[dead]
Ask HN: How Do I Get over My Existential Crisis?
11–20 of 96 posts
Re: Ask HN: How Do I Get over My Existential Crisis?
#12Have you thought about starting a company? It’s never been easier to start a company for engineers. Granted you need to have a problem to solve but those can be found.
I thought about that, and still do! Unfortunately, I can't find a problem to solve, and believe me, I tried! Everything I come up with has been solved already with a better set of features.
There are problems to solve all over the place. But you will need to dedicate deep focused thought toward finding them.
I recommend using the concept of a “talent stack” to find areas you are uniquely suited for and uniquely interested in.
Make an ordered list of things you enjoy, things you are motivated toward, things you are talented at. Then brainstorm ways to combine as many of them as you can.
Your particular combination will be rare, this is where you are most likely to be able to find and solve problems.
Since you’re a programmer you are very well suited for that type of analysis.
Once you’ve identified those areas, dedicate deep focused thought toward identifying problems and solving them. Go for long walks or hikes or bike rides while thinking about it.
Re: Ask HN: How Do I Get over My Existential Crisis?
#13Find a problem in the world you want to solve and solve it using your skills.
Make solving big problems your life’s purpose, not trying to find a “job”.
Re: Ask HN: How Do I Get over My Existential Crisis?
#14What qualifies as "good income" where you live? How feasible is it to make your own business? It doesn't have to be a contract/service based role, you can simply sell a product. Depending on your income needs it may be enough to keep you afloat while you figure out a long term strategy.
Re: Ask HN: How Do I Get over My Existential Crisis?
#15Framing matters a lot. If you can afford to, take 6 or 12 months to widen your points of view. That might mean taking up a job in a sector you're not familiar with, or maybe changing locations (a new country perhaps?). I think by framing your situation as "my goal is now to X", when accomplishing that goal is at least partially dependent on things you don't control, is setting yourself up for failure. Instead, treat this time as a good opportunity to learn more about yourself and what possibilities are open to you that you normally wouldn't consider.
Re: Ask HN: How Do I Get over My Existential Crisis?
#16Have you thought about starting a company? It’s never been easier to start a company for engineers. Granted you need to have a problem to solve but those can be found.
I thought about that, and still do! Unfortunately, I can't find a problem to solve, and believe me, I tried! Everything I come up with has been solved already with a better set of features.
Pick something that's getting popular elsewhere in the world but not yet in your country, and copy it?
Re: Ask HN: How Do I Get over My Existential Crisis?
#17First is to stop the bleeding. Any work that puts food on the table is “honest” work. In the meantime, keep coding, think of something your local or regional society needs and build it.
One lesson I had to learn the hard way, no one is coming to save you. Build your own future. Make your own path. Finding something that people would pay for is easy. Finding something that a lot of people will pay for is hard. Just find a way to earn a living and then find a way to make a living with what you love doing. You don’t need to work for a FANNG to be successful.
Re: Ask HN: How Do I Get over My Existential Crisis?
#18Framing matters a lot. If you can afford to, take 6 or 12 months to widen your points of view. That might mean taking up a job in a sector you're not familiar with, or maybe changing locations (a new country perhaps?). I think by framing your situation as "my goal is now to X", when accomplishing that goal is at least partially dependent on things you don't control, is setting yourself up for failure. Instead, treat…
Changing locations is not an option for me, because I take care of my elderly mother. However, I am actually planning on taking a job that's unrelated to tech; let's see how it goes.
Re: Ask HN: How Do I Get over My Existential Crisis?
#19There’s some good advice from others but I mainly just wanted to wish you luck! Keep positive (easy to say, I know).
Do you have a personal website or blog? Do you have thoughts, ideas, problems you’ve solved, or mini hobby projects to talk about? It may not directly lead to an instant job but I think showing the world more about you and what you enjoy doing (and are good at) beyond the normal CV format might be a good start? It’s at least a productive thing to spend your time on while you’re trying to work out your next move.
Re: Ask HN: How Do I Get over My Existential Crisis?
#20What qualifies as "good income" where you live? How feasible is it to make your own business? It doesn't have to be a contract/service based role, you can simply sell a product. Depending on your income needs it may be enough to keep you afloat while you figure out a long term strategy.
Coming up with an idea for a product/service has always been the reason that stopped me from starting my own business!