Don't waste your time

This week, I've been teaching advanced Android testing classes for a company.

Honestly, it's an intensive training where we start from the basics and build up: how to do unit tests, integration, UI, with mocking tools, with fakes... We look at how to test coroutines, flows, how to test with databases, with servers, and much more.

In short, anyone who makes the most of it gains immense value. Literally, in a week it can change their perspective on tests. But for those who don't... well, they simply waste their precious time.

This group has been incredible: everyone with their cameras on, asking questions, trying to solve exercises and asking when they can't.

But, as unbelievable as it may seem, this is not the norm. I've been in trainings where I'm speaking to 15-20 Zoom avatars who never turn on their camera or microphone.

I've even finished the training early because I count on those moments of interaction and there haven't been any.

If the teacher and the training are the same, why is there such a difference?

The attitude.

You can usually tell when the employees have requested the training, and when the company imposes it top-down.

And it's sad, but a training that has cost the company a lot of money can be completely wasted.

Why am I telling you all this? Because life is full of lessons.

If your company offers training, make the most of it. Ask the instructor all your questions; they're there for that.

But not just there.

Every day, when you go out and cross paths with someone who decides to engage in meaningful conversation.

In every decision you make about what you see and how you see it.

In chats with your colleagues.

Every minute can be a learning experience or a missed opportunity.

And no, I'm not saying you should be alert every second soaking up information, because our brains also need to rest.

But when you see a good opportunity, seize it.

Learning makes us grow, and the more we grow, the more we become a better version of ourselves.

I hope this newsletter has helped you learn something today.

Have a fantastic Sunday.