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Ask HN: Software/methods to structure time for side projects

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Ask HN: Software/methods to structure time for side projects

#1
Hi,

I am sure many of you have several side projects you wish to devote time to.

Sometimes I feel myself unable to "optimally" plan and allocate time and resources between projects.

When it comes to software, I feel maybe Jira is a bit heavy, and Trello for example is a bit lightweight?

Is there anyone who wants to share any experiences regarding software or methodologies to organize/plan "optimally"?

Re: Ask HN: Software/methods to structure time for side projects

#2
Usually I have 3 side projects on my mind, 2 of them I am really making progress on, the other is more aspirational.

I have tried using GitHub issues but found that, unlike work, I don't really end up maintaining it. Sometimes I write up a manifesto as a text document, I do a lot of printing out lists and crossing items out.

Re: Ask HN: Software/methods to structure time for side projects

#3

Usually I have 3 side projects on my mind, 2 of them I am really making progress on, the other is more aspirational. I have tried using GitHub issues but found that, unlike work, I don't really end up maintaining it. Sometimes I write up a manifesto as a text document, I do a lot of printing out lists and crossing items out.

Thanks, that makes sense. I have had similar experiences with trying to maintain a list of Github issues

Re: Ask HN: Software/methods to structure time for side projects

#4
In my 20s, I had several side projects and would burn the entire weekend tending to those and splurging on domain names on weekly basis. Usually most of these projects die slowly with lost interest.

Presently, I only pursue maximum 2 projects with one getting 80% effort. Time wise, I just keep a markdown file on the git with a roadmap on 12 weeks basis. If some feature keeps moving to next 12 weeks twice, it becomes major task or gets scraped.

I find using tools like Trello, Github issues, some form of notion page requires additional tending and time, which could be spent on the project.

Re: Ask HN: Software/methods to structure time for side projects

#5
I just use a Google doc with bullet points of things to do, with some notes below each bullet point. I've tried other things like Github issues and I always come back to this.

I prefer a Google doc vs. a plain text file because I get a revision history for free.

Re: Ask HN: Software/methods to structure time for side projects

#7
I use Notion with the tasks board in a Kanban view. It's essentially Trello but each task is also a page where I can document everything I'm learning or doing, even with subpages underneath. I have a board for development work and a board for marketing work. Each board has a view for prioritized ideas and a different view for in-progress work.

Re: Ask HN: Software/methods to structure time for side projects

#8
Some remarks:

+ The appeal of optimally planning is that it's easier than hard work. If you want a project done, work on it. Working on projects is not only the simplest thing that might work, working on projects is the fastest way to get them done.

+ Shopping for tools is also easier than working with what you have on hand. If you don't know what you need to buy, don't shop.

+ There's nothing wrong with learning new tools, and learning new tools is often more fun than hard work. That makes learning new tools attractive. But it is not doing hard work.

Success lies in what you make, not in what you plan to make, and hard work feels like hard work. If it doesn't feel like hard work, it isn't. Good luck.

Re: Ask HN: Software/methods to structure time for side projects

#9
README.md per project with a task per line, sorted by priority, is what worked for me. Example:

# v1 MVP

- skeleton project: with hello world.

- database: add a database to the project and connect to it using code.

- login/logout: add users table and create a simple login/logout screen.

# v2

- reset password: allows user to click on forgot password and receive a new password link in their email.

- themes: tailwind or bootstrap.

And this is what I tried but failed:

GitHub Issues: not ergonomic enough. Requires many clicks and typing to search issues once you get past like 10 issues.

Trello: too simplistic and easy to desync with code.

Joplin: really nice but also easy to desync with code.

Google Docs: nice but also easy to desync with code.

Re: Ask HN: Software/methods to structure time for side projects

#10
The last thing I want to do in my side projects is to use the same technology I spend all day with at work, so instead of any software, my side projects use old-fashioned 3x5 cards in a box, with dividers for what part of the project they involve (entirely arbitrary, but how I like to think of dividing my project).

The cards are my literal "tickets" that I write TODOs on (features/bugs, etc) as I think of them and put them in the appropriate divider. Then when I'm just relaxing away from a computer I go through and sort them manually by priority, like any PM would groom a backlog. When I feel like working on particular part of my project, I grab the top card for that part.

It's nice to have at least SOME part of my day where I'm not staring at a screen.

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