Essential Habits for Software Developers: Practical Steps for Long-Term Success
Develpreneur: Become a Better Developer and Entrepreneur
Release Date: 07/03/2025
Price With Confidence: Estimation Made Simple
Develpreneur: Become a Better Developer and Entrepreneur
In this episode of Building Better Developers with AI, Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche revisit their earlier discussion on “” and explore how AI helps sharpen project pricing. The theme is clear: estimation is less about numbers and more about setting expectations. Developers who learn to price with confidence gain credibility, avoid stress, and build long-term client relationships. Why You Must Price With Confidence Estimation impacts far more than budgets. A clear, honest number builds trust and predictability. Vague requirements like “integrate with multiple systems”...
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Code Consistency for Better Software
Develpreneur: Become a Better Developer and Entrepreneur
As the Building Better Developers with AI season nears its close, Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche revisit a topic every team faces but few get right: code consistency. In this episode, they explore how shared conventions, smart tooling, and simple documentation transform messy projects into scalable, high-quality systems. The Hidden Cost of Inconsistency Picture opening a project where every file tells a different story: mixed naming styles, conflicting error handling, and folders arranged on a whim. Before you can fix a bug or add a feature, you’re lost in formatting chaos. ...
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Demo-Driven Development: Build Better Software with Faster Feedback
Develpreneur: Become a Better Developer and Entrepreneur
In this episode of Building Better Developers with AI, hosts Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche revisit a classic topic: . This time, they reframe it through the lens of demo-driven development, exploring how lightweight prototypes align teams, validate ideas, and reduce costly missteps. What is Demo-Driven Development? Demo-driven development utilizes interactive prototypes early in the lifecycle to demonstrate how an application might function before coding begins. These demos link wireframes or screens together into a simple, clickable flow. Low fidelity: Basic wireframes to...
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Revisiting User Stories: Writing Better User Stories for Successful Projects
Develpreneur: Become a Better Developer and Entrepreneur
In this season of Building Better Developers with AI, hosts Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche revisit a past topic: '.' This episode offers a fresh perspective on how teams can achieve greater success by writing better user stories. The hosts initially tackled this subject in an earlier season, but they return to it because the challenge remains timeless: poorly written user stories continue to derail software projects. This time, they dive deeper into lessons learned, customer-centric approaches, and frameworks that make user stories truly work. Why Writing Better User Stories...
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Conquering Tough Coding Challenges: Proven Strategies Every Developer Needs
Develpreneur: Become a Better Developer and Entrepreneur
In this episode of Building Better Developers with AI, Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche revisit one of their most memorable past discussions: “” That earlier conversation explored the “opposite of the happy path”—those frustrating moments where unclear requirements, unrealistic expectations, or hidden bugs make coding feel nearly impossible. Now, with the help of AI prompts and fresh anecdotes, the hosts take a lighthearted but practical look at how developers can survive tough coding challenges and even grow stronger through them. Revisiting Past Tough Coding...
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Enhancing Developer Productivity: Proven Skills, Tools, and Mindsets for Success
Develpreneur: Become a Better Developer and Entrepreneur
In this episode of Building Better Developers with AI, Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche revisit an earlier conversation: “” This time, they explore how AI and modern practices shape the discussion. The takeaway: enhancing developer productivity isn’t just about tools—it’s about habits, problem-solving, and continuous growth. 🎉 Thank You for 900 Episodes! This episode marks a huge milestone — our 900th episode of Building Better Developers. We couldn’t have done it without our amazing listeners, readers, and community. Your support keeps us inspired to...
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Developer Career Growth: Breaking Through Stagnation
Develpreneur: Become a Better Developer and Entrepreneur
The Building Better Developers with AI podcast continues its season of revisiting past episodes with fresh insights. In this discussion, Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche revisit the classic topic of breaking through career plateaus and reframe it through the lens of developer career growth. The original shared practical strategies for accelerating progress. This version adds AI-driven perspectives, personal stories, and a reminder that developers must be intentional about growth in a rapidly evolving industry. Recognizing Developer Career Growth Roadblocks Career plateaus are...
