You can't force your way through a mental wall if you're using the wrong learning style.
Switching from dense text to visual tools cured his task aversion and rebuilt his confidence.
Remote
Alex Toth
@alextoth@mastodonapp.uk
mastodon 4.6.8I explain complex systems hacks in a simple way!
Systems Addict - productivity, automation & a comfortable life!
Join my list : https://use.toth.al/join?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social
43 Followers
78 Following
50 Posts
Joined November 07, 2022
Full Bio:
And life is flowing ...
.. like a river to the inevitable vastness of the ocean.
Am I making the most of it, enjoying the journey? Experiencing every single meter of it with the full knowledge I will never travel this way again!
Will never see this part of existence again. In some sense, this me won’t exist anymore. Just a memory frozen in time. If that …
.. memories are changing and fading so fast!
You are likely wasting time on software tools instead of doing actual engineering work.
I once spent a week building a digital voting system for a meeting but failed to ensure my plan traced up to the actual value of the discussion!
J. F. Evans writes in Key Concepts in Systems Thinking that we must constantly focus on the core purpose of our system.
When you spend all day fixing a SysML block or formatting a document you stop directing the project and become just another worker.
I just published a YouTube video of some of my work.
Should I do this type of educational videos on Systems and Engineering, you think?
https://youtu.be/UatMZAGviBw
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@ChunkieRamos yes, ofc.
The operator .. pardon: stakeholder needs are critical to consider!
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𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗖𝗮𝘁 𝗪𝗮𝘀𝗵𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺
This unit transforms a messy eyesore into a sophisticated interior element. Here is how I managed the requirements:
• 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿 𝗢𝗱𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹: An integrated cat flap and enclosed design trap smells and dust inside.
• 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: The clean silhouette matches your decor and doubles as a functional side table. 👇 more ...
Replying to on mastodonapp.uk
Most owners accept an ugly smelly plastic bin of gravel as an inevitable system failure. I see it as a poorly managed interface.
To showcase my other engineering expertise I am launching a new product: The Deluxe Stealth Cat Washroom. 😂
I was sitting in my lounge the other day trying to enjoy a coffee. When my cat decided to use his tray. Within seconds the boundary of my peaceful morning was breached by a scent that no ventilation could fix. It was a classic failure:
Replying to
Being useful is about solving problems and providing value. Coming up with new creative Solutions to old Problems. I take the same approach for my job and personal life.
𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗼 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗬𝗼𝘂.
Whether you are managing a complex technical project or just trying to keep your living room smelling fresh, the principles are the same. You define the need, manage the stakeholders, and validate the solution.
𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦?
𝘈𝘴𝘬 𝘮𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘬.
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𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘱𝘶𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘯 𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘱𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘷𝘪𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘭𝘦.
I decided to apply some engineering principles to my own furniture. As Scott Adams suggests in his writing success often comes from combining different skill sets. I took my knowledge of system boundaries and applied it to domestic Stakeholder Needs.
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• 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝘆: Unlike plastic this custom-fit internal tray is easy to clean and does not absorb smells.
• 𝗨𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗰𝘆: The design provides a quiet space for the operator even for very large cats.
• 𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴: It keeps litter tracking and debris hidden to ensure your floors stay pristine.
I chose to install it in my bathroom but it could go in the living-room no problem.
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@Russssty@mastodon.social
Ha haaa, gorgeous!
Kessler Moon-zarella :)))
Where do I order? Here's my card, take my money ...
I hope my mood won't hop wih the weather today ...
Procrastination (whether it's studying for a certification or the dread of updating a CV) is rarely laziness.
As a mentor your job is to help them find the right tools to overcome the resistance and build momentum.
Replying to on mastodon.social
@Russssty@mastodon.social
Ha haaa, right!
I want extraterrestrial pizza!
ETizza ...
Are we there yet?
𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀 𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗮 𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗯𝘂𝗹𝗯?
None. They just document the darkness as the new baseline requirement.
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4/5 To help bridge this gap, I am opening up a handful of 𝟭:𝟭 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀.
This isn't a generic course or a mass-market program. It’s a targeted, direct support to help you untangle your daily concrete job struggles or to build a bespoke trackable 90-day roadmap for your exact next career step.
I am currently keeping this tight, exclusive, and by invitation only.
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• 𝗛𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘇𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗕𝗮𝗿: Your breadth. The ability to connect software, hardware, and business needs. And ...
Without the horizontal reach you aren't an Systems Engineer. You're just a specialist shouting about foam.
I’m sending a deep dive on "𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗟𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗺" and how to practically transition your mindset (and your CV) from Specialist to Leader in tomorrow's newsletter.
𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀 𝗶𝘁! [Link inBio]
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6/6 You don't have to navigate this transition from an invisible cog to a pragmatic architect alone. I’ve been there, I’ve done it, and I am currently opening up a handful of 1:1 pragmatic mentoring sessions to help ambitious engineers do the same.
If you are ready to take ownership of your career and build a concrete, trackable roadmap for your next step, 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗲 𝗮 𝗗𝗠 to get more info and support.
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I raised it verbally. The response was muted. Management hoped we could catch up. I could have stayed quiet and hoped for the best. Instead, I opened a spreadsheet and broke down the remaining budget against the required tasks.
Then created 3 scenarios
• One showed the crash.
• Two showed a reduced scope that still delivered value.
I presented the data. I didn't use opinions or worries. I showed the math.
