[jes]

> I was quite upset, when I first ran into it, but, upon reflection, I have to admit that it was probably the best thing that ever happened to me.

At 62, I can relate.

I think you might enjoy this short parable, as told by Alan Watts:

https://youtu.be/byQrdnq7_H0

[ChrisMarshallNY]

I loved that! Thanks so much!

[jodrellblank]

I don't know if you would enjoy it, but keying off the idea of lifetime crafstmanship is the documentary film Jiro Dreams of Sushi[1], he was 85 at the time and ran a small but world famous sushi restaurant - no chain of stores, no growth at all costs, instead pursuit of excellence.

Quotes:

> Jiro Ono: Once you decide on your occupation... you must immerse yourself in your work. You have to fall in love with your work. Never complain about your job. You must dedicate your life to mastering your skill. That's the secret of success... and is the key to being regarded honorably.

and

> Jiro Ono: I do the same thing over and over, improving bit by bit. There is always a yearning to achieve more. I'll continue to climb, trying to reach the top, but no one knows where the top is.

[1] https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1772925/

[2] https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1772925/quotes/?ref_=tt_trv_qu

[lowercased]

> I do the same thing over and over, improving bit by bit. There is always a yearning to achieve more

Does he manage every aspect of his restaurant chain? Does he install all the plumbing and electrics? Does he wash all the dishes?

In 'software', it seems the 'skill' you're supposed to 'master' is always learning more of everything all the time.

I can not be a master of everything. I can not keep up with docker/k8s/security/design/css/UI/accessibility/i18n while continuing to 'achieve more' with SQL, server-side development, documentation, testing and more.

There are physical limits (x hours in a day, ability to focus and concentrate, and new 'things' constantly coming out).

I say this because as 'good' as I may be in the 'latest' in, say, 4 areas of development... I'm going to be judged harshly by certain groups of folks (team/hiring folks) because, for example, I may still be using bootstrap 5, or angular instead of react, or whatnot, regardless of if that's my focus or not.

I've fallen in love with some of my work, but there's a limit to how much I can do, and a limit to how much I can actually love. Some I just tolerate.

[jes]

You are most welcome.