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Discussion on: When and how do you make time to learn?

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Dave Cridland

I'm a little bit worried about the "YOU MUST NOT ENJOY ANYTHING BUT DEV!" attitude in some of these comments. Seriously, have a hobby, kick back of an evening. Netflix and chill, as the kids say.

I've been at this a couple of decades and still find new things to learn. My employer (like any decent employer) encourages staff to spend some time learning new things, both by reading, online courses, and so on. I usually end up using the techniques I've learnt in a new side-project, which sometimes end up being used in work.

And sure, I often do get excited by some new thing and spend hours of my own time working on it too - but nothing like all the time. Aside from anything else, I end up tired and nothing hurts my productivity and enjoyment of life in general like being tired.

There's a balance to be made. So don't sacrifice your life to thinking you need to learn all the time. You really don't, and if you do then you'll either burn out, become the world's most boring person, or quite possibly both.