Hey there! Making the switch from IT to industrial automation is an exciting move, and you're right to focus on the mindset shifts. Coming from traditional software development, here are the most critical changes you'll need to embrace:

First, you'll need to shift from 'asynchronous' to 'deterministic' thinking. In IT, you're used to systems that can handle delays or retries. In PLC programming, everything happens in real-time scan cycles - typically milliseconds. Your code must execute predictably every single time, no exceptions. Missing a deadline isn't just a performance issue; it can mean equipment damage or safety hazards.

Second, safety becomes your primary concern, not just a feature. In traditional software, you might think about security and data integrity. In industrial automation, you're dealing with physical systems that can injure people or destroy equipment. Safety systems often run on separate hardware with fail-safe designs - they must work even when everything else fails.

Third, embrace 'simple and reliable' over 'elegant and complex'. PLC programming often uses ladder logic or structured text that's intentionally straightforward. The goal isn't clever code; it's code that maintenance technicians can understand and troubleshoot at 3 AM when a production line is down.

Fourth, you'll need to think in terms of physical processes, not just data flows. You're controlling motors, valves, sensors, and actuators. Understanding how these physical components interact and their timing requirements is crucial. A 100ms delay might be fine for a database query but catastrophic for a robotic arm.

Finally, get comfortable with 'good enough' and documentation. In IT, you might push for the latest frameworks. In industrial automation, systems often run for decades with minimal changes. Your code needs to be maintainable by people who might not even be programmers.

The transition is definitely doable - many find it incredibly rewarding to see their code controlling real-world processes. Just remember: in industrial automation, your code doesn't just process data; it moves the world.