[kevmo314]

Lemond's statement is in reference to racing. The race isn't won in zone 2. Same with programming. Nothing wrong with a lot of zone 2 programming, in fact it's quite important to maintain balance like you describe, but the race isn't won with comfortable work.

[whatshisface]

"The race" is won by 1,000 people working together in a way that at any given moment no more than 490 are undoing the work of the others.

[eska]

I’ve seen my share of programmers who showed off all-nighters and productive weekends, only to realize they compensate but not actually working productively their entire 40 hours, not even half. Programming is not a race, it’s a marathon.

[al_borland]

My issue with the 40 hours is the constant interruptions with meetings, co-workers asking questions, shifting priorities, etc.

When pulling an all-nighter or weekend, all of that stuff goes away.

It’s been a long time since I pulled and all-nighter or weekend, but I’ve been thinking about it just so I can feel like I finished something. If I could get actual heads down time during my 40 hours, I’d much prefer to use that time.

[lobsterthief]

Why not just work on your own projects on the nights or weekends? I promise you’ll have fewer project-related distractions than ever.

[al_borland]

I’m too burned out from the 40 hours of BS. When I have a couple weeks off I usually get inspired to start a side project. I get started, then in quickly dies once I start back up at work. I hardly touch my personal computer anymore.