Some technologies, like HTML5 or CSS3, don’t evolve quickly, but the ideas surrounding them, the skills needed to use them, or even solutions to certain problems and challenges, change and develop very fast. Hundreds of articles are published on Arabic and foreign blogs about these solutions and skills, and it’s impossible to read them all while managing your daily life and work. Here are some tips to help you stay Up To Date.
Our Problem: “Over-reading”
Over-reading can be a hindrance, as it’s difficult to make a living by reading alone. You need to apply and simulate what you read and learn, and all of this requires time. But time will be wasted if we spend it reading everything on the internet. Therefore, you’ll need to read only what’s important and use a filtering method. Here are some broad guidelines for filtering, along with some side notes to create lists and tools that will help you stay updated on what matters to you.
01 – Don’t Follow Everything That’s Written
Some people write a lot and share many ideas. Some of these ideas are beautiful and inspiring, while others aren’t worth your time. So, simply stop following those whose writings aren’t beneficial. Personally, I follow someone on Twitter “because I’m interested in them for some reason,” and if I find value in their tweets “directly or indirectly,” I keep following them. If not, I unfollow them “without hesitation.” We live in a time where only very important things deserve our attention.
02 – Follow Only Your Peers
Or in other words, “soulmates.” Look for them. If you’re a designer, developer, or writer interested in the tech field, follow those who share your dream, goal, or even your way of thinking. These are the people who truly deserve to be followed. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t follow those who differ from you or aren’t in your field, but your peers are the ones who deserve your true attention.
03 – Use Your Emotions
It’s not necessary to read an article right when it’s published. Wait a few days, weeks, or even months. If the article is still interesting after a while, it’s worth reading. Some articles are written under the influence of a certain emotional state, and you’ll find that visitor comments on them are interactive and thoughtful. These articles may inspire additional ideas and related articles, but they might only be relevant for a short period. Focus on what personally draws you in before anything else.
04 – Back Up Your Information
Create your own database, collecting what interests you most and some links you need to review. This way, you can easily access them and handle them professionally and with focus. Don’t forget to use them—use your information, ideas, and notes. Experiment with them, deal with them, then keep what truly benefits you.
05 – Use Some Tools
There are many tools that help you stay updated on what’s happening around you and what interests you. Twitter, for example, is one of the most important tools that keeps you informed and engaged with what’s happening around you. Or you can use RSS feeds, which help you keep track of what certain websites publish. There are also note-taking services or apps that help you manage and archive articles.
06 – Create Your Own Source List
Personally, I might be interested in logo design, branding, or user interfaces, which makes me focus entirely on the sites that help me stay up to date with the latest happenings in this wonderful world. That’s what you should do. Follow what really interests you and create a document with your own sources. Gather the most important sites and people who enhance your connection to what you do, and don’t distract yourself with anything outside of that list.