We stop being the organising force and become just another spinning rock. A Systems Engineer is dark matter, the one thing that holds a project together and can bring order into chaos!
An optimist sees the glass as half full. A pessimist sees the glass as half empty.
A systems engineer sees a requirement for a larger container that the current design fails to justify.
I’m a problem solver, a communicator, a planner, an analyst, and a prover.
I’m the glue that binds projects and programs together. I’m the guy you ask how something works or how it’s supposed to work, and how to fix what’s broken.
I’m a #systemsengineer
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5/6 The biggest leaps in your career won't come from blindly applying academic theory or doing exactly what you are told. The best improvements come from the people doing the daily, hands-on, pragmatic work.
If you see a better way, 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸 𝘂𝗽.
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2/6 But if you have the mindset of a true Systems Engineer, your curiosity won't let it go. You realise that 𝘺𝘰𝘶 are closer to the code and the hardware than anyone writing the initial spec.
I know exactly what it feels like to stand at that crossroad, wondering if you should speak up.
My next newsletter "Why Coffee Machines are ruining your confidence." is coming Thursday.
Subscribe to get it and stay in the loop on everything I'm creating.
https://use.toth.al/join
A mechanical engineer designs the vehicle suspension.
A software engineer writes the braking logic and adaptive suspension SW.
A principal systems engineer spends three weeks in Cameo just to prove the road is an external actor.
𝗡𝗼 𝗠𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗰! Wizardry ...
We should never do a process, or a model for its own sake!
It is there to help the business to keep in control of what you try to achieve. If it doesn't you shouldn't do it.
People so often lose sight of why they are modelling. What's the purpose.
And jump head first to build complicated pretty diagrams (that are even smart) but ultimately useless.
I'm here to stop people do it and keep reminding them to consider the purpose of their work: now they can work much more effectively.
The Rye ..
I started an alternative side-business to my side-business. That may work even better. Applying Systems Engineering to cat problems as Customers, and their Stakeholders!
The first product solves stinky dirty problems in a premium way :))
Ask me for the link.
https://use.toth.al/products/deluxe-cat-litter-box
Replying to
Some people ask me if it's worth fighting it? What can you change? But you can and you should. Start learning how here: https://www.everyexpert.com/alex
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2/5 Earlier this week I mentioned that Systems Engineers are the 𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 holding the universe (the project) together against the expanding force of 𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 (scope creep and stakeholder requirements).
But when we zoom in too far, when we obsess over the syntax of a SysML block, the formatting of a document, or the setup of a tool ...
.. We stop being the dark matter. We become just another spinning rock.
In 60 minutes I cut through the noise and identify the one thing standing between you and your next career move.
Then build a concrete, actionable plan to tackle it.
Whether you need to position yourself for a promotion, sharpen your CV, or prepare for a critical interview, we’ll leave the call with a clear next step you can act on today.
Start at https://EveryExpert.com/alex
People often ask me how to prove work experience for an interview when they are at the beginning of their career.
Others ask how to pick a path for the future while still a student.
You may already know I'm a strong believer that practical learning is the best possible learning! What's my view?
I won't faff about this more:
𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁! 𝗕𝗨𝗧 𝗸𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗶𝘁 𝘀𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗲𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗵. ⬇
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3/6 Years ago, while implementing standard requirements for a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), I read a university research paper about a security flaw where signals could be spoofed to trigger false vehicle warnings. It wasn't in my scope.
The safest move was to file the paper away and stick to the standard definition.
𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱𝗻'𝘁 𝗹𝗲𝘁 𝗶𝘁 𝗴𝗼.
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The reaction changed immediately. We agreed on a re-scoped plan. The project finished on budget and the client was happy.
If you are a young engineer, remember that data is your best shield. If you see a risk quantify it! Managers cannot argue with arithmetic. It is not complaining if 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗺.
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3/5 We forget that 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗷𝗼𝗯 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 and not to play every instrument.
Over the last few weeks I’ve been having private conversations with ambitious early-career engineers who are stuck in this exact trap. They know the academic theory and the software tools, but they freeze when trying to apply them to the messy reality of their jobs.
Most ambitious engineers try to level up the same broken way: stack another certification, master another tool, wait for someone to notice. No one notices!
They end up overqualified on paper and completely invisible in the room: anxious, overlooked, and wondering if they’re the problem.
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5/5 If you are ready to stop fighting the tools and start architecting your career, or just have a question for an experienced Mentor, 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗲 𝗮 𝗗𝗠 to get more info and support on how to take your next step.
Most Systems Engineering degrees fail to prepare you for real-world industry challenges.
Why?
They prioritise ideal scenarios and textbook processes.
But 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘀𝘆. You will face:
• Incomplete data
• Shifting requirements
• Tight resource constraints
• Corporate office politics
👇
I asked my newest automated buddy to synthesise and distil our latest support videocall. This is the best it came up with …
Any useful?
Systems Engineering is much more than working on projects at your workplace.
SE is coming up with better, more valuable and efficient solutions to old problems. Even in unexpected areas within your home.
Keep an eye following here to see what I'm up to. 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗼𝘄.
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4/6 I took ownership of the problem, analysed the threat, and realised we didn't need expensive hardware upgrades—just a smarter algorithm. I proposed a simple, lightweight authentication mechanism. Continental Automotive not only implemented it, they registered a patent for it.