Theory to systems: A grounded approach to programming language education (2019) • Hacker News Board

Re: Theory to systems: A grounded approach to programming language education (2019)

#11

Post by xwowsersx » Mon, Jun 26, 2023, 1:25 AM UTC

dustingetz wrote: post #10

xwowsersx wrote: post #6

I'm finding it increasingly difficult to pursue anything intellectually demanding outside of work. I used to be able to stay up late and immerse myself in whatever I was interested in, but can't seem to anymore. I still try and I'm always excited to sit down and dig in, but I find that I just don't have the mental energy anymore. I dunno if it's a function of age or my work getting more and more demanding over time.…

Law of Focus - at risk of being unhelpful, if you only have enough energy for work, then you’d best carefully select your work

This actually is helpful. You mean to say that if I can only focus on work then it should ideally satisfy or gratify me intellectually or at least align with some of my interests, whereas if my work leaves me with plenty of leftover energy then I can afford to be pretty flexible/unpicky about my work? Do I have that right?

Re: Theory to systems: A grounded approach to programming language education (2019)

#12

Post by JHonaker » Mon, Jun 26, 2023, 3:18 AM UTC

xwowsersx wrote: post #9

JHonaker wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It sounds like you’re on the edge of burnout. When’s the last time you took a day off?

That's probably part of it. I took off a few months back but a) it wasn't the type of vacation that I personally recharge from and b) it was a week (maybe less) and wasn't enough. All the stress and fatigue induced by work returned pretty quickly upon return. Much of this is just how demanding my job is I think.

The fact that you acknowledge that it wasn't really a vacation that would help you in that situation, and you don't know how long it was says everything you need to know.

I'm not going to tell you how to live your life, but I want you to know that it's okay to not do everything. In fact, you can't do everything. Sometimes it doesn't seem like it, but sometimes you just need someone else to say it.

Re: Theory to systems: A grounded approach to programming language education (2019)

#13

Post by dustingetz » Mon, Jun 26, 2023, 10:44 AM UTC

xwowsersx wrote: post #11

dustingetz wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Law of Focus - at risk of being unhelpful, if you only have enough energy for work, then you’d best carefully select your work

This actually is helpful. You mean to say that if I can only focus on work then it should ideally satisfy or gratify me intellectually or at least align with some of my interests, whereas if my work leaves me with plenty of leftover energy then I can afford to be pretty flexible/unpicky about my work? Do I have that right?

everything worth doing takes a long time to compound; I don’t think anyone can afford not to be intentional about our investments. Plant a tree. Quit alcohol. Start a school. Raise your kids. All the fruit is at the tail.