We're Not Robots: A Developer's Journey to Success, Creativity and Avoiding Burnout

Explore a developer's journey to success, creativity, and burnout prevention in this JSConf talk. Delve into the intersection of hiring managers' expectations and social media pressures, challenging the notion that constant coding is the only path to success. Examine research on cognitive needs, emphasizing the importance of fostering creativity and passion in development. Discover strategies for developers and managers to create an environment that nurtures creativity and ensures a balanced, fulfilling professional life. Learn from Amanda Martin's personal experiences as she reshapes the narrative around developer productivity, creativity, and burnout. Gain insights on topics such as the definition of creativity, critical thinking, personal growth, and leadership in software development. Uncover techniques to enhance creative thinking, understand what makes a good software engineer, and identify sources of inspiration. Address challenges like external constraints, design systems, and low-trust environments while exploring ways to cultivate a more creative and satisfying career in development.

Introduction
Developers are not creatives
Research agrees
Im not creative
What is creative
Burnout
What happens when software developers are unhappy
How to be more creative
Best definition of creativity
Quotes about creativity
How do I work on my creative thinking
What makes a good software engineer
Personal growth
Critical thinking
Planting your creativity flowers
What inspires you
External constraints
Design systems
Low trust environments
What you need
Leadership
Conclusion