Work at a smaller company. Like 10 people. The smaller the company, the more roles each person does.
Ask HN: How do you stay sharp?
41–50 of 87 posts
Re: Ask HN: How do you stay sharp?
#42Start a startup
Re: Ask HN: How do you stay sharp?
#43Open source projects are a free and self-reinforcing way to be on top of the latest tech, build a resume and give back.
You can do so pretty easily via GitHub. Sign up to a few mailing lists, not every important project is on GH.
Consider a daemon you use really often. Familiarize yourself with the code until you master it.
Re: Ask HN: How do you stay sharp?
#44I thought training doesn't increase intelligence. Does it?
It may not directly increase intelligence but it will solidify what you know. Explaining something to others requires a deeper level of understanding in my experience. It will also show you what areas you don't know and give you opportunity to learn those things as well.
The brain is plastic, why wouldnt intelligence also be so?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neuroplasticity
>Neuroplasticity involves the higher cognitive functions as well as memory and motor and sensory functions. No part of the brain is an exception. IQs of retarded individuals have been raised. Even thought and imagination, as brain scan technologies have clearly demonstrated, can change the structure of our brains.
http://www.nas.org/articles/Education_and_Intelligence--Part...
Re: Ask HN: How do you stay sharp?
#45Concentrate on things that you suck at or avoid; technology or not, building a good stone wall is as enjoyable as an elegant RAILs deployment.
Re: Ask HN: How do you stay sharp?
#46Concentrate on things that you suck at or avoid; technology or not, building a good stone wall is as enjoyable as an elegant RAILS deployment.
Re: Ask HN: How do you stay sharp?
#47Start your own company: you'll learn a ton, and be forced to stay sharp, since your survival depends on it.
Destroy your marriage and social life! Ruin your financial situation for decades to come!
No. Just no.
It takes a certain breed of individual to take on this kind of challenge, to throw caution to the wind and just do it, plus a whole lot of tenacity and sheer luck to make it work out.
If you want to learn new things, this is the worst possible advice. It's akin to saying "If you want to learn how to fly, throw yourself off a building."
Having been through the start-up cycle many times, I'll tell you one thing: You won't learn a whole lot about technology compared to learning business. As a founder you'll spend far less time coding than you do wrangling spreadsheets and worrying about payroll.
Re: Ask HN: How do you stay sharp?
#48Surround yourself with people far smarter than you are. Bring up interesting topics that you want to learn about but can also contribute to, let them fill in the gaps. Ask them what they are most interested in at this moment. Ideally do prior steps while buying them drinks.
How do you find these people? I found lots in London but not so many where I am currently.
Interest groups, forums, even IRC.
Re: Ask HN: How do you stay sharp?
#49If you're challenged, you're learning more and staying sharp. Stay challenged.
Re: Ask HN: How do you stay sharp?
#50Workout, eat smart and get more than 7 hours of sleep a night most nights. It's absolutely amazing how much these three things affect everything in your life.