Time to write… time to learn…
Been reading lots lately on other people’s blogs… it’s so easy to get carried away reading while forgetting that one of the most powerful things about blogging is the ability to write and learn.
I’m not sure how other bloggers deal with this, but it just takes me soo much time to process and write about the things that I’m reading! I know that that’s why it’s such an incredible learning process - joining the global conversation - but I seriously struggle to write, let-alone write well… yet another skill I’m trying to learn.
I was comforted recently by Jason Santa Maria’s response to the frustration of constantly having to learn new tools just to keep up:
How are you supposed to get ahead when there is practically something new to consider every time you turn around? Well, you don’t. There are only so many hours in the day. You learn as much as you can and, most importantly, as much as you can retain without drifting too far from your core specialties.Meaning, I love design. It is my specialty and my craft. I can learn how to program Java if I want, but what’s the real purpose? To pad out my resumé? I would rather cut away the fat by trying to be as good as I can at a few things than just adequate in many things. It’s different for everyone though, some people can chew gum and walk at the same time, and some can’t. The trick is finding the balance that works for you and avoiding waking up one day to the realization that you are spread too thin to be useful in any arena.
I love education (and learning) and I love technology… I just need to keep cutting away the fat and focus more on fewer things…
Leigh Blackall Said,
May 31, 2005 @ 9:30 am
Hi Mike,
Is this the new look for Work@TAFE?
Something I tend to do is open my blog and write as I read. At the end of a say, 2 hour reading session, my notes kinda tell me what I should be writing about. I’ve been considering doing this on a monthly round up type approach. So I post a link, thought, idea, critique etc, then at the end of the month turn all those little posts into one articulate review.
The Jack of all trades, master of none - chicken or the egg type balance is an interesting one. Personally, I come from being a video/flash productionist to more of a Jack. I think I prefer the diversity of skills and knowledge I have now…
Michael Said,
May 31, 2005 @ 8:04 pm
New look? Just trying some of the available themes
This one flashes enough to give anyone a fit when it first loads… or is it just my browser?
That’s a great idea too… must keep a new post open, even a draft or something and just take notes as I read!
As for the Jack of all trades… do you reckon you’re not so selective in the skills that you learn Leigh… I mean, would you consider sitting down with a “Java in 24 Days” book to learn how to program Java? (or CSS/HTML/substitute some technology that could be useful to you but whose usefulnessis not immediately beneficial).
I don’t think Jason was saying that he’s against a diverse set of skills, but just being wary of spreading yourself too thin… although, maybe you’re right, he does talk about “drifting to far from your core specialities”… sometimes it takes a good drifting away to find even better specialities? *confused*