Always do Extra cover image
Agile Engineering

Always do Extra

A simple rule that every good, veteran programmer seems to follow with respect to managing their time.

Profile image of Ben Northrop
Ben Northrop
Oct 13, 2021 • 4 min read
5.00 (1)
Technical Debt
Skills Development
Personal Productivity
Human Capital
Willpower

Summary

Veteran programmer and blogger Ben Northrop explores the meaning of "Extra" and why most experienced programmers like doing extra work for every little time remaining after the normal work. He details that Extra is doing something useful to your life that is totally separate from your normal work backlog, as it helps us broaden ourselves beyond just what's important on our narrow project. He also notes that Extra has some limitations and there are rules to be followed for success.

Takeaways

  • Ben Northrop believes that for every little time left over after the normal work, any reasonably happy, veteran developer accounts it with extra work.
  • Extra is what helps us broaden ourselves beyond just what's useful on our narrow project.
  • Extra means not just being a drone who monotonously does exactly what they're told, but someone who asserts a little control and shapes their own contributions and experiences in a way that's interesting or meaningful.
  • Extra must be balanced against Normal Work and it must also be aligned with your Normal Work.

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