[notaddicted]

1- semantics matter. Names should neatly describe what they refer to.

2- avoid mutable variables. Using the same name for two things is just another way to get tripped up.

3- if you're going to ship it, try to stay in the lower (50%) range of your abilities. This is how to get things done lightning fast in my opinion. Work on your skills and improve every day, but to produce something functional and enduring you should be technically conservative and produce something you thoroughly, thoroughly understand.

4- Your abstractions should be accurate, precise, and cognitively manageable.

5* Non-programming organization skills matter. Identify stakeholders, gather requirements, set priorities, PRODUCE, get feedback... repeat.