Chapter 14. Zen and the Critical Art of Balance

“Most of the time I don’t have much fun.The rest of the time I don’t have any fun at all.”

—Woody Allen (1935–)

Careers span decades, so you should really make sure you’re doing something you enjoy. Fortunately for us, software is a fun. Of course, no matter how much fun you’re having at work, some degree of work-life balance absolutely is required. As the old saying goes, “How many people on their deathbed wish they’d spent more time at work?” The grand challenge for many of us is that the years we most want to spend time with our families and enjoy life outside of work are also the same career-building foundational years—in our 20s, 30s, and 40s. The split between work and life is a very personal ...

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