Hello there, I’m Rachel and I’m thrilled to be here. My journey in software development has spanned over 3 enriching years, with a primary focus on frontend development—a touch of design and backend development. I’m also a Technical Writer and have written over 20 articles for companies/agencies covering a wide range of topics including JavaScript, API Architecture, ReactJS, AWS, and so on. I'm self-taught and I know how tough it can be to figure things out on your own. I've been through it, and I believe sharing what I've learned can help others on their tech journey. If you're just starting out, feeling stuck, or confused about anything related to software development, I'm here to help. Let's work together to solve problems, learn new things, and make progress in our tech careers. I'm committed to being the mentor I wish I had during my transformative years in tech.
My Mentoring Topics
- Career goals
- Frontend development
- Resume review
- Life goals
- Discuss Career Transitions
- ReactJs
- Technical writing
- Accountability
e.
24.February 2024I would like to say was helpful session. I learned alot ! I would like to take another session so I will improve in my skills . she gave me a lot of tips
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Deep Work - Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World
Cal Newport
Key Facts and Insights from "Deep Work - Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World" Deep work is the ability to focus without distraction on a cognitively demanding task. It's a skill that allows you to quickly master complicated information and produce better results in less time. Newport posits that deep work is becoming increasingly rare in our economy at the same time it is becoming increasingly valuable. Those who cultivate this skill will thrive. The book distinguishes between deep work (activities performed in a state of distraction-free concentration that push cognitive capabilities to their limit) and shallow work (non-cognitively demanding logistical-style tasks often performed while distracted). Newport proposes four philosophies of deep work scheduling: monastic, bimodal, rhythmic, and journalistic. Embracing boredom and scheduled internet use are key to cultivating a deep work habit. The book discusses the concept of 'attention residue', where switching attention from one task to another reduces cognitive performance. Newport provides practical recommendations for changing work habits to incorporate deep work, such as scheduling every minute of the day and quantifying the depth of every activity. The book also emphasizes the importance of downtime. Idleness can be constructive in providing the brain the necessary rest to enhance deep work. Having a clear shutdown ritual at the end of the workday can aid in achieving work-life balance and ensure readiness for deep work the next day. Deep work is a skill that can be trained. The more one practices, the more one can perform. In-depth Summary and Analysis In "Deep Work - Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World", Cal Newport delves into the concept of deep work, distinguishing it from shallow work. Deep work is defined as activities performed in a state of distraction-free concentration that push cognitive capabilities to their limit. These efforts create new value, improve skills, and are difficult to replicate. On the other hand, shallow work is non-cognitively demanding logistical-style tasks often performed while distracted. Newport's argument stems from the premise that deep work is becoming increasingly rare and increasingly valuable in today's economy. As a society, we're leaning more towards tasks that require less focus and are easily replicable, thus reducing our ability to perform deep work. However, the irony lies in the fact that amidst this trend, deep work is becoming more critical for success in most professional fields. The book categorizes approaches to deep work scheduling into four philosophies. The monastic philosophy involves a total removal from shallow obligations, focusing entirely on deep work. The bimodal philosophy allows for deep work in some clearly defined stretches, while the rest of the time is open for everything else. The rhythmic philosophy advocates for establishing a routine where one enters a state of deep work at set times. Lastly, the journalistic philosophy fits in deep work whenever time allows. A crucial concept discussed in the book is 'attention residue'. According to Newport, when we switch our attention from one task to another, the attention does not immediately follow. A residue of the attention remains stuck on the original task. This situation hampers our cognitive performance. Therefore, the continuous switching between tasks, common in our digitally distracted world, reduces our capacity for deep work. Newport also highlights the importance of embracing boredom. In the quest to remain productive, we often seek distractions during any potential downtime, usually resorting to our phones or the internet. However, this constant stimulation trains our mind to never tolerate boredom, thereby reducing our ability to focus when necessary. Therefore, Newport suggests scheduled internet use to control the addiction to distraction. Moreover, Newport emphasizes the importance of downtime. Contrary to the common belief that constant work leads to higher productivity, this book advocates for planned rest. Rest not only helps recharge the brain but also aids in subconscious thinking, which often leads to creative insights. Finally, Newport encourages readers to ritualize the end of the workday with a clear shutdown process. This practice helps to signal the brain that work has ended, allowing it to relax and recharge for the next day. It also helps create a clear boundary between work and personal life, promoting a healthier work-life balance. In conclusion, "Deep Work - Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World" is a compelling argument for the value of deep, focused work. It not only diagnoses the problem of our increasingly distracted world but also provides practical and actionable solutions to reclaim our ability to focus. By embracing the principles of deep work, we can enhance our productivity, creativity, and overall quality of work.
