Thriving Technologist Jayme Edwards

It's finally sinking in. Your software project is FAKE agile. Is there anything you can really do about it?
The sad reality is that more companies have fake agile software development processes than those that are authentic. You can fight tooth and nail to try and change the system, or you can accept when there's nothing you can do.
Being a truly agile software company is not usually something any individual programmer or manager can change. It has to start from the top. If the company doesn't do agile budgeting and have a culture of adapting to feedback, they are a typical feature factory focused on output over outcomes.
In this episode, I offer some practical ways to let to of your frustration and do the best job you can given the circumstances. If you're the type of software engineer, manager, or any other tech job role that considers themselves a change agent - you may be challenged by this one.
But this episode isn't for everyone. It's for those of us who are experiencing mental health issues, burnout, and anger over our software project being fake agile. I hope it offers some relief.
Join my Patreon: 
https://thrivingtechnologist.com/patreon
TechRolepedia, a wiki about the top 25 roles in tech: 
https://thrivingtechnologist.com/techroles
The Healthy Software Development career guide: 
https://thrivingtechnologist.com/guide
Learn about one-on-one coaching with Jayme:  
https://thrivingtechnologist.com/coaching
You can also watch this episode on YouTube. 
RELATED EPISODES
Spot a Fake Agile Team in Under 7 Minutes!
https://youtu.be/H6GdK-dChtY
An Agile Budget Keeps You From Being a Code Monkey
https://youtu.be/pG4wNLopMZA
Is Your "Agile" Backlog Really a Waterfall Project?
https://youtu.be/OosYzkP-pLk
Can User Stories Make Software Projects Late?
https://youtu.be/NavlPobhj7A
Are Programmers Really To Blame For Bad Estimates?
https://youtu.be/m5A1Wg8hYGo
Chapter markers / timelinks:
(0:00) Introduction
(1:30) How to Cope With FAKE Agile Development
(3:25) 1. Stop Forcing Change
(5:10) 2. Exercise
(7:25) 3. Become a Requirements Lawyer
(10:33) 4. Charge for Changes
(13:12) 5. Protect Your Reputation
(15:12) 6. Define Your Own Success
(21:54) Episode Groove
Visit me at thrivingtechnologist.com
Find me on X as @jaymeedwards
Find me on LinkedIn as jaymeedwards

If you're bothered by the problems in the tech industry, I am too. But while every day we seem to hear more and more negative news about it - we're actually paying attention to the wrong problems.
There are many things wrong with the software industry, but very few we can control. And one thing we can control, is how much we understand each other.
Programmers complain that managers set unrealistic deadlines. Managers complain that programmers are lazy. And these are just two examples of the many different tech job roles where misunderstanding each other causes us to feel frustrated and hopeless.
In this episode, I'm sharing my vision for how we can help each other get out of complaining about the tech industry - and DO something about it. While none of us is empowered to fix every problem out there, we can at least fix what's right in front of us.
This episode marks a new chapter for the channel. I'm renaming it to Thriving Technologist! Thriving because we don't just need to be healthy in tech - we need to thrive and succeed. Technologist because we need to help not just software developers thrive, but everyone in the tech industry.
Only when we have empathy for each other and stop seeing each other as enemies, can we stop the anger and begin building a better tech industry for us all to work in. So this is an official welcome to all the people who are not programmers over the years to join us in the effort to create a healthier, more sustainable workplace in tech for us all.
Join my Patreon: 
https://www.patreon.com/HealthySoftwareDeveloper 
TechRolepedia, a wiki about the top 25 roles in tech: 
https://healthysoftwaredeveloper.com/techroles/
The Healthy Software Development career guide: 
https://healthysoftwaredeveloper.com/guide/
Learn about one-on-one coaching with Jayme:  
https://healthysoftwaredeveloper.com/coaching/
You can also watch this episode on YouTube. 
Visit me at healthysoftwaredeveloper.com
Find me on X as @jaymeedwards
Find me on LinkedIn as jaymeedwards

