Building Productive Habits

99% of high-performing software engineers I’ve worked with in the last 19 years of my career at Google, Paytm, Amazon, and startups had this one habit that made them stand out: → They used to build prototypes. Fast. Frequently. Even if they’re throwaway. It’s so much easier to reason about a real demo or code sample than to argue endlessly about abstract ideas. 🔁 Building trumps theorizing, every single time: ∟ A quick proof-of-concept > A detailed architecture doc You’ll find edge cases, constraints, and blockers in minutes, not weeks. ∟ 30 lines of code > 3 hours of debate Nothing kills overthinking faster than seeing something actually run. ∟ “Let me show you” > “Let’s brainstorm on a whiteboard” Teams align faster when they see a prototype in action, not just sketches and talk. ∟ One-day spike > Week-long design meetings Most teams need signals and feedback, not another round of speculation. ∟ Even a failed prototype > Weeks of “What if…” Because a failed demo answers more questions than a month of guessing. The best engineers get this: → Shipping something, even if it’s ugly, is the fastest way to stress-test your assumptions and bring others onboard. The feedback you get from a live prototype is 10x more valuable than a week of endless discussion. That’s how you cut through noise. That’s how you lead as an engineer.

One habit I built during my early days was to read design docs, even if they did not belong to my team ⚡ The first thing I did after joining Amazon, back in 2016, was to go through their internal Wiki portal. The portal hosted all the public design docs and documentation written by various teams. The portal was a goldmine of information. One thing that I absolutely love about design docs is how practical they are. The designs are not just some random set of boxes drawn on a piece of paper, but rather they contain highly practical approach to solving a problem and the solution will be shipped to production. With multiple engineers writing them and several tech leads reviewing them, these docs hold all the required context, trade-offs made, alternate designs, implementation nuances, and potential pitfalls. Reading them gives a deeper understanding of the domain, the problem, and the system. To be honest, I was initially quite overwhelmed reading them. But over time I got used to it and started connecting the dots. So, if you try to do this, do not be discouraged by the initial complexity, because things will get easier over time. So, if your company also practices writing design docs, do spend time reading them, even if they are from different teams. If not, then be the one who initiates and drives this process. Forming a habit of reading design docs consistently, rewired my thought process and made me a better engineer; hence I would highly recommend you pick this habit up. ⚡ I keep writing and sharing my practical experience and learnings every day, so if you resonate then follow along. I keep it no fluff.

As a creative who specializes in photography filmmaking, I usually receive emails and messages from creatives seeking advice. Over the years, I’ve written down and reminded myself of certain key points with each project. I thought it would be beneficial to share some of these ideas here on LinkedIn. 1. Debrief: After each project, taking the time to debrief is essential. Reflect on what you did to achieve the goals, identify the challenges faced, and consider how you and your team can learn from the experience. Evaluate whether your ideas were too ambitious or if the brand or client didn’t fully connect with your vision. Gathering all this information helps you refine your approach and apply these lessons to your next project, guaranteeing continuous growth and improvement. 2. Clear Communication: Establishing open and transparent communication from the start ensures that everyone is on the same page, from the production team to the client. This helps manage expectations and keeps the project moving smoothly. 3. Collaboration: Successful projects are built on collaboration. Engaging with your team, valuing their input, and working together towards a shared vision is key to creating something special. 4. Adaptability: Flexibility is crucial in creative work. Whether it’s adjusting to last-minute changes or finding creative solutions on the fly, being adaptable keeps the project on track. Remember to be Nimble! 5. Storytelling: At the core of every project is a story. Whether it’s a photo shoot or a film, the ability to tell a compelling story that resonates with the audience is what sets the work apart. Story is everything. 6. Attention to Detail: The little things matter. Paying close attention to every element—from lighting and composition to styling and post-production—elevates the final outcome. It's all in the details. 7. Client Relationships: Building and maintaining strong relationships with clients is just as important as the creative work itself. Understanding their needs, keeping them involved, and delivering on promises fosters trust and long-term partnerships. Remember no client is the same. 8. Passion and Purpose: Bringing your passion and sense of purpose to every project keeps the work authentic and impactful. It’s not just about the final product, but the process and the message behind it. This is your personal stamp and DNA don't forget it. 9. Professionalism: From meeting deadlines to maintaining a positive attitude, professionalism sets the tone for the entire project and ensures a smooth experience for everyone involved.

