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Getting too absorbed in side projects

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Re: Getting too absorbed in side projects

#11

Post by mathgaron »

I guess it is no secret that what helps is a schedule.

I do it with accordance with a to-do list: setup realistic deadlines for all projects/side-projects and build a schedule based on them (The deadlines are the only "tight" stuff in my schedule, the rest is flexible). Your work/life balance has to be part of whatever you plan! (e.g. I usually try to have ~2 weekends in the month for other activities and ~2 weekends for projects).

Also it helps me during my free weekend/night to simply keep away from my laptop, this way I don't fall in the trap of wanting to work 1 hour and end up working the whole day.

Sadly your problem is quite common. I know too many people that can't handle their work/life balance...

Re: Getting too absorbed in side projects

#12

Post by stingraycharles »

alpinesnow wrote: post #8

Didn't relativity theory start out like that? If you don't want to sacrifice sleep or free time, use office hours (if you have a job with not much to do, that is).

I don't think it's wise to work on your side projects during work. Moral objections aside, there's a reasonable chance your employer will then own the rights to your side project.

Re: Getting too absorbed in side projects

#13

Post by Kiro »

> my laundry starts to pile up, my kitchen doesn’t get cleaned, and my social contacts get neglected from any meaningful conversation

Yup, that's the sacrifice but worth it for me personally since that side project became a business and enabled me to do a big exit.

Re: Getting too absorbed in side projects

#14

Post by nicolaslem »

This sounds very familiar to me. Usually after a month or so of doing that I feel a mild burnout and cannot touch the project for a long period after that, if at all.

Needless to say, this is not a very good strategy to build a healthy project in the long run.

Re: Getting too absorbed in side projects

#15

Post by 99052882514569 »

albertgoeswoof wrote: post #10
IloveHN84 wrote: post #3

I'm too absorbed by parenting that I dream about side projects I will never do. Enjoy the free time

I feel like this is an excuse (sorry to be blunt). I’m a new parent and managed to build and release a side project in the first few weeks, as well as keep up with a bunch of other side projects. I’ve just had to adapt the way I work on them. Eg I’m spending significantly more time planning than before, I’m using tools that have been consistently applied to solve similar problems, I’m ruthlessly prioritising features…

>I’m a new parent and managed to build and release a side project in the first few weeks

Oh gee, no, no. If all you know is the first few months, you know not of parenting time requirements. You need to come back and talk about ruthless prioritizing and efficient coding when you parent a toddler, or two. Then we can all have a hearty laugh at this post together.

Re: Getting too absorbed in side projects

#16

Post by nullandvoid »

nicolaslem wrote: post #14

This sounds very familiar to me. Usually after a month or so of doing that I feel a mild burnout and cannot touch the project for a long period after that, if at all. Needless to say, this is not a very good strategy to build a healthy project in the long run.

I get this aswell! I've had a long standing side project ( 1 year + ) and I'll have 1-2 months all out followed by another 1-2 months off then rinse and repeat

Re: Getting too absorbed in side projects

#17

Post by cujo »

albertgoeswoof wrote: post #10
IloveHN84 wrote: post #3

I'm too absorbed by parenting that I dream about side projects I will never do. Enjoy the free time

I feel like this is an excuse (sorry to be blunt). I’m a new parent and managed to build and release a side project in the first few weeks, as well as keep up with a bunch of other side projects. I’ve just had to adapt the way I work on them. Eg I’m spending significantly more time planning than before, I’m using tools that have been consistently applied to solve similar problems, I’m ruthlessly prioritising features…

> I’m a new parent

I found to have a good amount of free time during that first year or so. The weird sleep schedule provides it, I think. If you're like me, you'll find your schedule filling with more and more kid activities as they get older. Then it gets harder to fit all the things in, and you have to make some interesting choices.

Re: Getting too absorbed in side projects

#19

Post by ycombonator »

oarsinsync wrote: post #5
IloveHN84 wrote: post #3

I'm too absorbed by parenting that I dream about side projects I will never do. Enjoy the free time

Enjoy the time with your children too. The memories you build with them today will last a lifetime, and will be much more valuable than any side project you're dreaming of

Ditto !

Re: Getting too absorbed in side projects

#20

Post by sureshn »

I feel all of this boils down to how much of self discipline we can show in sticking to our schedules, I have faced this challenge multiple times and it has been hard,, I believe companies should give friday afternoon's to pursue our side projects , but there are many who disagree with that too
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