Blog

Journal

Being accountable to myself on the move

By Mike Sothern 0

I've been away from my computer for a few days and it dawned upon me that that is no excuse for not writing every days. As one of my goals for the next year is to increase how much writing I do, I decided to write more publicly to help keep me accountable for my own goals. It's very easy to fail with reaching a goal, such as making a new habit, when you can privately make excuses and let yourself off the hook. Sharing a goal and sharing the journey helps keep yourself on track. Don't do it FOR others, but do show others what you're doing. With regards to public writing, I realised that I'd not posted because I was making the excuse of not having my computer. This was such a bullshit reason. So here I am posting via the WordPress Android app instead. If the excuses…

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General

Why Identity Shapes Habits (And How To Use It To Your Advantage)

By Mike Sothern 0
Identity Drives Habits

Most of us try to improve our lives by setting goals. We say things like, I want to exercise more, I should eat better, or I need to spend less time on my phone. While goals can be useful, they often keep us stuck in a loop of short-term effort and frustration. The real shift happens when we stop seeing change as something we do and start seeing it as part of who we are. If you want to run more, it’s not about forcing yourself out the door with sheer willpower. It’s about starting to see yourself as a runner. Once that identity takes root, running is no longer a chore, it’s simply something you do because it’s part of who you are. This principle, identity drives behaviour, applies far beyond running. It can influence every area of your life: health, work, creativity, relationships, and more. Here are some…

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SkyHR

I Wrote a Book! (And Yes, I’m Still Slightly in Shock About It)

By Mike Sothern 0
Image of mike sothern holding his new HR AI book, Prompt engineering for HR

Well, this is surreal. After months of writing, rewriting, second-guessing, deleting, obsessing over commas, and trying to find just the right example of a poorly written HR policy... the book is out. Prompt Engineering for HR: Unlocking the Power of AI Conversations is now officially published and live. It’s a practical guide for HR professionals, people managers, founders, anyone working with people and looking to use AI tools like ChatGPT in a way that actually makes sense. No hype. No nonsense. Just useful stuff you can use in real HR work. Inside, you'll find: 50+ tested prompt templates Real-world HR use cases (not just theory) A people-first approach to using AI in your team and processes A bit of humour (because HR could use some) Why I Wrote It Like a lot of people, I was blown away by what AI tools could do, and slightly overwhelmed by the noise…

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SkyHR

Making Company Values Public (and Why That’s a Good Thing)

By Mike Sothern 0
Sharing Company Mission Statement and Values

One of the fun things about building SkyHR is spotting little opportunities to make work feel more human. Our latest update is a perfect example. We’ve added a way for companies to share their mission statement and values publicly, right from SkyHR, with a single click. Nothing complicated, just a small feature that I think could make a big difference. The idea came from something I’ve seen again and again. Most companies do have a mission statement, and most have a set of values too. But where do they live? Usually in the employee handbook no one reads, or hidden away on a “Careers” page that only job seekers ever find. Which is a shame, because those statements can be powerful when they’re visible. They remind people why the business exists, what it stands for, and how decisions are made. So, we thought – why not make them easier to…

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Startups

Stop Chasing Ideas, Start Solving Problems

By Mike Sothern 0
Stop Chasing Ideas, Start Solving Problems

Does the idea have to be great to start a company? I don't think so. Don't think that your idea needs to be great. Instead, I think it is best to start with a problem. Starting with ideas is more difficult because people rush to judge your idea. It is easier to think about a problem. Ask yourself if you have close connection with the problem. For example: Is it a problem that you have? Do my friends have this problem? Do people in my family have this problem? Is this a problem I see at work? Is it a problem I see in my community? There are two reasons that this is a good place to start: This helps you see if your solution has a chance of solving the problem. It allows you to get past hurdles and failures because you have a personal motivation to solve the…

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General

Navigating the C++ Route in Unreal Engine

By Mike Sothern 0
Unreal Dev Using Code Rather Than Blueprints

Embarking on a journey into game development using Unreal Engine can be both exhilarating and daunting. As a seasoned programmer with a solid grounding in C++, I am naturally inclined to lean into using C++ for my projects within Unreal Engine, aiming to leverage my existing skills and deepen my understanding of game mechanics at a more granular level. However, one quickly realises that the wealth of online resources is predominantly tailored towards beginners using Blueprints, Unreal Engine's visual scripting system. While Blueprints offer a fantastic entry point for those new to programming, they can sometimes feel restrictive for those of us seeking to delve into the nitty-gritty of code. In this sea of Blueprint-focused tutorials and courses, finding comprehensive and in-depth material on C++ programming for Unreal Engine feels akin to searching for a needle in a haystack. Nevertheless, perseverance pays off. I've discovered a gem in GameDev.tv’s courses,…

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General

Embarking on a Journey in Indie Game Development

By Mike Sothern 0
Indie Game Development

Hello and welcome to BluePrintWorks.com! I'm Mike Sothern, and you might know me as a co-founder of SkyHR.io, where we specialise in HR software solutions for small to medium businesses. While I continue to thrive in my role at SkyHR, I have embarked on an exhilarating new adventure—indie game development. The world of indie games has always intrigued me. It's a place where creativity meets complexity, where small teams or even individual developers can craft engaging, innovative, and often emotionally resonant experiences. As a software engineer by profession, the challenge of designing and developing a game from scratch is something I’m eager to tackle. I’ve chosen Unreal Engine 5 as my tool, impressed by its capabilities and the quality it can deliver. Why start this blog? BluePrintWorks.com is more than just a showcase of progress; it's a platform for connection and learning. Here, I’ll share my experiences as I delve…

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