – informing the client about it on time and getting an approval or confirmation from them – This is more than just sending an e-mail about the delay, need to be very sensitive to the cost factor when delays occur
   
3. Handling change requests in terms of cost change
   
4. Finding alternative methods / techniques to reduce the delays if possible
   

I realized that there is a lot of scope for improvement for me in these aspects. Sigh – why do mistakes and learning never ever stop?

What you “want to do”, and what you “can” do!

In the last one year, I must say I have done quite a few things that I was afraid of – there was a fear in my mind about whether I would be able to handle these situations, and even if I could, how good would I be at them. And now after having done those things, I can only say that all the fear, all the fright was just a fear of unknown.

And without sounding too pompous, I just want to say that I am happy I made those decisions, it was more of challenging myself, making myself get out of my comfort zone, taking on those opportunities head on – and then putting in my best to get it done. There is a long way to go still, but I think I am already on the right track.

There really are two things in professional life – things that you want to do, and things that you can do. And as I think about this more, I realize that in the initial years of your career at least – the "what you can do" things play an important role in making you realize your true potential. There is a long way before anyone can really say "oh, I have been there and done all that". Till that time, there will always be the "first times" and it is very crucial you do not become complacent, and you stretch your own limits almost every day of your job. Another thing I believe in, and my belief gets stronger as I become senior – it is sometimes necessary to grab work. Raise your hand; do not expect your managers or colleagues to do that for you. One of my senior colleagues had put it very nicely for me, when I had just joined my company – "Make sure your plate is always full". I will add a little more to it and say that – "Make sure your plate is always full, let the main course be of things that you like to do. But make sure your dessert is made of things that you do because you want to see what you "can" do".

Before you go ahead and make a list of things that you "like to do", and "want to do", be sure you have done ALL of it, before you narrow down your own options. For all you know – you will be very good at something that you were scared of. And trust me – the feeling of overcoming your fear, and succeeding at what you set out for is unmatched. Do those things for the thrill of experiencing that feeling – and you will find yourself smiling through your fears!

Lessons at work

1. Make sure you send out e-mails, make sure you keep all the concerned parties on the same page – when things go wrong, every person by nature will try to get out scot-free, pass the buck onto someone else – Do not give that chance to yourself and to others!
   
2. Keep your manager and your manager's manager in the loop ALWAYS. Irrespective of how menial or how small the matter is. Trust me – you never know what will snowball when.
   
3. Say NO to work that does not fall under your role or jurisdiction – it is almost stupid to do somebody else's job for goodwill, when you have other important / urgent things to do yourself.
   
4. It isn't about what you can do – it really is about what you want to do. That makes all the difference. All the things that you "have" to do will not give you the satisfaction at the end of the day – so while you do those tasks, also do something that makes you feel good about yourself.
5. Mistakes happen - make a note of the mistake you did, and remember not to repeat it. Make that mistake into experience. And move on. Don't lose your sleep over them.
6. Missed chances, opportunities that seemed interesting and promising not materializing - this is a part and parcel of professional life - you lose some, you win some. Just accept that.

No option

Tell yourself – defeat is not an option. And you will be fine most of the times!