Weekly Reflection #22 - Always Start With an Empty Bar
Each week, I share one insight. One piece of wisdom. One question to reflect on. (and a little Lagniappe)
Insight
No matter how much weight I can lift, I always start with an empty bar. Ten reps. A focus on perfect form. A kinetic meditation. It reminds me to leave my ego at the door. It lets me listen to my body. How do I feel today? Am I creaky? Am I great?
Then I put in the real work. I progressively load up the bar and push myself to grow.
The same goes with software. Don't skip the fundamentals. Write the spec. Build the prototype. Run the tests.
Always start with an empty bar.
Wisdom
We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.
Will Durant, The Story of Philosophy
Reflection
Where do you skip the fundamentals when the pressure is on?
Lagniappe
- This week on Book Overflow: Software Architecture: The Hard Parts - Part 3.
- Recently rediscovered Nand Game. Start with NAND gates and build a working computer from there. I've been having a lot of fun with it.
- As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts. Reply and let me know what resonates.