Learning new technologies, frameworks, and processes as a programmer gives you a feeling of accomplishment. But unchecked, learning can become a dangerous addiction that damages your software development career.
In this episode, I share how software engineers can cap their earning potential if they fall into common traps when learning is the absolute wrong thing to do. If you want to have a long career in software and get the rewards, recognition, and success you deserve - knowing when to (and not to) learn is essential.
Join my Patreon: 
https://www.patreon.com/HealthySoftwareDeveloper 
TechRolepedia, a wiki about the top 25 roles in tech: 
https://healthysoftwaredeveloper.com/techroles/
The Healthy Software Development career guide: 
https://healthysoftwaredeveloper.com/guide/
Learn about one-on-one coaching with Jayme:  
https://healthysoftwaredeveloper.com/coaching/
You can also watch this episode on YouTube. 
Chapter markers / timelinks:
(1:22) 1. How Learning Addiction Harms Tech Careers
(1:28) 1.1 Procrastination
(3:03) 1.2 Sunk Costs
(3:57) 1.3 Declining Value
(5:41) 1.4 Social Avoidance
(7:15) 1.5 Work/Life Imbalance
(8:48) 2. How To Know When Learning is a Trap
(8:54) 2.1 Self-Delusion Your Project Requires It
(10:01) 2.2 Self-Delusion You Need It To Get a New Job
(11:20) 2.3 Influencer Hype and Vanity Metrics
(13:03) 2.4 Tech Industry Pushes Fear of Missing Out (FOMO)
(15:10) 2.5 Current Challenge Looks Easier in New Tech
Visit me at healthysoftwaredeveloper.com
Find me on X as @jaymeedwards
Find me on LinkedIn as jaymeedwards

Have you ever seen another programmer who wasn't as skilled as you get promoted? Did you tell yourself management was making a mistake?
Earlier in my career I didn't realize I was doing some things that caused managers to lose confidence in me. I would spend all my time writing code and never think about how I came across to other people.
In this episode, I share some harsh truths I've learned about how being a software engineer can cause us to do things we think the company wants - that actually hurt our reputation in the long run.
Companies are actually paying you for confidence as a programmer. And this episode is full of practical strategies for making sure you don't fall into traps that stop you from getting recognized for the great code you write as a programmer - before your career is really getting started!
Join my Patreon: 
https://www.patreon.com/HealthySoftwareDeveloper 
TechRolepedia, a wiki about the top 25 roles in tech: 
https://healthysoftwaredeveloper.com/techroles/
The Healthy Software Development career guide: 
https://healthysoftwaredeveloper.com/guide/
Learn about one-on-one coaching with Jayme:  
https://healthysoftwaredeveloper.com/coaching/
You can also watch this episode on YouTube. 
Chapter markers / timelinks:
(1:19) 1. What Companies Really Want From Programmers
(2:12) 2. How To Build Employer Confidence as a Programmer
(2:22) 2.1 Minimize Communicating Problems and Doubt
(5:42) 2.2 Repeat Management's Desires
(7:46) 2.3 Anonymize Blame on Dependencies
(10:57) 2.4 Reduce Your Throughput
(14:52) 2.5 Elevate Your Coworkers
(17:05) 2.6 Over-communicate Status
(20:11) 2.7 Highlight Discovered Shortcuts
(22:20) 2.8 Document Verbal Decisions
(26:58) Episode Groove
Visit me at healthysoftwaredeveloper.com
Find me on X as @jaymeedwards
Find me on LinkedIn as jaymeedwards

