Refactor Your Brain: How to Reprogram Your Brain for Success

?? Are you concerned about AI taking your job? ???? But what if you could future-proof your tech career??? Each week I share insights from experts to help you build a growth mindset and master the human skills (soft skills) that AI can't replicate.

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Have you ever thought about the similarities between the human brain and computers? How we program software isn’t too dissimilar to how we refactor our brains. Once we start to understand how to do so, we can open up many new opportunities for self-improvement and personal development.

Dagna Bieda , a former software engineer turned career coach, brings her unique insights to the forefront by comparing our mental processes to programming principles. This blog post dives into understanding how you can refactor your brain, drawing wisdom from experiences in the tech world and the subtleties of human behaviour, ultimately helping technology professionals thrive.

This episode covers:

1. ?? Background
2. ?? Dagna's Journey into Software Engineering
3. ?? Cultural Differences in the Workplace
4. ?? Refactoring the Brain
5. ??? Identifying Bugs and Getting Feedback
6. ?? The Importance of Perspective
7. ?? Reprogramming Techniques
8. ?? Coaching Techniques
9. ?? Abolishing Complaining
10. ?? Concluding Thoughts
11. ? FAQs

?? Background

Imagine the human brain working much like a sophisticated software application. Dagna Bieda argues that understanding how our minds work through programming principles can help address modern challenges such as imposter syndrome, burnout, and lack of clarity in decision-making.

?? Dagna's Journey into Software Engineering

Dagna always envisioned building the future and embarked on her journey by studying robotics engineering. Here's her fascinating path into the software world:

• Desire to Create the Future: Dagna was driven by a desire to construct future technologies.
• Educational Background: She studied control and robotics engineering in Poland.
• Initial Struggles with Programming: Programming classes were mandatory and daunting for Dagna.
• First Jobs:
• Shift to Programming:
• Career Progression: Rapidly moved from junior to senior engineer after relocating to the United States and meeting her husband.

?? Cultural Differences in the Workplace

Shifted from Poland to the United States, Dagna faced dramatic cultural changes in collaboration and workplace dynamics:

Collaboration vs. Individualism

• Poland: Emphasised group effort and teamwork.
• US: Focused on individual leadership and responsibility.

Hierarchy Differences

• Poland: More hierarchical structures, clear ladders to climb.
• US: Flatter structures, with executives more accessible.

Your experience working in the US might include similar observations, highlighting differences like these:

• Greater autonomy and trust in employee ideas.
• Direct access to directors and higher-ups, often unseen in hierarchical settings.

?? Refactoring the Brain

Harnessing the analogy of refactoring code, Dagna explains how refactoring the brain can lead to improved outcomes:

• AI and Human Mind:
• User Interface (UI) vs. Background Processes:

??? Identifying Bugs and Getting Feedback

Recognising "bugs" in behaviour and seeking feedback are vital in refactoring the brain:

Feedback Sources

• Peers and Colleagues: Provide candid insights into actions and impacts.
• Personal Feelings: Emotions can signal when something's amiss.
• Third-party Perspective: Coaches, therapists, or trusted friends offer unbiased feedback.

Example: Being passed over for a promotion might indicate a need for changes in behaviour, which can be identified through feedback.

? The Importance of Perspective

Shifting perspective can unlock profound personal and professional growth:

Benefits of Perspective Shifts

• Allow individuals to see beyond immediate constraints.
• Enable solutions by viewing problems from new angles.

Feedback Loop

• Thinking: Drives actions.
• Behaviour: Affects how the world perceives us.
• Perception: Provides feedback that influences our next thoughts and actions.

Example: Clients doubling their salaries or overcoming imposter syndrome by changing their perspectives.

?? Reprogramming Techniques

Reprogramming oneself involves consistent effort and awareness:

Repetition

• Building new neural pathways through repeated actions.
• Creating habits by aligning actions with new thoughts.

Awareness and Reflection

• Understanding root causes behind behaviours and beliefs.
• Reflecting on past experiences to identify patterns.

Example: Overcoming public speaking anxiety by associating it with past negative experiences, then practicing new public speaking techniques.

?? Coaching Techniques

Effective coaching techniques can facilitate personal growth:

Journaling Exercises

• Encourages self-awareness and honesty.
• Identifies limiting beliefs and uncover hidden strengths.

Safe Space

• Engaging with an unbiased coach outside the workplace presents a safe environment for honest introspection.

Consistency and effort in participation are key to seeing successful outcomes.

?? Abolishing Complaining

If given the power to change one thing in the world of work, Dagna would abolish complaining for 24 hours:

Benefits

• Enhances constructive dialogue.
• Encourages solutions-focused thinking over dissatisfaction.

Complaints don't solve problems; constructive disagreement and seeking solutions do.

?? Concluding Thoughts

To connect with Dagna and learn more about refactoring your brain:

• Visit The Mindful Dev
• Connect on LinkedIn

For those interested in delving deeper, Dagna’s upcoming book, "Brain Refactor," will be available soon.

Resources:

• Check out Mel Robbins' podcast for additional personal development insights.

? FAQs

Q: How can I get started on refactoring my brain?

A: Start by seeking feedback from peers and reflecting on personal feelings. Use journaling exercises to identify and address underlying beliefs and thoughts.

Q: How long does it take to see results from brain refactoring?

A: Changes can occur within a few months, but it requires consistent effort and practice.

Q: Do I need a coach to refactor my brain?

A: While a coach can provide invaluable guidance, self-reflection exercises and third-party feedback can also be effective if executed diligently.

Q: What if I repeatedly fail to change despite efforts?

A: Persistence is key. Identifying deeper underlying issues may require professional help from a coach or therapist.

By understanding the intricate workings of the brain akin to programming principles, one can harness the potential to improve both personal and professional aspects of life, ensuring a fulfilling career in the tech realm.

Guest: Dagna Bieda

Dagna is an engineer turned coach for engineers and ambitious tech professionals. With 10+ years of coding experience and coaching since 2019, she’s the tough love, “been in your shoes” kinda Coach. Her clients’ backgrounds include a spectrum ranging from ICs to CTOs, from small startups to FAANG+ companies, from 2 to 20+ years of experience, and from self-taught devs through career-changing Bootcamp grads to college grads and PhDs. She helps her clients reach their potential and exciting career opportunities by refactoring their brains. To learn more about her work, visit www.themindfuldev.com.

Links: www.themindfuldev.com

www.themindfuldev.com/book

www.dhirubhai.net/in/dagnabieda/

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