The 5 Stoic lessons every developer must learn
Be ready to see challenges ahead of time
I have a confession. I am a bit of a fanboy for Ryan Holiday’s writing.
It started when I interviewed Jono Bacon. He mentioned The Obstacle is the Way.
Reading that book rekindled my love of philosophy. In college, I was intrigued after reading Plato.
Many of these Stoic lessons can help developers. We face dilemmas that this wisdom can get us knowledge.
Premeditatio Malorum
This is a practice of imagining the things that can go sideways. Explained here on Daily Stoic. Similar to Murphy’s Law.
Developing software requires us to consider challenges. From user input to resources, things go south.
For instance, early in my career database connections were an issue. Pooled connections helped with that. The tech evolves but new problems arise.
This can be a great team activity. Include your Quality Assurance, Business Analysts or Product Owners, and additional roles. Come up with a list of challenges.
Review the list of ones you have already handled. Then prioritize the remaining items. Add these to your backlog.
Amor Fati
Love your fate. A simple phrase that is hard to live. We dropped the production database. Wow! That is hard to like let alone love.
The idea being each encounter is meant to teach us. It can be hard when something challenging happens.
I was fired from a job. That is harsh. However, I learned a lot to get through it.
Deo Valente
God willing. This along with the next one remind us of what we can control. Essentially ourselves. Everything else is off the table.
The traffic accident on the way to the airport. You get a cold right before a job interview.
Success is part under our control. Another part is randomness.
When someone puts the wrong credentials in production during a release. Crazy can happen. We need to be ready. Embrace it.
Memento Mori
A reminder of our death. Yes, a bit melancholy. Perhaps pessimistic too. It can help us focus.
Our career is short. Do things that create impact. What is the highest contribution you can make?
This applies to what we create. The software doesn’t last forever. Of course, some mainframe developers may disagree.
Persist
Ryan has said at times that Stoicism is summed up in two words. Persist and resist.
Persist in our efforts daily. Obstacles and challenges will keep coming. Learn from them.
Resist the people who try to thwart your plans—the person who constantly nags you about unimportant things.
Stoicism has a lot to teach developers. From understanding the challenges that may come to persisting the problems of the day.
We only work for a short time. Bring value to your team and organization.
Enjoy the challenges. They present lessons for wisdom.