Over the past several years, I've had the privilege of being able to throw bits for some seriously amazing companies. Often time the unspoken mindset was that you were to work until the task is done or that more hours meant more code (good or bad). The idea is that if we focus on the tasks and work we will inevitably achieve our goals and everyone will be happy. I remember working some really long weeks hitting the "goal" but not feeling very happy.
Here's a challenge for all devs who can relate to what I am saying above : Go for work-life awesome not work life balance.
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I believe that there is no such thing as "work-life balance," or at least the phrase implies something that cannot be. Balance assumes equality on both sides. The fact is that work and life are not faucets we can turn off and walk away from, so instead of becoming frustrated at trying to compartmentalize, we should try to make these aspects of our lives more congruent. Work should fit into our lives, not go against it - more like velcro and less like sandpaper.
The following are some tools, books, and resources I use daily to help me with the whole nerd life balance thing - They work for me; I hope they will help you.
If you have 30 minutes, watch the talk on the whole idea of OPEN SOURCING YOUR LIFE.
From ChatGPT-4.0 on the book
"Nerd Life Balance: The Art of Open Sourcing Your Life" is a book written by Nick Floyd. The book focuses on striking a balance between one's professional life, particularly in the technology industry, and personal well-being. Drawing inspiration from open-source principles, the author shares insights and strategies to help readers manage their time effectively, set boundaries, and cultivate meaningful relationships.
The book is divided into sections that discuss various aspects of life, including work, family, health, and personal development. Some key themes include:
Embracing open-source principles: Encouraging the sharing of ideas and knowledge, not just in software development but in personal growth and self-improvement as well.
Time management: Prioritizing tasks, setting goals, and avoiding distractions to make the most of the limited time available.
Setting boundaries: Learning to say no and creating boundaries between work and personal life, which is crucial for maintaining balance and preventing burnout.
Mindfulness and stress management: Practicing mindfulness, meditation, and relaxation techniques to manage stress and stay focused on personal well-being.
Physical health: Emphasizing the importance of exercise, proper nutrition, and sleep to support overall health and productivity.
Social life and relationships: Building strong connections with friends, family, and colleagues, and cultivating a support network.
Lifelong learning and personal development: Continuously growing, learning new skills, and staying curious to maintain a fulfilling and balanced life.
Overall, "Nerd Life Balance: The Art of Open Sourcing Your Life" is a practical guide that provides readers with actionable advice and techniques to help them achieve a more balanced and fulfilling life, professionally and personally.
Books
Being Geek As a software engineer, you recognize at some point that there's much more to your career than dealing with code. Is it time to become a manager? Tell your boss he’s a jerk? Join that startup? Author Michael Lopp recalls his own make-or-break moments with Silicon Valley giants such as Apple, Netscape, and Symantec in Being Geek -- an insightful and entertaining book that will help you make better career decisions.
Hackers & Painters "The computer world is like an intellectual Wild West, in which you can shoot anyone you wish with your ideas, if you're willing to risk the consequences. "
--from Hackers & Painters: Big Ideas from the Computer Age, by Paul Graham.
Rework shows you a better, faster, easier way to succeed in business. Read it and you'll know why plans are actually harmful, why you don't need outside investors, and why you're better off ignoring the competition. The truth is, you need less than you think. You don't need to be a workaholic. You don't need to staff up. You don't need to waste time on paperwork or meetings. You don't even need an office. Those are all just excuses.
50 Dangerous Things (You Should Let Your Children Do) In a time when children are too often coddled, 50 Dangerous Things (You Should Let Your Children Do) reminds readers that climbing trees is good for the soul, and that a pocket knife is not a weapon. Full of exciting ways children can explore the world around them, this book explains how to "Play with Fire" and "Taste Electricity" while learning about safety.
Welcome to Your Awesome Robot Designed to be enjoyed by children with an adult on hand, Welcome to Your Awesome Robot provides perfect material for a fun family activity day or a kids workshop. Viviane Schwarz has illustrated hilarious comics throughout the book to explain the blueprint instruction pages, so this is just as much a story as it is a workbook.
Backyard Ballistics Enabling ordinary folks to construct 16 awesome ballistic devices in their garage or basement workshops using inexpensive household or hardware store materials and this step-by-step guide. Clear instructions, diagrams, and photographs show how to build projects ranging from the simple match-powered rocket to the more complex tabletop catapult and the offbeat Cincinnati fire kite. The classic potato cannon has a new evil twin—the piezo-electric spud gun and the electromagnetic pipe gun has joined the company of such favorites as the tennis ball mortar. With a strong emphasis on safety, the book also gives tips on troubleshooting, explains the physics behind the projects, and profiles scientists and extraordinary experimenters such as Alfred Nobel, Robert Goddard, and Isaac Newton. This book will be indispensable for the legions of backyard toy-rocket launchers and fireworks fanatics who wish every day was the fourth of July.
Geek Dad Today's generation of dads & moms grew up more tech-savvy than ever. Rather than joining the Little League team, many grew up playing computer games, Dungeons and Dragons, and watching Star Wars. Now with kids of their own, these digital-age dads are looking for fresh ways to share their love of science and technology, and help their kids develop a passion for learning and discovery.
Get out of #jail free card Facebook is like jail, you sit around and waste time, write on walls,
and get poked by people you don't know. This short book is designed as a tool rather than as an armchair diversion. It shows you the faster, easier, natural way to take back your life. This book is here to help you start living again. To even be able to think about the life you don't have, first you have to unburden all your daily worries at work.
The Healthy Programmer To keep doing what you love, you need to maintain your own systems, not just the ones you write code for. Regular exercise and proper nutrition help you learn, remember, concentrate, and be creative—skills critical to doing your job well. Learn how to change your work habits, master exercises that make working at a computer more comfortable, and develop a plan to keep fit, healthy, and sharp for years to come.
Pragmatic Thinking and Learning Software development happens in your head. Not in an editor, IDE, or design tool. You’re well educated on how to work with software and hardware, but what about wetware—our own brains? Learning new skills and new technology is critical to your career, and it’s all in your head.
The Phoenix Project In a fast-paced and entertaining style, three luminaries of the DevOps movement deliver a story that anyone who works in IT will recognize. Readers will not only learn how to improve their own IT organizations, they'll never view IT the same way again.