Category Archives: Psychology

Communication, soft skills, presentation, HCI, and non-technical opinion pieces

This software engineer retired at age 30. You won’t believe how he did it.

Posted on April 29, 2025 by Sheldon "Don" Sandbekkhaug

One of my friends recently retired at age 30. I was amazed. How did he do it? Why did he do it? And most importantly, what is he going to do with all his newfound time? To be honest, his … Continue reading →

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Ask yourself this one question to bring clarity to ANY problem

Posted on September 20, 2023 by Sheldon "Don" Sandbekkhaug

When struggling with a problem for a long time, it’s easy to get caught in a vortex of thoughts. Imagine a software engineer named Alice. Alice has worked at Big Tech Co for 2 years, and she’s been thinking about … Continue reading →

Posted in Psychology, Software | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

How to NOT worry about layoffs

Posted on March 22, 2023 by Sheldon "Don" Sandbekkhaug

Recently, Microsoft laid off 10,000 employees. Facebook lost 11,000. Not to be outdone, Google reduced its workforce by 12,000. Overall, in the first two months of 2023, over 120,000 tech employees were laid off, including every sector and every size … Continue reading →

Posted in Psychology, Software | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Goblin Mode Isn’t The Only Way

Posted on February 27, 2023 by Sheldon "Don" Sandbekkhaug

Allow me to introduce you to… the expanded goblin mode chart. Goblin Mode Back in my day, before normies co-opted the term, goblin mode meant isolating yourself and submitting to your basest desires. Stuff like staying home, eating junk food, … Continue reading →

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When should you buy a house?

Posted on January 25, 2023 by Sheldon "Don" Sandbekkhaug

Everyone’s parents keep asking them “So, when are you buying a house?” It may be an innocent question, but the effect is to make you feel bad about not owning real estate. It’s the framework they grew up in. Get … Continue reading →

Posted in Psychology | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments