You could do a very small side project where the requirements are: 1) simple, polished, functional UI 2) quick and dirty code If the code is nice, then the r

You could do a very small side project where the requirements are: 1) simple, polished, functional UI 2) quick and dirty code If the code is nice, then the requirements aren't met! You might even write this in large letters on a piece of paper or whiteboard next to your desk at home, keeping it visible while you work on it. Environmental clues like that can sometimes be helpful for me. I view it as an attempt to collaborate with "future me". Sometimes the collaboration is a failure, other time it is a great success. I think one can get better at this as well. Back on topic, one phrase I really like "Make it work, then make it nice". The definitions of "working" and "nice", of course, will depend on the context. But I find it to be a helpful maxim.