Creating an electronics product is like solving a complicated puzzle. You need to understand how electronics work, choose the right parts, make software and hardware fit together, and handle tricky manufacturing details. This whole process requires not just technical skills but also the ability to solve problems and adapt when things don't go as planned.

Even small details, like designing the circuit layout to make sure signals travel well, and testing everything to make sure it's reliable and meets rules, need careful attention. During years of work I learned some rules, that help me to be more sustained to any situations, arising in the process of creating a new electronic product. Eager to find out what I wish I had picked up earlier in this journey?

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1. Embrace the beauty of failure.

It might seem counterintuitive, but failure has its perks. It's through our missteps and bumps in the road that we learn and grow. The key is not to avoid failures, but to learn from them quickly (and hope it won't be at the cost of a burned top-of-the-line FPGA board).

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2. Harness the power of simulation: virtual testing is a game-changer.

It can help detect potential issues early, saving significant time, cost, and heartbreak further down the line. Use it anywhere it's available, from algorithm evaluation in Python to the electromagnetic modeling of a PCB.

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3. Understand the art of delegation.

It's a hard fact to swallow, but you can't do everything yourself. Delegating duties to your team not only lightens your load, it also empowers them and gives them a chance to shine.

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4. Stay relentlessly curious.

The world of electronics is vast and always evolving. Keeping an open mind and adapting to new technologies is vital for survival and success. Following major electronic component vendors and joining professional groups could be a nice start.

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5. Be resilient.

In the world of electronics, it's not a matter of if things will go wrong, but when. Cultivate resilience. It's your secret weapon when the going gets tough, be it a glitchy JTAG emulator or an overheating power controller.

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6. Master the balance of cost, quality, and time.

Consider these three elements in every decision. Striking the right balance can make or break a product. It is hard to say what is worse: going over budget or saving money and buying a headache with the failing part lacking proper documentation. But it's clear that if you don't meet the project deadline, all your efforts may be in vain.

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7. Never forget the customer's experience.

We, as engineers, can sometimes get lost in the technical details. Remember, it's about creating a product people need and enjoy using.

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8. Keep learning: things move quickly in the electronics realm.

Regularly update your skills and knowledge to stay at the top of your game. Embedded software has gone through several revolutions since its infancy, starting with machine codes, assembly language, then C/C++, and finally Rust.

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9. Maintain good documentation.

Keep a record of what's been done. It's your roadmap when things go awry. Surely, this includes sufficient comments in the code so that your colleagues don't get lost in the project. Or it could even be you after only a year's pause.

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10. Value team interaction and collaboration.

Engineering is a team sport. Open communication, mutual respect, and shared goals lead to great results.

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So, making an electronics product means being ready to face problems, keep learning, and keep improving every step of the way.  hope these insights spark a change in your approach to electronics. I'd love to hear your thoughts.