Only in this community would a bunch of strangers give a shit that another stranger got bored at his job and is trying something new...
Maybe because people in this community can highly relate to the subject? I know I can, for one...
I quit my job
101–110 of 197 posts
Re: I quit my job
#102I can relate all too well.
I once got hired in a startup my brother was in. I relocated to a new town (the capital), and got the chance to work in the development team with my brother and another guy I also knew very well. Things were awesome, and I couldn't be happier.
After awhile though, my motivation started declining quickly, and I found it hard to get up in the morning. By that time, I had almost stopped entirely doing projects when I got home. I just didn't feel like coding in my spare time anymore.
So, what went wrong? I loved my coworkers, it was exciting being in a startup, and I was somehow involved in the decision making, but, I just felt bored. Just, a complete lack of motivation. After awhile with this, I decided to quit, since I was going to start at university anyways. As the author of the post said, I also immediately felt relieved. I got my programming joy back.
What I've learned from this is, that I either
a) want a job were I do trivial stuff (like, working in a super market), and don't code since I prefer having a joy for coding as it is a thing I love dearly, rather than just getting payed to do it. or
b) be my own boss, be it freelance web developing, or, running my own startup. When it's my goals on the line, I get much more motivated.
I've had plenty of shitty jobs, and also had good jobs. This is what I've gathered from my (short) experience (I'm only 20 atm, but been working since I was young). This may also just be me, seeing as I get bored very quickly, and loose my motivation if I'm not feeling like it.
Re: I quit my job
#103If you're in a similar position and this resonates with you, do yourself a favor and just quit. Seriously. Stop waiting for things to get interesting. They won't. It's so easy to get stuck. If you're good at what you do, you'll find a job you love immediately (if that's what you're looking for). As developers, we're fortunate to be in extremely high demand. Life is too short to be bored. Work on interesting things.
"Just quit" doesn't always work out so well: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=5778653 If I've learned anything about working, it's that you never quit without another job lined up. Employment seems to be a prerequisite for finding employment.
I don't know about this. So far I've left jobs with nothing lined up 4 times. That's every time. So far, finding work hasn't taken more than a couple months of dedicated searching. Maybe I've gotten lucky, but it hasn't seemed that difficult. Uncertain and scary at times, yes. Actually difficult, no.
Re: I quit my job
#104It sounds like you got burnt out. When you "code until the sun comes up" you neglect basic human necessities like sleep and human contact. When you think only about the company and the product vision, you lose your sense of self. Your sense of self becomes your work. I used to work at a startup where this was the case, but I've since changed. I love my work and my co-workers and I think they all work extremely hard,…
Can't emphasize this enough.
I used to eat at Subway, every single day and one day I stopped going there. I have never been able to go there again.
Passion does not turn you into a machine, you are still a human and your brain and body has limits.
Re: I quit my job
#105It sounds like you got burnt out. When you "code until the sun comes up" you neglect basic human necessities like sleep and human contact. When you think only about the company and the product vision, you lose your sense of self. Your sense of self becomes your work. I used to work at a startup where this was the case, but I've since changed. I love my work and my co-workers and I think they all work extremely hard,…
You didn't really read the post. When she started, it was like that. But eventually it turned into "just-another-9-to-5" with uninteresting problems. That's why she quit.
Re: I quit my job
#106It sounds like you got burnt out. When you "code until the sun comes up" you neglect basic human necessities like sleep and human contact. When you think only about the company and the product vision, you lose your sense of self. Your sense of self becomes your work. I used to work at a startup where this was the case, but I've since changed. I love my work and my co-workers and I think they all work extremely hard,…
You didn't really read the post. When she started, it was like that. But eventually it turned into "just-another-9-to-5" with uninteresting problems. That's why she quit.
I'm a 'he' :)
Re: I quit my job
#107Re: I quit my job
#108Earlier quoted context omitted.
I'm actually fairly serious. I've been bored before, so I hear you. But, I guess I'm kind of surprised that you chose to jump into nothing rather than parlay your way to something else. Seems a little impulsive. Impulsive is a red flag, despite what many on HN think (you can be impulsive, but you better be brilliant too). Now you've got to explain a gap in your res to a potential employer (should you choose to go tha…
An experienced developer does not lack for job offers. You can spend your entire life taking people up on those offers and never get around to doing your own thing. For most people on Earth, historically, that's not a bad place to be: it beats the hell out of starving. But if you have the luxury to do it, I think it's less impulsive than you imagine.
Ageed.
Is the OP an experienced developer?
(How many years does he have in a production setting? Would it be worth getting those critical 5 years of experience, despite bouts of boredom?)
Re: I quit my job
#109It sounds like you got burnt out. When you "code until the sun comes up" you neglect basic human necessities like sleep and human contact. When you think only about the company and the product vision, you lose your sense of self. Your sense of self becomes your work. I used to work at a startup where this was the case, but I've since changed. I love my work and my co-workers and I think they all work extremely hard,…
Can't emphasize this enough. I used to eat at Subway, every single day and one day I stopped going there. I have never been able to go there again. Passion does not turn you into a machine, you are still a human and your brain and body has limits.
I did the same thing. Six months straight. I now haven't been in years.
Re: I quit my job
#110Earlier quoted context omitted.
I'm actually fairly serious. I've been bored before, so I hear you. But, I guess I'm kind of surprised that you chose to jump into nothing rather than parlay your way to something else. Seems a little impulsive. Impulsive is a red flag, despite what many on HN think (you can be impulsive, but you better be brilliant too). Now you've got to explain a gap in your res to a potential employer (should you choose to go tha…
I tend to be fairly transparent and vocal. Sometimes it gets me into trouble, but usually it works out for the best. If a potential employer asks why I left my job (which I entirely expect), I will be straightforward. Heck, I'll even send them a link to the blog post. I'll tell them how I don't think sticking to what is easy is the best approach to building a successful business, even though it feels safe. I'll tell…
I tend to be fairly transparent and vocal. Sometimes it gets me into trouble, but usually it works out for the best.
Good. Me too. Gets me in trouble all the time; I'll never change.
And I agree with you motivation for leaving... I just would have rather read "I quit X to start Y." I don't care what "Y" is. Might not have made front page. Hmm, karma or cash... which is better?