7 Habits of Highly Successful Software Developers

By Sheena Jones

© 2017 Simple Programmer

There are 7 habits that highly successful software developers have. In this guide, I will share
what these habits are and why they’re so important for success. As a bonus, I’ve included an 8 th
habit you must master to take your career to the next level. I’ll also provide you with a few links
to videos and blog posts so that you can dig deeper into important elements of each habit.

Let’s get started!

Habit #1: Begin with the End in Mind and Focus.

Highly successful programmers begin with the end in mind and they focus. They begin their
journeys with a big, powerful and compelling vision of what they want from their careers as
software developers and focus on that vision.

Let’s face. Learning software development and being a software developer can be a long hard
journey, especially when you have other responsibilities and other interests.

When the grunt work gets you down, you will need to step back, see the big picture and focus.
When you get bored and are tempted to quit, you’ll need your powerful vision to remind you of
what you want and why you want it. Beginning with the end in mind forces you focus on making
your vision a reality.

This habit also helps you write better code. If you have a clear vision of how cool your app will
be or a vision of how you’ve helped someone solve a problem, you’ll think about the task at
hand differently. You’ll do what it takes to deliver a superior product, no matter how difficult or
heavy the workload.

Beginning with the end in mind and focusing on that end will bring a sense of purpose to your
work and will help you stay the course.

Habit #1 Resources
Blog Posts
Want to Accomplish Your Goals? Become a Finisher
https://simpleprogrammer.com/want-accomplish-goals-become-finisher/

7 Habits of Highly Effective Programmers

https://simpleprogrammer.com/7-habits-highly-effective-programmers/

How I Went From Gas Station Clerk to Systems Engineer

https://simpleprogrammer.com/clerk-to-engineer-choose-success/

What Software Developers Can Learn From Arnold Schwarzenegger

https://simpleprogrammer.com/what-software-developers-can-learn-from-arnold-
schwarzenegger/

YouTube Video
I have so many goals I can’t focus…What should I do?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Gpe5Q3rP-c
Habit #2: Be Proactive & Develop Mental Toughness

Highly successful programmers are proactive and are always developing mental toughness.

They are strategic and prepare themselves for the inevitable thing that can and will go wrong.

They proactively seek out challenges that will make them stronger people and stronger
programmers so that when life or a crisis at work requires a certain level of grit and skill, they’re
ready.

Habit #2 Resources

Blog Posts
Becoming a Bulldog: How to Build the Bulldog Mindset
https://simpleprogrammer.com/build-bulldog-mindset/

YouTube Videos
Developing Discipline on a Daily Basis
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BCHk8ImSKE

Mental Toughness: Do Things Even If You Don’t Want

https://www.youtube.com/watch?annotation_id=annotation_1174587033&feature=iv&src_vid=6
BCHk8ImSKE&v=jcAlcuUgsoE

How I Became a Fucking Bulldog and Changed My Life

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJsZfpwm_Fs

Mental Toughness Series #1: How to Develop Mental Toughness

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqZJsAapxsI
Habit #3: Sharpen the Saw

Highly successful software developers know when to hit the pause button so that they can
sharpen the saw. In other words, they stop working so they can learn new skills and become
better people.

They proactively schedule time to take classes, read books and blogs, listen to podcasts, and
go to conferences. Not just on programming, but on a variety of topics like communication,
personal development/self-help, writing, public speaking, even, art, music or cooking.

By taking a break and sharpening the saw or filling your well, you will be a more skilled, well-
rounded, and fun programmer with a lot to give that everyone will want to work with.

Habit #3 Resources

Blog Posts

The Complete Software Developer's Career Guide Master List of Links

https://simpleprogrammer.com/products/careerguide/links/?utm_source=careerguide&utm_medi
um=book&utm_campaign=chapter-59&utm_content=audible#chapter-59

The Ultimate List of Software Developer Blogs

https://simpleprogrammer.com/ultimate-list-software-developer-blogs/

The Ultimate List of Software Developer Podcasts

https://simpleprogrammer.com/ultimate-list-developer-podcasts/

8 Non-Programming Books That Will Boost Your Career

https://simpleprogrammer.com/books-programming-career/

The Best Books All Software Developers Should Read

https://simpleprogrammer.com/best-books-software-developers/

8 Books to Improve Your Test Automation Skills

https://simpleprogrammer.com/improve-test-automation-skills/

YouTube Videos
Top 10 Ruby Books
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMuGmEScABw

The Top 10 Books to Learn Python

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TihHX5EDts4
Habit #4: Become a Master Negotiator

Highly successful software developers know what they want. And they know how to get it.
They are master negotiators.