Ever wonder 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗺 𝗮𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱? What if the secret lies in ancient wisdom, adapted for today's fast-paced world? It’s Monday morning, and instead of groaning at the upcoming workweek, you're energized and ready. That was me—before I discovered the Japanese concept of Kaizen, or continuous improvement. Like many of you, I hit a productivity wall after ten years in tech. But these six simple techniques transformed my approach: 𝟭. 𝗞𝗮𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗻: Embrace small, manageable changes every day. It’s about continuous improvement, not overnight transformation. 𝟮. 𝗣𝗼𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗼𝗿𝗼 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲: Work intensely for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break. It keeps your mind fresh and your tasks manageable. 𝟯. 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻: Approach tasks with a beginner’s mindset. There’s always something new to learn, which keeps things interesting. 𝟰. 𝗞𝗮𝗻𝗯𝗮𝗻: Visualize your work and progress. Nothing beats the satisfaction of moving a task to the ‘Done’ column. 𝟱. 𝗜𝗸𝗶𝗴𝗮𝗶 : Find your purpose. When your work aligns with your passions, work isn’t work anymore. 𝟲. 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗮 𝗛𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶 𝗕𝘂 : Stop working before you feel drained. Maintaining your energy is key to consistent performance. Transform Your Workday These strategies are more than productivity hacks; they’re a new way to look at your work and life balance. Love & Positivity, Coach Vandana Dubey #ProductivityTips #LeadershipDevelopment #CareerGrowth #Wisdom #ITProfessionals

After 26 years of training high performers, I discovered their most overlooked superpower that allows them to outwork everyone else: It's sleep, but not in the way that you think. I used to try to out-hustle a tired brain and outperform a depleted body, but the fact is, I couldn't. If your sleep isn't replenishing you, it's becoming a danger to your goals. Succesful people don't win because they work when you're asleep, they succeeed because they work harder than you on the right things when you're awake. They're goals are clearer, they're schedule is optimized and they move without skipping a beat because their mind is always well rested. Since learning this I've worked with a sleep coach to optimize for one thing; performance when i'm awake. Here are the 8 habits that high performers use that I started copying: 1. Sleep at 67 degrees Cool environments trigger natural melatonin. You fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. 2. Block out light and sound Black out your room. Use white noise if needed. 3. Clear your mind before bed Use journaling or breath work. Quiet the mental loops that keep you awake. 4. Finish workouts at least 3 hours before bed Don't elevate cortisol late at night. Let your body unwind. 5. Same sleep and wake times daily Even on weekends to protect your natural rhythm. 6. Block 7 hours every night Sleep is non-negotiable. If you miss one night, don't miss two. 7. Cut stimulants by mid-afternoon No caffeine after 2 PM. These break up your sleep cycles. 8. Get up if you can't sleep after 20 minutes Reset and try again. Being successful is the result of how productive you are when you are awake, not the total hours you spend awake. Your day begins the night before. If you want to show up big tomorrow, start tonight. Protect your sleep like athletes do before game day. I treat my sleep like my most important bank account. Every bit of energy and focus you need during the day is a withdrawal. The deposits happen while you sleep.

