Yes, but only realize it is outside my comfort zone after I am well into the project...
Lee Courtney
----- Original Message ----
From: Keith <keithvz at verizon.net>
To: General at
olddell.com.computerhistory.org; On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts <cctalk at
classiccmp.org>
Sent: Mon, March 8, 2010 10:36:37 AM
Subject: semi-OT: do you routinely attempt projects out of your comfort zone?
Do you routinely attempt projects out of your comfort zone?
While I think it is the right thing to do intellectually to expand my knowledge, I often
think that I waste a lot of time trying to do fairly simple tasks in areas where I have
limited knowledge or experience.
I think challenges can be rewarding, and I enjoy them. "Anything worth doing is
hard." I think is the phrase.
I try to do the necessary research, background reading, start from the ground up before
attempting to do anything. I still find that getting your hands in it, ie learning by
doing, seems to help the process along.
With all this being said, it sure is frustrating and the rewards come slowly. While I DO
like instant gratification, I don't expect it. I do expect that the payoff, it terms
of reward vs time spent is reasonable. As my available personal free time has been less
and less lately, making sure that I'm not just wasting my time is important to me.
Do you find that you spend most of your time on projects that are well within your
knowledge and experience, or most of your time learning about new
technology/skills/programming language/hardware/etc to facilitate accomplishing a new
project?
Thanks
Keith