Blogs by Colt

Author: Colt Cruz
Date: January 19, 2026

This week was less about writing code and more about figuring out how we are actually going to work together as a team. Between learning new concepts, handling early planning tasks, and dealing with logistics, it became clear that execution is not always about doing what you enjoy most, but doing what helps the project move forward.

One of the biggest challenges has been time zones. I am currently in JST, while both of my teammates are in EST. That makes it difficult to consistently get together and talk through important decisions in real time. Scheduling meetings takes extra effort, and quick conversations are not always possible. Because of this, we have had to rely more on written communication and being clear about responsibilities.

Another challenge for me personally is design-focused work. I do not enjoy artsy or visual tasks, and I tend to be overly critical of anything I create in that space. I would much rather build tools or systems that support creative work than be responsible for final visuals. Despite that, I ended up contributing heavily to the UX Style Tile.

While working on the style tile, there was collaboration involved, just not always in real time. We shared ideas, references, and feedback asynchronously, which helped keep everyone aligned despite the time difference. I took feedback seriously and made adjustments based on team input, even when the work itself was outside my comfort zone. Contributing this way allowed the team to continue making progress without being blocked by scheduling conflicts.

This week also made me reflect on how I communicate. I tend to overcommunicate because I care about the quality of what we are building, but I am learning how to balance that with trust and flexibility. Working across time zones has forced me to be more intentional with how and when I communicate.

Overall, this week reinforced that teamwork is about adapting to constraints and supporting the group where it matters most. Even when the task is not ideal, contributing in a way that keeps the project moving forward is still valuable and necessary.