Chapter 1: Understanding the "Just One More Commit" Mentality

In a recent mentorship discussion, a mentee raised a concern that resonated with me. He expressed, "I thrive on coding, especially those 'Eureka!' moments when I crack a tough problem. However, I've been feeling off lately. My concentration has waned, the quality of my code is deteriorating, and I'm perpetually restless. Why has my passion for programming started to feel draining?"

Ah, the deceptive allure of the "just one more commit" mentality. I can empathize—I've experienced this myself. It’s a subtle trap that even the most passionate developers can fall into, often disguised as dedication or enthusiasm.

Having been in this industry for over a decade, I can assert that this mindset might be undermining your work-life balance and, paradoxically, the very quality of your work you wish to uphold.

So, what’s truly happening here? Is my mentee's desire for "one more commit" a genuine reflection of his coding passion, or is it a hidden threat that saps his focus, energy, and motivation?

Let's delve into how this pervasive mindset can detrimentally affect both your work-life balance and the career you cherish.

The Misconception of Productivity

You might wonder, “What’s wrong with squeezing in one more commit? I’m simply being productive.” But are you really?

Productivity isn’t solely determined by the number of commits or lines of code produced; it encompasses the quality of your work and its alignment with your broader professional and personal aspirations. When you’re entrenched in "just one more commit" mode, you neglect to assess the bigger picture, missing whether those additional hours truly benefit your project or merely serve to keep you on the hamster wheel.

The Time-Money Conundrum

Let’s discuss time and money. These elements are deeply intertwined. You might believe that putting in extra hours will yield greater financial rewards, enhanced recognition, or faster promotions. But at what cost?

Time is a finite resource—once it’s expended, it’s gone. Unlike money, you cannot reclaim it. Thus, every additional hour dedicated to work translates into less time for yourself, your family, and personal growth. Over time, this imbalance can lead to burnout, strained relationships, and health issues. Is that a price worth paying?

The Burnout Cycle

Burnout is a tangible reality and a significant career threat. It creeps up on you, masked as hard work and commitment. Before you know it, the excitement of coding fades, leaving you mentally, emotionally, and physically drained. And the quality of your work? It suffers.

Those extra commits you were so eager to make? They may start appearing careless and rushed because, quite frankly, they are.

1. Prioritize Your Tasks

Not every task holds the same weight, especially for software engineers. With a steady stream of bug reports, feature demands, and looming deadlines, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. This is where task prioritization becomes essential.

One effective method for prioritization is the Eisenhower Box, also known as the Urgent-Important Matrix.

What is the Eisenhower Box? It’s a simple four-quadrant tool that assists you in evaluating and prioritizing tasks based on urgency and importance, allowing you to identify less critical tasks that can be delegated or minimized.

For instance, consider the following tasks for the week:

• Fixing a critical bug that jeopardizes user data (Urgent and Important)
• Implementing a new feature requested by a client (Important but Not Urgent)
• Preparing a presentation for an upcoming leadership meeting (Urgent but Not Important)
• Attending the next team offsite planning meeting (Neither Urgent nor Important)

Using the Eisenhower Box, you would prioritize the critical bug first. The new feature is important but can be scheduled later in the week. The presentation, while urgent, can be assigned to a junior team member, and the offsite meeting can be skipped or attended as time allows.

This strategy enables you to focus your efforts where they truly matter, helping maintain a healthy balance between work and life without compromising quality.

2. Implement Time Blocking

When you enjoy your work, it’s easy to lose track of time. You could be debugging one minute, and before you know it, it’s dinner time. That’s where time blocking can be transformative in preventing burnout.

How to execute Time Blocking?

1. Identify Your Tasks: List all necessary tasks, both professional and personal.
2. Allocate Time Blocks: Assign specific time periods for each task. For example, coding from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., emails from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., etc.
3. Stick to the Schedule: Follow your time blocks as closely as possible. When one period ends, transition to the next task.
4. Review and Adjust: At the end of each day or week, reflect on your time blocks and adjust as necessary.

For a typical workday, your schedule might look like this:

• Coding a new feature (9 a.m. — 11 a.m.)
• Team meeting (11:30 a.m. — 12 p.m.)
• Responding to emails (12 p.m. — 1 p.m.)
• Personal time (lunch, exercise) (1 p.m. — 2 p.m.)
• Debugging (2 p.m. — 4 p.m.)
• Family time (after 6 p.m.)

When 6 p.m. arrives, commit to stepping away from your computer. The code can wait until tomorrow, but the time you miss with family or for yourself is irreplaceable.

3. Establish Work Hours

For software engineers, especially those working remotely, the boundary between work and personal life can easily blur. You might find yourself coding late into the night or responding to emails during dinner.

To foster a healthy work-life balance, it’s crucial to set defined work hours.

How to set work hours?

1. Define Your Work Hours: Choose a start and end time for your workday, such as 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
2. Communicate Your Schedule: Inform your colleagues and manager about your availability outside these hours.
3. Stick to the Plan: Resist the temptation to respond to just one more email or check in after hours. Once your work hours conclude, disconnect from work.
4. Be Consistent: Consistency is critical. Adhere to your work hours to establish a routine.

For example, if you establish work hours from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., engage fully during this time. At 6 p.m., shut down your work computer and dedicate time to family or hobbies you enjoy. This not only sets a healthy boundary but also signals to your colleagues that your time is valuable, helping to reduce late-night work requests and last-minute tasks.

4. Schedule Breaks

In the high-pressure software industry, taking breaks may seem like a luxury you cannot afford. However, breaks are not just a nicety; they are crucial for your well-being and productivity.

How to effectively incorporate breaks?

1. Schedule Breaks: Just as you plan work time, schedule short breaks throughout your day. For instance, a 5-minute break every hour.
2. Step Away from the Desk: Use this time to physically distance yourself from your workspace, which helps you mentally disengage as well.
3. Engage in Non-Work Activities: Participate in something unrelated to work, like a brief walk, light stretching, or casual chats with colleagues.
4. Be Mindful: Use this time to relax and recharge. Avoid checking work emails or pondering work-related tasks.

Implementing these brief breaks improves your physical health and provides your mind with a necessary reset, leading to enhanced focus and productivity upon returning to work.

5. Learn to Say 'No'

In the hustle of tasks, projects, and deadlines, it’s easy to feel compelled to say 'yes' to every request. However, this can quickly lead to burnout and compromise your work-life balance.

How to master the art of saying 'No'?

1. Assess the Request: Before agreeing to new tasks, evaluate their importance and urgency. Consider their alignment with your current priorities.
2. Be Honest: If you cannot take on a task, be upfront. It’s better to decline than to produce subpar work later.
3. Offer Alternatives: If declining is not feasible, try to negotiate terms or suggest alternative solutions that work for you.
4. Practice: Saying 'no' can be tough, especially if you’re unaccustomed to it. The more you practice, the easier it becomes.

Imagine juggling multiple high-priority tasks when your manager requests you take on an urgent project. Instead of instantly agreeing and overwhelming yourself, assess the situation. Recognizing that this new task would infringe on your personal time, you choose to be honest with your manager, explaining your current workload and suggesting delegation of some tasks to accommodate the new project. This approach sets a boundary while providing a collaborative solution.