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Ask HN: Why do I lose interest in every project after 6 months?

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Re: Ask HN: Why do I lose interest in every project after 6 months?

#41

Post by Vivtek »

jacquesm wrote: post #25
bdickason wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Interesting. I really like the point about building things to be maintenance free. Good call. The motivating factor for me is more in the 'change the world' idea, and I think that learning is definitely a key motivator for me. If I'm not learning, and I'm just "executing" what I've learned, I get stuck. Can you give an example of how you've made things (preferably software!) maintenance-free?

I try to keep an eye out for a pattern: that I'm doing the same thing twice. As soon as that happens I stop and I analyze the problem, if I can automate it completely I'll do it, if I can only automate a part of it I'll do that and then try to find a way to either get rid of the remainder completely, offload it to my users in some guise or other and failing that I'll pay someone some money to do it for me. Concrete e…

Yes! Automating your repetitive tasks can be a new non-repetitive task that keeps you interested - this is fantastic advice for those of us with medium attention spans.

Good one!

Re: Ask HN: Why do I lose interest in every project after 6 months?

#43

Post by bdickason »

jacquesm wrote: post #25
bdickason wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Interesting. I really like the point about building things to be maintenance free. Good call. The motivating factor for me is more in the 'change the world' idea, and I think that learning is definitely a key motivator for me. If I'm not learning, and I'm just "executing" what I've learned, I get stuck. Can you give an example of how you've made things (preferably software!) maintenance-free?

I try to keep an eye out for a pattern: that I'm doing the same thing twice. As soon as that happens I stop and I analyze the problem, if I can automate it completely I'll do it, if I can only automate a part of it I'll do that and then try to find a way to either get rid of the remainder completely, offload it to my users in some guise or other and failing that I'll pay someone some money to do it for me. Concrete e…

These are great examples :) I feel like if you blogged or shared these fixes somewhere, others would find them useful!

Re: Ask HN: Why do I lose interest in every project after 6 months?

#44

Post by edw519 »

bdickason wrote: post #34
edw519 wrote: post #32

Find a customer whose hair is on fire. They won't let you lose interest until you solve their problem. The problem is that your projects are things you're interested in and you're obviously too easy on yourself. Do something for someone else. The meaning you'll be making together will keep you interested until you finish, no matter how long it takes.

I definitely have those customers and although I am 100% CSR oriented to start, I end up snubbing them a few months in because they become so pushy.

I end up snubbing them a few months in because they become so pushy.

You may not want to hear this, but you just answered your own original question: you lose interest because you don't care.

I can't imagine "snubbing" anyone, much less my own customer. And I know lots of people that would give almost anything for a customer. You may not realize it now, but the "pushy" customers are the best ones, especially when you're first starting out.

Go pursue some other passion. Leave the start-ups for those of us who really care about the people we service.

Re: Ask HN: Why do I lose interest in every project after 6 months?

#45

Post by cturner »

bdickason wrote: post #34
edw519 wrote: post #32

Find a customer whose hair is on fire. They won't let you lose interest until you solve their problem. The problem is that your projects are things you're interested in and you're obviously too easy on yourself. Do something for someone else. The meaning you'll be making together will keep you interested until you finish, no matter how long it takes.

I definitely have those customers and although I am 100% CSR oriented to start, I end up snubbing them a few months in because they become so pushy.

    because they become so pushy
Can you give some more details about this?

Is it possible you're not managing expectations, and then that's killing your motivation?

Re: Ask HN: Why do I lose interest in every project after 6 months?

#49

Post by mattyfo »

I've always had this problem but a few months ago I borrowed a poster from my dad (career Marine, epitome of focused, determined and successful) and it's helped me keep my focus. It gets me out the door to run (I've never worked out before), it helps me pick up the statistics books I have (course I failed in college) and and it reminds me to do my best at work everyday. It's quickly becoming my mantra and maybe it will help you but you might also find it to be extremely trite so take this for what it is.

CONSISTENCY By George H. Allen (Only NFL coach to never have a losing season)

Consistency is the truest measure of performance. Almost anyone can have a great day, or even a good year, but true success is the ability to perform day in and day out, year after year, under all kinds of conditions. Inconsistency will win some of the time; consistency will win most of the time.

Consistency requires concentration, determination, and repetition.

To be at your best all the time, you must: Take nothing for granted. If you aren’t “up” every day, some thing, or someone, will knock you down. Take pride in what you do. The things you do well are the things you enjoy doing. Take setbacks in stride. Don’t brood over reverses; learn from them. Take calculated chances. To win something, you must risk something. Take work home. To get ahead, plan ahead. Take the extra lap. Condition yourself for the long run. The tested can always take it. Don’t take “no” for an answer. You can do what you believe you can do.

PS…Celebrate after the victory!

Re: Ask HN: Why do I lose interest in every project after 6 months?

#50

Post by petewarden »

"Life is pain, Highness. Anyone who says differently is selling something."

Enthusiasm, like optimism, is a choice rather something that just happens to you. It requires a lot of forethought (what do I really care about?) and continual maintenance. You need to spend time discovering and remembering the fascinating parts of whatever you're doing, and the end-results you're shooting for.

I was stuck in an awful job stocking a supermarket, with no alternatives I could find. I realized I had a choice about how I approached it, I could either mope around all day or find something I liked about it. I discovered my OCD side really appreciated looking down a whole aisle and seeing every can perfectly stacked with the labels aligned. It still makes me smile thinking about it, and left me enthusiastic enough to stick with that job for years, get through college and move onto other goals.

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