I have been a software engineer for the last decade - right from starting to learning C in BorlandC in my undergrad days¹ to my current role as a CTO of a funded startup in India. I have worked with 50+ software engineers in my career so far, where I went from a complete n00b student coder to my current role leading the tech of a small but potent team of engineers.

I used to be a person who thought that rational thought is superior (like so many junior engineers) to the one who is much more “wise”² in life. I battled at least 3 depressions that I am aware of and did therapy for an extended period of time twice so far. The therapy sessions led to immense personal growth. This personal growth has directly impacted on how well I do as a software engineer - my productivity has increased, I can solve more uncertain/vague problems, my ability to debug has improved, my design skills have increased an order of magnitude, I am able to mentor other people technically and much much more. All because I am more emotionally aware of myself and that allows me to “hack my brain” to my advantage.

I hope to recreate a small part of that experience with this book.

1 - Yes, we used Borland to code for C and C++ in my Indian college in the year of 2006-2010

2 - I have debated on how to phrase this while not coming across as a complete smug and an asshole. Honestly, thats how people around me have described my attitude change. That is the only thing I can use it in my defence. And hence this footnote.