Summary Soft Skills: The software developer''s life manual is a unique guide, offering techniques and practices for a more satisfying life as a professional software developer. In it, developer and life coach John Sonmez addresses a wide range of important "soft" topics, from career and productivity to personal finance and investing, and even fitness and relationships, all from a developer-centric viewpoint. Forewords by Robert C. Martin (Uncle Bob) and Scott Hanselman. Purchase of the print book includes a free eBook in PDF, Kindle, and ePub formats from Manning Publications. About the Book For most software developers, coding is the fun part. The hard bits are dealing with clients, peers, and managers, staying productive, achieving financial security, keeping yourself in shape, and finding true love. This book is here to help. Soft Skills: The software developer''s life manual is a guide to a well-rounded, satisfying life as a technology professional. In it, developer and life coach John Sonmez offers advice to developers on important "soft" subjects like career and productivity, personal finance and investing, and even fitness and relationships. Arranged as a collection of 71 short chapters, this fun-to-read book invites you to dip in wherever you like. A Taking Action section at the end of each chapter shows you how to get quick results. Soft Skills will help make you a better programmer, a more valuable employee, and a happier, healthier person. What''s Inside Boost your career by building a personal brand John''s secret ten-step process for learning quickly Fitness advice to turn your geekiness to your advantage Unique strategies for investment and early retirement About the Author John Sonmez is a developer, teacher, and life coach who helps technical professionals boost their careers and live a more fulfilled life. Table of Contents Why this book is unlike any book you''ve ever read SECTION 1: CAREER Getting started with a "BANG!": Don''t do what everyone else does Thinking about the future: What are your goals? People skills: You need them more than you think Hacking the interview Employment options: Enumerate your choices What kind of software developer are you? Not all companies are equal Climbing the corporate ladder Being a professional Freedom: How to quit your job Freelancing: Going out on your own Creating your first product Do you want to start a startup? Working remotely survival strategies Fake it till you make it Resumes are BORING--Let''s fix that Don''t get religious about technology SECTION 2: MARKETING YOURSELF Marketing basics for code monkeys Building a brand that gets you noticed Creating a wildly successful blog Your primary goal: Add value to others #UsingSocialNetworks Speaking, presenting, and training: Speak geek Writing books and articles that attract a following Don''t be afraid to look like an idiot SECTION 3: LEARNING Learning how to learn: How to teach yourself My 10-step process Steps 1-6: Do these once Steps 7-10: Repeat these Looking for mentors: Finding your Yoda Taking on an apprentice: Being Yoda Teaching: Learn you want? Teach you must. Do you need a degree or can you "wing it?" Finding gaps in your knowledge SECTION 4: PRODUCTIVITY It all starts with focus My personal productivity plan Pomodoro Technique My quota system: How I get way more done than I should Holding yourself accountable Multitasking dos and don''ts Burnout: I''ve got the cure! How you''re wasting your time The importance of having a routine Developing habits: Brushing your code Breaking things down: How to eat an elephant The value of hard work and why you keep avoiding it Any action is better than no action SECTION 5: FINANCIAL What are you going to do with your paycheck? How to negotiate your salary Options: Where all the fun is Bits and bytes of real estate investing Do you really understand your retirement plan? The danger of debt: SSDs are expensive Bonus: How I retired at 33 SECTION 6: FITNESS Why you need to hack your health Setting your fitness criteria Thermodynamics, calories, and you Motivation: Getting your butt out of the chair How to gain muscle: Nerds can have bulging biceps How to get hash-table abs Starting RunningProgram.exe Standing desks and other hacks Tech gear for fitness: Geeking out SECTION 7: SPIRIT How the mind influences the body Having the right mental attitude: Rebooting Building a positive self-image: Programming your brain Love and relationships: Computers can''t hold your hand My personal success book list Facing failure head-on Parting words