Engineering is fun. It uses both halves of our brain, the creative and the logical, to solve problems and bring joy into the world.
It’s common to get into a flow state when building things, where our minds are so engaged that the concepts of time and space fade into the background. We can find ourselves emerging from this state to find hours have passed without us noticing.
This is possible on the team level too. A state of constant motion, communication, focus and collaboration, where unexpected issues or new requirements are met with appetite rather than frustration or resentment. Like individual flow state, it’s something that needs to be experienced to be truly understood and appreciated.
One way to think about it is like a rugged mountain bike going downhill, where logs and rocks that might trip or break a regular road bike can be ridden over.
Is it still bumpy sometimes? Sure. Does it require a lot of concentration, skill, and strength to be able to handle the terrain? Definitely.
But does it get you to the bottom of the hill quickly and in one piece? You betcha.
And is it fun? Hell yes.