ViewSo Good They Can't Ignore You
Cal Newport
Key Insights from the Book: The book challenges the popular career advice that advocates pursuing your passion, stating it's both ambiguous and potentially harmful. It introduces the concept of the "Craftsman Mindset", where the focus is on what you can offer to the world, rather than what the world can offer you. It emphasizes the importance of developing rare and valuable skills, or "career capital", which is a prerequisite for a fulfilling career. The book suggests that job control, or autonomy, is one of the most important elements of a satisfying work life, and can only be achieved by acquiring enough career capital. The concept of "mission" is discussed as a crucial aspect of a meaningful career, but it's not something you find or decide upon, rather it emerges organically as you gain career capital. The book emphasizes that deliberate practice, or pushing yourself beyond your comfort zone, is the key to becoming "so good they can't ignore you". Lastly, it presents the idea that "working right" trumps "finding the right work". In other words, how you work is more important than what work you do. An In-depth Analysis of the Book's Content: "So Good They Can't Ignore You" by Cal Newport is a compelling argument against the prevalent notion of "follow your passion". Instead, Newport posits that passion comes after you've put in the hard work to become excellent at something valuable, not before. This viewpoint is a significant departure from conventional career advice, and it certainly provides food for thought. The book introduces a concept called the "Craftsman Mindset", a focus on what value you're producing in your job rather than what value you're receiving. It's about shifting the perspective from a self-centered mindset, often associated with the "passion mindset", to an others-centered approach. This concept resonates strongly with the idea of "servant leadership" in management literature, which emphasizes the importance of leaders focusing on the needs of the team and the organization over their own. Newport emphasizes the importance of acquiring "career capital", which are rare and valuable skills that you can offer. By developing and investing in these skills, you enhance your worth in the professional marketplace. This idea aligns well with the concept of "human capital theory" in economics, which suggests that individuals can increase their productivity and earnings by investing in their own education and skills. The book argues that job control or autonomy is a crucial factor in a satisfying work life. However, Newport cautions that you can only gain autonomy if you have something valuable to offer in return. This mirrors the concept of "job crafting" in organizational psychology, where employees reshape their job to make it more meaningful. Newport also discusses the role of a "mission" in a meaningful career. He asserts that a mission is not something you find or decide upon, rather it emerges organically as you gain career capital. This idea echoes the concept of "emergent strategy" in strategic management, where strategy emerges over time as an organization adapts to its environment. A significant emphasis is placed on deliberate practice, or consistently pushing your skills beyond your comfort zone. This concept, borrowed from performance psychology, is presented as the key to becoming "so good they can't ignore you". Lastly, the book presents the idea that "working right" trumps "finding the right work". In other words, how you work is more important than what work you do. This perspective aligns with the concept of "job performance" in organizational behavior, which suggests that performance is not just about doing the right job, but doing the job right. In conclusion, Newport's book is a thought-provoking exploration of what makes work fulfilling. By challenging popular notions and introducing new frameworks, it offers a refreshing perspective on career planning and professional growth. The concepts within the book are highly relevant, both to individuals at the beginning of their career journey and to those already well along in their professional lives.
