profile

🥷🏽 Notes From an Imposter Programmer

Using Obsidian as a Programming Journal

Published about 1 year ago • 1 min read

In my last note I mentioned that I put my precious Bullet Journal on the shelf (which really does make me sad) and switched to Obsidian as my full time journal. I wrote about this process in The Imposter's Roadmap as well.

I did this for these reasons:

  • I like to review what I've done for a given month, and often need to find a specific reference. That's difficult with a paper-based book.
  • I like saving code snippets.
  • I like using tags so I can roll up my notes and entries based on who or what.
  • Searching is a massive time saver!
  • I love adding photos and screenshots. This is especially useful with Obsidian's canvas feature.

I tried it for a month to see if it would make a difference and yes, without a doubt, it has changed everything for me.

As Requested: A Video

There is so much to explain as to the how and why, so I made a video for y'all which you can watch right here.

Hope this is helpful! Bullet Journaling is a wonderful process that keeps you focused on what matters and allows you to forget what doesn't. Something that can help all of us.

Talk to you soon!

Rob

🥷🏽 Notes From an Imposter Programmer

Hi! I'm Rob Conery and I help self-taught programmers like me overcome doubt and build their career. Join me and over 15,000 other programmers who are learning new things, every day.

I taught myself to code in 1998 and within 7 years had a client list that included Google, Microsoft, Starbucks, Ameritech, KLA-Tencor, PayPal, and Visa. In 2014 I decided that I really needed to understand core Computer Science concepts, so I dove in, using the free resources from MIT and Stanford. In 2016 I shared what I learned with The Imposter's Handbook.

Read more from 🥷🏽 Notes From an Imposter Programmer

People write a lot about burnout and how to get over it, but they don't write about what happens when they face the same burnout for the 5th time, with the periods between decreasing. Eventually you face a hard truth: I just don't love this any more. AI seems to be accelerating this feeling, at least with many of my friends. There is a sense of malaise and frustration at what appears to be the slow erosion of intentional care and effort in our industry. Just let the AI do it, while you ... do...

15 days ago • 5 min read

TL;DR: I'm trying to put my experience from Microsoft to use, offering workshops and "non-BS" AI tips and tricks at a new venture and I could use your help (more below). No, I'm not turning this newsletter into an AI fest. Sign up over there if you want more AI stuff. Your confidence takes quite a hit after getting laid off. Even if it's a "general reduction" and not performance based. Somehow that makes it worse (if you didn't know I was part of the 9000 souls let go in May/June). The good...

about 2 months ago • 5 min read

I have been working with Copilot non-stop since being laid off from Microsoft, and having a lot of fun doing it. In fact: I have a fun idea and I could use your help. I'll leave that until the end. The Problem In my last post (newsletter) I talked about what I was working on at Microsoft right before I left, and why it was so exciting: I was giving workshops to thousands of internal folks (mostly engineers) on how best to increase efficiency with AI which, in my case, meant Copilot. I had...

3 months ago • 4 min read