How to balance work, life and continuing education

Regular efforts compound and can yield significant results over time. There is no success without consistency.

For tech professionals, there are lots of flexible ways to learn – online college courses, Udemy video courses, self-paced learning through books, and instructor-led boot camps, to name a few. Regardless of the method of learning, I’ve found that it works best when I build routines and habits around learning that help me stay consistent.

Routines could include playing a specific playlist while studying, choosing a dedicated study area in my home, and rewarding myself after completing chapters or sections. Take it from someone who has been in school consistently for the better part of a decade with a growing family and progressing career: These things work. They help your mind associate the music you put on, or the space you go to, with studying and learning. It’s a cue to your brain that says, “ok, it’s time to learn.” A small reward could be watching an episode of your favorite show, getting food you like, etc. These little routines stack up to create a cue-craving-response-reward loop that builds habits that stick.

Find power in early mornings or late nights

Early mornings and late nights are key to getting things done in my house. I have a teenager, a pre-teen, and a toddler who all have sports, clubs, and homework. Not to mention, kids generally expect some sort of dinner. Mornings can be hectic, the workday is busy, and evenings are filled with activities.

It’s important to find those blocks of time that don’t pull you out of your daily routine and cause disruption. For me, the calmest time in my household is around 9:00 p.m. on weekdays. So that’s when I plan to spend an hour or two studying or learning. As a night owl, I prefer late nights for studying. However, if mornings suit your schedule better, consider waking up an hour or two earlier, a few days a week, to focus on your studies. Whether it’s in the morning or at night, pick a time that you can commit to. It will be a small sacrifice for you, but it doesn’t necessarily need to be for the other people and commitments you have in your life. Make a plan, block out your times, and be as efficient as you can during those times to really pack in the progress.

Stay current with tech news and trends

Staying current with news and trends in our field is at the heart of any type of continued education for tech professionals. Technology evolves quickly, and there’s never a moment when what you already know will be good enough to carry you through a decades-long career. As Harry S. Truman (among others) said, “It’s what you learn after you know it all that counts.”