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People put a lot of emphasis on success. I've seen the "need to succeed" destroy more projects and motivation than anything else. I know someone who would be r

People put a lot of emphasis on success. I've seen the "need to succeed" destroy more projects and motivation than anything else. I know someone who would be really interested in working on projects, enjoys programming, and so on, be very reluctant to take up projects that seem "iffy" with regards to financial success. My point: being ruined financially by a project is one thing. It's another to program for fun. You can spin up a project for fun, as long as it isn't wrecking your bank account, and not have to worry if it's going to succeed.

ajeet_dhaliwal 10y ago
I'm starting to think emphasis on success is necessary. It's something I have not had before, I tend to work on projects because I find them interesting or I believe they should exist because they are useful. I've always maintained a job at the same time so financial ruin is never a risk. The problem with this approach is it leads to any spare time outside of the paying job being consumed with projects/entrepreneurial pursuits which is the source of the friction, not enough of my time to go to the wife/family creating the perception of me being very selfish. Ideally you want to see some traction and then ditch the job, doing so before would add additional stress due to lack of income. However getting to traction while having a job is extremely hard. Ideally you want to move in with the parents or do this when you're young to make it easier on yourself and your significant other.
- ahazred8ta 10y ago
  Remember, an extroverted engineer stares at OTHER people's shoes when he talks.
- odonnellryan 10y ago
  > I've always maintained a job at the same time so financial ruin is never a risk. I think it's a definition of "financial ruin." If you quit your job and blow through your safety net (not your retirement or anything) I don't consider that ruin. > Ideally you want to see some traction and then ditch the job, doing so before would add additional stress due to lack of income. I think this is the way that a lot of successful projects have come. If the idea is too big to solve in your spare time, it does not fit into this model.
septerr 10y ago
Not wrecking bank account shouldn't be the only concern. Wrecking relationships by being absent should also be of concern.
- odonnellryan 10y ago
  This is time management: it is hard, but it isn't impossible.
  - bitJericho 10y ago
    It's impossible without a supportive partner.
    - odonnellryan 10y ago
      I think that's a different problem.

ajeet_dhaliwal 10y ago

I'm starting to think emphasis on success is necessary. It's something I have not had before, I tend to work on projects because I find them interesting or I believe they should exist because they are useful. I've always maintained a job at the same time so financial ruin is never a risk. The problem with this approach is it leads to any spare time outside of the paying job being consumed with projects/entrepreneurial pursuits which is the source of the friction, not enough of my time to go to the wife/family creating the perception of me being very selfish. Ideally you want to see some traction and then ditch the job, doing so before would add additional stress due to lack of income. However getting to traction while having a job is extremely hard. Ideally you want to move in with the parents or do this when you're young to make it easier on yourself and your significant other.

ahazred8ta 10y ago
Remember, an extroverted engineer stares at OTHER people's shoes when he talks.
odonnellryan 10y ago
> I've always maintained a job at the same time so financial ruin is never a risk. I think it's a definition of "financial ruin." If you quit your job and blow through your safety net (not your retirement or anything) I don't consider that ruin. > Ideally you want to see some traction and then ditch the job, doing so before would add additional stress due to lack of income. I think this is the way that a lot of successful projects have come. If the idea is too big to solve in your spare time, it does not fit into this model.

septerr 10y ago

Not wrecking bank account shouldn't be the only concern. Wrecking relationships by being absent should also be of concern.

odonnellryan 10y ago
This is time management: it is hard, but it isn't impossible.
- bitJericho 10y ago
  It's impossible without a supportive partner.
  - odonnellryan 10y ago
    I think that's a different problem.