A coworker recently introduced me to the Lombok library in Java.  It reduces a lot of boilerplate, and is generally just awesome.  It lets you add getters/setters, builders, and a variety of other functions to classes without having to do all the mundane boilerplate. 

https://www.baeldung.com/intro-to-project-lombok

Becoming a T shaped person, and soft skills.

A coworker referred me to this great article on becoming T-shaped--not just professionally, but in life.  I thought it was a good read.  (To be honest, I scanned it for the bits I found useful--I was already fairly familiar with the concept).

The bit I liked was how the author presented ideas on setting goals, plans, and habits to grow one's skills consciously and not accidentally.

https://collegeinfogeek.com/become-t-shaped-person/