Lynda & Team Tree House

Posted on by btunbutr

I started learning from these awesome resources. They were free because of my local library 🙂

With Lynda (now called LinkedIn Learning) I only took one course on Object Oriented Design and it was very clear and concise.

I am impressed with Team Tree House because it is interactive like Codecademy and in depth as well. They also teach how to use documentation and have small projects along the way.

Check out your local library and see if you can get these resources for free 🙂

 

My current goal setting system

Posted on by btunbutr

In the past I have tried many ways of keeping track of my goals including writing them down daily,  using a mind map, Post It Notes, even trying out index cards and recording them and listening to them while exercising.

I don’t think there is a best system because I think the ideal goal system for each person will have to be built via try, fail, learn, and improve. Also what works today might not be optimal in the future.

My current system is to every day email myself my goals and to dos. To make them stick and to gain more commitment I paraphrase every goal and I also add due dates. I also add easy to dos to feel good and to take steps towards my goals.

I think the paraphrasing is beneficial to me because if I just read the goals I don’t really have to think about them, but if I try to force myself to write them by hand every day that would be too much work and I would quit after a few days. I feel like paraphrasing is a nice balance between commitment, work, and usefulness 🙂

Design Patterns Resources

Posted on by btunbutr

Here are a few links that have helped me gain exposure to design patterns:

I recently started learning from kudvenkat and he is a great teacher who provides clear, simple, and detailed explanations and examples. I am sure his series Design Patterns Videos are great as well.

Random Motivational Tips

Posted on by btunbutr

Here are a few tips that have helped me on my journey

  • Remember my purpose and long-term goal(s).
  • Forget about my long-term purpose and goal(s). Instead focus on the next step, or even just doing a few seconds of the next step.
  • Write, read, and paraphrase my to dos and goals regularly. I currently email myself my goals and to dos every day.
  • When I feel overwhelmed thinking that there is too much to learn, that technology moves fast, I remind myself that is a great thing. The opposite is an industry or a job that never changes, which is mind-numbing and boring. Also new technology is constantly being created to solve problems better, faster, more easily (in theory 🙂
  • When I watch an educational video and think to myself, “How can she/he possibly know all of this?” I remind myself, “It is great that she/he knows this and is teaching me. I can cut down on the learning curve by learning from this teacher.”