Smart Scheduling - Including Buffer So It Can Flex

Our approach to becoming a better developer requires planning.  Likewise, we need smart scheduling to hit our targets.  That is the focus of this episode.  I look back at a time when I overloaded my schedule and ended up stressing out.  That led to more harm than good in many ways.  Thus, we need to look at building in ways to allow our schedule to be flexible and adjust to life events.

Smart Scheduling 101 - Add "Wiggle Room"

A rigid structure is more likely to break when it is shown resistance.  Think of a dry spaghetti noodle.  Once you apply pressure, it is likely to break or crack.  However, there are similar things (like a wet noodle) that are flexible and more difficult to break.  Those are examples of how a rigid schedule is more likely to break while less rigidity makes it more likely to last.  While it is nice to be able to fill every block of our calendar, it is also not practical.  Reality forces us to accept that unforeseen events and circumstances arise that must be addressed.  Those either break our schedule or our schedule must allow for them.  Smart scheduling means including space to soak up those unplanned events.

The Lesson Learned

Missing a planned target can be minor or major.  However, adding stress to almost any activity makes it more draining.  Thus, we are less productive overall when we add stress to our schedule.  That leads to lower quality or other increased costs that are better to avoid.

If you like this season, you will probably like Scott Adams' book, "How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big: Kind of the Story of My Life."

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