We are what we repeatedly do. And in a fast pace environment like software engineering building habits outside of work can make the difference between a good and a great engineer. Additionally having a good work-life balance while keeping your body and mind healthy is beneficial to your long-term happiness and well-being. So pick your favourites from the following list and make the best out of your free time from now on.
1. Exercise
A sound mind in a sound body is a well-known motto. A person is only healthy when he is occupied both intellectually and physically. The endorphins that are produced during the excessive can improve your mood and decrease stress. A healthy body can improve your overall quality of life. Start small and remember consistency over time is king. 3 times per week should be enough to get you in generally good shape.
2. Meditate
Mental health is equally important as physical health. We are paid to solve problems. And solving problems is hard. Having a sharp brain is always helpful. Meditation can help you clear your mind, improve your focus and solve problems more efficiently. Stress relief is a nice bonus.
Headspace Guide to Meditation (Netflix)
3. Read (A lot)
Reading is a great way to spend your time. You improve your knowledge while stimulating your creativity. This can improve both your personal and professional life. Medium and dev.to are great sources of quality articles. Additionally, books or audiobooks can offer you tons of information about technical or soft skills.
4. Attend meetups & conferences
Meetups and conferences are great opportunities to learn something new while expanding your network. Personally, I’m always inspired after attending an event, even if (I think) I know the topic well. Additionally, in the end, you will have the chance to catch up with your peers or meet new people while discussing any fancy new technologies they recently used.
5. Talk to a conference
This is the ultimate challenge for a software engineer. Mostly because it requires a completely different skill set than writing code. Being able to stand in front of a crowd and inspire them about something is a skill that will help you a lot during your professional career. The odd thing about this is that even seasoned engineers never feel ready to talk. It's often difficult to find a subject since things that are trivial to them can be a great source of inspiration to others. So if you are waiting for a sign to give a talk. This is your sign. Be bold.
- Introduction to Public Speaking (Coursera)
6. Work on side projects
We are working in a fast pace industry and new technologies emerge every day. But introducing something new to your day-to-day work is not always feasible. This is where side projects can be very helpful. I’m sure you will have a million ideas about small tools that can make your life easier. But even if you don’t create something new, implementing an existing product from scratch it's always a great way to learn something and expand your skillset. I have many friends that have created a startup from their side-project and being your own boss is always exciting.
7. Contribute to open source
Another great way to learn is by contributing to open-source software. There are thousands of projects out there that need your help. It is a rewarding way to learn, teach, and build experience in just about any skill you can imagine. If you’re a new open-source contributor, the process can be intimidating. But don’t worry! There are all sorts of ways to get involved and you don’t have to contribute code immediately. Reading existing code and improving docs is underrated.
8. Write articles
This one is obviously my favourite. Writing articles can be time-consuming but highly rewarding. Even if you think you know something you will definitely expand your knowledge while researching it. A good article can give you the feeling of accomplishment while for some people can be a source of inspiration and motivation.
The process I follow is the following
Find an interesting topic that you know well or want to learn more about
Create an article outline
Expand each section with draft notes
Convert notes into paragraphs, don’t be afraid to discard things if needed
Proofread
Schedule for publishing, this will force you to finish the article on time and avoid procrastination
- Top 7 Books for Technical Writers (Article)
9. Sleep well
Your body resets and recharges during sleep. Aim for at least 7–8 hours of sleep every day. Keeping your smartphone away from your bed will help. Additionally, your bedroom should be dark, cold, and quiet and your mattress comfortable.
10. Downtime
Doing nothing can also help your mind to rest and recharge. Going for a walk or watching a movie might seem like wasted time but it is often needed especially after a tiring day. Don’t be guilty while having some time off, just don’t let it be a habit over other beneficial things on this list.