Here's how you can optimize your time by avoiding common time-wasting activities in your programming career.

In academic labs and biotech startups, programming is a great way to solve recurring problems and accelerate research, however poor organisation and communication of the problem and coded solution often limit the impact. In situations where coding is not the primary focus, particularly if you do not have a data team of several people or more, defining clear requirements and ensuring good documentation is even more important. The biggest waste of time is coding an excellent solution that gets missed, overlooked or forgotten about when someone leaves or joins. Solving issues that people routinely put off or avoid is another great way to ensure your work is used and therefore seen, and not wasted.

Multitasking might seem like a way to get more done, but it often leads to mistakes and longer completion times. Focus on one task at a time to improve efficiency and accuracy, resulting in higher-quality work.

As a programming student, college student, and amateur programmer, I have learned a few ways to reduce time wasted and focus on what is important: 1. Always plan, do not go into something half-cocked, and expect it to work exactly as it is supposed to. 2. Delegate tasks, do not overload yourself, take some time and work with your team to divide up tasks appropriately. 3. COMMUNICATE, communication is key in every aspect of life. Programming is no different. If a project is going to be delayed for whatever reason, inform the proper stakeholders in a timely manner. Also, if you have trouble with something, ask for help, don't waste time trying to do it on your own.

Meetings can be a significant time drain, especially if they lack a clear agenda or involve too many people. Keep meetings short and focused, and ensure they are necessary. Use asynchronous communication tools when possible to save time.

Debugging can consume a lot of time if not approached systematically. Use logging, breakpoints, and automated testing to identify and fix issues quickly. Develop a consistent debugging strategy to reduce the time spent on finding and fixing bugs.

If we used the time we spent on LinkedIn, to learn our trade better, all of us would be a lot more successful. It doesn't matter if is LinkedIn, a tech blog etc. It's so easy for us to get distracted and forget what we came for. Unfortunately, if you are reading this, you have fallen in the same trap I have.

Social media, news sites, and other online distractions can easily eat into your productivity. Set specific times to check emails and social media, or use tools that block distracting websites during work hours to maintain focus.

A messy codebase can slow down development and increase the likelihood of errors. Regularly refactor your code to keep it clean and maintainable. Use consistent coding standards and documentation to help everyone on the team understand and work with the code efficiently.

Automate repetitive tasks such as code formatting, testing, and deployment. Use scripts and tools to handle routine tasks, freeing up your time to focus on more complex and creative aspects of your projects. Automation not only saves time but also reduces the chance of human error.