Getting better at vim will give me nothing. It will not get me closer to any
I was tempted to make my workflow vim-centric again. Then Cal Newport's advice made me ask what it would get me. Nothing. Better to get better at making things.
Journal · Page 4
Personal reflections, essays, and life thoughts.
Debugging
I like reading other people's code and asking why they did it that way. There's no universal best practice. Knowing many ways helps me choose the right one.
Well-adjusted
YNAB's first rule says adjusting a plan is normal and expected. It applies beyond budgets. Plans rarely hold, but they show me what to expect and adjust.
Am I focusing on the right things?
A few @iamdevloper tweets reminded me to ask if I'm giving attention to the right things. I tend to chase the best solution to problems that barely matter.
Maybe I’m Wrong
An old note from 2012. When I feel too sure, I worry my mind is closing. Someone said I lack conviction. Maybe, but doubt keeps me growing, not stagnating.
Nakakabobo Magalit
An old note from 2012. I anger fast and it fades fast, but it always ends in regret. I saw the pattern of anger, stupidity, regret. Getting angry makes me dumb.
Exactly knowing where to tap
An old story from Richard Wiseman's 59 Seconds. An engineer fixes a boiler with one tap. The bill is not for the tap. It's for knowing exactly where to tap.
The Invisible Hand
A quote from Adam Smith I keep coming back to. People pursuing their own interest can often help society more than if they had set out to help it directly.
Unlimited
An old note from 2013. Two things seem unlimited: wants and excuses. Excuses filter what I want from what I really want. Only the things I really want survive.
Take time to not lose time
A line from a chef about slowing down to get the plate right. It feels backwards, but rushing often leads to rework that costs more time in the end.
Relaxed approach when coding
A post about why programmers work at night made me think. I code better when I'm relaxed. A note to myself to leave room to play while I work, and enjoy it.
Wrong
I didn't know how to do it right, so I did it wrong first. Fear of being wrong used to stop me. Now I treat being wrong as feedback that shows me what to fix.
Overlooking
A short reflection. It turns out learning to overlook matters. Letting go of flaws and things that don't really matter frees my mind for what's important.
Learning to ask
I overthink before I ask, whether it's for extra ketchup or a raise, and rejection hits hard. Julie taught me it's just a question. If I don't ask, I won't get.
Fresh Start
I sorted out my debt and budgeted what was left, and I felt in control again. YNAB's fresh start lets go of the past. Maybe my blogging can start fresh too.
Designing a Resume
I used to think a resume just lists skills and education. Companies hire to increase revenue or reduce cost. A good resume shows how you help them do that.