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Bootstrapping - the secret work week

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Re: Bootstrapping - the secret work week

#21

Post by alexwolfe »

Although this might work for some people I have found personally that creating a sustainable lifestyle is probably best. Setting a schedule that is mentally, physically, and emotionally draining is not a recipe for success in my experience.

The process of building something (although difficult) should be fun (at least part of the time). If you're having a great time doing something chances are you are more productive and willing to stick it out over the long term.

If you need more time freelancing could be a viable option that affords you the financial and mental stability of a regular job while working on your own project. The reality is that there are probably many ways to go about this but I think it is important not to sacrifice your happiness. If most startups fail, throwing your life at it (Social, Romantic, etc.) will certainly make things worse if your project does not work out.

Re: Bootstrapping - the secret work week

#22

Post by dconway »

rglover wrote: post #4

I did this (for six months) up until recently (quit my job) and I can say that it's a great means for getting your project started. If you're in a situation where you don't have a lot of money saved up and need a job, nothing beats spending time in the evenings and weekends working on your idea. The only caveat that wasn't really noted by the author is that it's NOT EASY. When all of your time is occupied with work (…

I'm doing a less intense version of this now. Taking breaks (sometimes whole-day breaks) helps prevent burnout. Nontechnical breaks are especially good: house chores, exercise, meals. (I actually let the dishes pile up a bit so I can wash them as a break and come back feeling productive.)

Re: Bootstrapping - the secret work week

#23

Post by trebor »

viscanti wrote: post #14
cgarvey wrote: post #12

This is really ground breaking stuff. You mean to tell me that instead of enjoying my friends and family and experiencing all that life has to offer, I can simply work on my Web app? Whoa. Seriously though, why sacrifice so much for a mere 'side-project'? Either get a better/bigger idea and make IT your full-time work, or find a 40hr./week job that is fulfilling to you. There is no other side project that will be as…

You're making the mistake of assuming your values are universally held by everyone else. They aren't. Some people really enjoy building something, even if that means not spending as much time with family/friends. Different people have different values/priorities and are in different parts of their lives (i.e someone with kids spends significantly more time with their kids than someone without kids). You seem to be im…

And you imply that there isn't value in having friends and family, spending time with your spouse and kids. When a person has a spouse and kids they have responsibilities to their family. Not everyone has your values either.

As someone who has just taken his first employment, I've only been self-employed up to this point, I've found that even a 40 hour work week is restrictive. I'm still used to spending time with my family when work is low, or when I need to distance myself from a problem to properly think about it. I can't even lean into the other room now and ask, "Hey, anyone else want a cup of tea?" on my weekdays now.

I've fallen straight into schedule hell because I am a morning person, and now my only real time to "do things" with friends and family is in the evening... when I want/need to get some sleep.

You might call it selfish if you like, but how selfish is it to

> There's value in learning and getting better at building things. There's value in enjoying what you do and taking pride in building something you're proud of, even if it never makes a dollar.

at the cost of your friends and family? Especially your family! Too many kids grow up without parents because their parents are selfish workaholics.

Just because the values aren't held universally doesn't make them invalid. Sometimes, what is held universally is the worst thing you could possibly hold. You might grab an electric fence and feel okay, but who are you touching that's getting shocked in your stead?

Re: Bootstrapping - the secret work week

#24

Post by Hisoka »

run4yourlives wrote: post #5

This pattern simply isn't sustainable and should not be maintained for anything other than short bursts. The level of those short bursts is variable based on your own individual conditions (i.e., single college kids vs. married fathers of two), but the end state is the same if exceeded: burnout. My advice would be to find a method that works well, and do it longer. The world is not going to end because your MVP wasn'…

I agree. I did this for 5 months and counting, and the thing is I am horrible at detecting when I am starting to burn out.

Last weekend, I experienced a very scary panic attack while I was commuting back home. It felt like my brain cells were literally killing each other, and that something extremely horrible was going to happen. I thought I was going to have a heart attack... when I went home, I told myself to take the weekend off which I did.. I got a massage, and now I've promised myself to sleep on time everyday, and get up earlier.

Everyone thinks mental breakdowns and insanity happens to "other people" (the ones in mental hospitals, the ones taking Prozac, etc). What we don't realize is that mental breakdowns can easily happen to us if we don't take care of ourselves.

Re: Bootstrapping - the secret work week

#25

Post by Sukotto » 

  It's tough when you're bootstrapping a web app and 
  still have a day job.
Beware of $dayjob claiming your $idea once it shows signs of taking off.

I think you should tell your day-job about your potential business before you start. Get them to sign something that says

1) You agree not to use equipment/premises belonging to $dayjob to build $idea

2) You will never work on $idea during any hours you're getting paid by $dayjob

3) $idea does not directly compete with $dayjob

4) They recognize that they have no claim to $idea or anything else you build to support it

If $dayjob is a large enough to have a dedicated HR dept they probably have a specific form to fill out.

Re: Bootstrapping - the secret work week

#26

Post by vailripper »

Sukotto wrote: post #25

It's tough when you're bootstrapping a web app and still have a day job. Beware of $dayjob claiming your $idea once it shows signs of taking off. I think you should tell your day-job about your potential business before you start . Get them to sign something that says 1) You agree not to use equipment/premises belonging to $dayjob to build $idea 2) You will never work on $idea during any hours you're getting paid by…

Also depends on where you live. For example, in Washington an employer cannot claim ownership of something you built in your own time, assuming that you didn't use any of their resources.

Re: Bootstrapping - the secret work week

#27

Post by dazzla »

dhimes wrote: post #18
dazzla wrote: post #16

Assuming you are doing this to create a business and not for... fun. Work smarter instead of longer. Sign up for the Micropreneur Academy they have a lot of great articles for working smarter http://www.micropreneur.com It boils down to stop trying to do everything yourself. Put a dollar value per hour on your time and aim for $75 - $100. Then you realize doing something yourself is NOT free but extremely expensive.…

How much does it cost? Their page doesn't say.

$50/month

Re: Bootstrapping - the secret work week

#28

Post by Sukotto »

vailripper wrote: post #26
Sukotto wrote: post #25

It's tough when you're bootstrapping a web app and still have a day job. Beware of $dayjob claiming your $idea once it shows signs of taking off. I think you should tell your day-job about your potential business before you start . Get them to sign something that says 1) You agree not to use equipment/premises belonging to $dayjob to build $idea 2) You will never work on $idea during any hours you're getting paid by…

Also depends on where you live. For example, in Washington an employer cannot claim ownership of something you built in your own time, assuming that you didn't use any of their resources.

That may be true. I still think you're smart to clear away potential encumbrances before actually starting.

If nothing else, it will make your life easier if you ever want to take on funding for your new business.

Re: Bootstrapping - the secret work week

#30

Post by reidbradford »

Sukotto wrote: post #25

It's tough when you're bootstrapping a web app and still have a day job. Beware of $dayjob claiming your $idea once it shows signs of taking off. I think you should tell your day-job about your potential business before you start . Get them to sign something that says 1) You agree not to use equipment/premises belonging to $dayjob to build $idea 2) You will never work on $idea during any hours you're getting paid by…

Perhaps but it's usually very damaging to your prospects to raise this issue during the hiring process.

Most employers don't want to hire someone who is running a business on the side - they want all your attention focused on their needs and couldn't care less about yours.

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