Keeping yourself up to date
This is something I struggle with. I don't like giving up my nights and weekends to up skilling, so this is my latest experiment to stay up to date while maintaining a life outside of work and coding. Would be interested to hear other's take.
https://github.com/onRamp8/tips-to-stay-up-to-date/blob/main/beware_of_your_role.md
Gcal with the notifications for the win. Puts you on time blocks whether you like it or no. No more wasted time procrastinating :D Set a block just for this purpose and do it at the designated time.
Cool tips and I couldn't agree more. I usually start my day by handling the most challenging task, as it's often the one that brings the most value. But you can also apply for newsletters in your industry. That's a massive help for me at least to stay up to date. I save a lot of time by not having to do all the research myself.
Of course, a side project where you execute your coding is the best way forward.
I use newsletters for staying up to date on crypto (eg Bankless) and a few other industry specific stuff, but don't follow any for software engineering. I probably should. If you have any recommendations for good software engineering newletters I'd be interested to hear about it.
I recently signed up for TLDR. Even though it's not a software engineer, then they share some great stuff on software and tech in general. It's an awesome newsletter.
I do enjoy using little side projects for kicking new tyres. I find I absorb way more when there's at least a personally perceived purpose to it vs. just reading :)