Part of being a master negotiator is approaching salary or any other kind of negotiation from a
place of power and confidence. With confidence, they ask for what they want and they are able
to articulate why they are worth what they are asking for.

They also hone their negotiation skills by learning from others and by proactively putting
themselves in situations where they have to negotiate.

Habit #4 Resources

Blog Post
https://simpleprogrammer.com/salary-negotiation-software-developers/

YouTube Videos
How to Convince Employers They Should Pay You More Money?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBnmnnBAXNg

Negotiating Your Salary as a Software developer Playlist (18 Videos)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcKdfi9P2nM&list=PLjwWT1Xy3c4VAuYBgBWoOblpSKFR
E2FwW

How to Build TRUE Self-Confidence

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUvvbA-FTlQ

Dealing with Lack of Confidence as a Developer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmimOJIR0zE
Habit #5: Find Your Specialty

Highly successful software developers are not generalists. They are specialists.

Because they establish a clear and powerful vision of what they want to do, they tend to focus
the activities that will get them where they want to be in the least amount of time possible.

When it comes to their skillset, they focus on a core set of skills and go deep. They get really
good at a particular skill and build a reputation around their expertise.

The really successful developers take this one step further and build powerful brands.

Habit #5 Resources

Blog Posts

Should Software Developers Be Generalists or Specialists?

https://simpleprogrammer.com/generalists-specialists/

YouTube Videos
Why Specializing in Software Development is Important
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xeg-4RrSUk4

Finding Your Programming Niche

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8AJQBvLSEw

Specializing and Niching Down for Programmers (Playlist-26 Videos)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-HPCqzkDSA&list=PLjwWT1Xy3c4W5SK-
MGjp_KSFZF2pEMCt8

Are Generalists Better Than Specialists?

https://simpleprogrammer.com/generalists-better-specialists/

Specializing in Node.js/Full Stack Development

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klju9iTRHxQ
Habit #6: Create a Powerful Brand & Market Yourself

Highly successful developers are successful because they create powerful brands and they
know how to market themselves.

They take the time to get to know their target markets—employers and/or customers—and they
solve their problems.

Not only do they take the time to share their knowledge, they eloquently remind their employers
and customers of the value they bring.

Habit #6 Resources

Blog Posts

What It Actually Means To Market Yourself as a Software Developer

https://simpleprogrammer.com/actually-means-market-software-developer/

Joe Colantonio Is Taking Personal Branding To the Next Level

https://simpleprogrammer.com/joe-colantonio-is-taking-personal-branding-to-the-next-level/

How to Sell Your Ideas as a Software Developer

https://simpleprogrammer.com/sell-your-ideas/

YouTube Video

How Should You Market Yourself as a Developer?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVFwIvtH6ec

How to Deal With Criticism When Marketing Yourself

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvvQ2jWBw9o

Course
How to Market Yourself
https://simpleprogrammer.com/store/products/how-to-market-yourself/
Habit #7: Get & Stay Fit

Another habit of highly successful software developers is getting and staying fit.

Prioritizing your fitness not only keeps you healthy, but makes you more alert so that you do
better quality work and makes you more confident.

Staying fit also gives you more energy, making you better equipped to complete really difficult
tasks.

Habit #7 Resources

YouTube Videos
How I Changed From Fat Weirdo to a Good Looking Guy (Fitness Transformation)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYYR4bFYke8

Fitness & Diet Playlist (121 Videos)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnKX7Yt_33U&list=PLjwWT1Xy3c4XMOX3EyxkjHfI56rPKqt
Xp
Bonus Habit #8: Find Your Voice & Inspire Others to Find Theirs

Highly successful software developers are thought leaders. They see themselves as experts
and inspire those around them with their message and their opinions.

They weigh in on conversations making their voices heard. They also listen to their peers and
encourage them to share and add value to the conversation.

They also pay it forward by teaching, coaching, and mentoring others.

They inspire people in their day-to-day activities as well as more formal situations like speaking
at conferences or teaching workshops.

You’ll find highly successful software developers writing blog posts, contributing to open source
code projects, leading programming Meetups, teaching courses on YouTube, and more.

Bonus Habit #8 Resources

Blog Posts

Blogging for Software Developers

https://simpleprogrammer.com/blogging-software-developers/

5 Things You Need to Start a YouTube Channel

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNjUlmatMdM

YouTube Video
I Wanna Teach Programming But I’m An Amateur
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8uZpydbymA

Course
Create a Blog That Boosts Your Career
https://simpleprogrammer.com/store/products/how-to-create-a-blog/

Hope you enjoyed this. Good luck as you’re developing your highly successful software
developer habits!