✋ The 17 biggest mental traps costing software engineers time and growth
Bad estimates and flawed project decisions? Uncover 17 hidden thinking errors and learn to fix them for better code and team success
Software engineers often think of bugs as code-level mistakes. But some of the biggest problems in our careers come from mental errors, not syntax errors. These aren't obvious. They live in our decisions, judgments, and habits.
Cognitive biases and logical fallacies shape how we estimate tasks, judge others' work, choose tools, and learn from mistakes. If you don't spot them, they cost you time, mislead your thinking, slow your growth, and hurt people around you.
This post covers 17 biases and fallacies. Some are well-known. For others, I’m sure this is the first time you've hear them. Let me know which ones are new for you.
⭐ In this post, you'll learn
Why smart engineers make bad estimates and how to fix that
How to spot flawed thinking in code reviews, planning, and tech choices
Why engineers resist change even when it’s needed
How bias affects how we judge others and our own work
Practical examples of these errors in day-to-day work