The document discusses how developers can sabotage their own learning and provides suggestions for how to avoid this. It recommends focusing on the learning event without distractions, making contact with other attendees by introducing yourself to those nearby, and maintaining an open and growth-oriented mindset. The document is a presentation by Tori Hall on self-sabotage in learning and emphasizes focus, contact with others, and mindset during educational events.

1. All Rights Reserved @2019 1
How Developers
Self-Sabotage Their Learning
(And what to do instead)
Tori Hall
Developer Evangelist at

2. “Who the heck are you?”
All Rights Reserved @2019 2
• Tori Hall
• Developer?Evangelist
• (Technical Trainer & Presenter)
• In a past life…
o Duke University
o Data Scientist, Cisco Systems
o Data Science Evangelist & Trainer

3. You could be sabotaging yourself…
All Rights Reserved @2019 3
•Focus
•Contact
•Mindset
•Discussion
RIGHT NOW

4. Your turn:
All Rights Reserved @2019 4
Who checked their
work email today?
Who answered a
work email today?
Who did work
related to one of
those emails today?

5. All Rights Reserved @2019 5

6. Focus is key
All Rights Reserved @2019 6

7. Dealing with work:
All Rights Reserved @2019 7
• Scenario 1: you have support
o Money or time has been
invested into you being here
o Your “job” is to maximize ROI
o Get aircover to do so • Scenario 2: you went rogue
o This is your day!
o Do what you want!
o (You probably want to maximize
ROI…)

8. All Rights Reserved @2019 8
Dealing with…yourself?
• Take breaks
o Learning events are long! You
cannot be at your best the
whole time
o Trainers should give you
breaks (but ask if they don’t!)
o Must build them in yourself at
conferences, etc.
• Set goals
o You came here for a reason –
what was it?
o Let your trainer know why
you’re there
o Or, be intentional about how
you curate your event
experience

9. Your turn:
All Rights Reserved @2019 9
Who came alone
and has mostly
remained alone?
Who came with friends
or colleagues and has
stayed with them?
Who considers
themselves a social
butterfly?

10. Day, DD. Month 2019 All Rights Reserved @2019 10
Make contact

11. Day, DD. Month 2019 All Rights Reserved @2019 11
Why?
• You know…
“networking”
• Tech is a
team sport
• Get a new
perspective

12. All Rights Reserved @2019 12
But more importantly… how?
Who to talk to? What to talk about?
Booth coordinators
and event staff
Learn about the product or
event itself! Get the pitch.
Booth coordinators
and event staff
Learn about the product or
event itself! Get the pitch.
Your trainer (or
presenter)
Share why you attended, or
what you got out of it. What
remaining questions do you
have?
The person next to
you
Find something you have in
common!

13. All Rights Reserved @2019 13
But more importantly… how?
The person next to
you
Find something you have in
common!
Try it!

14. Your turn:
All Rights Reserved @2019 14
Is it better to focus on
solutions and tools…
…or to focus on specific
problems?

15. All Rights Reserved @2019 15
Today’s problems
don’t stay relevant
for long.

16. All Rights Reserved @2019 16
Solutions have
more staying power.
But mindsets have the
most of all.

17. All Rights Reserved @2019 17
Mindset Check
Ask questions to learn Ask questions to teach
“Show” your expertise “Tell” your expertise
Find applications to
current problems
Focus entirely on
current problems
Have an open mind Lean into doubt*
Do Don’t
*There are times when it pays to be skeptical. However, training usually isn’t one of them.

18. You could be reflecting…
All Rights Reserved @2019 18
• Focus – avoid multi-tasking
• Contact – meet new people
• Mindset – stay open
RIGHT NOW

19. AMA: Questions and Discussion
All Rights Reserved @2019 19
Your trainer (or presenter) Share why you attended, or what
you got out of it. What remaining
questions do you have?
www.linkedin.com/in/tori-hall @explanatori commercetools.com

20. All Rights Reserved @2019 20
Thank You!Tori Hall
Developer Evangelist at