Clint Edmonson tweeted about this awesome post from Sources of Insight – "Lessons Learned from Bruce Lee".  This post really resonated with me so I thought I would add some of my thoughts to the original author’s work, giving it a software architect’s perspective.

  • "Be YOUR Best" – Self-explanatory.  The only person you should try to top is yourself. 
  • "Absorb what is useful" – "It’s not about blindly adopting patterns and practices.  It’s about taking the best of the best and tailoring it."  The author’s original words are almost straight out of the mouth of a modern architect or software developer.  There are a lot of technologies, patterns, and options but not all of them are proven, take what is and add your own experience to the mix.  ("Mash-it-up" if you want to be Web 2.0 about it :)
  • "Keep an Open Mind" – Sometimes you will learn something in a specific context and attempt to always apply in that context.  Throw away the context and look at it differently.  You may then see that to apply SOA does not mean it has to be implemented with web services.
  • "Stay Flexible" – If you read the Architect’s Creed then you know I am a big proponent of flexibility in software systems.  That flexibility starts with the architect.
  • "Focus on Growth" – Growth is key for an architect and software developer.  You have to keep pushing yourself to the next level.
  • "Know Thyself" –  Every leadership manual or class has a section on this.  You are your greatest strength and weakness and your knowledge of those factors will affect your designs and your team.
  • "Make Things Happen" – Don’t stop after a big success, keep going.

Be sure to check out the original post on Sources of Insight to catch all of the authors favorite points and perspective.  It’s a great read and there is something for everyone.