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Finding the Time

In my perpetual thirst for knowledge, I'm constantly reading blogs, articles, books, and anything else that interests me. Is it bad that sometimes I honestly feel that 24 hours in a day is not enough? I mean, I rarely get to bed before midnight, and 2AM is usually the norm (I try not to stay up past 3AM because I'd never get up for work; if I stay up past 3, then I just stay up). It's a sickness I know, but I think in a good way.

The problem is that there is so much stuff that interests me that I have a hard time keeping up with things. For example, let's say I don't visit TheServerSide.net for a couple weeks. Then when I go back for a visit, there are 4 articles I want/need to read or a new video to watch (which I can't believe I missed Ted's interoperability article). Stuff like that happens all the time. I can't squeeze everything in. It might be a couple weeks before I can go back and catch up.

Then there is my book list. It's growing and growing. I keep this list on my desk at work of books to read. I'm up to 5! A backlog of 5 software development books! And that doesn't include the leisure books I want to finish reading, like the Lord of the Rings (I'm part way through The Two Towers).

And then there's all the “play” time I need. This is where I'll be reading or thinking about something and need to put fingers to the keyboard so that I can really get an understanding of what's happening with a given piece of technology. Not to mention that when I do figure stuff out and have a good level of understanding, I want to write up an article for it and get it out there for others to learn from.

I know others face the same dilemma and that I'm not alone on this technology quest. If you feel the pain/love, leave a comment.

Print | posted on Tuesday, June 15, 2004 8:09 PM

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# re: Finding the Time

left by Matthew at 6/16/2004 5:21 AM
Oy, I was just dealing with this yesterday. I have been neck deep in SQL trying to help optimize a friends webpage. Its great fun, I'm learning tons, but It has sucked my free time up...and I still haven't finished my own site, or worked on any of the 3-4 projects I have in my head and in development. I still have work I need to finish up for my job...and somewhere in there I need to actually speak with my wife once in a while. Its not just the Geeks who feel the strain. The Geek Spouses do as well. I really love this and I feel really motivated to continue slogging on until I UNDERSTAND, but sometimes I just have to put the keyboard aside and go mow the lawn or take a walk with my Wife and dog. Its tough. How much of your self are you prepared to give to your pursuit of knowledge and the perfection of your craft? Definately a puzzler and an ongoing game of Balance.

# re: Finding the Time

left by Darrell at 6/16/2004 9:49 AM
Pain and Love...

Prioritization is a good thing, which I am still learning how to do!

# re: Finding the Time

left by Dave at 6/16/2004 10:28 AM
It's a hard balance to achieve. If you're not careful, you can quickly get consumed by it all. And then other things start to suffer, primarily the wife and kids (which is really the only thing that matters anyway). I have to be careful to not let my everlasting passion for this profession get in the way of things most important to me.

# Response to Finding the Time

left by Jennifer Square's Blog at 6/18/2004 2:33 PM
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