> - Take lots of notes with code examples and thorough basic explanations to self.

I gained a ton of productivity when I started creating a set of helper functions, examples, and gotchas for each language / domain I work in. I used to use a network call helper in JS for ages to remember all the different ways errors can bubble out of fetch. I also have a file with a bunch of ML algorithms, cause there's no way I can keep it all in my head, but I don't want to forget the right tool for a job.

I'm still self depricating, but my 'babys_first_elixir.exs' has been invaluable resource for me to dump interesting funtional patterns into while reading other folks code, then referencing when it's time for me to write.