Just take those ADHD meds ;)
lol, that’s what made me focus and step back long enough to ask the question
Ask HN: Generalists, when do you say "I know enough" about any particular topic?
81–90 of 91 posts
Re: Ask HN: Generalists, when do you say "I know enough" about any particular topic?
#82Isn't this dictated by your available free time? Or project-based? If you are a writer, for example, it's usually project based. Otherwise, if you really have a hard time setting boundaries, then you might be the type to orient yourself around the states of your social circles. They definitely have boundaries when they stop listening or caring. If you can't say enough is enough yourself, let someone you trust, or in…
> Isn't this dictated by your available free time?
Yes, and at its core I’m asking how to use my free time most efficiently
Re: Ask HN: Generalists, when do you say "I know enough" about any particular topic?
#83Communication and execution. If you can talk about a subject precisely enough to monitor and delegate work upon that subject or execute it yourself then you know enough as a generalist.
Re: Ask HN: Generalists, when do you say "I know enough" about any particular topic?
#84i don't stop per-se.
i prioritize what is most important at the time.
learning to prioritize is invaluable. i'm still working on it.
Re: Ask HN: Generalists, when do you say "I know enough" about any particular topic?
#85i don't stop per-se. i prioritize what is most important at the time. learning to prioritize is invaluable. i'm still working on it.
> i prioritize what is most important at the time.
learning to prioritize is invaluable. i'm still working on it.
You hit on the head.
A lot of responses here missed that effectively this was a question about time management and prioritization. Not drive or curiosity.
Good reminder that it’s a journey for all of us. What’s worked for you? What have you found helpful in your journey to learn?
Re: Ask HN: Generalists, when do you say "I know enough" about any particular topic?
#86Are you truly a “generalist”? These are the different “roadmaps” for someone who wants to be good at something. https://github.com/kamranahmedse/developer-roadmap I have one rule that I have kept for a decade - I don’t touch the clusterfuck of front end development. My value proposition is simple. Like Joel Spolsky hiring criteria, I make sure I continue to have experience that shows “I am smart and gets things done”…
Thanks for sharing, I’ll take a look!
Re: Ask HN: Generalists, when do you say "I know enough" about any particular topic?
#87When I run out of need and interest.
Some topics I end up needing to know a lot about despite lack of interest (looking at you UEFI), and so I learn until I can solve all the problems I’m having. Others I quickly pass up my needs and then continue with interest for a while (networking, routing, etc).
Re: Ask HN: Generalists, when do you say "I know enough" about any particular topic?
#88i don't stop per-se. i prioritize what is most important at the time. learning to prioritize is invaluable. i'm still working on it.
> i prioritize what is most important at the time. learning to prioritize is invaluable. i'm still working on it. You hit on the head. A lot of responses here missed that effectively this was a question about time management and prioritization. Not drive or curiosity. Good reminder that it’s a journey for all of us. What’s worked for you? What have you found helpful in your journey to learn?
1. generally family first
2. how long since i interacted with my friends? priority rise with time
3. if i'm really tired, prioritize sleep high (garmin smartwatch helps for that)
4. for work related thing, how robust/long-lasting the knowledge is? honestly it's a bet, that's while it's only #4, #1-3 is what you need to run that marathon
5. if i'm doom scrolling, try to read a book, or sleep, or watch a show, or play some instrument instead. whichever i have the mental strenght to do. still, i doom scroll some time, but way less than i used to, i consider it to be in acceptable range.
+ habits i try to keep (walking and cycling), pretty high priority since my health is important for my family
relatively simple things...
globally i'm really happy, it's mostly due to luck but i think my little rules play a significant part. i probably won't ever get rich, but i'll probably never be destitute either. because of a mix of skills, and friends/family support. + i should be able to work til ~70 because of relative good health. and my kids should be able to handle themselves when they grow up. that's what i am optimizing for.
Re: Ask HN: Generalists, when do you say "I know enough" about any particular topic?
#89I used to have massive FOMO when it comes to learning a variety topics. I would learn different programming languages, human languages, maths, philosophy, and other intellectual topics. Then I would forget about them because I don't actually use them in daily life. Not to mention how it ends up ruining my life because of the constant performance anxiety.
These days, I only learn topics that I know I will need in my work or life.
Re: Ask HN: Generalists, when do you say "I know enough" about any particular topic?
#90I let my curiosity set the depth.