Thoughts on Kaizen
I've noticed that while I enjoy writing code, and getting into the nitty-gritties, I exhibit a marked reluctance and inertia when it comes to effectively using software tools, be it Microsoft word, or the vi editor. I'd tell myself 'Text editing isn't something I find interesting, so why should I invest the time to learn to do it more efficiently ? Besides, I can 'make-do' with the features I am aware of ". This is flawed logic of course, since doing it efficiently would mean that I would have gotten it done sooner( and better), and the time saved could be utilized to do something I find more interesting. Over time, I might save hundreds of hours if I learnt to do it efficiently. Besides there is much personal satisfaction derived from doing something well.
This applies to all walks of life. If there is a task that we repeatedly perform, it is worth investing the time and effort to learn to do it better and faster. We have to be willing to sacrifice instant gratification for potential long term benefits. I've also realized that I am never going to find that big chunk of free time when I will get down to learning all the useful features vi provides. I have to learn a little more about it each time I use it. It has to be an attitude incorporated into daily life. Explore a little more of everything everyday. I think that is the only sustainable way. Of course, it is easier said than done :-)
There is nothing new that I've said here. Just that I truly realize the value of this now.
6 comments:
I'm so bad at investing time to efficiently do something that I don't enjoy or have much interest in! I usually delegate and exchange for work that the other person doesn't like (and that I like) :). Doesn't always work in a professional setting ;). But very true words, and very hard to live up to!
Neeraja, I am also bad at it, and that is why I am trying to rectify it ! Smart strategy on your part to delegate or exchange work you don't like !:-) But like you said, not always practical :-)
vi is a very useful and versatile text editor. I find it easy to learn to use these softwares by keeping a manual handy (Usually download them from an online source and store them in a folder on my desktop) and actually looking up commands as and when I want to use them. I also have a list of commands that I have used hand written and pinned to my cubicle right next to my computer screen where it is easy to look up and I keep adding to this list. After awhile you won't require the list until you have to do some thing new that you will have to look up in the manual. When I joined my lab 3 years back I must admit I had never worked from command line. Now I can't think of working without one. Even cd and mkdir felt alien but like you said it is satisfying in the long run.
Rafiki - Nice that you are a skilled vi user! I am a novice, and am just starting to use it :-)
Totally relate to what you've written...
"Explore a little more of everything everyday.." is as good as a quote! :-)
Meenakshi, Thanks ! But I myself feel it is quite difficult to follow it all the time:-)
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