This article explores strategies for finding time for learning after work, contrasting approaches to maximizing productivity and the importance of focused attention.
The Original Strategy: Maximizing Duty Time
The initial approach focuses on squeezing learning into "Duty time" - the time spent on necessary activities outside of work, free time, and sleep.
Examples of Time Optimization
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Commuting: Utilize commute time for podcasts or audiobooks. One example given includes 90 minutes of commuting time being transformed into 80 minutes of potential learning.
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Cooking: Watch conference talks while cooking. However, the potential drawbacks of multitasking are also discussed.
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Evening: Listening to audiobooks before falling asleep.
Tools for Efficient Duty Time
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Smart tablet
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Smartphone with storage
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Bluetooth headphones
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Wired headphones
Key Takeaway from the Original Strategy
Even without full concentration, absorbing key facts and ideas during duty time is considered valuable. Notes are taken for later blog posts. The recommendation is to start practicing listening to audio at twice the speed and increase it by 0.1 every month.
A Contrasting Philosophy: The Value of Focused Attention
This section presents an alternative viewpoint, questioning the constant consumption-driven approach and advocating for dedicated focus on single activities.
Questioning Continuous Consumption
The constant need to consume something is viewed as potentially addictive and detracting from the present moment. The speaker shares that they have been trying to practice being okay with silence.
Embracing Singular Focus
The speaker advocates for dedicating blocks of time to single activities, refusing distractions, even during brief waiting periods like CI builds. For example, during CI builds the speaker watches logs and programs instead of going on Twitter.
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Doing a singular activity allows for deeper engagement and better results in less time.
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The speaker mentioned that they've read four books in the last year and the books were 5 to 600 pages long.
Structuring the Day for Focus
The day is divided into periods of:
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Mixed Time: For basic work and podcast listening.
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Focused Time: Later in the day, for deep work and learning.
Benefits of Focused Attention
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Increased productivity.
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Better retention.
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Enhanced enjoyment of activities.
The Shower Analogy
Showering is highlighted as an example of forced focus, leading to better thinking and problem-solving. The shower, it is suggested, is similar to a form of meditation.
Final Thoughts: The Importance of Downtime
The importance of downtime and avoiding constant stimulation is emphasized. It is suggested that downtime allows the brain to process information and engage in deeper thinking. Listening to music while working distracts from the working activity, especially when it has lyrics.
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