Work can be demanding, but it doesn’t have to consume you and your free time, too. Being productive as a programmer or software developer means taking control of your day, so you can be present in both your work and personal life. Programmers tend to spend a lot of time in front of the computer screen and often fall victim to bad habits that reduce their productivity and make them feel overwhelmed by how much they have left to do at the end of the day. Fortunately, there are plenty of tips, tricks, and hacks that can help you increase your productivity as a programmer or software developer.
Optimize your body
You’re only as productive as your brain allows you to be. In fact, sleep deprivation has been shown to impair long-term memory and planning. When our brains are operating at optimum levels, we can make better decisions and multi-task more effectively. To get there, make sure you take enough exercise, get enough sleep and manage your stress levels. These three pillars of physical health are vital to maintaining a high level of productivity as a programmer or software developer.
Eat a smart breakfast
Breakfast sets you up to be productive throughout your day—not just at work. Studies show that eating breakfast (as opposed to skipping it) can help with concentration, memory and attention, which is a pretty good foundation for getting things done. There are hundreds of smart-breakfast options: oatmeal, yogurt, even eggs on whole-wheat toast.
Set reminders for everything
If you can’t remember to do something, create a reminder. Google calendar’s alerts and notifications will keep you on schedule and on task. Take breaks: Keep your mind sharp by taking short breaks every 20 minutes. Dedicate specific times to check email so you can return to work undistracted. Say no: It’s important to say no when someone asks you for help if it takes away from your long-term goals or responsibilities.
Keyboard
Keyboard is the most important aspect for any programmer, whenever you are writing any code you will be using the keyboard for that. When I was having my budget laptop, its keyboard use to feel very cheap and I was not able to get that depth whenever I used to press any key. So you have to find a great tactile keyboard. If you don’t have a laptop with a nice keyboard you should consider taking a look at mechanical keyboard. I personally use Keychron K2 Mechanical Keyboard (Version 2). Trust me, every keypress feels great and sounds great. I would highly recommend this product. You can check it out on amazon by clicking on the below link.
Use the Pomodoro Technique
The Pomodoro Technique helps you achieve more in less time. Essentially, it’s a time-management strategy to maximize productivity by using intervals of intense work alternating with rest and recovery periods. It may sound a little extreme, but when you try it out you’ll be amazed at how much more efficient your day can be.
Take breaks regularly
It’s easy to burn out when you’re coding all day, every day. Taking regular breaks keeps your brain sharp and lets you recharge so that you can stay productive for longer. The 20-20-20 rule is a great way to take regular breaks; each 20 minutes of working, spend 20 seconds looking at something about 20 feet away—and make sure it’s not another computer screen! You could also try getting up from your desk or chair and taking a quick walk around.
Learn from others’ experiences
One of the most important tools in any programmer’s toolkit is learning from others. Learn what you can by talking to your peers and watching them code. In particular, pay attention to their preferred methods of managing time, tracking tasks, and debugging problems. And while you may think you’re being productive when you’re spending hours on a problem that could be solved with one quick Google search, resist doing so—and save yourself some time in the long run.
Embrace automation
The sooner you can embrace automation, both in your work and life, the more time you’ll have to focus on creating things of value. Stop doing mindless, repetitive tasks! Start automating them so you can focus on building real value. Don’t be afraid to learn new tools and experiment with different processes or ways of working—even if they seem inefficient at first. You will never know how much time it could save you until you try it out and see how much faster you can get things done.
Prioritize, Prioritize, Prioritize!
If you don’t prioritize, you won’t be productive. One great way to stay on track with your projects is to create a personal To-Do list that helps you focus on your top priorities and avoid procrastination. Prioritize what needs to get done when by listing out all your tasks in order of importance and then start at number one. The idea here is to make sure everything gets completed, but not necessarily when it’s completed, so choose wisely!
