I've heard/read that some people work 4-5 hours in the evening/night after their full-day job (for a side-project or hustling for their startup). After a day of work, I feel totally exhausted and can't seem to focus on work. Though I can read (books/articles) and walk/exercise a bit.
Weekends too go in haze or watching some Netflix.
Any suggestions?
Ask HN: How do you find the energy for a side project after a 9-5 job?
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Re: Ask HN: How do you find the energy for a side project after a 9-5 job?
#2I think the trick is to instead wake up early. If you delay any serious work for the evening it's a lot harder. You're winding down and trying to enjoy the rest of the day.
Waking up early seems to be one of the main traits of those who end up making side projects or some good amounts of money.
The only problem is learning how to wake up early. Every time I wake up early it's like I forget the reason why I did it.
Re: Ask HN: How do you find the energy for a side project after a 9-5 job?
#3I have the same question. Sometimes it seems like everyone on HN is reading a non-fiction book, a fiction book, exercising regularly, has 2 kids, just defeated depression, is 2 weeks away from finishing their side project, and has a $150k/year job.
Re: Ask HN: How do you find the energy for a side project after a 9-5 job?
#4I think a lot of us have been neglecting our health. Side projects get even harder to balance when you take your health into account. Everyone needs to exercise as well. It's hard to find a balance.
Re: Ask HN: How do you find the energy for a side project after a 9-5 job?
#5After my workday, I used to (the habit is broken and I'm trying to restore it) go for a good, hard workout. Initially runs, later I added BJJ and wrestling. These completely reset my mind by the end of them. I'm focused on something not work, not technical. When I'm done I feel physically exhausted, but usually just need water, a meal, and a 30-minute rest to be mentally ready to go again.
Also, don't commit to it daily, but commit to it more days than not. When I was really keeping up the gym habit, I had 2 1/2 social nights a week (Monday, Wednesday, sometimes Friday). I'd usually have time to bring a book to read or a notebook to write in between the gym and the social obligations. It helped that I lived near my gym in a downtown area near where I usually met people, I had a ton of time freed up not commuting.
Re: Ask HN: How do you find the energy for a side project after a 9-5 job?
#6When the 9-5 job is not intense there is plenty of energy for a side project during and after work. I can say that as some with teenage children and two separate employers.
Re: Ask HN: How do you find the energy for a side project after a 9-5 job?
#7I think the trick is to instead wake up early. If you delay any serious work for the evening it's a lot harder. You're winding down and trying to enjoy the rest of the day. Waking up early seems to be one of the main traits of those who end up making side projects or some good amounts of money. The only problem is learning how to wake up early. Every time I wake up early it's like I forget the reason why I did it.
Do you have a plan of attack laid out for the morning?
Better yet, come up with a roadmap and split out how to spend your morning time for the week/month, reviewing and adjusting as needed.
Re: Ask HN: How do you find the energy for a side project after a 9-5 job?
#8I think the trick is to instead wake up early. If you delay any serious work for the evening it's a lot harder. You're winding down and trying to enjoy the rest of the day. Waking up early seems to be one of the main traits of those who end up making side projects or some good amounts of money. The only problem is learning how to wake up early. Every time I wake up early it's like I forget the reason why I did it.
That's basically the whole point of "What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast"(https://lauravanderkam.com/books/successful-people-do/): do important things early in the morning, before they can be delayed by other commitments.
I recommend the book, its short and enjoyable.
Re: Ask HN: How do you find the energy for a side project after a 9-5 job?
#9If I’m working on a side project, it’s usually a challenge that keeps me up at night. Like a really interesting problem. Maybe it’s a problem I faced everyday at work, and nobody wants to fix it. Sometimes it’s a prove them wrong attitude, other times it’s a “hmm will this work”.. and that pattern is kind of what keeps me motivated. I just want to see it work. And I think about it all the time. When it comes to execution, morning is the best time. Nights are for reading and thinking. New feature? I think about the architecture as I fall asleep. Laptop stays under my bed, when I wake up, I just sit up and get right into it. Just run. (sometimes I get carried away and am late for work)
Re: Ask HN: How do you find the energy for a side project after a 9-5 job?
#10I have the same question. Sometimes it seems like everyone on HN is reading a non-fiction book, a fiction book, exercising regularly, has 2 kids, just defeated depression, is 2 weeks away from finishing their side project, and has a $150k/year job.
Seems your HN looks different than the one I read.