Ask HN: Managing Side Projects with Full Time Job?

#1

Post by flylib » Sat, Oct 19, 2013, 4:00 AM UTC

Anyone here manage a side project/startup and also have a full time job? how do you divvy up the time effectively?

Re: Ask HN: Managing Side Projects with Full Time Job?

#2

Post by kylequest » Sat, Oct 19, 2013, 4:38 AM UTC

You'll need to make sure you set boundaries for your full time job otherwise they tend to claim all of your personal time, which is no easy task.

If you area really lucky and if your side project/startup involves open source code you might be able to work on the code (at least, part time) at your full time job. It's not always possible though because some companies might not even let you open source your code.

Re: Ask HN: Managing Side Projects with Full Time Job?

#3

Post by murtza » Sat, Oct 19, 2013, 5:16 AM UTC

Relevant HN post: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=6107815

Re: Ask HN: Managing Side Projects with Full Time Job?

#4

Post by namuol » Sat, Oct 19, 2013, 11:47 AM UTC

I tried and wound up with RSI.

I quit my office job after a year of saving, and I'm about to launch the project I've been working on full-time (and plenty more) since I quit. I did have a few small gigs to keep me afloat, during that time, though.

Re: Ask HN: Managing Side Projects with Full Time Job?

#5

Post by lydiahan » Sat, Oct 19, 2013, 6:56 PM UTC

First things first, talk to your significant other about this. You will end up spending weekday evenings and weekends dedicated to a side project. If you are able to get support at home, then make sure you make the best use of your time (as I am sure you will). The trick is to figure out what milestones you want to hit in the beginning of each week, estimate the amount of time it will take, and spread out the work to each day of the week. Use a calendar or scheduler of some sort because it will keep you on track!

Re: Ask HN: Managing Side Projects with Full Time Job?

#6

Post by meerita » Sat, Oct 19, 2013, 9:53 PM UTC

Side projects have no deadlines. If you deadline you will have troubles with your current job.

Re: Ask HN: Managing Side Projects with Full Time Job?

#7

Post by dzink » Sun, Oct 20, 2013, 10:26 PM UTC

Try not to bring the job work home. I'd usually take a 1hr nap after work so I could work on my side project with a fresh brain. Hack until 3am then sleep to reset again before work.

Re: Ask HN: Managing Side Projects with Full Time Job?

#8

Post by ariejan » Mon, Oct 21, 2013, 1:50 PM UTC

I work on my side projects in the early morning - before work: http://ariejan.net/2013/05/21/early-birds/

Re: Ask HN: Managing Side Projects with Full Time Job?

#9

Post by flylib » Thu, Oct 31, 2013, 9:15 PM UTC

came across this newsletter which sends out daily articles that are pretty long dealing with this issue

http://www.bootstrappist.com