From African Clocks to Tech Career Advice

Hi Time Buddies,

Welcome back to another insightful journey where we weave through personal anecdotes, profound reflections, and actionable advice. Today, let’s dive into the nuances of time management, the intriguing world of tech careers, and find a way to bring it all full circle to a revelation that might just change how you view the balance between structure and spontaneity.

The Art of African Time Management

Time management is a concept that’s often filled with humor and cultural nuances. If you’re a project manager, you know that managing time isn’t just about setting schedules and sticking to them. It’s also about managing expectations and stakeholders. Picture this: you’re syncing schedules with your wife to head out for an event. You know her internal clock runs differently, so you set her deadline an hour earlier than yours. This isn’t just about compromise; it’s about understanding and adapting to different perceptions of time.

In many African cultures, time is fluid. Meetings aren’t as rigidly punctual, and directions can be more creative—think landmarks over house numbers. While Western ideals drive us to slavishly adhere to schedules, there’s a charm in the flexibility and human connection that global time perspectives offer.

The Tech Career Landscape

Let’s switch gears and talk about tech careers. My brother-in-law Charles asked me today for advice on breaking into the tech industry. Traditionally, programming languages like Python are a hot ticket, especially with the rise of AI. But with AI advancing so swiftly, do we still need to focus heavily on programming skills?

Intriguingly, my advice has shifted. While understanding the basics is crucial, diving into AI tools like GitHub Copilot or Google’s Gemini can give you a feel for how AI is evolving. Staying current with AI trends through newsletters like TLDR can keep you informed without overwhelming your schedule.

Routine Meets Innovation

Revisiting our theme of time management, strike a balance between the rigidity of structured routines and the flexibility of spontaneous creativity. Structure, like a 40-hour workweek or set deadlines, gives clarity and order, which is essential for someone like me who thrives on patterns. But too much structure can stifle creativity.

My conversations with my kids often inspire this balance. For instance, helping my daughter articulate better in her daily interactions teaches patience and adaptability. Her smart suggestion to lower the car window to ensure she greeted her teacher properly shows how practical creativity can meld with routine tasks.

AI Agents: Recording and Automating

In the realm of tech, I’ve been fascinated by innovations like AI-driven screen recording tools that can automate repetitive tasks. Imagine pointing an AI to record your process, learning from it, and automating future tasks. This isn’t just time-saving; it’s transformative. It enables you to inject creativity into your routine—like having your own personal AI assistant handling the mundane while you focus on the strategic.

I recently recorded a process to showcase how I craft these journal entries—a 40-minute endeavor filled with setbacks, which could ideally be streamlined to under 30 minutes with the right tools. AI has the potential to revolutionize how we capture and manage our workflows, bringing us closer to an era where every cell in a spreadsheet could be a micro AI agent, determining values and sourcing information autonomously.

Reflection and Growth: The Epiphany

It all circles back to reflection and growth. Just as I advise my son to stay in a higher-performing soccer team to challenge and stretch his abilities, we too must place ourselves in environments that push us beyond our comfort zones. Surround yourself with those who elevate you, not just in skill but in perspective.

So, Time Buddies, here’s the epiphany: Embrace the structure of routines but allow for the fluidity of creative time management. In your tech career or personal growth, balance is key. Structure sets the stage, but creativity fills the gaps, creating a harmonious dance between the known and the unknown and you’ll find yourself not just managing time, but truly mastering it.

Peace out,
Mike