I've trained 10,000s of engineers - from developers in Brazil to Fortune100 teams in US to government employees in UK. These 8 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝘀𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀: Here's the thing - AI is reshaping how we build and deploy software. But it's not replacing the engineers who have these skills. If you're a manager, you need to know what truly matters. And if you're an engineer, these are your career insurance. 1) 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗕𝗶𝗮𝘀 ↳ Most engineers wait for perfect requirements. ↳ Top performers release fast and iterate based on actual user feedback. 2) 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 ↳ They don't just manage their calendar - they protect their focus. ↳ They say no to unnecessary meetings and protect deep work time. 3) 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 ↳ They translate technical complexity into clear language. ↳ No jargon. No waffle. Just clarity that aligns everyone on a team. 4) 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗖𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 ↳ They never stop asking "why is it built this way?" ↳ They question existing architectures and dig below the surface. 5) 𝗗𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 ↳ Motivation disappears. Systems stay. ↳ They build habits that keep them shipping even on rough days. 6) 𝗔𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘆𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 ↳ They break complex systems into understandable parts. ↳ They spot patterns others miss and make decisions with logic, not gut feel. 7) 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 ↳ Not everyone needs an MBA, but understanding the business impact of technical decisions is crucial. ↳ These engineers connect their work to actual valuable outcomes. 8) 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗹𝘂𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 ↳ Building trust across teams - dev, ops, security, product. ↳ They persuade without manipulation and get buy-in that moves projects forward. AI can generate code and automate deployments. But it can't replicate these human skills. 👀 If you're hiring engineers, look for these traits. 🧪 If you're building your career, start developing them now. They're what make you irreplaceable. Want more real talk about DevOps careers? Subscribe to our newsletter: https://bit.ly/4ndJVEy ♻️ Repost this to help engineers in your network thrive.

The habits that keep #careers alive long after others quit. Six years ago, I walked away from a full time corporate career ! I’d hit every milestone I was wanted to — good salary, leadership role, experiences across industries. But inside, I wanted something more sustainable and flexible there on. Not because I hated my work… but because I’d built a career that was nearly 24×7 and left no time for my other interests (travel the world), passion (read and learn new things) or family commitment (aging parents) That was the moment I learned: Success means nothing if you can’t sustain it or change course keeping your goals in sight. So I started studying the people who lasted — the ones who stayed sharp, inspired, and relevant while everyone else quietly faded out. Here’s what they had in common 👇 1️⃣ They protect their energy, not just their time. They say no — a lot. Because burnout doesn’t come from overwork, it comes from misaligned work. They had utmost #clarity on where to put their #energy. 2️⃣ They reinvent themselves every few years. #Curiosity is their safety net. When the world changes, they don’t panic — they pivot. 3️⃣ They play long games. They don’t chase titles. They build impact. The promotions follow naturally. They keep at what they choose to do till they succeed. 4️⃣ They rest before they crash. They treat recovery like a skill, not a reward. They take their entitled leaves, find ways to recharge 5️⃣ They keep good people close. Mentors. Friends. Colleagues who tell them the truth when everyone else claps. And they #network a lot ! If you want a long, healthy career — start protecting the things that keep you alive, not just employed. Which of these #habits do you think matters most right now ?

What if career growth wasn’t just about luck, but about following proven strategies? These actionable steps helped immensely in my career growth. 1. Excel in Your Current Role (Most Critical): Consistently meet or exceed expectations. A proven track record builds the foundation for future opportunities. 2. Align with Organization Goals: Understand your organization’s top priorities and demonstrate how your work contributes directly to them. 3. Seek Feedback Actively: Ask for constructive insights and act on them. This commitment to growth truly makes a difference. 4. Develop New Skills: Invest in training and learning opportunities to stay current with industry trends and keep your skills sharp. 5. Network Internally: Build relationships across departments. Gaining visibility beyond your immediate team shows you’re a collaborative team player. 6. Volunteer for New Assignments: Step up to take on responsibilities beyond your current role. Initiative today can lead to larger opportunities tomorrow. 7. Express Your Career Aspirations: Have open conversations with your manager about your professional interests and goals. It’s not just about a promotion—it’s about sharing where you see your future and how you plan to contribute to the company’s success. 8. Mentoring: Seek mentors to accelerate your learning and also become a mentor to others to support their growth. 9. Maintain Integrity and Authenticity: Express your genuine views respectfully. Authenticity sets you apart and builds lasting trust. 10. Stay Resilient and Patient: Career growth takes time. Keep delivering excellence and demonstrating your value—the results will follow. What strategies have helped you achieve your career goals? I’d love to hear your story! #leadership #career #technology

