When Progress Slows
In the tech world, speed is revered, but balancing full-time jobs, parenting, and life's stresses can make it seem unattainable. Our goal is to better ourselves, not outdo others.
The tech world loves speed. There's an intoxicating allure in the rapid development and swift launches of new products, the thrill of seeing your prototype take flight. But what happens when you're trying to sprint through a marathon, juggling a full-time job, parenting, and the relentless stresses of everyday life? The dream of being a high-speed, high-output engineer can feel like a distant star, always visible but frustratingly out of reach.
As someone who thrives on creation and innovation, I often grapple with the question: how do we, with our multitude of responsibilities, compete with the seemingly unencumbered younger engineers? They appear to have endless time and energy, unburdened by life's practicalities. It's easy to romanticise their freedom and feel an undercurrent of doubt about our own capacities. But the reality is, moving forward isn't about competing with them—it's about competing with ourselves.
Progress is not always linear. It's a reality that’s often overlooked in our rush to achieve. Slow periods are a natural part of any long-term project. Recognising and accepting this is crucial. There will be times when life demands more of our attention—when the day job becomes particularly intense, when family responsibilities peak, or when unexpected challenges arise. During these times, progress might slow, but it doesn't stop.
Instead of viewing these slow periods as setbacks, see them as opportunities for reflection and strategic planning. These moments can provide a fresh perspective, allowing us to refine your approach, identify new solutions, and align our work more closely with our overall vision. The slow periods offer a chance to step back, breathe, and think more deeply about the direction of our projects.
During hectic times, I think it's essential to set achievable goals. Adjust our timelines and expectations based on our current life circumstances. Break our projects into smaller, manageable tasks. Celebrate the completion of each small step. This approach not only makes progress feel more attainable but also keeps us motivated and focused.
Regularly revisiting our initial motivations and the bigger picture of our projects can fuel perseverance during slower periods. Remind ourselves why we started, what excites us about our work, and the impact we hope to make. Keeping the vision alive can be challenging when time runs out from beneath your feet, but it’s this vision that can reignite your drive and determination.
Long-term productivity hinges on self-care. We all know this. Taking care of your health can lead to better focus and energy when working on projects. This means ensuring we get enough rest, eat well, exercise, and take time to relax. Neglecting self-care can lead to burnout, which can derail progress far more than any slow period. I've been through burnout so many times, and it can really creep up on you. It comes, I think, not from doing too much work, but from doing too many types of work. From trying to manage too many different contexts, juggling too many responsibilities and ending up giving each only a fraction of your potential.
Continuing to move forward, no matter the speed, is what matters. Slowing down allows us to avoid burnout, but be aware that too much of a slowdown can cause familiarity and momentum to drop off. Finding the balance is crucial. Consistency is key—showing up regularly, even if only for a short period, keeps your project alive in your mind and allows for steady progress.
This month has been a slow one for me, but I'm keeping pushing forward, continuing to work on the vision when I don't have the time or energy to work on the code. And so the project continues, even if it is at a greatly reduced rate.
