We’re about two weeks into the new year, and I’m still trying to find the right balance for my various interests and projects. I feel pretty good about my progress against my goals last year and the balance I achieved. As I start this year, though, and think about what I want to achieve, I’m finding that balance more difficult to figure out.

I had several goals last year around reading, writing, and traveling and looking back, I’m pleased with how the year turned out. Sure, it took me longer to start writing than I had hoped, but I did start writing. And, I didn’t read as many books as I’d wanted, but I did read quite a few. Overall, it was a great year!

I started this year with essentially the same goals as last year:

• Read more, both fiction and non-fiction.
• Write more, both here and at Tech Talk.
• Figure out a new exercise routine.
• Travel less, which is the opposite of last year.

I also added a new one:

• Make progress on the journaling app I started late last year.

So far, so good. I’m feeling good about these goals, and I’ve already started making progress on all of them. But I have a problem with that last one.

You see, writing code is one of the few things that can consume me. What I mean is that I can get caught up in what I’m working on and lose all track of time. I end up thinking about the project almost constantly, working through issues, thinking about how I’ll add that next feature, and how to make it even better. It kind of takes over.

I know that I’m lucky to have found something that I love so much and that gives me such satisfaction. But, at the same time, when I’m so engrossed in my coding projects, I don’t make time for the other things I like to do, such as writing and reading. After a while, I feel as if I’m letting myself down by not fitting it all in.

Obviously, I have control over this. I can make different choices and find a way to fit it all in. In the past, however, I’ve tried and failed several times. The coding projects always win. My solution previously has been to completely stop coding and not allow myself to even think about those types of projects. That works for a while, but the call of coding is strong and always pulls me back. It’s something I truly love.

So, what to do? Given that I don’t want to give up my other interests, I need to find a way to fit everything in. I’m going to try something new this time by having certain days be devoted to coding, and the rest for the other things. It’s more prescriptive than what I’ve tried in the past and gives me a clear focus for certain days. That said, it will still be a challenge. If I’m in the middle of some big feature or problem, it will be hard to put it aside for a couple of days. But it’s worth a shot. I’m hoping this allows me to fit blogging, reading, and coding into my schedule. We’ll see.

What about you? Do you have any all-encompassing interests that make you lose all track of time? Do you have strategies for fitting everything in? I’m all ears for suggestions.