I am burned out while still in learning phase

Mike Judd was interviewed recently about Silicon Valley, his new show, and he remarks about the difference between Hollywood and the valley:

Silicon Valley, more even now than when I was there, they’re always talking about how they’re making the world a better place. And maybe in some ways they are, but it’s just funny. Like the richest, most successful people in our business, in Hollywood — just picking an example, J.J. Abrams or [producer] Joel Silver — they’re like, you know, "I want to make really cool stuff. I love what I do." They’re not saying "I’m saving the world through my movies."

While I don't think the comparison to Hollywood of all places is apt I do understand the spirit of what he's saying. Why can't we just enjoy what we do instead of kill ourselves trying so desperately to impress everybody else?

Perhaps that fact alone is enough to lead to serious burnout.

http://www.theverge.com/2014/3/14/5496482/mike-judge-silicon...

I would assume that the author meant that "you will not change the world with [only] a web app. No one changes the world with [only] a web app..."

Just realise yourself that becoming a billionnaire overnight is impossible, it seems like you want to do too much in too short time. When you have the feeling that you can't get anything done and that you aren't performing of what you should be performing at that time, you're stuck in an inner circle of dissappointment for yourself, whatever you are doing it will never be good enough. The best thing you can do is to take a step back and just do nothing for a while, it just doesn't seem best to put this much pressure on yourself. Maybe it's not for you but it helped for me, start to meditate and just know that you can't do x amount of things at the same time.

Being a hacker is good and all but a good product just takes a lot of time and effort. The design has to fit, the functionality has to just be right, these are things that you really can't handle on your own or in a short period of time. I would really advise you to study or work a day to day job and try to earn money with making things that you like to make until you regain mental stability. It's also a good way to come in contact with interesting people.

When you would find a day to day job, try to make a living and save up for when you want to make a product.

Usually when we fail at something we make excuses such as "I wasn't prepared for this" or "I just needed more time". Most of the time these excuses are reasonable, other times they are delusional. No matter the validity, excuses protect your self-esteem and psychological well-being.

When you put yourself in an environment where there are simply no excuses you are in full responsibility of your actions. When you fail, the only logical conclusion is that you're stupid, not fit for the job, a deluded loser.

An environment where you have full control over the variables implies that there is no other person meddling with it. Control requires isolation, but us human beings were never meant to be completely isolated and it takes a heavy toll on our well-being.

I personally worked myself out of this hole by giving my depression some meaning. Before I was proud of my skills, fiercely independent, even a bit arrogant. Going through this allowed me to really appreciate the value of my friendships and family. It allowed me to see the importance of relaxing, enjoying and exploring life. It made me humble and sympathetic towards other peoples struggles. Had you written this one year ago I would have told you "man up and get your shit together".

Above all, it allowed me to deeply explore my inner self and feel at ease with my short-comings. I am much more lenient towards myself and others. I feel more "in reality".

I think the process of healing is deeply personal, your demons are surely not the same as mine. Just rest assured that the end of the journey is a world brighter than it was before.

People who succeed at any level (Zuckerberg or Jobs included, but perhaps even the baker down the street, or a teacher, or an actor) rarely let complicated life goals get in their way; on the contrary, they just have their ideas and begin implementing them because they let the ideas themselves motivate them -- not the goals they'd like to achieve in the long run.

It is a sort of a mental cancer to let yourself be ruled by your expectations rather than your desires. The good thing is: you already know how to change it. Talk to other people, don't be afraid to disappoint them (and absolutely do that if you must), trust your intellect and respect your feelings.