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Developer Performance Made Easy: Smart Strategies to Get More Done Daily
Develpreneur: Become a Better Developer and Entrepreneur
In this episode of Building Better Developers with AI, hosts Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche revisit another one of their popular topics: developer performance. Originally explored in the episode “” the discussion now receives an AI-powered refresh, bringing new insights into how developers can enhance their output, sustain energy, and prevent burnout. Why Developer Performance Is Harder Than Ever Distractions have only increased since the original discussion. Slack messages, meetings, and endless browser tabs compete for attention. As Rob points out, context switching...
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Revisiting “Done” in Agile: Why a Clear Definition Matters More Than You Think
Develpreneur: Become a Better Developer and Entrepreneur
In this episode of Building Better Developers with AI, Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche revisit their earlier discussion on . They explain why “done” must mean more than “I finished coding,” and they show how a shared Definition of Done (DoD) keeps teams aligned and projects on schedule. What Does “Done” Really Mean? In Agile, “Done” extends beyond writing code. It often includes: Passing unit and integration tests Receiving QA approval Deploying to staging or production Updating documentation Securing acceptance sign-off Without a clear,...
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Scope Creep Explained: Causes, Consequences, and How to Prevent It
Develpreneur: Become a Better Developer and Entrepreneur
In this episode of Building Better Developers with AI, Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche revisit one of the most persistent challenges in software projects: scope creep. Using AI prompts, we revisit a past episode on “” In that discussion, we explored what scope creep is, why it happens, and how to prevent it from stalling projects, draining teams, and eroding trust. Today, we’re building on that conversation with fresh insights and practical strategies. Listen to the full episode for more real-world stories and practical strategies to keep your projects on track. What Is...
info_outlineIn Episode 9 of Building Better Developers with AI, Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche explore how cultivating essential habits for software developers, alongside AI tools and consistent routines, can unlock productivity, sharpen your skills, and accelerate long-term growth.
Why Essential Habits for Software Developers Matter for Career Growth
Rob and Michael emphasize that technical skills alone won’t set you apart. Instead, it’s your daily discipline and consistent habits that fuel success. As shared in the episode:
“Success as a developer isn’t just about what you know—it’s about what you consistently do.”
Essential habits for software developers, from daily practice to continuous learning, create momentum that turns average developers into high performers.
How AI Supports the Best Habits for Software Developers
AI can accelerate your growth, but only when used wisely. Rob and Michael stress that:
- AI-generated code requires critical review
- AI tools like CodeSignal and Codacy help improve coding habits
- Building AI chatbots sharpens your understanding of prompts and system behavior
By incorporating AI tools into your daily routines, you strengthen the essential habits of modern software development.
Mastering Time Management: A Core Habit for Productive Developers
Effective time management is one of the most essential habits for software developers aiming to maximize output. Rob recommends the Pomodoro technique, supported by focus tools like Brain.fm, to create distraction-free work sessions.
Michael offers a practical addition:
- Maintain daily task lists
- Document roadblocks and scope changes
- Prioritize meaningful work over busy tasks
Time management habits like these reduce burnout and keep developers focused on what matters most.
Continuous Learning: A Vital Habit for Software Developer Success
One of the most powerful essential habits for software developers is embracing continuous learning. Rob and Michael suggest:
- Reading technical blogs, books, or documentation weekly
- Watching educational videos or listening to podcasts
- Staying up to date with frameworks, languages, and soft skills
Rob explains:
“Learning equals leverage—it’s how you move from junior to lead.”
They also invite listeners to request a free copy of their developer career roadmap book by emailing [email protected] by the end of July.
Tools and Techniques to Strengthen Developer Habits
Rob and Michael recommend practical resources to help cultivate essential habits for software developers:
- Free AI tools and cloud credits from AWS, Azure, and GCP
- Static code analysis tools like SonarQube can be used to improve code quality
- Daily self-review of your code to identify and correct issues
- Experimenting with AI chatbots to boost prompt engineering skills
By combining these tools with consistent habits, software developers can stay competitive and continuously improve.
Final Thoughts: Start Building Essential Habits for Software Developers Today
Whether it’s time management, AI tools, daily practice, or continuous learning, success in software development comes from building better habits and sticking to them.
If you want to boost productivity, sharpen your skills, and accelerate your career, focus on developing the essential habits that top software developers rely on.
Stay Connected: Join the Developreneur Community
We invite you to join our community and share your coding journey with us. Whether you’re a seasoned developer or just starting, there’s always room to learn and grow together. Contact us at [email protected] with your questions, feedback, or suggestions for future episodes. Together, let’s continue exploring the exciting world of software development.