Growing By Shrinking
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Growing By Shrinking
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Re: Growing By Shrinking
#2I identify with, and am seeking for myself, a lot of things described here.
That said, the author is speaking from an intensely privileged point of view. Referring to selling one's time as a programmer as 'whoring' caused me to cringe.
I have strong aversion to growth for growth's sake now that I've lived and worked in Silicon Valley and the startups that go with it (I was CTO at a nutrition startup).
Things I've done recently:
1. Quit my job and went back to being an independent consultant. Looking to start a product company in the gap time between contracts.
2. Exercising more, in my case, 6 times a week minimum as well.
The real question is whether or not I'll be able to make something that bears revenue fruit or not. I've had small bits of success here and there before but nothing substantial or lasting. Current side project is just me scratching an itch, no real revenue potential.
I've been reading a lot in an attempt to learn as much as I can and prepare myself to be able to make something profitable. Mostly marketing and sales books, about to do another read-through of Patio11's stuff again.
Can anyone tell me what the aspiring micro-ISV/self-employed entrepreneur really needs to know in order to get ramen profitable? I know I need to build and experiment quickly - what else?
Edit:
My book log: http://bitemyapp.com/post/book-log-1/
I agree with orangethirty's "start selling". I just need to hoof it and do it. Not about to stop reading though :)
Re: Growing By Shrinking
#3Best thing I have read in months. Bravo!
I've done similar stuff, and I'm in a similar situation to yours - although I'm only at ~8 years and not 15. I also get all of my work from referrals, although I participate in (paying) startups too - on my own terms - and drop it if it moves away from what I'm interested in doing.
Never been happier.
Re: Growing By Shrinking
#4Best phrase "optimize for happiness instead of money" !!!
Re: Growing By Shrinking
#5I identify with, and am seeking for myself, a lot of things described here. That said, the author is speaking from an intensely privileged point of view. Referring to selling one's time as a programmer as 'whoring' caused me to cringe. I have strong aversion to growth for growth's sake now that I've lived and worked in Silicon Valley and the startups that go with it (I was CTO at a nutrition startup). Things I've don…
You need to stop reading and start selling. Go out (outside) and talk to people. See what they want to fix in their lives and fix it for them. Change them. Rinse and repeat. That's all there is to market research.
Example: I once sold a program to a furniture store because I went in to buy a sofa. They were doing everything with excel. I offered to build custom solution for them and they agreed. The program ended up being bought by 5 furniture stores. You never know who need what if you don't ask.
Re: Growing By Shrinking
#6I identify with, and am seeking for myself, a lot of things described here. That said, the author is speaking from an intensely privileged point of view. Referring to selling one's time as a programmer as 'whoring' caused me to cringe. I have strong aversion to growth for growth's sake now that I've lived and worked in Silicon Valley and the startups that go with it (I was CTO at a nutrition startup). Things I've don…
Move to India. You'll "get" Ramen profitable.
Re: Growing By Shrinking
#7I identify with, and am seeking for myself, a lot of things described here. That said, the author is speaking from an intensely privileged point of view. Referring to selling one's time as a programmer as 'whoring' caused me to cringe. I have strong aversion to growth for growth's sake now that I've lived and worked in Silicon Valley and the startups that go with it (I was CTO at a nutrition startup). Things I've don…
You need to stop reading and start selling. Go out (outside) and talk to people. See what they want to fix in their lives and fix it for them. Change them. Rinse and repeat. That's all there is to market research. Example: I once sold a program to a furniture store because I went in to buy a sofa. They were doing everything with excel. I offered to build custom solution for them and they agreed. The program ended up…
I agree with 'start selling' but disagree with 'stop reading', especially if he enjoys it. When an opportunity shows up from talking to people, the reading bit can really push you ahead in making the best choices and understanding the situation better.
So keep reading and start selling. Split your time up and make a schedule.
Re: Growing By Shrinking
#8Best thing I have read in months. Bravo! I've done similar stuff, and I'm in a similar situation to yours - although I'm only at ~8 years and not 15. I also get all of my work from referrals, although I participate in (paying) startups too - on my own terms - and drop it if it moves away from what I'm interested in doing. Never been happier.
Hey - if it took you 8 years instead of 15, that's a good thing! :)
Re: Growing By Shrinking
#9Isn't the point of quick growth to work hard in your early years and retire early? Sell, IPO, or just plain bank.
Yes, you could have a happier life if you worked at a more relaxed pace (there's a guy on HN who works 3, holidays 9), but you'll most likely be working for longer. Wanting to work for longer assumes you will remain fit to work for all those years, mentally and physically. That's not as guaranteed as you'd probably like to think at 25.
My advice: Push yourself, but keep a sharp eye on life balance.
Re: Growing By Shrinking
#10Ditto. I gave up lucrative, decently sized consultancy to go solo.
Before: Long commute to my office from the suburbs, 10+ hour workdays, lots of stress, kids would be asleep when I get home. After: 30 second commute upstairs, work out daily, lots of sunshine and bike rides to the park, etc.
I wrote about it here: http://planscope.io/blog/giving-up-a-million-dollar-consulta...