Leo Riviera
The Cult of Done: My Journey to Becoming a Maker
#1about 4 minutes
The existential crisis of a software engineer
Feeling lost and stagnant in a software career leads to a search for a new identity as a "maker."
#2about 3 minutes
Defining what it means to be a maker
A maker is anyone who creates something from nothing using their unique point of view, regardless of skill level.
#3about 4 minutes
The three states of being: not knowing, action, completion
Breaking down large projects into clear states of not knowing, action, and completion makes the creative process manageable and exciting.
#4about 1 minute
Letting go of perfection to enable iteration
Becoming less attached to your creations allows you to accept "good enough" and iterate faster by learning from each attempt.
#5about 5 minutes
Reframing failure as a part of the process
Treating failure as a form of "done" transforms it from a reflection of personal inadequacy into a valuable learning experience.
#6about 3 minutes
The value of direct experience over advice
True understanding comes from doing the work yourself, and sharing your project too early can dilute your creative vision.
#7about 1 minute
Done is the engine that drives more creation
Completing projects builds momentum and compounds your skills, enabling you to tackle bigger and more ambitious work.
#8about 3 minutes
Separating your identity from your creative output
The most important lesson is that you are more than what you create, which allows making to be a tool for self-discovery rather than self-definition.
Related jobs
Jobs that call for the skills explored in this talk.
Matching moments
00:44 MIN
A personal story of becoming a software maker
The Cult of Done: My Journey to Becoming a Maker
08:15 MIN
Using the Cult of Done manifesto as a guide
The Cult of Done: My Journey to Becoming a Maker
05:37 MIN
Discovering the true definition of a maker
The Cult of Done: My Journey to Becoming a Maker
00:11 MIN
A developer's journey into public speaking
Coffee with Developers - Francesco Ciulla
13:25 MIN
The personal motivation behind building a learning tool
Security Blindspots and How to Learn About Them - Anna Oliveira
23:50 MIN
The final lesson is you are not your output
The Cult of Done: My Journey to Becoming a Maker
42:14 MIN
Turning company culture into authentic developer stories
Emergency Discussion: Can’t Hire the Right Developers? Here’s What Everyone Else Misses
31:46 MIN
Final thoughts on developing a growth mindset
Growth mindset in Tech hiring: unlocking team potential through collaboration and feedback
Featured Partners
Related Videos
25:24The Cult of Done: My Journey to Becoming a Maker
1:01:43Debugging Burnout
Samuel Shaw
15:28Learning From My Side Project Mistakes
Jonathan Fielding
55:07What makes a great Software Engineer? Challenging our Assumptions Instead of Talking about Imposter Syndrome
Irina Anastasiu
52:36Is everything difficult, or is it just me?
Jo Franchetti
50:44Coffee with Developers
David Levai
16:59Coffee with developers - Brian Morrison
Brian Morrison
58:08From Gazelle to Pride Leader: The Path to Public Speaking in Tech
Carly Richmond
Related Articles
View all articles
From learning to earning
Jobs that call for the skills explored in this talk.
