Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Ask HN: Burnt-out, directionless but want to turn it around

news.ycombinator.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

61–70 of 521 posts

Re: Ask HN: Burnt-out, directionless but want to turn it around

#61

Post by geodel »

fshr wrote: post #30
colanderman wrote: post #9

1. Take time off, like a month or more. [1] Use it to do anything other than coding. Hone a hobby, travel, volunteer, etc. No-one will care about a month or two gap on your resume. 2. You are worth more than you currently think you are. Internalize this, know this, that is key. "I am a sole developer for Mobile and Web platforms at this startup in a very small team" --> is a desirable skill in and of itself. 3. Stop…

But what if they aren't worth more (as a dev, financially) than they think they are? They could be awful, but naively put in a ton of hours. Why do we assume people are worth more? Are we trying to make them feel better by making assumptions and potentially leading them horribly astray? Most people are supremely mediocre and there are just and many horrible devs as their are great ones.

> and there are just and many horrible devs as their are great ones.

I will say horrible devs are far more than great ones. In my 15 years of experience I have seen far more mediocre or downright horrible than great ones.

Re: Ask HN: Burnt-out, directionless but want to turn it around

#62

Post by 29athrowaway »

This sounds like adult ADHD, which is treatable:

> only to never execute them for various reasons or get started with them only to never fully complete them and see it all the way through.

> unable to concentrate, riddled with brain fog, and unsure of my future

Go see a psychiatrist, mention those points and they will fix your problem in no time.

Re: Ask HN: Burnt-out, directionless but want to turn it around

#64

Post by chii »

colanderman wrote: post #37
fshr wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

But what if they aren't worth more (as a dev, financially) than they think they are? They could be awful, but naively put in a ton of hours. Why do we assume people are worth more? Are we trying to make them feel better by making assumptions and potentially leading them horribly astray? Most people are supremely mediocre and there are just and many horrible devs as their are great ones.

I'm basing this off four observations -- 1) They, as the sole developer, are managing to hold their startup together software-wise. That is a useful skill -- raw coding talent or not. 2) Since having recently found my way to a FAANG, I've found a surprising number of new hires are fresh college grads with about that much coding experience, and make more than I (with 30 years experience) ever had made before joining.…

> are managing to hold their startup together software-wise.

you dont know that. They could be failing the startup software-wise, and yet never know it!

The only way to find out, objectively, if you're good or not, is via multiple sources of independent verification in different companies.

Re: Ask HN: Burnt-out, directionless but want to turn it around

#65

Post by jasfi »

You'd probably struggle with learning anything working so many hours. You need more rest. Related brain training to complement leet code could help you, like mental math. Get your diet and exercise on the right track, those are probably not great.

If you're stressed try Ashwaghanda, but take it only when very stressed, not often, maybe once a month at most.

Re: Ask HN: Burnt-out, directionless but want to turn it around

#66

Post by eclipticplane »

Interview at places that don't do LeetCode. There are a lot. Take every recruiter call you can get, and proactively cut out ones that do LeetCode style live coding interviews.

I think, maybe, a primary reason you feel you're stagnating is many years at a small startup as a sole developer. You need to be around people smarter than you are to help teach you more. Those smarter people will help carry the load.

There's a word for sole developers being responsible for everything for years on end: it's called a founder.

Re: Ask HN: Burnt-out, directionless but want to turn it around

#67

Post by progrus »

The bad part about being the ~solo developer is you don’t have as many people around you to learn from.

The good part about being the ~solo developer is you learn how to deal with almost all the universal challenges involved in making software, so you will be able to understand quickly and jump in to help with just about anything at your math skill level - as long as you are on a team that supports you and complements your skill set, but still. Your skills are enormously valuable to the right organization, don’t discount them.

Re: Ask HN: Burnt-out, directionless but want to turn it around

#68

Post by willcipriano »

You can find a remote, 40 hour a week job that pays 100k+ in the US, you've got the skill set for it, get one and close your laptop at 5.

Move somewhere reasonable, buy a modest home suitable for a small family if you think that may be something you may ever want.

Get some hobbies. Meet some women (or men of course). Decorate your home. Get a new wardrobe. Live your life. You need stability and time to figure out what you want in life.

Re: Ask HN: Burnt-out, directionless but want to turn it around

#69

Post by dfcowell »

reflexe wrote: post #47
fshr wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

But what if they aren't worth more (as a dev, financially) than they think they are? They could be awful, but naively put in a ton of hours. Why do we assume people are worth more? Are we trying to make them feel better by making assumptions and potentially leading them horribly astray? Most people are supremely mediocre and there are just and many horrible devs as their are great ones.

Someone who has been working in a small team for 4 years in a startup has to be "good enough". Which is far better than the average candidate who can't keep a position for more than a year and needs constant help from the manager in order to accomplish anything. Maybe my standards are low, but unfortunately, I have seen so many of these cases.

OP didn’t state where they are from, but there are plenty of places where it is extremely hard to fire, even if an employee is consistently underperforming.

Not saying that this is the case in this circumstance (I don’t know OP,) but the “you must be good because you lasted 4 years” heuristic doesn’t work that well outside of the US, or similar markets with at-will employment.

Re: Ask HN: Burnt-out, directionless but want to turn it around

#70

Post by iancmceachern »

As others have said, take time off until you feel better. If at all possible do it while still at your current job so you don't have any added stress. Prioritize yourself and your mental state, and damn everything else.

You are amazing, certainly far from a loser, many people didn't start programming at 16, many people go their whole lives without having a realization like this. Use it as a way to start getting what you want from your life. It's yours to live.

Take time off until you feel better, as much as possible with paid PTO, sick days, etc with your current employer until the mental fog clears. Then decide what you want for yourself, then find a job that supports that and allows you to be the person you want to he for yourself.

Post reply on HN