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You really don't need to be a passionate programmer. However, passion will bring you much further when you have to work on something that's boring, tedious, or

You really don't need to be a passionate programmer. However, passion will bring you much further when you have to work on something that's boring, tedious, or has no real end in sight.

sidlls 10y ago
I've never understood this attitude. Passion doesn't necessarily bring anything to the table here for everyone. Persistence I think is the word you're actually looking for. For example, when I was in grad school my passion for the subject actually nose-dived as the quantity of tedium and endless iteration increased. It wasn't passion that carried me anywhere then. It was simple determination.
- anupshinde 10y ago
  Persistence and Passion - both have value and both might result into the same thing Passionate person's approach: > I'm looking for something I don't know. > This framework I read on HN looks cool. I have a busy day, but let me put aside my boring work and try this new framework > Let me create a NN in my own way -just for fun. I know libraries exist, but I still want to do it my way. > I'm bored - let me check HN (I don't remember that I checked it 30 mins back) > I wonder that I work so long and hard, but I don't achieve anything concrete (Scattered energies) > I reached goal XYZ because I was trying this and that. And then the dots connected and I had this eureka moment. And now I have 10K users (accidentally) Persistence approach: > This is the goal I want to reach (The goal could be learning a new thing) > This is the plan that I need to follow. Or experiment with another plan if this doesn't work. > Don't reinvent the wheel, use the resources available (exception: re-inventing was a part of the goal) > I need to read HN twice a day and see if something I can add to my learning/todo-list. > I need to stay disciplined even if I don't like it (Focused) > I reached goal XYZ because I planned and strategized for acquiring 10K users. Combination of both is necessary. Throughout my career, I have seen persistent people achieve more often. However, if passionate people achieve something it is significantly larger win (amidst very low probabilities)
pritishc 10y ago
Passion and motivation don't cut it. They get you a foot in the door. But when everything has worn out, it's discipline that does.

You really don't need to be a passionate programmer. However, passion will bring you much further when you have to work on something that's boring, tedious, or has no real end in sight.

sidlls 10y ago

I've never understood this attitude. Passion doesn't necessarily bring anything to the table here for everyone. Persistence I think is the word you're actually looking for. For example, when I was in grad school my passion for the subject actually nose-dived as the quantity of tedium and endless iteration increased. It wasn't passion that carried me anywhere then. It was simple determination.

anupshinde 10y ago
Persistence and Passion - both have value and both might result into the same thing Passionate person's approach: > I'm looking for something I don't know. > This framework I read on HN looks cool. I have a busy day, but let me put aside my boring work and try this new framework > Let me create a NN in my own way -just for fun. I know libraries exist, but I still want to do it my way. > I'm bored - let me check HN (I don't remember that I checked it 30 mins back) > I wonder that I work so long and hard, but I don't achieve anything concrete (Scattered energies) > I reached goal XYZ because I was trying this and that. And then the dots connected and I had this eureka moment. And now I have 10K users (accidentally) Persistence approach: > This is the goal I want to reach (The goal could be learning a new thing) > This is the plan that I need to follow. Or experiment with another plan if this doesn't work. > Don't reinvent the wheel, use the resources available (exception: re-inventing was a part of the goal) > I need to read HN twice a day and see if something I can add to my learning/todo-list. > I need to stay disciplined even if I don't like it (Focused) > I reached goal XYZ because I planned and strategized for acquiring 10K users. Combination of both is necessary. Throughout my career, I have seen persistent people achieve more often. However, if passionate people achieve something it is significantly larger win (amidst very low probabilities)

pritishc 10y ago

Passion and motivation don't cut it. They get you a foot in the door. But when everything has worn out, it's discipline that does.