Making videos, podcasts, or blogs could be just what your career as a programmer needs. But it could also be a complete waste of time. Many programmers become influencers, but there are two very different reasons for doing so.
In this episode, I share the difference between being a pure influencer, or posting online for content marketing. Content marketing is helping people solve some problem they have with your content to encourage them to consider doing business with you.
If you're considering working for yourself by starting a software product company, becoming a consultant or freelancer, or selling courses on software development or engineering - becoming an influencer through content marketing is the key to making sales and actually having a business.
Join my Patreon: 
https://www.patreon.com/HealthySoftwareDeveloper 
Download my free career guide: 
https://healthysoftwaredeveloper.com/guide/
Get access to TechRolepedia, a data hub about the top 25 roles in tech: 
https://healthysoftwaredeveloper.com/techroles/
Learn about career coaching:  
https://healthysoftwaredeveloper.com/coaching/
You can also watch this episode on YouTube. 
Chapter markers / timelinks:
(1:27) 1. The 2 Purposes of Online Content
(1:31) 1.1 For Social Status and Influence
(3:49) 1.2 Demonstrating Competence
(6:09) 2. How Content Marketing Helps Your Career
(6:14) 2.1 Getting a Better Job
(7:38) 2.2 Sell Products and Services
(10:03) 3. 5 Myths of Content Marketing
(10:12) 3.1 Your Ideas Must Be Original
(12:31) 3.2 You Have To Post Everywhere
(13:40) 3.3 You Have To Post All The Time
(17:04) 3.4 You Should Post a Variety of Topics
(20:40) 3.5 You Must Post in All Mediums
(23:51) 4. Building a Business Through Content
(24:13) 4.1 Give Away Something Valuable
(26:37) 4.2 Have a Contact Form
(29:40) 4.3 Get Referrals Through Shares
(32:53) Episode Groove
Visit me at healthysoftwaredeveloper.com
Find me on X as @jaymeedwards
Find me on LinkedIn as jaymeedwards

Six years ago I was suddenly struck with chronic insomnia where I couldn't sleep more than 3 hours a night. This lasted for nearly 3 years, and I struggled through sleep studies, behavioral changes, and all the typical tips you read online about overcoming insomnia.
Working as a programmer in the tech industry can create a lot of anxiety because we work with our mind. And if your mind is stressed out, add on to that the pressure of personal relationships and finances - and you've got a recipe for horrible sleep problems.
What ultimately treated my insomnia and helped me heal was a combination of psychological, behavioral, environmental, and physical changes I made. In this episode I share 25 practical steps you can try if you're personally struggling with getting a good night's sleep. I hope if you've lost hope that healing your insomnia is possible, my story and what I did gives you the courage to give it another try.
Join my Patreon: 
https://www.patreon.com/HealthySoftwareDeveloper 
Learn about the CBT-i app: 
https://www.ptsd.va.gov/appvid/mobile/cbticoach_app_public.asp 
Download my free career guide: 
https://healthysoftwaredeveloper.com/guide/
Get access to TechRolepedia, a data hub about the top 25 roles in tech: 
https://healthysoftwaredeveloper.com/techroles/
Learn about career coaching:  
https://healthysoftwaredeveloper.com/coaching/
You can also watch this episode on YouTube. 
Chapter markers / timelinks:
(1:15) Negative Effects of Insomnia
(2:19) Categories of Insomnia Solutions
(2:29) 1. Psychological Sleep Solutions for Insomnia
(2:35) 1.1 Wrap Up Your Workday
(3:57) 1.2 Keep a Notepad By Your Bed
(5:03) 1.3 Schedule Worry Time
(7:04) 1.4 Do 1 Thing You're Putting Off
(8:41) 1.5 Reduce Social Media Use
(9:21) 2. Behavior Sleep Solutions for Insomnia
(9:27) 2.1 Set a Realistic Sleep and Wake Time
(11:54) 2.2 Don't Look at The Clock
(12:58) 2.3 Only Use Your Bed for Sleep or Sex
(14:10) 2.4 Stay off Devices for an Hour Before Bed
(15:19) 2.5 Quit Drinking or Doing Drugs
(16:35) 3. Environmental Sleep Solutions for Insomnia
(16:40) 3.1 Keep Your Room Dark and Cold
(18:28) 3.2 Use a Fan or White Noise Generator
(19:37) 3.3 Use Tungsten Light Bulbs
(21:32) 3.4 Use a CPAP Machine or Tape
(23:05) 3.5 Side Sleeping with a Tall Pillow
(24:20) 4. Physical Sleep Solutions for Insomnia
(24:24) 4.1 Don't Eat or Drink After Dinner
(25:33) 4.2 Cardio Exercise Every Morning
(28:45) 4.3 Reduce or Eliminate Caffeine
(31:07) 4.4 Drink Water Throughout the Day
(32:29) 4.5 Get Enough Magnesium
Visit me at healthysoftwaredeveloper.com
Find me on X as @jaymeedwards
Find me on LinkedIn as jaymeedwards