Articles

I write about Agile Personal Development—applying software engineering principles to build a more intentional, fulfilling life.

At 30, my life looks nothing like I planned at 18—and that's a good thing. I accidentally discovered that the same iterative thinking I used as a software engineer worked better for life decisions than rigid planning. Now I explore this approach publicly, testing what works and sharing what I learn.

These articles cover five core areas: applying Agile principles to personal growth, learning through iteration and experimentation, navigating the Destination Dilemma when you don't know what you want, building systems that create space for what matters, and turning failure into fuel for improvement. Whether you're uncertain about your direction, unsatisfied despite achieving goals, or overly certain about untested plans, you'll find frameworks for building a more intentional life.

Explore articles by topic, or browse recent posts below.

Browse by Topic

• Living the Agile Life Apply software engineering principles to personal growth, productivity, and intentional living.

• Iteration Over Planning Use experiments and short-term goals to find direction and make adjustments.

• The Destination Dilemma How can you set worthwhile goals if you don't know what you want?

• Systems Over Chaos Build sustainable productivity systems to create space for the things that matter most.

• Learning From Failure Turn setbacks into data and use failure for continuous improvement.

Read the Latest Articles

Escaping the Trap of Social Comparison

Social comparison pushes us to chase other people's goals without questioning whether we actually want them. The solution: question where your goals come from, run small experiments to test what success feels like, and reflect often to stay intentional instead of falling in line with the herd.

Overcoming the Einstellung Effect: When Experience Gets in Your Way

Experience builds competence, but it can also trap you in outdated methods. The Einstellung Effect makes you rely on familiar strategies even when better alternatives exist. Question your defaults, test small changes, and stay intentional through iteration.

Engineering Skills for a More Fulfilling Life

Working as a software engineer teaches valuable lessons that extend far beyond code. From prioritizing improvement work to thinking in agile iterations, these engineering principles help you manage time better, avoid perfectionism, and build a more intentional, fulfilling life.

The Ninety-Ninety Rule and Overcoming Unplanned Work

Every project takes longer than expected. Unplanned work derails progress, but it doesn't have to. Gain visibility, double your timelines, and triage like a pro to stay productive and in control.