Busy and stressed? Read on! 👇🏻 We all know that clients, managers and colleagues can have unreasonable expectations. I know this, it’s part of the DNA of the legal profession. But aren't we perpetuating the problem by trying to do everything right away even if no one is chasing and there are no deadlines? It’s a CRAZY way to work, it puts our wellbeing at risk!  Why do we do it?  - Fear of failure? - Perfectionism?  - Lack of boundaries?  - Need to exceed KPIs? - Perceived competition with peers? - Compulsive workaholic behaviour? - To impress clients and supervisors? - Unrealistic expectations of ourselves? - Fear of losing our jobs, disappointing others? - Not saying no even when we are really overloaded? High productivity can be great for business. But being too productive, “bad busy” can really take a toll on our physical and mental health. What can we do to slow down? - Prioritise urgent work and ONLY focus on that. - Set boundaries. It's OK to say no to extra work. - Realise that we don’t have to power through everything on the to do list. - Delegate and outsource if possible.  - Take breaks away from your desk (instant stress-relief!) - Take time for yourself to relax and de-stress. Embrace technology, e.g. case management software, dictation and transcription software, document automation, etc. to free up your time so that you can focus on more important tasks. Here’s a controversial one… Say no to new clients. If you're already feeling overwhelmed, it's OK to say no to new clients. It's better to focus on providing excellent service to existing clients than to take on too much work and risk your own wellbeing. Your physical and mental health are your most important assets. Take care of yourself! 💛 Do you think we need to slow down? #productivity #mentalhealth #wellbeingatwork #success #coaching

An underrated strategic habit. Strategic Recovery Cycle. What most call #selfcare! Self-care is not a spa day. It is a performance system. If you lead without an energy strategy, you are gambling with decision quality, team morale, and execution speed. Strategy dies in the gap between what you intend and what your brain and body can actually deliver. Strategic Recovery Cycle is a reliable routine that keeps your brain and body online for high stakes work. It turns stress into adaptation through planned renewal. Recently ago I led a high-stakes technology transformation initiative across multiple time zones and believed I could outwork physiology. Late nights. Early mornings. Constant context switching. By week twelve the pressure was high. I approved a sequencing plan that pushed a critical milestone out by 14 days. That delay almost cost me! I finally treated self-care like a board-level priority. 🪀Eight hours in bed as a target. 🪀Two protected focus blocks daily. 🪀Walking meetings. 🪀Protein and vegetables before caffeine. 🪀One quiet hour weekly to think, review, and realign. I shared this with my team, within six weeks our error rate dropped, time to decision improved, and my team’s energy lifted. We recovered the timeline and closed the value gap. Five neglected habits that quietly hurt leaders’ careers and how #StrategicRecoveryCycle fixes them. 1. Neglected Habit: Sleep as an afterthought ↔️ Strategic Fix: Schedule sleep like a sponsor meeting. Protect a consistent lights-out and wake-up window. Better sleep equals better prefrontal cortex function, which equals clearer priorities and fewer costly rework cycles. 2. Neglected Habit: No protected thinking time ↔️ Strategic Fix: Block daily focus windows and a weekly ninety-minute strategy review. Use them to translate vision into the next three executable moves. 3. Neglected Habit: Reactive calendar with zero boundaries ↔️ Strategic Fix: Set meeting limits, shorten default durations, and batch decisions. Say “not now” to misaligned work. Boundaries are not soft skills. 4. Neglected Habit: Fuel and movement ignored ↔️Strategic Fix: Treat food, water, and movement as uptime levers. Front-load protein and fiber, hydrate, and move every hour. 5. Neglected Habit: No honest recovery ritual ↔️Strategic Fix: End each week with a simple retrospective. What created value. What leaked value. What gets stopped, started, or continued. Bottom line Strategic Recovery Cycle is the operating system that turns strategy into behavior and behavior into measurable value. If you want ROI, faster execution, and fewer unforced errors, start by upgrading the way you sleep, think, protect time, fuel, move, and recover. Make it visible in your calendar, track it like a metric, and hold yourself accountable like a leader. If this resonates, choose one fix and put it on your calendar today. Then lead like you mean it. #FolaElevates #StrategicLeadership #ProjectManagement #Neurostrategic