Daniel Pink’s 2018 book When has a slew of insights regarding time and how it can be better managed. At around 200 pages with short chapters, ample scientific references and tips, the book is a fast read and provides plenty of food for thought. Definitely put it on your reading list, as it might have impactful steps for your life and day.

This post is not a review per se but rather an expansion of four ideas he presents in his Chapter 3 Time Hacker’s Handbook – intermissions of sorts that he provides laden with actionable steps related to the topics in each full chapter. Bundled in that chapter are Four Tips for Making a Fast Start in a New Job. Several of these are related to things I’ve noted about new engineers and how their initial period at a firm can be made more productive and reputation-enhancing.

His four research-backed recommendations are:

  1. Begin before you begin
  2. Let your results do the talking
  3. Stockpile your motivation
  4. Sustain your morale with small wins

Let’s take Pink’s topics and delve into how they may apply specifically for an engineering setting.

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