Ask HN: How do you organize yourself as a solo founder

#1

Post by bapetel » Tue, Oct 10, 2023, 8:24 PM UTC

I have a 9:5 job and work also alone on a side project where I have to do tech related tasks as well as market sale (content creation, emails and sometime calls).

So, I'm asking if you are in same position as me, how are you organizing yourself to do everything ?

Re: Ask HN: How do you organize yourself as a solo founder

#2

Post by jcrash » Tue, Oct 10, 2023, 9:18 PM UTC

Hi, I'm in a similar position as you. 9 to 5, working on my MVP after hours.

Basically, working on this has replaced all of my TV and movie watching, and some hobbies. I'm able to do about 5hrs during the week and about 10hrs during the weekends doing it this way.

I keep a spreadsheet logging all of the time I'm putting in, and just trying to stay focused - 'fake work' was really easy to fall into in the beginning but I've been much better about that recently.

Re: Ask HN: How do you organize yourself as a solo founder

#3

Post by greenie_beans » Tue, Oct 10, 2023, 9:20 PM UTC

dedicate one night a week to marketing and one night a week to sales.

Re: Ask HN: How do you organize yourself as a solo founder

#4

Post by hoofhearted » Tue, Oct 10, 2023, 9:24 PM UTC

My ADHD meds, coffee, GitHub Issues and Discussions, and using a simple ‘todo.txt’ file in my local box.

For content creation, I created this little React based Wordpress alternative that is free to use and 100% open source: https://github.com/elegantframework/elegant-cli

For emails, I use ConvertKit to collect email signups and send out updates to my subscribers.

Pomodoro method when things are really hectic and on fire. I’ll set a timer for 20 minutes and won’t leave my terminal until my task is complete or time has run out.

P.S. I have a daytime developer gig as well; and a family at night. As well as I have small stakes in past ventures that need tending sometimes.

Re: Ask HN: How do you organize yourself as a solo founder

#5

Post by gentleman11 » Tue, Oct 10, 2023, 9:45 PM UTC

For that matter, how about a high responsibility person working from home? What’s your practices that help you be at your best?

Re: Ask HN: How do you organize yourself as a solo founder

#6

Post by jbwashington » Tue, Oct 10, 2023, 10:40 PM UTC

I keep all the random data I accumulate in Logseq, but sticky notes next to the trackpad are the default GTD system, because I need to physically scratch off completed items to get the dopamine needed to roll over into the next one.

Re: Ask HN: How do you organize yourself as a solo founder

#7

Post by sebg » Tue, Oct 10, 2023, 11:38 PM UTC

I'm going to assume organize yourself to do everything means that you a) know what to do and b) are having trouble keeping track of all of the things you need to do, have done, and want to do.

I generally break it down into - [ongoing] text file with all of the todos - [daily] categorize added todos since the last day - [daily] calendar things into when I have agreed with myself that I'll work on $project - [weekly] if I find myself doing repetitive tasks, then I do a recurring calendar item with the specifics

So I only need a calendar of choice (google calendar for me), text file (apple notes/reminders), email (superhuman for delayed email functionality).

For me, I generally want to: a) put out new content once a week b) create emails c) answer calls d) build tech

All of that sounds recurring other than c), so I first time box a daily time limit each day and slowly start figuring out what goes in where.

It changes as things progress (lots of tech needs to be built, content creation for a week I"m on vacation, etc)...

Happy to chat (my info in the profile). I've done the 9:5 + side project as well as stay-at-home parent + side project + a mix and can share more of what has worked for me.

Re: Ask HN: How do you organize yourself as a solo founder

#8

Post by sebg » Tue, Oct 10, 2023, 11:38 PM UTC

I'm going to assume organize yourself to do everything means that you a) know what to do and b) are having trouble keeping track of all of the things you need to do, have done, and want to do.

I generally break it down into - [ongoing] text file with all of the todos

- [daily] categorize added todos since the last day

- [daily] calendar things into when I have agreed with myself that I'll work on $project

- [weekly] if I find myself doing repetitive tasks, then I do a recurring calendar item with the specifics

So I only need a calendar of choice (google calendar for me), text file (apple notes/reminders), email (superhuman for delayed email functionality).

For me, I generally want to: a) put out new content once a week

b) create emails

c) answer calls

d) build tech

All of that sounds recurring other than c), so I first time box a daily time limit each day and slowly start figuring out what goes in where.

It changes as things progress (lots of tech needs to be built, content creation for a week I"m on vacation, etc)...

Happy to chat (my info in the profile). I've done the 9:5 + side project as well as stay-at-home parent + side project + a mix and can share more of what has worked for me.

Re: Ask HN: How do you organize yourself as a solo founder

#9

Post by janalsncm » Tue, Oct 10, 2023, 11:42 PM UTC

I have a very detailed roadmap with all of the tasks which need to be completed. Some are simple, some are complex. No special tools needed, I just put the whole thing on the Notes app on my phone.

For code, I keep a private repo.

For docs, I use grip to edit markdown to html files.

Re: Ask HN: How do you organize yourself as a solo founder

#10

Post by qup » Wed, Oct 11, 2023, 3:45 AM UTC

Leave your work in a way that it is easy to get started. Make schedules for anything routine. Decide what has to suffer from lack of attention, and put it out of your mind. You can only manage so many projects.