Andres Taylor at Andre’s Thoughts has put together a good “Top Ten” list of things he has learned as a developer that resounded in my chest when I read them. They are so true. Here is the abbreviated list (with my comments):

1. Object orientation is much harder than you think - I remember learning programming in college only for them to tell me that the programming world was switching to OO, but they didn’t know what it was to be able to teach us.
2. The difficult part of software development is communication - Software development is a team adventure. Its not just the programmer manipulating 1’s and 0’s.
3. Learn to say no - True, so true. As with any job where you are the one that “makes it happen”. You have to be able to say “no”.
4. If everything is equally important, then nothing is important - I am always saying to project managers, bosses, customers - “What do you want done first?” If they say “Everything”, then my response is usally something like “I’m going to get some food since everything is of equal importance but food seems to have greater importance for me”
5. Don’t over-think a problem - I have spent two days working on an issue only to have my son (who is now 6 yrs old) say something really simple that shows me the solution.
6. Dive really deep into something, but don’t get hung up - I know a little of a lot but not a lot of a little.
7. Learn about the other parts of the software development machine - For me, I have always thought I was blessed to have first been in the business anaylst/project manager area before being a developer as it doest give me a different perspective when looking at the “Big Picture”
8. Your colleagues are your best teachers - One of the hardest times I had was when I was the only developer at a particular location. That’s when online forums became by best friends.
9. It all comes down to working software - Enough said!!
10. Some people are &$%# - While I’m not one to say this outloud, it’s true.

To read Andres Taylor’s comments with this Top Ten, see his blog here