Programming Is Not Fun

Funny, but someone needs to add a "WhatProgrammersCanDoWhenProgrammingIsNotFun" page that talks about entrepreneurial activities, business, etc. that people bored of development can get into.

I'm burnt out on programming, mostly because I find joy in business and doing good. I have very little joy in my current job, but I do it because it's my job. I would leave, but I have a family, I don't have income to replace it yet. I want my own successful business, and I'm here to hopefully on HN learn more about that.

I think it would be interesting for someone to do a survey on programming burnout. I know some former programmers, so I know there would be more than people think out there.

Re: Programming Is Not Fun

#5

Post by joshdev » Fri, Nov 19, 2010, 7:59 PM UTC

It's all in how you approach programming. If you view it as a puzzle and enjoy finding new ways to optimize some workflow it can be very enjoyable. Yes there are tedious moments, but those goes with just about any career out there and I'd argue that programming has a lot less tediousness compared to other jobs out there.

The question to ask yourself, is if you are finding programming not fun, is this really the career path for you? Don't waste your time doing something you don't enjoy.

Re: Programming Is Not Fun

#6

Post by buzzblog » Fri, Nov 19, 2010, 8:09 PM UTC

There's a reason it's called work.

Re: Programming Is Not Fun

#7

Post by chc » Fri, Nov 19, 2010, 8:13 PM UTC

buzzblog wrote: post #6

There's a reason it's called work.

PG wrote an interesting essay on this assumption (work = suck) a few years back: http://www.paulgraham.com/love.html

Re: Programming Is Not Fun

#8

Post by jhrobert » Fri, Nov 19, 2010, 8:17 PM UTC

c2 was such an amazing community!

Re: Programming Is Not Fun

#9

Post by [deleted] » Fri, Nov 19, 2010, 8:21 PM UTC

[deleted]

Re: Programming Is Not Fun

#10

Post by cafard » Fri, Nov 19, 2010, 8:25 PM UTC

Well, compared to quite a few jobs I have held, programming is fun. Will you find more fun and fulfillment as a bus boy in a restaurant? As a delivery driver?