ViewSapiens - A Brief History of Humankind
Yuval Noah Harari
Key Facts and Insights from "Sapiens - A Brief History of Humankind" Evolution of Homo Sapiens: The book provides an in-depth analysis of the evolution of Homo Sapiens, dating back 70,000 years to the Cognitive Revolution, and emphasizes the uniqueness of our species in the realm of life. Imagined Realities: Harari introduces the concept of 'imagined realities', societal constructs like religion, nations, and money, which hold significance only because humans collectively believe in them. Agricultural Revolution: The book explores the Agricultural Revolution as a double-edged sword, which, while advancing human civilization, also led to social hierarchies, disease, and a more labor-intensive lifestyle. Interconnected World: Harari discusses the gradual formation of an interconnected world, brought about by trade routes, exploration, and the spread of ideas, resulting in a global society. Scientific Revolution: The book delves into the transformative impact of the Scientific Revolution, which marked a shift in humanity's understanding of the natural world and our place in it. Imperialism and Capitalism: The intertwining of imperialism and capitalism and their role in shaping modern societies is another important theme in the book. Future of Sapiens: Harari concludes with speculative insights into the future of Homo Sapiens, considering the potential effects of genetic engineering, artificial intelligence, and other technological advancements. Human Happiness: Throughout the book, Harari questions whether these revolutions and developments have actually increased human happiness and well-being. Fiction and Cooperation: Harari argues that Homo Sapiens' ability to create and believe in fictional stories has been critical to large-scale human cooperation and societal organization. Speciesism: The book also discusses 'speciesism', a form of discrimination based on species membership, primarily focusing on human exploitation of other animals. Detailed Analysis and Conclusions "Sapiens - A Brief History of Humankind" is a fascinating exploration of our species' journey from a relatively insignificant primate to the dominant force on the planet. Harari begins by delineating the evolution of Homo Sapiens, highlighting the Cognitive Revolution as a significant turning point. This was when we developed the ability to think in abstract terms and create imagined realities, which I have often emphasized in my lectures as a crucial aspect of human evolution. Imagined realities, as Harapi describes them, are constructs such as religion, nations, and money, which exist only because we collectively believe in them. These shared myths allow large numbers of humans to cooperate in ways that other species cannot, leading to the creation of complex societies. Harari then delves into the Agricultural Revolution, a pivotal moment in human history. While it undeniably led to advances in technology and population growth, Harari posits that it may have actually reduced the quality of life for individual humans. This idea challenges the traditional narrative of human progress and forces us to reconsider our definitions of 'advancement' and 'success'. The book also examines the rise of the interconnected world, as a result of trade routes, exploration, and the spread of ideas. This global interconnectedness has had profound implications for human societies, leading to the dissemination of cultures, religions, and ideologies. Harari deftly weaves in the influence of imperialism and capitalism in shaping the modern world. A significant portion of the book is dedicated to the Scientific Revolution, which fundamentally changed our understanding of the natural world. Harari argues that this revolution was driven not just by curiosity, but also by the desire for power and wealth. This resonates with my own observations in my research on the interplay between science and society. As we move towards the present day, Harari speculates on the future of Homo Sapiens. He posits that advancements in genetic engineering, artificial intelligence, and other technologies could significantly alter the course of our species. This speculation raises important ethical and philosophical questions about the nature of humanity and our relationship with technology. Throughout the book, Harari continually questions whether these revolutions and developments have actually increased human happiness and well-being. He suggests that despite our material progress, we may not be any happier than our hunter-gatherer ancestors. This perspective challenges us to reevaluate our priorities and the true meaning of progress. Lastly, Harari discusses the concept of 'speciesism' – a form of discrimination based on species membership. He critiques the human-centric worldview and our exploitation of other animals, calling for a more compassionate and ethical approach towards all forms of life. In conclusion, "Sapiens - A Brief History of Humankind" offers a sweeping overview of human history, challenging conventional wisdom and prompting readers to reconsider their understanding of humanity's place in the world. It is a book that should be read by anyone interested in understanding our past, our present, and potentially, our future.
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M.
31.March 2024Fantastic listener! Rachel helped me precisely clarify my understanding on the topic. Just what I needed. Highly recommended mentor.