Ask HN: When do you block out time to learn new things?
45 points by AbstractH24 4 days ago
As I sit here debating spending this beautiful fall Sunday inside learning about databases the question came to mind.
On the weekend I [should] get off my computer, explore other hobbies and socialize. During the work day I need to provide results not just learn, or my employer isn’t benefiting from me in a way that justifies my salary, and on weeknights, after work, I’m tired from working all day.
Feels like the pace of change and expectation you’ve mastered the latest and greatest is greater than it’s been in a long time. And give the job market it’s hard to fall behind.
At work. It's a bit of a open secret that you're not expected to fill 100% of your work time with work.
I was scolded quite a bit for not padding estimates early on. I argued that I'd be wasting time if I didn't pad. But the damage from a missed estimate is much worse, and if I had extra time I was expected to read a book, watch a movie, play Dota or something.
As it is, the weekly sprint plan is what you can get done by Wednesday. Silently add one non-scheduled item to cater for Parkinson's Law. If you're done for the week, then feel free to read books or refactor or something.