Self development and mental health

Slow life in the world of technology

Slow living is more than just slowing down. A slow life means focusing on quality, not quantity, conscious decision-making and seeking balance. So, how can we apply these principles to the work of product owners and developers?

Quality over quantity

With aggressive project timelines, there is a temptation to focus on the quantity of tasks rather than their quality. By applying the ‘slow life’ principles, product owners and developers can decide together to focus on fewer tasks but perform them with more excellent care and accuracy.

By discussing new functionalities together, you can find an implementation path that will be less technically complex and thus the new function will be available to customers faster. In my experience, the most effective teams are those actively participating in discovery and understanding why they do something. There is a wall between product owners (why) and programmers (how) in bad teams.

Clear communication and a focus on setting understandable goals not only improve the quality of the final product but also reduce stress and work overload. It’s a better one handy feature than ten that hardly anyone uses.

Conscious planning

Instead of reacting to every change in requirements or technical problem immediately, slow life suggests a moment of reflection. This means calmly considering your options, discussing the potential impacts of each option, and then making an informed decision. This approach favors the creation of well-thought-out plans and strategies that are more sustainable and less prone to mistakes caused by haste.

From a developer’s perspective, regular pivots are very demotivating. Nobody likes going around in circles. Conscious planning also refers to quality over quantity. By consciously planning, we minimize unsuccessful initiatives.

Responsibility and self-care

Slow life at work also means taking care of yourself. For developers, this may mean taking regular breaks to avoid burnout. For product owners, it means respecting professional and private life boundaries. Promoting a work culture where mental health is a priority can lead to greater creativity, better quality of work and increased job satisfaction.

Sustainable working is an approach that seeks to achieve a balance between work demands and health and well-being. In practice, this means creating a work environment where long-term performance is more important than short-term success. This approach emphasizes quality over quantity and promotes healthy work habits.

Contrary to popular belief, sustainable work can increase productivity. Employees who are not overloaded and feel appreciated often work more effectively. Regular breaks, flexible working hours and a culture open to feedback help maintain high motivation and commitment, which translates into better results.

Unfortunately (at least in Poland) it is not very popular. We live in a country where workaholics are somehow praised. For example, a man who works from morning to night or often goes on business trips receives social acceptance because he is responsible and earns for his family. A manager who answers e-mails while on vacation receives praise and is even held up as a role model. Horror.

How can you introduce balanced work in the relationship between product owners and developers? Open communication and shared prioritization are key. This may mean planning projects realistically, avoiding excessive multitasking, and promoting a healthy work culture where boundaries between work and private life are respected.

Harmony at work – the key to efficiency

Building healthy team relationships based on the principles of slow life is the key to creating a positive and productive work environment, especially in the IT industry. Here are some practical tips that can help you implement this idea.

Common goals and values

Create a team based on shared values and goals that reflect the principles of slow living. This may include work-life balance, respect for each team member, and supporting personal and professional development.

Flexible working hours

Introducing flexible working hours can help your team better adapt their professional responsibilities to their personal needs. This allows you to work during your most productive hours and improves your work-life balance. Choose asynchronous communication and avoid unproductive meetings.

Breaks and time for regeneration

Encourage your team to take regular breaks from work. Short breaks during the working day help maintain high levels of concentration and creativity and are also important for physical and mental health.

Open communication

Promote open and honest communication within the team. Let team members express their opinions and concerns. Understanding and accepting different points of view can lead to more effective solutions to problems.

Cooperation

In startups, where resources are limited and the work rhythm is intense, it is important that all team members understand and share a common vision and goals. Product owners, who define the direction of the product, and programmers, who implement this vision technologically, must work hand in hand to achieve these goals effectively.

Cooperation between product owners and programmers enables quick adaptation to changes, effective product iteration and quick introduction of improvements based on user feedback.

Cooperation promotes the exchange of ideas and creative thinking. When programmers and product owners cooperate effectively, they can create innovative solutions that make the startup stand out on the market.

Most importantly, practical cooperation between product owners and programmers increases the likelihood that the product will meet customer expectations and achieve market success, which is the ultimate goal of every startup.

Conclusion

To sum up, I emphasize that cooperation between product owners and programmers is not only a technical necessity but, above all, the key to every startup’s success. My experience and observations show that applying the principles of slow life in technological work can significantly improve the quality of cooperation and, consequently, the success of our projects.

Focusing on quality rather than quantity, conscious decision-making and striving for balance in professional and personal life is not just a theory. It’s a practical approach that can bring real benefits to your team and the projects you work on.

I encourage you to think about how you can implement these principles in your work environment. Remember that healthy team relationships, open communication and shared values are the foundation on which we can build the lasting success of our technological ventures. My experience shows that this approach not only increases efficiency but above all, improves each of us’s quality of life and work.

Let’s not be afraid to change our habits and approach work in a more balanced way. This may be the key to success in today’s fast and demanding technological world.

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